A Christmas Gift for Every Member of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Travis Dermott

The gift of an apartment with a special roommate

Travis Dermott didn’t start the season with the team because he was recovering from a shoulder surgery that took place in the spring. He recently narrowly missed getting re-injured thanks to a Kyle Okposo dirty hit (Judge for yourself whether Okposo should have been suspended for it.) that had fans of the defenseman worried.

When Dermott returned from rehab, he was first paired with Justin Holl. It was a partnership that Dermott loved. The pair share a history. Dermott has explained, “Hollsy and I have been buddies for a while now. I have a good feel of what he’s going to do. I’ve seen him go back for pucks a million times already, so I have a pretty good feel, better than the forechecker, of what he’s going to do. We just keep learning from each other like we have been and I think it can only be a positive.”

They were partnered when Holl played in his very first NHL game on Jan. 21, 2018. The magic of that pairing saw both players each score their first NHL goals. While it appears that Keefe has decided to split them up on the ice, we want to ensure that they can be best buds off it, just like former Leafs and linemates Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak.

In an attempt to replicate the close-knit friendship that became a focus on the NHL’s ‘Road to the Winter Classic’ series, we have found an apartment for Dermott and Holl to share. They can now continue to bond the way they did both with the Marlies and in their early days with the Leafs.

Justin Holl

The gift of a jet pack

For this one, we needed management’s permission to loosen the purse strings since we’re already putting a roof over the defenseman’s head. We got Holl the additional gift of a fully functioning jet pack. Ironically, he might not have even needed it.

Thanks to Holl’s impressive play of late, he is likely to skyrocket up the Leafs lineup and find himself on one of the team’s top pairings. Holl’s ability to play strong puck possession hockey is leaving a mark on his new coach. At times, Holl has even looked like the Leafs best defender.

The jet pack will allow Holl to continue on his unlikely rise.

Pierre Engvall

The gift of a lottery ticket

When unsure of what to give someone, a lottery ticket or a gift card will suffice even if it is impersonal. In Pierre Engvall’s case, we are getting him a lottery ticket because he has a knack for defying the odds.

Engvall played the majority of his career in Sweden, playing for multiple different teams. Though skilled with a big frame, he did not stand out as a blue-chip NHLer when the Leafs selected him based on his play with Frolunda HC Jr in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Engvall went in the seventh round, 188th overall. The majority of players taken in the final round of the draft never get the opportunity to play in the NHL.

Engvall got hot with the Toronto Marlies, starting his AHL campaign with seven goals and nine assists. It was enough for Leafs brass to decide that he was ready for the show. When Moore got injured, Engvall stepped in to replace him. He has now played over a dozen NHL games and hopes to do whatever he can to keep raising that number.

Alexander Kerfoot

The gift of a set of preppy polos and sweaters

Many people might not know that Alexander Kerfoot actually happens to be a graduate of Harvard University. He earned a four-year degree in economics at the Ivy League school while playing for the Crimson Men’s Ice Hockey Team.

Due to Kerfoot’s elite intellect and time at Harvard, we picked out the most stunning preppy polos and several sweaters to drape over his neck and shoulders. Because no one at editorinleafs.com has ever been near an ivy league school, we just assumed that’s how to dress.

It turns out that pink hair may have been a more likely fashion choice, so we’re glad that we included a gift receipt.