Marleau man of moment for Leafs

RALEIGH Mike Babcock didn’t have to sit Patrick Marleau down and convince him to play centre more often for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“I don’t sell him on nothin,’ ” Babcock said. “He likes hockey.”

Fact is, Babcock would rather use Marleau on the wing. But Babcock trusts the 38-year-old more at centre on the road than, for example, Dominic Moore, who was a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes. A game the Leafs won 5-4.

“I don’t control the matchups,” on the road. “So I can’t get mismatched in any situation with (Marleau) at centre. He can play against anybody and then I have more balance.”

Is it a luxury for Babcock to have Marleau’s versatility at his disposal?

“It’s a luxury when you win every night,” Babcock said. “We have not shown that we can win every night. But it’s a great thing. He’s a real good player, he is smart and can play.’’

Leafs winger Matt Martin wasn’t happy about being scratched when he spoke to a small group of reporters on Thursday and reiterated as much on Friday. Martin was asked when the previous time was when he was a healthy scratch in the NHL.

“Couldn’t tell you,” Martin said. “I don’t know if it has (happened), really.”

Did he get a reason for the benching from Babcock? “No, we have not talked,” Martin said.

Babcock was asked how Martin is handling the situation. “Ask Matt,” Babcock said.

Derek Ryan has solidified his spot as an everyday NHLer for the Hurricanes, but you can’t blame the centre if he pauses every so often to absorb his surroundings.

The 30-year-old native of Spokane, Wash., made his debut with Carolina two seasons ago after four years of junior hockey with his hometown Chiefs, four years at the University of Alberta and four seasons in Europe, during which he led the Swedish Hockey League in scoring in 2014-15.

“When I was playing university, the NHL was not even on the radar,” Ryan said. “The NHL was definitely not something that was talked about in the locker room.

Ryan, who earned a physiology degree at Alberta, was one of three finalists for the Masterton Trophy last season, won by Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson.

“It’s a different perspective when you come into the league at 29,” Ryan said. “You have to pinch yourself every now and then.”