With coaching camp in full swing, Toronto Maple Leafs gamers struggle for roster spots forward of the season. On this submit, I’ll take a look at three gamers making an influence — Nikita Grebyonkin, Pontus Holmberg, and Jani Hakanpaa — the place they stand, and what their camp performances may imply for his or her future with the crew.
Fast Hit One: Nikita Grebyonkin: Making Waves in Camp
Regardless of his restricted English, Nikita Grebyonkin has been making a reputation for himself on the ice. Drafted one hundred and thirty fifth general in 2022, Grebyonkin arrives after a breakout season within the KHL. There, he helped Metallurg Magnitogorsk win the Gagarin Cup. His transition to the NHL has been easy to this point, and he’s already caught the eye of latest head coach Craig Berube.
Associated: Nick Robertson Commerce Talks Ongoing Throughout Maple Leafs Camp
Grebyonkin was initially paired with Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten in rookie camp. Nevertheless, with Minten sidelined resulting from damage, he was promoted to a line with veteran Max Pacioretty and Pontus Holmberg. Berube praised Grebyonkin’s bodily play. He famous, “He’s a giant, sturdy child with a great hockey IQ and never afraid to take the physique.”
Grebyonkin’s mixture of dimension and talent, mixed together with his spectacular hockey sense, has made him a participant to observe. Along with his NHL exhibition debut anticipated quickly, it’ll be attention-grabbing to see if he can proceed to push for a spot on the Maple Leafs’ opening night time roster.
Fast Hit Two: Pontus Holmberg: Studying from the Vets
Pontus Holmberg has quietly been working his means up the Maple Leafs’ depth chart, and his efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Since arriving from Sweden in 2022, he’s needed to overcome a language barrier, however Holmberg has been working each on and off the ice. His English has improved due to courses, watching TV reveals like The Workplace, and mimicking tv dialogue.
Holmberg works to solidify his place on the roster after enjoying 54 video games final season and registering 17 factors. This summer time, he ramped up his coaching to 5 days per week, aiming to deliver extra energy to his recreation.
Now enjoying alongside Max Pacioretty and Grebyonkin, Holmberg is absorbing all of the data he can from the veteran ahead. His playmaking skill and work ethic have been on full show, and if he continues to impress, Holmberg may turn out to be an everyday a part of the Maple Leafs’ lineup this season.
Fast Hit Three: Jani Hakanpaa: Progressing from Harm
On the damage entrance, the Maple Leafs acquired good news concerning free-agent defenseman Jani Hakanpaa. He has handled a knee damage that has stored him out since final March. Nevertheless, Hakanpaa expects to hitch contact practices quickly. The previous Dallas Star has been rehabbing diligently and began camp with the crew’s third exercise group, which incorporates prospects and farmhands.
Hakanpaa is a stay-at-home defenseman identified for his bodily play and skill to close down opponents. If wholesome, he may turn out to be a beneficial asset for the Maple Leafs blue line. Nevertheless, his skill to return to complete well being and make an influence in preseason video games will decide if he’s able to crack the opening night time roster.
Fast Hit 4: Maple Leafs Harm Updates
Apart from Hakanpaa, different Leafs gamers are additionally working by way of accidents. First-round decide Ben Danford has been in a no-contact jersey as he recovers from a concussion suffered in rookie camp. In the meantime, forwards Steven Lorentz and Kyle Clifford take care of upper-body accidents and are listed as day-to-day.
The Maple Leafs have additionally made their first camp cuts. They returned a number of junior gamers, together with Sam McCue and Maxim Muranov, to their respective groups.
As coaching camp continues, it’s clear that gamers like Grebyonkin, Holmberg, and Hakanpaa are making strides towards securing their very own roster spots. With competitors heating up and preseason video games on the horizon, the subsequent few weeks can be essential for these hopefuls.
Subsequent: Predicting Nick Robertson’s Season: Finest & Worst Eventualities
