The Toronto Maple Leafs are bringing an AHL-heavy lineup to Little Caesars Arena for tonight’s game vs. the hometown Red Wings (7 PM EDT on Bally Sports Detroit/Sportsnet One):
The @MapleLeafs roster for tonight’s preseason game in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/dKNX9MqNEO
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) October 3, 2024
Here’s the Red Wings’ lineup, too:
Tonight’s lineup vs the Leafs.
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 3, 2024
🎟️: https://t.co/ZTtCRKFpbQ pic.twitter.com/0M9A49Ptn2
If you’re interested in hearing the Leafs’ side of things, the Maple Leafs’ website posted video interviews with coach Craig Berube, Max Domi, Steven Lorentz, Max Pacioretty and Calle Jarnkrok all spoke with the media, and both Pacioretty and Jarnkrok told the Toronto Sun’s Lance Hornby that now is not the time to hit cruise control simply because it’s preseason hockey:
“I’ve always felt that way (playing the maximum in pre-season),” Pacioretty said before the Leafs departed. “In Carolina, I remember telling (coach) Rod Brind’Amour before I got injured I wanted to get in as many as possible. He was like ‘really?’ And I said yes, especially with coming to a new team, new atmosphere. It’s hard to switch teams (three times the past three years).”
Pacioretty, who was able to train properly this past summer versus the past couple of years of ankle surgery rehab, is on a PTO, though a contract is expected to be signed by opening night Wednesday when they’re in Montreal.
“It’s nice to get in a rhythm, find my game, build on it,” said Pacioretty, who was flying on adrenalin his first game with a couple of goals, though not so much the second. “I like the pace, like where my legs are. I’ll have a better indication after tonight.”
Jarnkrok has been limited this camp as a lower body injury disrupted his routine. But it’s projected he inherits William Nylander’s right wing spot on the second line as Nylander is tried at centre with Max Domi on the left. Nylander, Domi and first-liners Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies aren’t going to Detroit.
Jarnkrok termed his injury “nothing crazy” and said he otherwise has enjoyed the buzz of camp under new coach Berube.
“We have a great group, it’s a new season, a deep group without too many spots open,” Jarnkrok said.
