After the team announced their initial training camp roster earlier in the day, Leafs GM Kyle Dubas spoke to the media on Sunday afternoon and there was plenty to talk about leading into the opening of training camps tomorrow.
First of all, let’s get this one out of the way:
Leafs GM Kyle Dubas says Auston Matthews is “fit to play” & ready to start camp
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) July 12, 2020
We all know why Dubas had to mention Matthews specifically and that’s all I’m going to say about that. Nevertheless, it’s encouraging to know that the Leafs will have their best player on the ice with the rest of his teammates when camp begins.
Kyle Dubas says the Leafs will likely bring 28-29 players into the bubble: 15-16 forwards, 9-10 D, 3-4 goalies.
Dubas and Brendan Shanahan both entering bubble on management side along with all six coaches.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) July 12, 2020
The Leafs are bringing 19 forwards, 11 defencemen and 4 goaltenders to camp as part of phase 3. At least 3 players will have to be sent home at the conclusion of camp, perhaps more if…
Leafs GM Kyle Dubas says if all goes well Andreas Johnsson (knee) may be an option at the start of the second round of the playoffs
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) July 12, 2020
After undergoing knee surgery in the middle of February, Andreas Johnsson was scheduled to be out for approximately 6 months. There hasn’t been much news on his recovery up until now, but the original timeline would have had him ready to begin skating sometime in August. If the Leafs feel he’s healthy enough to warrant a roster spot before they enter the bubble of phase 4, they’ll have to trim another name from the roster they announced this morning.
Kyle Dubas said it doesn’t look like right now none of the #Leafs invited to camp will opt out. Almost everyone has been in town for at least a week and were preparing to play.
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) July 12, 2020
While any player who decides to opt out of the NHL’s Return to Play shouldn’t have to justify or defend their decision for anybody, it’s obviously good news that, as of now, Dubas hasn’t been informed of any Leafs players who are planning to do so.
Kyle Dubas on the prospect of a fully healthy #Leafs blue line: “We’re certainly excited to see it.”
But noted the injuries #Leafs had in that respect allowed the team to see what else it had in guys like Sandin, Holl, Liljegren, Dermott, etc.
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) July 12, 2020
Aside from Johnsson, it looks as though the Leafs will have their entire roster at their disposal for phase 3. That wasn’t the case for most of 2019-2020 as the Leafs were forced to use 11 different defencemen over the course of the season. A fully healthy blue line will could be a difference maker against a hard forechecking, physical Columbus team.
“We’re going to give him every shot …”
— #leafs GM Dubas on Nick Robertson, who he says has been a full participant throughout Phase 2
— Mike Zeisberger (@Zeisberger) July 12, 2020
Robertson isn’t being brought to camp simply as some kind of reward for his outstanding junior season. The Leafs feel that he can contribute to their success right now and he’s going to be given every opportunity to earn a spot in their lineup when play resumes. I say he does it.
Kyle Dubas wants to win some hockey rounds, not bet on a 12.5% shot at the No. 1 draft pick: “It’s so far away from where our franchise is at and what we’re trying to do.”
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) July 12, 2020
What else would you expect a GM to say? The Leafs are very clearly in “win now” mode and making some noise in these playoffs could be very important in the overall growth and development of this Leafs core.
Dubas said he doesn’t think the team feels any additional pressure with the cap being flat “because our core players are signed and locked up for a couple of years.” #Leafs
— Mike Zeisberger (@Zeisberger) July 12, 2020
You can put your hypothetical Nylander and Marner trade offers on the back burner. It’s no secret that the Leafs are going to be tight against the salary cap as it remains flat going into next season but it seems as though they’ll look to navigate that without moving on from any of their big ticket players. I wouldn’t go purchasing any new Johnsson, Kerfoot or Kapanen jerseys just yet, though.
Leafs GM Kyle Dubas says team plans on bringing into the bubble:
15-16 forwards
9-10 d-men
3-4 goalies28-29 players overall
6 person coaching staff
Shanahan & DubasThey don’t want to bring players who don’t have a clear role
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) July 12, 2020
Not surprising but noteworthy all the same. This is going to be a grind like nothing these players and coaches have seen before and if things go the Leafs’ way, they could all be away from their families for several weeks. It doesn’t matter who you are or how much money you make, that is no small sacrifice.
After months without anything to satisfy our appetite for hockey, there should be no shortage of things to discuss in the days and weeks ahead. I hope you’re hungry.
