The Toronto Maple Leafs’ media horde, I mean corps, reports that the Leafs are taking an optional morning skate ahead of tonight’s game vs. the Red Wings in TO (7 PM EDT start on TSN4/ESPN+/DetroitRedWings.com, 97.1 FM), but TSN’s Mark Masters believes that the Leafs will dress the following lines…
Based on yesterday’s practice, looks like Leafs will go with this tonight:
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) October 5, 2023
Bertuzzi – Matthews – Marner
Domi – Tavares – Nylander
Knies – Minten – Jarnkrok
Holmberg – Kampf – Reaves
Rielly – Brodie
McCabe – Benoit
Giordano – Liljegren
Samsonov
Woll https://t.co/YwWNGmlQJQ
Given that the Maple Leafs already posted their lineup for tonight’s affair:
The @MapleLeafs roster for tonight’s preseason game versus Detroit at @ScotiabankArena. pic.twitter.com/4f12iPO7NI
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) October 5, 2023
The Leafs haven’t played since October 2nd, and are 2-and-1 in the preseason; Detroit’s wrapping up a 3-in-3 stretch, and is 4-and-2.
John Klingberg is back on the ice for morning skate today after missing the past week or so with a minor injury.
— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) October 5, 2023
Encouraging sign.
John Klingberg taking part in Leafs optional skate
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) October 5, 2023
First time on the ice with teammates since upper-body injury on Sept. 27 @TSN_Edge pic.twitter.com/Ut9MQzIonu
Easton Cowan is also taking part in the optional skate this morning pic.twitter.com/BmUoXpPq4W
— David Alter (@dalter) October 5, 2023
Update: Here come the quotes. I’ll keep ’em to a minimum:
Morgan Rielly on Fraser Minten: “He’s a really smart player…He looks stronger than he was last year”@TheHockeyNews
— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) October 5, 2023
Rielly on the benefits of going back to Junior for another year, like Minten might do:
— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) October 5, 2023
“It’s a chance to get confident. A chance to come into your own.”@TheHockeyNews
Knies on the 82-game grind:
— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) October 5, 2023
“I think I’m ready for it”@TheHockeyNews
As we ask Knies about what he’s learned from an elder statesman like Mark Giordano, Gio walks by and yells “WHAT?!” to mimic being hard of hearing in his old age lmao.
— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) October 5, 2023
Fraser Minten: “I think I said earlier in camp my goal is just to work hard every day and earn another day. It’s been 10 days since that.”@TheHockeyNews
— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) October 5, 2023
Fraser Minten: “I don’t think I can lose out there tonight no matter how it goes”@TheHockeyNews
— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) October 5, 2023
Fraser Minten on if he’s always been so vocal on the bench:
— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) October 5, 2023
“I think I’ve always been like that…Just want to win and want everyone to do well”@TheHockeyNews
Fraser Minten on if he’s always been so vocal on the bench:
— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) October 5, 2023
“I think I’ve always been like that…Just want to win and want everyone to do well”@TheHockeyNews
Minten on being part of the Gravenhurst trip:
— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) October 5, 2023
“It’s surreal. Just looking around and seeing who’s sitting at a table with you. If you told me this two years ago…”@TheHockeyNews
Fraser Minten says he’s not on Twitter but all his friends and family are and that they send him everything and he loves reading it all. @TheHockeyNews
— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) October 5, 2023
Keefe on what he’s look for from Fraser Minten:
— Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) October 5, 2023
“Just keep doing what he’s been doing. He’s been playing really well, which is why you give him an opportunity like this here tonight”@TheHockeyNews
Samsonov will start today and get the whole game, and Woll will get the game Saturday, per Keefe. @BodogCA
— David Alter (@dalter) October 5, 2023
Keefe says Klingberg felt good today and is hoping to play Saturday in the pre-season finale
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) October 5, 2023
That may be too fast, the coach says, but Leafs are optimistic he’ll be ready for opening night against Montreal on Wednesday @TSN_Edge
Keefe hopeful that Klingberg (upper body) will be ready to play in the season opener on Wednesday vs. MTL. "That's the plan. He's eager to get a game in on Saturday. Things went really well for him out there today … trending toward being available next week." #Leafs
— Terry Koshan 🇺🇦 (@koshtorontosun) October 5, 2023
