Opening challenge
Maple Leafs will relaunch without Matthews for three games — and Mikheyev for much longer after wrist surgery
The start of the NHL season will be a test of character for the Maple Leafs, the next step in their mission to distance themselves from last spring’s early playoff exit and prove they are serious Stanley Cup contenders.
The challenge on Wednesday night against the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena will be even greater without star centre Auston Matthews and second-line winger Ilya Mikheyev.
Before submitting their final roster by Monday’s 5 p.m. deadline, the Leafs announced that Matthews, coming back from off-season surgery on his left wrist, will miss the first three games of the regular season. And after suffering an injury in Saturday’s final pre-season game against Ottawa, Mikheyev requires wrist surgery and is expected to be out at least eight weeks.
“I’m dying to get in and play, honestly, and get reps with the guys,” Matthews said after Monday’s workout, where he wore a grey jersey as an extra forward. “But I think it’s just one of those things that I have to be patient with … I have to be disciplined as far as that goes, and then make sure that I’m feeling 100 per cent comfort- able going in.”
With the Leafs playing three times in four nights to open their schedule, the cautious approach with Matthews wasn’t a total surprise.
The Rocket Richard trophy winner had surgery on Aug. 13 to repair his left wrist, which bothered him throughout last season, and only resumed
stickhandling and shooting in earnest just over two weeks ago.
“The progress has been great,” Matthews said. “Physically I feel great. In the last month I got to work with (skills coach Darryl Belfry) and the other coaches, but I’m not where I want to be with my wrist. Things can change, but
this week’s out of the question. It’s feel, timing and just trying to get it all back to where I feel myself out there.”
The loss of Mikheyev and Matthews’s early absence means the Leafs will have to adjust their lines — especially at centre. At Monday’s practice, coach Sheldon Keefe might have foreshadowed how that will look:
John Tavares, normally the second-line centre, was on the top unit between Mitch Marner and Nick Ritchie.
Versatile Alex Kerfoot moved from the third unit to second-line centre.
David Kämpf and Michael Amadio centred the third and fourth lines, respectively.
Amadio made the roster as the 12th forward with Mikheyev destined for long-term injured reserve. Toronto also lost forward Adam Brooks to Montreal on waivers.
The Leafs, who will hit the ice before an expected capacity crowd on Wednesday night, have changed quite a bit since they fell to the Canadiens in seven games in May. With veterans Joe Thornton (now in Florida) and Nick Foligno (Boston) gone via free agency and five role players added, the Leafs went 5-1 in the pre-season. Senators coach D.J. Smith, for one, was impressed.
“They look like they’re on a mission,” said Smith, a former Leafs assistant, after Toronto’s 4-1 win over Ottawa on Saturday night.
Keefe has said the Leafs don’t want to forget their playoff disappointment, but must set a higher standard this season. The focus is on building a true contender that can put the playoff loser narrative to bed and take advantage of the tremendous promise of a young, high-priced core led by Matthews.
They’ll face Montreal and Ottawa back-to-back to open the season, then Ottawa again on Saturday. Both opponents have also suffered major losses, with the Canadiens losing star goalie Carey Price (player assistance program) and defenceman Shea Weber (foot injury), and the Senators still at a contract stalemate with their best player, forward Brady Tkachuk.
Jack Campbell will start in goal for Wednesday’s opener, with Petr Mrázek making his Leafs debut the following night in Ottawa.