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Sights and Sounds From Day 1 of Toronto Maple Leafs Camp

By Jeremy Ridgewell

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 28: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs faces the media prior to the game against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on February 28, 2019 in Uniondale City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 28: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs faces the media prior to the game against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on February 28, 2019 in Uniondale City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs players and staff met with the media on the first day of training camp. Everyone is looking forward to a fresh start.

The general consensus is to forget about things that have happened in the past and move forward one day at a time. For the Toronto Maple Leafs players who have been here for a few seasons, it sounds like they’re repeating themselves. The fresh faces on the team look to help move the team forward in the right direction.

Some of the main topics discussed with the players were the contract status of Toronto GM Kyle Dubas, Rasmus Sandin still unsigned, and whether or not players have watched the recent documentary on the 1972 Summit Series. Players were as open and candid as possible.

Media day for players and staff is a good time to answer questions before training camp starts. Here are some of the things players and staff had to say.

The full press conference is available to watch here.

Toronto Maple Leafs Respond to Media Questions

Kyle Dubas – General Manager

Kyle Dubas began his press conference with an update on the team’s injured players. Mikhail Abramov is out with a back injury and will miss training camp. Joseph Woll is continuing to recover from a shoulder operation he had at the end of last season. Pierre Engvall has an ankle/foot injury. The Leafs hope he’ll be ready to start the season. Timothy Liljegren has a hernia and will be out for six weeks.

Regarding his contract situation,  Dubas doesn’t think his situation will distract the team and that it will sort itself out at the end of the season.

Sheldon Keefe – Head Coach

Sheldon Keefe indicated that he is happy with the players brought in over the summer. He thinks the new additions bring talent, versatility, and depth. The team is motivated, including himself, to improve upon last season. He is excited to see how his new goaltending tandem adjusts to playing in Toronto and will support them.

Keefe believes the biggest job available during this training camp will be for the second-line left-wing position. He said that players like Alex Kerfoot, Nick Robertson, and Calle Jarnkrok will battle for that position. With Liljegren and Sandin not at camp, those  positions are also up for grabs to start the season.

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