The Toronto Maple Leafs placed three players on waivers ahead of their preseason clash against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.
Travis Boyd, Vinni Lettieri, and Benoit-Olivier Groulx were among the 20 players who were placed on waivers today, with all three of them set to report to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies should they clear. The trio were among a group of depth players the Leafs signed to league minimum contracts during free agent frenzy, to provide insurance up front and veteran leadership for the prospects in the AHL.
Boyd is in his second stint with the Leafs after previously playing parts of the 2021 COVID-shortened campaign. He is coming off a season with the Minnesota Wild where he went scoreless in three games. Groulx had spent parts of seven seasons in the Anaheim Ducks’ organization, with the prior year seeing him record two assists in 45 games played. Lettieri played parts of last season with the Boston Bruins, appearing in 26 games with the team and recording five points (three goals and two assists).
Regardless of whether these three clear waivers, these are among the latest roster cuts as the Leafs begin to trim their roster down in preparation for the upcoming regular season.
Preseason Roster vs. Montreal
Speaking of preparations for the forthcoming campaign, Saturday night will mark the Leafs’ fourth of six preseason contests, where they will host the Canadiens.
Judging by the roster released by the Leafs, Max Domi is expected to centre the second line with Matthew Knies and Nick Robertson on his wings as Auston Matthews will be getting the night off for rest. John Tavares will lead the first line alongside Calle Jarnkrok and William Nylander. Jarnkrok ripped a puck in practice and shattered the glass during line rushes, forcing attendants to repair the panel as the session continued for Saturday’s game group.
Nicolas Roy will centre the third line with Dakota Joshua and Matias Maccelli on the wings, which could be Toronto’s opening night third line as well. Meanwhile the defence is nearly identical to what was used last season, with the lone exception being Matt Benning instead of Simon Benoit, who skated with the team but was in a non-contact jersey at the morning skate. Anthony Stolarz is slated for his first preseason start and will likely play the entire contest.
Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Canadiens
Forwards
Calle Jarnkrok-John Tavares-William Nylander
Matthew Knies-Max Domi-Nick Robertson
Dakota Joshua-Nicolas Roy-Matias Maccelli
Michael Pezzetta-Jacob Quillan-Borya Valis
Defence
Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev
Morgan Rielly-Brandon Carlo
Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Matt Benning
Goalies
Anthony Stolarz
Artur Akhtyamov
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Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube stressed a need for his team to get back to playing the style of hockey they did in 2024-25 after a 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
The Leafs underwent a clear system switch when they moved on from Sheldon Keefe to Craig Berube. The team was strong defensively and physical on the forecheck, and it paid off for them. They won 52 games and took the Atlantic Division title for the first time in the Auston Matthews era, even if it meant taking a step back in most of the offensive categories.
With two wins and two losses through four preseason games so far, Berube stressed a need to get back to the things that made them successful last season before the current one gets underway.
“We want to look like we did last year,” Berube told reporters following the loss. “We’re a direct team, we want to play good defence, we want to check, make sure we’re defensively sound, give our goalies good looks to make saves.”
Defence and physicality are two pillars of a Berube-run hockey team, but that doesn’t mean they’re skimping out on their efforts on the other side of the puck.
“Offensively, we want to be direct,” Berube continued. “We want to get to shoot pucks, we want to get to the net, score some dirty looks. I don’t see a whole lot changing. I think we are still lacking playing direct through the neutral zone, getting behind people to go to work. You gotta keep working on that, we’ve been working on it in practice.
Saturday night’s affair featured all of the team’s top forwards not named Auston Matthews, and a look at what could very well end up being the Maple Leafs’ third line to start the season. Nicolas Roy took the draws and had Dakota Joshua and Matias Maccelli riding shotgun. Berube said overall he was happy with the effort from the line but acknowledged that
“I thought that line possessed a lot of pucks in the offensive zone, heavy on it. I think, you know, it’s a long week, our guys are probably a little gassed and need a day off.”
The Maple Leafs will have a lengthy break before they close out the preseason with a home-and-home against the Detroit Red Wings. They’ll be back home on Thursday and hit the road on Saturday before opening the season on October 8 against the Canadiens.
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Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Miroslav Holinka is headed back to juniors for another season.
On Sunday, the team announced that Holinka has been assigned to the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings after participating in Leafs training camp. He did not make a preseason appearance.
Holinka was selected by the Maple Leafs in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL entry draft. Originally from Kromeriz, Czechia, he first played in his home country before joining the Oil Kings last season. In his debut North American season, he had 19 goals and 45 points in 47 games with Edmonton. He’ll look to keep building on that offensive production in returning to juniors again this year.
In August, Holinka landed eighth on The Leafs Nation’s 2025 summer prospect rankings. At the time, he was expected to be starting the year with the Marlies, after proving what he can do in juniors. But there were also concerns about what kind of ice time he would earn in the pros and if it may hamper his development. Ultimately, it looks like the Maple Leafs have opted to give him more time in the WHL to make sure he’s fully ready to make a run at the AHL down the line. In all likelihood, we’ll see him suit up for the Marlies at the end of the year when the Oil Kings season is done.
In his own Maple Leafs prospect review, The Nation Network’s Steven Ellis wrote the following about Holinka:
While he won’t be appearing at Coca-Cola Coliseum just yet, it’s only a matter of time before the 19-year-old prospect finds himself in a Marlies jersey. In the meantime, he’ll keep looking to improve in the WHL. Working with a Czechia-born development coach in Ladislav Smid, the Oil Kings may be just the right environment to push his game to the next level.
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James Reimer is soaking it all in after returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs on a professional tryout contract (PTO).
Reimer inked the PTO on Friday amid uncertainty about how long Joseph Woll would be away from the team, and with Dennis Hildeby being the only other goalie with NHL experience under contract beyond Woll and Anthony Stolarz. Reimer’s presence provides some insurance in the crease as the third-stringer who has settled into that role in the latter stages of his career.
While he knows that nothing is guaranteed in terms of a permanent contract, he is enjoying every moment of his second stint in Toronto.
“I haven’t had that much fun in a long time, and it’s been a special experience to be back here,” he said to reporters after his first practice on Saturday. “A lot of memories and a lot of good emotions. I’m really enjoying the moment and enjoying being back as well.”
While there was a moment at the start of the offseason where Reimer felt content with his career, it became clear in his mind early on that he still loved the game and still wanted to compete. He said that talks between his agent and GM Brad Treliving began earlier this week regarding his needs and a potential fit. When it became clear that a reunion was becoming a reality, the excitement among him, his friends, and family grew rapidly at the thought of going back to where his NHL career started.
The experience has not only made him appreciate all that has happened in his career thus far, but also given him another chance to experience being in a city that has meant a great deal to him.
“It’s a special city. It’s the greatest game on earth, and the greatest city to play the game,” he said. “I got so many good memories. I’m sure there were some bad memories there. I don’t remember any of them, I’m sure nobody does either.”
While it is far from a sure thing that Reimer will be getting a contract for the season, he knows the only thing he can focus on is doing his best and letting the rest take care of itself. It helps that he has plenty of experience under his belt and has the wisdom to know how to adapt to the changing landscape of the game.
One thing that will be changing is the number on the back of his jersey, as his original #34 is now being used by captain Auston Matthews.
“We had a little bit of a tussle and we kind of figured that Monday at practice, we’ll have a bout at centre and the winner takes the number,” he laughed.
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It looks like Max Pacioretty is ready to hang up his skates.
According to The Leafs Nation’s Nick Alberga, Pacioretty is set to retire from the NHL despite interest from multiple teams across the league. Per Alberga, the 36-year-old is now working with the University of Michigan.
The former Montreal Canadiens captain made headlines last season when he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs on a professional tryout agreement, later signing a one-year, $873,770 deal. In 37 games played with the Leafs last year, Pacioretty recorded five goals and eight assists, but then really kicked things into another gear for the playoffs.
Pacioretty made 11 postseason appearances with the Maple Leafs, recording three goals and eight points in 11 games, impressive numbers considering his age and low cap hit. Most notably, Pacioretty scored the game-winning goal against the Ottawa Senators in Game 6 of the first round to send the Maple Leafs to the conference semifinals.
Selected 22nd overall by the Canadiens in the 2007 NHL Draft, Pacioretty boasts a long and impressive career. In 939 games played, Pacioretty posted 335 goals and 681 total points. Through 89 playoff appearances, he added 28 goals and 58 points. He played in Montreal for 10 years before four seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights, reaching the conference finals three times across that span.
Pacioretty later appeared with the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals before finishing his career in Toronto. Pacioretty also appeared internationally with Team USA, playing at the 2012 World Juniors, the 2012 IIHF World Championships, the 2014 Olympic Games, and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
At his end-of-year media availability, Pacioretty hinted that retirement may be in the cards for him after a difficult year battling injury, saying:
“This year was very difficult for me, being away from my family, so I’m really excited just to get home and be with them, and talk to them about what’s next in life,” Pacioretty said. “But in terms of playing, that’s difficult to answer right now.”
While it’s reported that a number of teams were interested in bringing him back for another year, it looks like he playing days are officially coming to a close, as he takes on a role with the University of Michigan. Originally from New Canaan, Connecticut, Pacioretty played a year at Michigan in the 2007-08 season before joining with the Canadiens organization.
Best of luck to Patches in the next step of his career!
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We’re one week away from the season opener and with the Toronto Maple Leafs taking part in their annual team bonding exercises, we’re examining a few players that we need one more look at during the preseason.
Easton Cowan may have cemented his spot on the fourth line with Steven Lorentz and Scott Laughton, and it’s entirely possible that Nick Robertson could be watching next Wednesday’s opener against the Montreal Canadiens from the press box. 2024 first-round pick Ben Danford remains in camp and is impressing management, displaying improved confidence with the puck and a propensity for low-risk plays.
Here are five Maple Leafs we need another look at during the final two preseason games:
Easton Cowan
OK, this may be cheating. Cowan is easily the most intriguing player in his third training camp with the Maple Leafs and the reigning Memorial Cup MVP may have carved out his opening night role. During a 7-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, Cowan, Laughton and Lorentz exploded and showed proof of concept of a stellar line that can score, win pucks back and provide plus-defence.
There are some critics: Bruce Boudreau joined Leafs Morning Take, opining that Cowan should start in a top-six role with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, rather than playing fewer minutes at the NHL level. And there may be some validity to that opinion. In any event, we’ll want to see Cowan in the final two preseason games against the Detroit Red Wings, where he can continue to solidify his role in the lineup and display his scoring touch.
Ben Danford
Danford wasn’t expected to make the team out of camp, but he’s still pushing the incumbents. Toronto’s 2024 first-round pick is known for his spatial intelligence, defensive acumen and punishing open-ice efforts, but he’s making a more concerted effort to hunt for offence within the flow of the game.
“I thought Ben Danford played a good, solid hockey game,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said of Danford, following the preseason opener against the Ottawa Senators. “It is not a flashy game by any means, but it is just about the first pass, defending well, and playing a hard game. He was pretty much mistake-free. It was impressive.”
Danford can be sent back to major junior without clearing waivers, and he could be the best overall defenceman in the OHL with the Oshawa Generals this season. And while it’s more than likely he’ll begin the year with Oshawa, we want to see Danford against NHL players, where his calm and poise with the puck will surely be coveted assets down the line for the Maple Leafs.
Nick Robertson
Nick Robertson is in a fascinating position, after signing a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs over the summer. Robertson was lauded by Berube at the outset of training camp, with the Leafs’ head coach vouching for the talented, inconsistent scorer. With the ascendance of Cowan, along with improved depth across the lineup (Dakota Joshua, Nicolas Roy, Matias Maccelli) Robertson’s place isn’t assured just yet.
Last fall, Robertson was Toronto’s training camp MVP but started the regular season at a glacial pace. He recorded 15 goals and 22 points in 69 games, then added a goal and two points in three games, where Max Pacioretty unseated him from the playoff lineup.
Robertson’s new deal doesn’t preclude a potential trade, and the San Jose Sharks are among the team sreportedly interested in the 24-year-old, according to Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects. A two-game sample won’t necessarily change Robertson’s prospectus, but it will be worth seeing whether a late surge assures him a spot on October 8.
Henry Thrun
Henry Thrun was acquired from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Ryan Reaves on July 10, recouping some value in exchange for a player who no longer had a role with the Maple Leafs. Thrun was also one of the NHL’s worst defensive players last year by most metrics, but how much of that was a function of playing on an awful Sharks team? That may be the central question surrounding the 24-year-old entering the season.
“He’s a nice player, he skates really well, he’s got a big shot,” Maple Leafs defenceman Jake McCabe said of Thrun on September 23. “Obviously haven’t seen him in game action or anything, but just from skating, he’s a good dude and skates really well for a bigger guy. He’s obviously very young, but he’s already spent a couple of years in the NHL, so I like his game.”
Thrun has been function as the 7th man throughout the preseason, if you view Danford as the No. 8. Simon Benoit has been held out of camp due to an upper-body injury, and there’s a potential opening night spot available for the left-handed defenceman, where he may have to prove comfortable playing on the right side of the ice. Philippe Myers may be ahead of Thrun on the depth chart as well, and this week may serve as an audition for further playing time, with Toronto’s defence corps essentially locked in ahead of October 8.
William Villeneuve
William Villeneuve almost certainly won’t be on the opening night roster, but we like his upside. Villeneuve recorded four goals and 40 points in 55 games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies last season, before posting two assists in two playoff games. The 23-year-old is a right-shot defenceman with some offensive upside, and he was signed to a one-year extension in August.
William Villeneuve makes it 3-0 on the power playpic.twitter.com/vb9lZRisk4
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) September 21, 2025
The Leafs Nation ranked Villeneuve as the franchise’s ninth-ranked prospect this summer, and he’s naturally gifted commanding the attack from the blue line. Villeneuve probably won’t make the team out of camp, but we’ll want to see if he can become a viable call-up option, and if he can defend NHL players for 10-12 minutes per evening.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs will play the first of a home-and-away against the Detroit Red Wings to wrap up their preseason campaign.
Set to play his second preseason match Thursday is Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. Owing to an undisclosed injury, Toronto’s captain saw a significant drop in production last season, but he’s now reportedly back at full strength and looking for a bounce-back year.
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube spoke about what he saw from Matthews last season and what’s next heading into this year.
“It was an off year, there were things behind the scenes that we all sort of know about,” Berube said of Matthews. “He wasn’t a fully healthy player, but fought through it. I thought he played extremely well for what he was going through. He doesn’t just score goals, he does a lot of things for us. He’s penalty killing, he goes against top lines. He’s a great defensive player, good work ethic. I don’t think we should be overly concerned. He’s healthy, he’s looking good, he’s shooting the puck really well.”
It’s true that Matthews offers invaluable contributions across the ice and Berube has worked hard through his tenure so far to spotlight the hard work he puts in. That being said, Toronto’s coach conceded that tallying big numbers is an important part of the centreman’s game, and they hope to see those numbers grow again this year with a healthy Matthews.
“It’s not all about goals, but I do get it,” Berube continued. “He’s a goalscorer, everybody looks at him to score goals, and we do need him to score goals. But at the same time, it’s a team, it’s about winning games, and it’s about everybody contributing.”
As Matthews takes the ice tonight against the Red Wings, he’ll be skating alongside Matthew Knies and Max Domi. With a new look to Toronto’s offensive group this season, the hope is that the trio can become a consistent first line that can be relied on to put up big numbers this season. So while it is still preseason action, fans will be watching eagerly tonight to see what the three of them can achieve together.
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Don’t tell Anthony Stolarz it’s just preseason.
The Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender looked in mid-season form Thursday night, making 40 saves in a 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Stolarz put on a show, with his lone gaffe coming on the Red Wings’ second goal, after his failed clearing attempt on a loose puck in front led to Alex DeBrincat finding the back of the net. Toronto didn’t make it easy on him throughout the game by any means, as it was a parade to the penalty box.
With a new contract under his belt and some long-term job security for the first time in his NHL career, 2025-26 is setting up to be a monster season for 31-year-old Stolarz. Add in the fact Joseph Woll isn’t available at the moment, and Stolarz could see a lot of action in October. Don’t be surprised to see him start seven of the first eight games. Vezina Trophy incoming? If he plays like he did against the Red Wings, Stolarz could run away with it.
Head coach Craig Berube iced what is likely going to be the exact lineup who will face off against the Montreal Canadiens in the season opener. Auston Matthews supplied the only offence, scoring a power-play goal early on in the first period. Morgan Rielly was able to get the puck on net right off the draw, Matthew Knies tracked down a loose puck in front, and quickly put it on a tee for Matthews to finish it off.
Auston Matthews converts on the power play
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 2, 2025
The Leafs captain finding the back of the net is exactly what Matthews is looking for in his second, and likely final preseason game. At 100% healthy to begin the year, it will be fun to watch how hot of a start Matthews can get off to this season.
As for the rest of the Maple Leafs’ lineup, while Easton Cowan didn’t have his best game, he certainly didn’t play himself out of a roster spot. Cowan appears to have the leg up on Calle Jarnkrok and Nick Robertson, both of who could be healthy scratches to open the new year. Matias Maccelli had a good game against Detroit, showing off his ability to make the right pass in traffic, and some timely vision to create. Maccelli, Nicolas Roy, and Dakota Joshua appear to be starting the season as the Maple Leafs new third line, however, Maccelli saw some ice with William Nylander and John Tavares late, as Berube was searching for a spark.
The Maple Leafs move to 2-2-1 on the preseason, with their finale coming Saturday in Detroit. While there’s still a few questions to be answered before the puck drops ‘for real’, who is starting in net game 1 of the season isn’t one of them.
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David Kampf was placed on waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday, as the team looks to replace the injured Scott Laughton ahead of Wednesday’s season opener against the Montreal Canadiens.
Laughton is listed as week-to-week with a lower body injury suffered during Thursday’s preseason loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Kampf took line rushes alongside Steven Lorentz and Easton Cowan during Friday’s practice and was widely believed to be the front-runner to replace Laughton in the lineup.
“It’s a tough loss for him and us. It’s a bad break. He’s had a real good camp. Yeah, it’s tough for everybody,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said of Laughton’s injury, via TSN’s Mark Masters.
Kampf played sparingly throughout the preseason, and it appears likely that Calle Jarnkrok will take over the fourth line, with Steven Lorentz on the left wing, while Cowan and Nick Robertson fight for the right wing spot.
“Of course, it’s hard, like, I think everyone wants to play, wants to be in the team,” Kampf said via Nick Barden of The Hockey News. “It was hard for me, but I’m trying to be positive and work hard every day.”
Cowan has outplayed Robertson during training camp and it appeared that he secured his opening night role after a series of stellar showings in preseason action. Michael Pezzetta has played sparingly throughout training camp and he’s not a natural fit at centre, so the Maple Leafs may need to get creative ahead of Wednesday’s opener.
“He’s a good NHL player. Been around. Played in the league for a long time so he’s reliable,” Berube said of Kampf.
Jarnkrok can play either centre or wing, and can be deployed throughout the lineup as needed, although at this juncture of his career, he’s best utilized against bottom-six competition. The 34-year-old has looked refreshed during training camp, coming off a season where he recorded a goal and seven points in 19 games, working his way back after undergoing groin and sports hernia surgery.
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Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Kampf and defenceman William Villeneuve have cleared waivers on Saturday and can be assigned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
Kampf and Villeneuve were placed on waivers Friday as the Leafs make more cuts in anticipation of the regular season opener on Wednesday. Villeneuve passing through waivers was not a surprise given he was likely bound to begin the season in the AHL regardless, though he could be in the mix to get a call-up if the blueline runs into injury troubles.
Villeneuve found his footing offensively last season with 40 points (four goals and 36 assists) in 55 games played, along with two assists in two playoff games
Kampf, meanwhile, going through waivers is a bit of a surprise due to the circumstances that have befallen the Leafs recently. Scott Laughton was listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury after suffering the ailment during Thursday’s preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings. Kampf took line rushes alongside Steven Lorentz and Easton Cowan during Friday’s practice and was widely believed to be the front-runner to replace Laughton in the lineup prior to him being placed on waivers.
The 30-year-old centre had been used sparingly by head coach Craig Berube dating back to the end of last season and was likely on the outside looking in to begin the campaign. That trend has continued into the preseason, with Calle Jarnkrok appearing to be in line to take over the fourth line as the centre option between Lorentz and Cowan.
“Of course, it’s hard, like, I think everyone wants to play, wants to be in the team,” Kampf said via Nick Barden of The Hockey News. “It was hard for me, but I’m trying to be positive and work hard every day.”
Kampf’s future with the Leafs remains more uncertain than ever now that he has cleared waivers. Reports throughout the summer indicated that the team was trying to move off his contract, though no deal materialized. It is certainly possible that the team opts to bring him back into the fold as a stopgap while Laughton recovers, though the liklihood of a trade has increased now that he is eligible to be sent down to the AHL.
Kampf recorded 13 points (five goals and eight assists) in 59 games played while going scoreless in one playoff appearance.
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Just like the Toronto Maple Leafs’ roster in the wake of the departure of Mitch Marner, the Toronto Marlies are going to have a vastly different look this season. With the departure of top players and regular contributors like Alex Steeves, Fraser Minten, Joseph Blandisi, and Nick Abruzzese to other teams, there are going to be some new players competing for jobs in the top-six and on the top pairs for the Marlies.
It’s worth noting that because of the sheer amount of forwards the Leafs have competing for roster spots, players like Steeves didn’t get into a ton of NHL action despite their AHL totals showing they were more than ready to play in the NHL. That may remain the same this season, especially if Easton Cowan starts the season with the Leafs, so it’s hard to predict as of right now who might get significant playing time with the Leafs this season if anybody does. This also depends heavily on how the Marlies start the season and who’s contributing to that.
Outside of the obvious names like Cowan, here are a couple of Marlies who could be dark horse call-up candidates in 2025-26.
Luke Haymes
The Maple Leafs signed Haymes, a 6-foot-1, 203-pound centre after he was named as one of the top NCAA free agents following the 2024-25 season. He appeared in nine games with the Marlies at the end of last season and impressed with two goals and six points in those nine games. He spent three seasons with Dartmouth College and scored 12 goals in 22 games in his final season with them, and he can play both wing and centre, which will always give you a leg up with your head coach.
Haymes should get an immediate shot to play in the top six for the Marlies, and while fellow NCAA signing Jacob Quillan will likely be ahead of him on the list of calls to the big leagues, a strong start to the season could give Haymes a real chance to get noticed by Craig Berube.
William Villeneuve
While Topi Niemela owned the title of top defensive prospect for the past few years, William Villeneuve, who came from the same draft class, has quietly been working his way up the depth chart. The 6-foot-2 right-handed defenceman already has an advantage in that he’s right-handed, and he brings an element of puck-moving that the Leafs have sorely lacked in previous seasons. After back-to-back 25-point seasons in his first two years with the Marlies, Villeneuve had a breakout season last year and recorded 40 points in 55 games along with two assists in two playoff games.
The issue that presents itself with Villeneuve is that the Leafs already have a bunch of fringe NHL players competing for playing time should anybody on the back end get hurt. Philippe Myers, Henry Thrun, and Matt Benning are first, second, and third in line on paper to step in, but none of those players have the same power play quarterbacking ability that Villeneuve does. Should there be a situation where somebody like Morgan Rielly gets hurt or has to miss a few games, Villeneuve could be a sneaky candidate to get a call for a few games.
Borya Valis
Valis is on this list for a different reason than the other two. The Maple Leafs signed him out of the WHL as an undrafted free agent following a 2024-25 campaign that saw him put up 34 goals and 81 points in 66 games for his overage season. While his offensive numbers last season were attractive, it’s actually the other parts of his game that could earn him a call-up.
Valis is a physical power forward standing at 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds, and in his most recent preseason game, he skated on a line with David Kampf and Michael Pezzetta. Neither of these players are expected to crack the opening night roster, with Kampf possibly finding himself on the trade block and Pezzetta expected to provide a physical presence when called for it. Still, the fact that he skated with two fourth-line candidates in a preseason game tells me that he could be somebody in consideration should the Leafs have to fill a role on the fourth line for a few games. He might not provide the 34-goal offence we saw from him in junior, but if Craig Berube is looking for somebody to throw the body and be hard to play against, Valis could hear his name called.
The Maple Leafs will open the season on October 8 against the Montreal Canadiens, while the Marlies will kick off their season on October 10 against the Rochester Americans.
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