Why it’s been difficult for most Maple Leafs to make noise at this camp

After a Calder Cup year for the Marlies and the arrival of draft picks, the players added by new GM John Chayka have crowded the roster

Published Sep 20, 2026  •  Last updated 20 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

In this file photo taken on March 10, 2026, Montreal Canadiens Alex Newhook is helped up by Toronto Maple Leafs Jacob Quillan during third period of their NHL game in Montreal. Photo by John Mahoney /MONTREAL GAZETTE

In a crowded Maple Leafs training camp, it’s vital to make a good impression. 

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That can be a goal, assist, shot block or glove save and in the heat of battle, either delivering a punch in the nose or having an opponent’s knuckles bend your own bugle. 

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Bay Street looked like the land of opportunity back in June when the Marlies won the Calder Cup and draft picks not named Gavin McKenna sensed they could catch new general manager John Chayka’s eye. But that morphed into a closed shop when Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin went on a summer signing and trade spree of bottom six forwards and new defencemen. 

What effect has the short camp and fewer exhibitions had?

The Marlies, some yet to have their day with the hard-won Calder Cup, found themselves in the second and third practice groups when camp opened this week as most of the projected starting roster, with lines and defence pairings, were pre-determined.

 “It’s a lot tougher for the guys in this set up,” conceded associate coach Daniel Alfredsson before running the bench in Montreal on Saturday. “But this group came to camp in great shape and it means a lot to them.” 

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They’re further hindered by the reduction in NHL exhibition games to four split squads in two nights. With the regular season opener barely a week away, they’ll have to make the best of the time left. 

How can players still make an impression?

“Any time there’s new management, they want to bring in their own guys they like,” winger Michael Pezzetta said Saturday. “For a lot of us (Marlie hopefuls), it’s a spot we’re familiar with. But it’s showing up, earn your role and get back to where you want to be. It’s a long season and winning every single day will get you where you want to be.” 

Pezzetta spoke to the Sun before his squad flew to Montreal, where he wound up just shy of the Gordie Howe hat trick in a 4-3 overtime loss. He instigated a first period scrap with Lucas Condotta and assisted on a Marc Johnstone goal. 

Farmhand Henrik Rybinski had a goal and assist, while in the simultaneous Toronto game between the rivals, Leaf defenceman Marshall Rifai took on a feared fighter in Florian Xhekaj as he continues a long comeback from injury. Brendan Brisson, a late camp addition, had coincidental minors with Florian’s better-known brawny brother, Arber, at the Bell Centre. 

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Like Pezzetta, Jacob Quillan got a late-season look from the Leafs as they bottomed out in regular season, then went on to help the Marlies play into late June. Quillan played 10:23 on Saturday in a disjointed penalty filled game, though one a lot closer than the 4-1 result for the Canadiens. Centre Tinus Luc Koblar and right winger Harry Nansi, both 2025 picks who’ve been eclipsed by McKenna’s arrival, had their initial trial under new coach Jim Hiller. 

“You can’t do a whole lot on two games, you just have to make the most of it every shift,” Quillan said this week. “(Last year) showed me what I’m working towards and what the holes are in my game to get to that next level. I had a good summer working on those things, to be able to hit one-timers a little better in that quiet area and any opportunity I have to rip it off the rush and shoot in the honey pot area on net.

“(The Calder Cup run) gave us a lot of confidence to show we can play at the NHL level. It did wonders for a lot of the boys and you can see we have a lot more chemistry coming into camp. 

“A lot of (Chayka’s summer shopping) is out of the players’ control. All you can do is get better and be ready for whenever your opportunity comes.” 

After a day off Sunday, practice resumes with Thursday looming as moving day for Leafs and Marlies after another split squad here and in Ottawa the night before. 

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