Elliotte Friedman reveals insight into battles at Maple Leafs Training Camp
Photo credit: Jack Boland/Toronto Sun
Brad Treliving and Craig Berube could be preaching competition with their moves to prepare for this year's Toronto Maple Leafs Training Camp.
The Maple Leafs know it's time to make a deep run into the playoffs. There are no guarantees that Mitch Marner and John Tavares will wear blue and white next season, meaning it could be the last season with the "Core Four".
Treliving and Berube created a logjam on the roster heading into training camp. They signed Nick Robertson to a one-year deal, signifying that he may stay on the team and not get traded as the rumors suggested. The Leafs also signed Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz to professional tryout agreements, and are confident that Easton Cowan could challenge for a spot.
The aftermath is simple, as there is no room for all these players to make the roster. However, according to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast, that's exactly how the Leafs want it.
"The one thing I really think about Treliving is, I think he's prepared to have some competition here. I don't think him and Berube are afraid of -- hey, if you get a great offer, you make your move, right? -- but I don't think they're afraid of letting some players who would look at this and think, 'am I on the bubble here?' be a little bit uncomfortable. I don't think they're afraid of that.
I think they want the competition, I think they want to see who it drives, and it wouldn't surprise me, like you don't have to have your roster set until the day before the season begins, so it wouldn't shock me if the Leafs let this play out a little bit. I think that is their plan. Again, you could get a good offer and say 'ah, we've gotta take this'... I think they're interested in making their camp a little more competitive, so we'll see where it goes."
I think they want the competition, I think they want to see who it drives, and it wouldn't surprise me, like you don't have to have your roster set until the day before the season begins, so it wouldn't shock me if the Leafs let this play out a little bit. I think that is their plan. Again, you could get a good offer and say 'ah, we've gotta take this'... I think they're interested in making their camp a little more competitive, so we'll see where it goes."
It seems like there is one top-six forward spot available on left-wing, and an additional bottom-six spot. There will be seven or eight players battling for those two opportunities, which should increase the competition level and be a positive for the Leafs' season.
The rumors about Craig Berube are true for his first season. He isn't in Toronto to mess around and he is determined to change their identity and win the first Stanley Cup since 1967.
Source: Maple Leafs Daily
Insider Shares Interesting News Regarding Maple Leafs Training Camp
Insider Shares Interesting News Regarding Maple Leafs Training Camp
| POLL | ||
13 SEPTEMBRE | 21 ANSWERS Elliotte Friedman reveals insight into battles at Maple Leafs Training Camp Will Easton Cowan make the opening night lineup? | ||
| Yes | 10 | 47.6 % |
| No | 8 | 38.1 % |
| Yes and back to Junior after 9 games. | 3 | 14.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
Latest 10 stories
