Sheldon Keefe starts off after yesterday’s practice:
He talks a lot about Pierre Engvall, so if you want to know more about this new member of the Leafs, you should listen. He mentions Engvall responding well to coaching and video sessions. He also dispels the idea that the Engvall-Gauthier-Greening line is an attempt to have a “big” line.
Keefe also discusses that Troy Bodie, Leafs scout, watched the Lehigh Valley - Charlotte series. It’s another example of the Leafs spending money at all levels.
He finishes up with a lot of good things to say about the Marlies goalie tandem and some discussion about the challenge of playing the Phantoms in the next round.
Pierre Engvall speaks to the media about signing his contract and the transition to North America:
Aside from the standard ‘talk fast and ask an over-complicated question of the guy doing his first scrum in his second language’ moment, this is an interesting introduction to a new player.
He talks about the move to North America as people coming at you faster, and how that’s about decision making and space on the ice. He also has an interesting answer to the ‘who was your favourite player as a kid’ question.
Garret Sparks talks about the long layoff and the coming series:
He recognizes the scoring threat of T.J. Brennan, and he talks about the tandem they run in net on the Marlies.
Ben Smith talks about the long layoff as well. One thing the Marlies did was have a simulated game in practice.
From the practice on the 17th, Keefe also talks about the transition of Calle Rosen and Miro Aaltonen and their transition to North American hockey. This begins at the 3 minute mark, and is a revealing look at those two players now vs training camp.
Timothy Liljegren, or maybe that’s Liljebjörn these days with that beard. also spoke on Thursday.
He talks about their power play structure and his own progression. He also discusses with forward he likes to pass too. Andreas Johnsson is still winning, but he says he like to give it to Pierre too.
