So, yesterday afternoon was the first preseason game of the year. The Leafs sent a team of pros, there was only one guy on the squad who won't be in pro hockey next year, but most of them were AHL-level guys. The Sens countered with the bulk of their team, and well... the Leafs scored a lot of goals early and the Senators came back with some in the second half. The final score was 4-3 Leafs.

That is really not the point of preseason though, as fun as it is to watch Leafs fans cheer in the Sens arena.

Let's get the obvious out of the way first. Did Nick Robertson score in a preseason game? You bet.

The less obvious was that he also played PK, and while the broadcast crew were boggled, he did the same thing last year, too.

The Leafs actually practiced special teams for the first time back in Toronto yesterday, so the guys on the ice in Ottawa had not had any practice yet, but it was a penalty fest in the second half, so they got to get some work experience. They were surprisingly good.

The main groups are not very surprising, however I've never thought Auston Matthews showed any particular skill at PK. He does need to know his way around the concept, though, since the usual plan is to put him and/or William Nylander out for the last 20 seconds or so to transition to offence.

How about Easton Cowan? He was good on the powerplay, and played on the top line with Robertson and David Kämpf. At five-on-five, he was creating some offence and feeding Robertson. They looked good in the offensive zone, in a game where, despite the score, the Senators had the shot advantage throughout.

And Ben Danford? He took two penalties, the first an "oh shit" play after Artur Akhtyamov bobbled the puck – his only really bad moment. The second Danford penalty was puck over glass. He was unafraid to use his size against the Sens, had a good stick at times, and was noticeable offensively as well. It's likely that in junior hockey, Danford is deferring the offensive play to others, but when he takes the opportunity – like at the prospect tournament, where no one else was really on the puck – he's more able than his reputation would have it. He looks like a junior at times, but a very, very capable one.

Anyone else? I was a little surprised at how quiet a game Kämpf was comfortable laying down. Not bad, by any means, but I think his lack of physical engagement and offensive ineffectiveness last year has him well on the outs with Craig Berube. Maybe he's fine with that and would be happy for the proverbial change of scenery because he had no flash or sizzle on offer yesterday.

Calle Järnkrok is an NHL-level player, this is not news. He can easily slot in on any line of the team depending on context.

Next game is tomorrow evening at home to Ottawa.

- TSN
While the Maple Leafs had a team in Ottawa, most of the team participated in a practice Sunday, with Max Domi returning to the ice. While there has been rumours of Domi moving to the top line, Matias Maccelli slide alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. TSN’s Mark Masters has more on that, as well as what the special teams looked like.
TSN

Both Domi and Nic Roy left practice before it was complete.

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Heading into a new season with the identity of this team in flux, Maple Leafs head coach is hoping star winger William Nylander takes another step in his continued evolution.
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Craig Berube on John Tavares taking less to stay in Toronto: “I expected him back... He is a Leaf, wants to be a Leaf, and wants to do something special with the Leafs”
After a scrimmage day in training camp, head coach Craig Berube discussed William Nylander’s buy-in and leadership qualities, Morgan Rielly’s impressive camp so far, and John Tavares’ decision to take less money to stay in Toronto. Training Camp Lines – Day 3 Leafs practice linesGroup 2/2 Knies – Matthews – MaccelliLorentz – Laughton – RobertsonPezzetta […]
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That's it for a Monday, try to have a good one, and we'll see if anything interesting happens in practice today.

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