Gleason has much to learn joining Leafs
Coach still not sure when new blueliner will make his debut on the ice
TORONTO — Just because Tim Gleason is happy to be in Toronto doesn’t mean he’ll be wearing a Maple Leafs jersey right away.
Gleason, obtained f rom the Carolina Hurricanes for fellow defenceman JohnMichael Liles and a prospect, practised with the Leafs for the first time Friday. But it’s uncertain if he’ll play Saturday night against the New York Rangers.
“We feel he can make a contribution, and if it starts (Saturday) night or if it starts the next night or the night after, it’s always nice to have depth in defencemen,” coach Randy Carlyle said. “I think it’s one of those things where you’d like the player to get a little bit more familiar with your group, too.”
Gleason was paired with Mark Fraser on Friday.
Fraser has been a healthy scratch for Toronto’s past six games and eight of the last nine.
Carlyle and his staff must also consider Gleason’s quick turnaround after being dealt New Year’s Day as the Leafs were playing in the Winter Classic. The veteran has a steep learning curve ahead of him.
“There’s a lot of information, a lot of system things, kind of like going back to school, so it’s good,” Gleason said.
The 30-year-old left-handed shot had just one assist in 17 games for Carolina this season. He knew he was being traded about a week ago and was pulled out of games and practices beginning Dec. 31 against Montreal, so it didn’t come as much of a surprise.
Gleason, whose final game with the Hurricanes was at Air Canada Centre against the Leafs, also knew to expect more media attention than he got in Raleigh, N.C.
“This is totally different from what I’m used to. There’s usually two of you,” Gleason said with a smile.
The 6-foot, 217-pound Gleason figures to fit in better with Carlyle’s ideal identity than the smaller, quicker Liles, who’s more of a puckmover.
“I think I’m a physical player,” Gleason said. “That’s kind of how I’ve earned my spot throughout my career so far, just being physical and being hard to play against and kind of bringing that gritty type of style of play.”
That gritty style of play is exactly why the Leafs acquired Gleason and his $4-million US cap hit that runs for two more seasons after this one. Unlike Liles, who was made expendable by the growth of Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner, Gleason won’t be out of place.