Michigan event provides great look at rookies

Don’t be surprised if Leafs keep returning to Traverse City

The Toronto Maple Leafs have two games to play, but we can assume they will accomplish what they wanted to get out of their first participation at the prospects tournament here.

The eight-team tournament is viewed by many in the NHL as the best prospects competition.

Sheldon Keefe, running the Toronto bench, would agree.

“We have done different things in London and Toronto and Laval last year, but I would say this is the most competitive one,” Keefe, the Toronto Marlies head coach, said. “The volume of teams you have and NHL personnel who are here, so that adds a lot to it, and also the interest from the fans and the facility, it’s really worked out well.

“I have heard a lot about this tournament, all the way back from when I was playing, and never been here myself. But I have been very impressed with how it has been run.

“The competitive nature does add something to it. It’s important to not get too caught up in that because you have to have a little bit of perspective and make sure we’re not putting our players in compromising spots, but I really like the nature of the event and it’s good to be a part of.”

With a couple of victories in their first two games, the Leafs, who had a full day off on Sunday, would ensure first place in the Gordie Howe Division and a spot in the championship final on Tuesday with a win against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night.

In the Ted Lindsay Division, the lone club with two wins is the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The twin rinks at Centre

Ice have been packed for each game, and when the Wings are playing, it’s often three or four deep in standing room-only areas.

We won’t be surprised if the Leafs try to make their participation in the tournament an annual occurrence.

ICE CHIPS

Keefe got a look at defenceman Mac Hollowell, a fourthround pick by the Leafs in 2018, in nine playoff games with the Marlies last spring and acknowledged he wants to see a changed approach from Hollowell with the farm club this season.

“His experience in the playoffs certainly should serve him well,” Keefe said. “(But) I still don’t think we got the real Mac Hollowell. We got a very conservative Mac that was serviceable, who gave us good minutes, but I think he has the ability to really impact the game with his skating on both sides of the puck. I thought he played a little more safe, so we want to see him take a step in that regard.”

Hollowell, at 5-foot-10 and

170 pounds, won’t throw a scare into anyone physically, but his instincts on offence are above average.

Hollowell closed his junior career with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds last season in fine fashion, recording 77 points in 64 games to lead OHL defencemen in scoring

Missing in action through the New York Rangers’ first two games of the tournament because of illness was forward Kaapo Kakko. The second pick in the 2019 draft, Kakko could be ready to play against the Minnesota Wild on Monday. tkoshan@postmedia.com twitter.com/ koshtorontosun