Update: It was known earlier today that Timothy Liljegren was not at practice. In keeping with the NHL’s new guidelines on injury reporting, this was the word after practice:
Sheldon Keefe on Timothy Liljegren: "He was unfit to play today."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) July 13, 2020
For clarity, here is the policy:
Update on injury reporting for 2020 Return to Play. pic.twitter.com/d1lmNMMTbH
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) July 11, 2020
The Toronto Maple Leafs hit the ice today for the first day of training camp, and they split into two groups for fairly brief workouts.
From Kevin McGran on Twiiter:
There was big news from the practice:
For the subsection of Leafs fans who seem to love to keep tabs on Nylanders hair, this is for you. pic.twitter.com/DnIUqoJ1aI
— Shawn McKenzie (@ShawnMcKenzieSN) July 13, 2020
And in short order a scrimmage got underway with the first group:
#Leafs lines in scrimmage one:
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) July 13, 2020
Nylander-Matthews-Hyman
Engvall-Kerfoot-Kapanen
Agostino-Petan-Malgin
Clifford-Spezza-Gauthier
Rielly-Ceci
Muzzin-Holl
Rosen-Kivilhalme
Gaudet
Two different people listed that top line in that order, and one with the wingers swapped to where we’re used to seeing them, so that’s a small mystery.
Auston Matthews on the forecheck
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) July 13, 2020
What are the chances he pulls off the lacrosse move when play resumes? pic.twitter.com/AmvSowTiL5
The probability has been calculated out to 100%.
Their scrimmage ended 0-0, which is conclusive proof Frederik Andersen will pitch a string of shutouts in the playoffs into the third round:
Kerfoot denied by Andersen in the final seconds of the first camp scrimmage
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) July 13, 2020
It ends in a 0-0 tie
Another scrimmage coming up pic.twitter.com/8xbPGR2M6I
Group two came out like this:
Group 2 at Leafs camp
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) July 13, 2020
Mikheyev - Tavares - Marner
Clifford - 🐐 - Spezza
Robertson - Brooks - Korshkov
Muzzin - Holl
Dermott - Barrie
Sandin - Marincin
Campbell
Woll
Okay, so much for the Andersen shutout streak. The first goal of the scrimmage goes to Mikheyev. The second to Korshkov. We’ll be fine unless Columbus has a hot Russian sniper.
And because Chris Johnston loves us, he made this full lineup card for us:
Nylander-Matthews-Hyman
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 13, 2020
Mikheyev-Tavares-Marner
Engvall-Kerfoot-Kapanen
Clifford-Gauthier-Spezza
Robertson-Brooks-Korshkov
Petan-Agostino-Malgin
Muzzin-Holl
Rielly-Ceci
Dermott-Barrie
Sandin-Marincin
Rosen-Kivihalme
(Gaudet)
Andersen
Campbell
Kaskisuo
Woll
Absent: Liljegren
This part of training camp has some bearing on decisions the Leafs will make:
Kyle Dubas says the Leafs will likely bring 28-29 players into the bubble: 15-16 forwards, 9-10 D, 3-4 goalies.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) July 12, 2020
Dubas and Brendan Shanahan both entering bubble on management side along with all six coaches.
That 15-16 forwards will be set up leaving a space for Andreas Johnsson.
Kyle Dubas said Andreas Johnsson was on a six-month timeline to recover from knee injury, said he's done well with rehab back home and are excited to see where he'll be at in the coming weeks
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) July 12, 2020
The 52-person roster of players and staff to go into the hub is due soon (originally dated at today in the Phase 4 rules, so an assumption is the date is now July 16), so impressions need to be made early.
From the after-practice interviews:
Morgan Rielly on #BlackLivesMatter: "We're completely committed to supporting the movement. This is just our small way of trying to keep the conversation going, keep it at the forefront of our mind and take care of our business but keep in mind what's going on in the world." https://t.co/FKRn9HBZWv
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) July 13, 2020
Auston Matthews on #Leafs first training camp practice: "Conditioning wise, not great. But it’s just nice to be back here in Toronto with your teammates and doing what we all love. So far it’s been pretty fun."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) July 13, 2020
And the confirmation of what we’ve knows for weeks:
Auston Matthews confirms he tested positive for COVID-19
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) July 13, 2020
Auston Matthews said he can't pinpoint where he got COVID, but "it didn't really hinder my training, I was able to do stuff at home, obviously wasn't able to leave or anything. I'm pretty much asymptomatic."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) July 13, 2020
Matthews on return to Olympics: “A lot of guys haven't represented their counry. I take a lot of pride in wearing the USA jersey. I’ve heard it’s a great experience.”
— Lance Hornby (@sunhornby) July 13, 2020
And that’s all for now, we’ll update you if there’s more news.
Not news, but too much fun not to add:
Nick Robertson vs. Jake Muzzin on the first day of Leafs camp: pic.twitter.com/VKJg8FQvsX
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) July 13, 2020