Leafs notebook: St. Pats jerseys coming in March
The Maple Leafs announced they would wear their historic green Toronto St. Pats jersey on March 18 against the Chicago Blackhawks, a day after St. Patrick’s Day.
“Sounds good to me,” Leafs goalie Curtis McElhinney said. “It’s a part of history. It will be fun to change it up somewhat. Green is my favourite colour.”
The Leafs were known as the St. Pats from 1919 to 1927, winning the Stanley Cup in 1922 under that moniker, the franchise’s second after winning its original championship as the Toronto Arenas in 1918. Conn Smythe rechristened the team as the Maple Leafs in 1927.
The Leafs have only worn commemorative St. Pats uniforms on one other occasion, on March 2, 2002, the 75th anniversary of the name change from the St. Pats to the Maple Leafs.
“It will be a special moment for both our team and our fans as we recognize this memorable era in Maple Leafs and Toronto hockey history,” team president Brendan Shanahan said in a release.
KADRI HONOURED: Maple Leafs centre Nazem Kadri was flattered to be named second star of the week, sandwiched between Patrik Laine and Connor McDavid.
“It’s exciting for sure,” Kadri said. “I’ve had guys on my line able to help me out, able to give me the energy and the strength to be able to generate some offence. We have found some chemistry.”
Kadri, who had four goals and two assists last week, has been paired mostly with Leo Komarov on left wing and, lately, Josh Leivo on the right side. Kadri generally plays against the top line at home, and gets easier matchups on the road with opposition teams focusing more on Auston Matthews.
“(Kadri) got some confidence last year,” head coach Mike Babcock said. “He learned how to play without the puck a little bit. He’s committed to doing that.
“He’s gritty around the net, so he gets those second chances. And he’s able to finish. Good for him, and obviously good for us.”
MARNER RESERVED: The Maple Leafs put Mitch Marner on injured reserve on Tuesday. Marner suffered an upper-body injury last Wednesday in Columbus, and has not played since.
“He’s day to day,” Babcock said. “What does that usually mean? Ten days. That’s why they have these doctors and these trainers. If it was up to the coach and the player, he would be playing today. But they don’t let us get involved in the equation, so they save us from ourselves.”
Centre Frederik Gauthier was happy to rejoin the Leafs from the Marlies when a roster spot opened. “It’s always nice to get the call whenever it is,” said Gauthier, who had two goals and an assist in 18 games with the Leafs earlier this season.
“(He’s got) size, meanness, good defence, good in the faceoff circle,” Babcock said.
ALL-AROUND AUSTON: Babcock said there’s a stark difference defensively with Auston Matthews from the beginning of the season to now.
“Night and day,” Babcock said. “The problem with playing centre in the NHL is you have to know where to stand, especially when you play against real good players. He draws the toughest matchups on the road, and he draws the best defence every night.”