Monday was a day off for the Leafs ahead of tonight's first preseason home game against Ottawa. Ben Danford has been turning Craig Berube's head in his first week with the Leafs coach. Berube is saying all the things you want to hear about a veteran defender. Could it be possible?

#LeafsForever *yesterday!* Craig Berube on Danford's first preseason game. “I thought [B.D.] played a good, solid hockey game. It is not a flashy game by any means, but it is just about the first pass, defending well, and playing a hard game. He was pretty much mistake-free. It was impressive.”

— Maple Leafs & Marlies News (@leafschronicle.bsky.social) 2025-09-22T22:31:24.433Z

MLHS reviews the first preseason game.

The Leafs’ unchanged defense, Jarnkrok & Kampf’s futures, and the first preseason performances - Leafs Notebook
Preseason is finally here, and before you know it, the regular season will be underway. We’ve spent a lot of time setting up preseason battles over the past few weeks, and the forward group is currently receiving the lion’s share of attention because that’s where changes were made. On defense, essentially the same personnel remains. […]
Maple Leafs HotstoveAnthony Petrielli

Scott Laughton is hoping a bit of time to transition to a brand new situation after leaving the only NHL team he's known will help him have a better season.

‘I wasn’t good enough’: Scott Laughton finding peace with life as a Maple Leaf
For Scott Laughton, joining the Toronto Maple Leafs at full speed on deadline day was a lot. But now that he’s had an off-season to get ready, the hair is standing up on his arms. Luke Fox tells us why.
Sportsnet.caLuke Fox

Some early Calder favourites.

Early favourites, dark horses for NHL’s 2025-26 Calder Trophy
With only two weeks remaining until the puck drops on 2025-26, we’ll soon see which new talents are ready to make their own marks on the league. Sonny Sachdeva takes a look at some early favourites and some early dark horses for the Calder Trophy.
Sportsnet.caSonny Sachdeva

Alex Pietrangelo might not be on Robidas Island after all.

Pietrangelo hopes to avoid surgery, possibly play for Golden Knights this season
Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo has not ruled out playing again for the Golden Knights — even this season — hoping to avoid surgery as he goes through rehabilitation on his injured hip.
TSNThe Canadian Press

David Pastrnak is battling a nagging knee injury.

Pastrnak skates at Bruins camp, not concerned about ‘nagging’ knee injury | NHL.com
Forward played with tendinitis throughout last season, had 106 points for Boston
NHL logoAmalie Benjamin

Tonight's game is at 7:00pm ET at Scotiabank Arena.

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