Race to replace Hyman begins
Marner likes the options contending for left wing on Toronto’s top line
Yes, Mitch Marner is going to miss Zach Hyman.
But he also says the upcoming battle for the left-wing job on the Maple Leafs’ top line with Marner and Auston Matthews could be a good thing.
“Zach is a big piece that we’re going to be missing,” Marner said while promoting the Marner Assist Foundation’s big fundraiser this week, “but we added some guys that really fill that aspect and can do really well in that role.
“I really don’t know who is going to be in that spot yet. It’s a little bit of a trial for that left spot, and guys are going to be hungry for it. It should be an exciting time, coming up to training camp here to start seeing who’s going to be in that role, and we’ll take it from there.”
If you were looking for hints in Wednesday’s scrimmage featuring 36 Leafs, Marlies and Growlers, you wouldn’t find any. Marner skated with Alex Kerfoot and Gordie Green, a 24-year-old who played 14 games with the AHL Marlies last year. Matthews remained sidelined after wrist surgery, although he expects to be ready when camp opens Wednesday.
Morgan Rielly, who left Monday’s scrimmage early, and John Tavares were also missing from Wednesday’s workouts. And Justin Holl left the ice early.
When he gets all of his charges together, coach Sheldon Keefe will have to find a Hyman replacement now that the winger is in Edmonton, likely to play alongside Connor McDavid.
Hyman made his name playing mostly with Matthews after they both arrived in 2016. Marner got added to the mix the past two seasons, after Keefe took over from Mike Babcock. So that left-wing job — to forecheck, dig the puck out and get it to one of the superstars — ought to be coveted.
Among returnees, Ilya Mikheyev might get a chance. He has the size and speed, although he lacks the finishing touch. But so did Hyman until a couple of seasons ago. Mikheyev is 26 going into his third season; Hyman didn’t score 20 goals until he was 27, in his third full year.
Given that greybeard Joe Thornton, now in Florida, played there, it’s possible that veteran Wayne Simmonds could draw the assignment, at least some of the time — especially when other teams are taking liberties with Matthews and Marner. Simmonds looked good Wednesday and seems fully healthy coming into camp.
But it’s more likely one of the free-agent signings will fill the role.
Nick Ritchie, an Orangeville native, probably has the inside track and the most to gain. He’s six-foot-two and can score, although his NHL career has not panned out the way many hoped when he went 10th overall — two spots behind William Nylander — to the Anaheim Ducks in the 2014 draft. Ritchie and Marner do share some history, both having attended the Hill Academy in Caledon.
Michael Bunting, from Scarborough, is another possibility. He skated with John Tavares in a Monday scrimmage. Bunting would be considered more of a late-bloomer. He went 117th overall to Arizona in 2014 and has just 26 NHL games to his credit. But he scored seven goals in 16 games with the Coyotes last year and he’s a Soo Greyhound, having played for Keefe in the OHL. Marner knows Bunting from having played against him in junior.
“Great guys, and I think they bring some really good aspects to our game,” Marner said of Bunting and Ritchie.
It should be noted that Hyman played a variety of roles. He was also a top-tier penalty killer and played on other lines. He was often the sparkplug who could get another struggling forward going.
Ondrej Kase, who struggled through injuries the past two years in Boston, and David Kampf, who has a stellar record as a defensive centre, could help the penalty kill.
“It was sad seeing Zach go, but it’s a business,” said Marner. “So that’s what was best for him. And now we’ve got to move on, make sure we’re ready to fill that hole. And whoever is going to be in that spot I’m sure is really ready and hungry to fill that spot and play with me and (Matthews).”
The Marner Assist Foundation will hold its fundraiser Thursday and Friday at the Sports Village in Vaughan, aided by many teammates, Leafs alumni and women’s players who will teach skills to youngsters.