National Post (National Edition)
It’s Moore of the same for Leafs recruit
Forward aims to keep it simple, ‘play my game’
Taking a minor leaguer from Thousand Oaks, Calif., and plunking him on a top line for a Leafs-canadiens tilt sounds risky this close to the regular season.
But not when Trevor Moore earned at least one night in the bright lights, as left winger with John Tavares and Mitch Marner on Wednesday.
Zach Hyman’s hip pointer has healed, but he won’t play until the weekend’s final two exhibitions against Detroit. So Moore, the 5-foot-10 member of the Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies last season, deserved time with the big guns this week in the eyes of coach Mike Babcock.
“I didn’t think I’d be playing with J.T. and Marner, but things happen,” Moore said before the Leafs flew to Quebec. “I’m just going to keep it simple and play my game, be detail-oriented.
“Mike’s been complimentary, but also critical. Following his systems, it’s a little different than the Marlies. Being on top of things, being able to work hard is all that kind of stuff that he likes.
“He’s a coach — and a good one — and I’m fortunate for the feedback he’s given me, just try to get me to play confident. I’m a different player than when I’m being timid and not effective.”
The vocal Babcock did not feel he’s been harder on Moore than any other recruit.
“I haven’t been critical of him once. I just tell the truth every day,” he said. “I always tell people I don’t want to read anybody’s mind, I want them to tell me what they’re thinking, then I can please them.
“Moore has a chance to play in the NHL (but) he has a tendency to get in his own way and not have as much confidence as he should. That’s what I’ve tried to talk to him about as much as possible. He’ll get a good opportunity and I think (Dmytro) Timashov is right there (too), he’s been fantastic and it was between those two for this (Montreal gig).”
Moore came here from the University of Denver where he knew lots about the Leafs through famous fellow Pioneer Tyler Bozak. Last year was his second in the AHL — in both seasons, he scored 33 points — but he truly found his niche in the playoffs on a line with Mason Marchment and Adam Brooks. The short summer, with a quick side trip to hoist the Cup for a day during a big family reunion in North Carolina, ended in the gym to be ready for September.
Marchment was hurt in the rookie tournament earlier this month in Laval, but Brooks has had a fine camp.
“Mason, Adam and I had good chemistry, guys who just wanted to go out there and work harder than anyone else,” Moore said. “That was one thing all three of us took to heart and it changed our games.”
Moore was hardly looking at Wednesday as a make-orbreak for him in the NHL. He needs more AHL seasoning and the Leafs have a few smallish forwards such as Brooks and Jeremy Bracco with the Marlies, Tyler Ennis with the big team and Semyon Der-arguchintsev challenging in the next couple of years.
“It’s still a long way to go,” Moore agreed. “It’s not like I’ve made it, it’s just one preseason game. I just want to show what I can do.”
The game has significance for Moore in another way.
“My grandfather is from Montreal, that’s how I got hockey back in my family,” he said. “I have a little bit of family still there. I think a couple will come out (to watch).”
Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Seth Jones will be sidelined four to six weeks with a knee injury. The team said the 23-yearold Jones sprained his knee during Tuesday’s pre-season game against Buffalo. It’s a huge blow for the Blue Jackets, with Jones’ defensive linemate Zach Werenski recovering from a shoulder injury and defenceman Ryan Murray also hampered by an injury. Jones was a valuable contributor last season with 16 goals and 41 assists.