The Toronto Maple Leafs started their development camp this weekend, which kickstarts the beginning of the NHL season.
It’s been a fun offseason for Toronto Maple Leafs fans, but the beginning of camp brings hope to a new season. Whenever you get to start fresh, it brings new opportunities and new beginnings, as the Leafs try to win their first Stanley Cup since 1967.
Although many of these players at development camp won’t be apart of the main roster for the 2021-22 season, they are the future of the organization. There are plenty of familiar faces that Leafs fans will remember from recent drafts or previous camp’s, but there are a number of new guys who people may be unfamiliar with.
According to MapleLeafs.com, a “total of 39 players (20 forwards, 13 defensemen, six goaltenders) are slated to take part in this year’s development camp, including eight Maple Leafs draft picks.”
As the weekend progresses, the team will be participating in on-ice development and two scrimmages that will be exciting to see. For all participants, this is the huge opportunity, as they look to make their next step in professional hockey, either with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Marlies or Newfoundland Growlers.
This weekend won’t make or break a player’s future, but a really good camp will go a long way towards eventually making the big club and can put you on the radar with the fanbase.
As such, here are three players to watch during Leafs development camp this weekend.