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Toronto Maple Leafs Training Camp: 3 Things to Watch For

By Jeremy Ridgewell

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 26: Detail of the Toronto Maple Leafs logo on a players sweater during the third period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on March 26, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. Toronto defeats Nashville 3-2. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 26: Detail of the Toronto Maple Leafs logo on a players sweater during the third period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on March 26, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. Toronto defeats Nashville 3-2. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Maple Leafs Power Play

Last season, the Toronto Maple Leafs finished with the second-best power play in the NHL at 26.0%. They were well behind the first-place Edmonton Oilers (32.4%), so there is room for improvement. However, when you finish that high in a special-teams category, you know you did a lot of good things.

Spencer Carbery, who ran the Leafs power play last season, left to become the head coach of the Washington Capitals.

The Leafs hired Guy Boucher to run the power play this season, so we’ll see if he changes anything.

One thing people will be watching for is how he uses Morgan Rielly and John Klingberg. Will he put them together or have them each quarterback their own unit? I wouldn’t be surprised if he tries both scenarios during camp and pre-season.

Toronto Maple Leafs Penalty Kill

The Leafs penalty kill was not as good as their power play last season, but they still finished 12th in the league with 81.9%.

The Leafs re-signed David Kampf, who was a big part of their PK success last season. Mitch Marner will likely remain a penalty killer as he’s proven to be very good at it.

One surprise from media day was that Sheldon Keefe said the team plans to try Matthews on PK during camp. We can’t blame them for wanting to have the NHL’s top shot-blocking forward on the PK, but it could also increase his risk of getting hurt. I guess we’ll see how it goes and if it extends into the regular season.

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