Yesterday was a day full of announcements. Most relevant for the Toronto Maple Leafs is the Β first announcement from the NHL of the All-Star Game roster. For the Leafs, they will be represented by Auston Matthews and Jack Campbell. Matthews will be the captain for the Atlantic division, while Campbell will serve as their goalie.
βοΈ ππππ ππππππππ ππππππππ πππ-ππππ πππππππ βοΈ#NHLAllStar | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/PCUWnGEzF2
β Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 13, 2022
Our Souper star! βοΈπ₯£#NHLAllStar | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/Cgz9b1sSCV
β Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 13, 2022
Auston Matthews is no stranger to the All-Star Game, but this will be Jack Campbellβs first time to get the honour. Having a .935 save percentage β second in the league β will do that for you. Itβs been quite the journey for him, and heβs done everything to earn it.
Itβs good to remember that this is just the initial All-Star Game roster, but not the final one. If youβre mad at any Leaf, or player in general, has been snubbed so far, you should know how it works.
Just a reminder on how NHL All Star rosters work: they are selected by NHL Hockey Operations.
β Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) January 13, 2022
That department (Colin Campbell, Kris King) isnβt necessarily looking at players that are the most marketable or what makes sense from an entertainment perspective.
So now we get the fan vote to finalize the roster. Any Leaf that hasnβt been announced yet β like Tavares, Rielly or Nylander β may still get in if fans vote them in. I may be in the minority, but I give not a single shit for the All-Star Game so I donβt care if any Leaf player goes or not either.
The other big announcement concerning the Leafs yesterday was Team USAβs Olympic roster being released. Two Leafsβ prospects have made the list: Matthew Knies and Nick Abruzzese. The rest of the roster is full of mostly NCAA prospects, with the occasional veteran playing in Europe. Former Leafs like Nick Shore and Kenny Agostino are also on the team.
NEWS: Reporting with @chrismpeters, sources tell @DailyFaceoff these 25 players are expected to be named to Team USA πΊπΈ for #Beijing2022 Olympics later today.
β Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 13, 2022
13 #NHL prospects. Three 1st rd picks. 1 returnee from 2018: O'Neill. 15 NCAA, 5 KHL, 2 SHL, 2 AHL, 1 DEL. pic.twitter.com/kbKY139kBx
Related
Itβs Official: Matthew Knies and Nicholas Abruzzese are Olympians
LEAFS LINKS
Speaking of Knies and NCAA prospects, for those who want to see him in person before the Olympics come, TSN will be broadcasting both of the University of Minnesotaβs games this weekend on TV and online.
Per @collegehockey, both of this weekendβs #Gophers games against Alaska will be available via https://t.co/0h2J8xWxDr and the TSN App.
β Minnesota Menβs Hockey (@GopherHockey) January 13, 2022
*This does not change any previously announced TV/stream info. pic.twitter.com/Kgz89KGpQg
William Nylander is raising the ceiling of what he can be for the Leafs | by The Athletic
Maple Leafs shooting by the numbers | by TLN
OTHER HOCKEY LINKS
NHL Power Rankings: MVP race check-in edition | by Sportsnet
Staal signs PTO with AHLβs Wild to tune up for the Olympics | by TSN
From Scarborough to the @KingstonFronts, to the @LVPhantoms, @NHLFlyers and into your living rooms on @TSN_Sports this Friday night, Zayde Wisdom has been on quite the journey through the game π pic.twitter.com/cuWrIpO9EX
β OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) January 13, 2022