Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Practice | November 07, 2025

Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Practice | November 07, 2025

production wise, the hottest start to a season you’ve had in your career. What are you, I guess, liking the most about how you have started this season? Um, I was just trying to play, you know, better hockey every year and, um, yeah, just trying to work on the game every year and try to get better. So, it’s nice to see that, uh, you know, getting rewarded for it. What’s something that you think you’ve gotten better at cuz you’ve always been at a pretty high level. I think it’s just getting better at, you know, the stuff that I’m really good at, just improving those things. Is there anything different about that really? Your approach to it or is it just the way the puck’s going right now or the way your lines are going? Anything new or different? I just doing what I usually do. I feel you know sometimes you get some lucky bounces. You know we had a couple of five on six goals. So I mean that obviously helps something of a pattern on this team over the last even half decade or more sort of October November hits and you guys go on a winning stre uh I don’t know we had a great Halloween party in Philly so what did he go as Darth Vader channel you’re in Austin went on that night why do you like Darth Vader I mean it was uh I order the costumes the day of. So, I mean, we didn’t really have so much uh planning to do. Jeff’s going to the Hall of Fame. What do you remember about his time? Just uh, you know, awesome memories, unbelievable guy, you know, legend on the ice. I mean, the way he saw the game and played the game was just uh incredible. Um, it was just an honor to get to play with him uh when he was here. regarding obvious having a California surfer in the room. Kind of a laidback attitude and you know that help I guess of an 82 game NHL season. Yeah, I mean he was he was laid back but I mean really wanted to win. So I mean he was super competitive but super laidback and I mean it’s perfect to have a guy like that. The Willie Styles nickname has has stuck with you since then. What went through your mind the first time he called you that? I I don’t know. I was like what what what did you say man? And then they just kept calling me. So we saw you your most recent YouTube video going shopping with the other guys. Yeah. Yeah. What was that like? What’s it you know Oliver was saying your style is good and then not so good. How would you describe your style? I guess my style I don’t know hard to I don’t know hard to describe but I mean you know I like to wear some baggy baggy clothes. So that’s uh that’s my style. Oliver is saying he didn’t get that outfit that he was trying on. How would you describe his style? No, I think that suited him really well. So, I mean, I think I might go get it for him and hopefully wears it to a game. I always think about Matthew about what you’re noticing about him. I mean, it’s nothing new, but I just his evolution this season and what you’re noticing. Yeah, I mean he he’s uh you know just a beast out there on the ice, you know, on the for check, winning pucks back, you know, creative in making those small little plays and you know can score incredible goals, too. I mean, I don’t know if you saw a goal in practice today. It was pretty pretty nuts. So, but yeah, he’s just amazing player. You were lying the ice. What impressed you? Oh, it was just uh just a nasty move. What What’s the focus on on the power play right now? No, what are you talking? Look, I think we’ve had actually like good scoring chances, opportunities, getting uh zone entries and stuff like that. So, it’s just being positive and, you know, we also got to hit the uh net a little bit more um when we’re in those high danger chances. I mean, you know, once we get the get the shooting up, I think, you know, it’ll be fine. We we got the base there. We just need to get the puck in the net. So, what do you think Oliver can bring to the to your unit? Yeah, I mean same as O just maybe had a little different look from army from uh Mo just a little different look. So, you know, sometimes just switching something up, uh, you know, can do something. You’ve been around just real quick. Sorry. You’ve been around him certainly since. Yeah. I mean, it’s just so nice to have him back and, you know, having a teammate being gone for for a little while, it’s be tough, but nice to see him back in great spirits and, you know, pumping the boys up. Yeah. I want to start it off. I have a few thank yous I want to make sure I I say. um you know, namely to the the Leafs organization and um starting with Brad uh and working all the way down for all the support uh they’ve given me and my family for the last bit. And um you know, it’s it’s been I’ve really been blown away um at at how much support I’ve received. And with that, a big thank you to my teammates as well. And I’ve I’ve expressed that to them just for all the support they’ve given. And um lastly, I want to thank you guys. I know I I asked for for privacy and you guys have granted me that. So, um I really appreciate uh I appreciate that as well. Um and thanking as as we move forward now, I’ve I’ve I’ve kind of decided that, you know, all I’m going to say about my time away is um that I’m disappointed to have missed time and I’m very happy to be back. So, I’d really like all the focus to be um you know, on my job to do here and I don’t want uh don’t want to create any distractions for myself or or for the team. I think, you know, there’s enough here to to focus on and um all I ask is that you guys respect that and uh you know, if if down the road I am interested and and think it’d be beneficial to talk about um I’ll initiate that. But um yeah, I’ll open up to you guys for any questions or anything. Appreciate it. What’s it been like since you’ve been back? Uh, I mean, just being back in in this environment has has been nice to to see my teammates to um to be back in Toronto and, you know, watch uh watch us play, watch the Blue Jays play and everything. It’s it’s good to be back here. Yeah. How much I mean Brad said that you’ve been skating a bit uh on the ice like where where you feel like you’re at, you know, in terms of getting back into game action and the road to that point? Yeah, you know, I’ve um since since I’ve been back especially, I’ve been really focused on on getting back to game shape and um you know, I’ve been at the opportunity to hop out and practice a couple of these days here and um I feel like I’m ready to go and just want to focus on getting back with with the team and um getting back playing. They’ve told us you’re you’re going to go to the Marlies. You know what that’s all about. What will that experience feel like for you? Yeah, you know, I’ve I’ve obviously had uh a lot of experience there and um it’ll be good to see some of those guys and um like I said, just very excited to get playing. Joseph, what was the turning point that allowed you to feel good about returning? Um really I I’d prefer not to talk too much about that as as I mentioned. I’d really like to focus, you know, starting kind of here, being being present with with where I am now. But um like I said, I’m very happy back, feeling good, feeling ready to to rejoin the team and um go with the Marlies and and help help the organization whatever I can. When it comes to how you’re playing, what do you look at um in terms of signs that you’re ready to, you know, return to the level that you know you’re capable? Yeah, I think from an on ice standpoint, I think pace is is something that I’ve found that is important to get up uh you know, especially if you’re coming off an offseason. So pace is a big one. And then, you know, I just think also there’s an eagerness to to get back out there and um had enough idle time and and sitting around and don’t want to be practicing too long and stuff like that. Just want to get out and um get going. Have you missed a significant time like moving college with Marley’s uh to know what it’s like to come back to a move and train like the NHL? Like have you missed what’s the longest you’ve been sat out for injuries or whatever? Yeah, I think I mean unfortunately I’ve had some experience with coming back from injuries and stuff. So, um I’d have to to go back and look, you know, exact time that’s like to to go from 0 to 60, right? Yeah. Yeah. What is Yeah. 0 to 60. The challenge of missing camp, excuse me. Like what is the challenge of missing camp? Um yeah, I mean in camp maybe there’s a bit more of a runway into the season. um with with now you kind of kind of go 0 to 60, but maybe like 30 to 60 as opposed to like the the smooth ramp up. Um but no, I I’m I’m excited again like I said to to get with the Marlies and I think that’ll um be good just to get back in game action and and feel the puck. Do you have a ballpark of like how many games it might take you to feel ready to to get back? Um I’m not sure exactly in that respect. All I know is that I’m joining them and um eager to play. You spoke about the uh support you received from the the group. Can you just talk about the brotherhood within the room and maybe how much more reassuring that felt to you to know that you had the support of everyone in this room? Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it’s a a great group of guys and you know, we’ve added some new guys that um still working on building my relationships with them, but you know, the the bedrock of his team has been around for a little while. So, um, yeah, I think, you know, if anything, it just helps bring people closer together. So, he was saying he missed the goalie hugs. What’s it been like kind of reuniting with him? What do you make of how he’s carried the load? Yeah. Yeah. No, I I appreciate the work he’s done. Um, been great for our team carrying the load like that. That’s not a It’s not an easy thing to do. Um, not an easy thing at all. So, um, yeah, he’s he’s been awesome. He’s handling it great. He’s the same uh the same mindset he’s always in. So, it’s great. How much you said the team supported you, your teammates supported you. How much did that translate into like daily conversations with people or weekly conversations with people? Like, how much were the conversations going back and forth during your absence? Um, probably the level you wanted, I’m sure. But yeah, again, I I really don’t want to talk talk much about that time. I really want to focus on, you know, since I’ve been back. Um, I appreciate that, though. Do you expect to race this weekend? Um, yeah. Yeah, I think the plan is to to go with him tomorrow and like I said, I’m I’m ready to play when when I have to. Curious uh for William, you know, he’s off the hottest start production wise of his career. Like what’s impressed you about kind of his place to start this season? Uh for me, I think it’s just his timely goal scoring. I mean, obviously uh you know, the the uh I guess quality of goals, you know, in big spots and big moments that he’s scoring for us to to either take the lead, tie the game. Um, you know, I think that’s been huge for us and and he’s stepped up in a big way and um, you know, I think the guys have kind of rallied around that. What do you think of his style off the ice? Not sure if you’ve been tuning into his YouTube channel, but he went shopping with the Swedes in the most recent episode. Uh, yeah, I know. I heard a little bit from uh from Yarn and OEO about it. So, I’ve yet to tune in. I’ve watched the uh the f what is it the first couple there. So, um, you know, I’ve tuned in a little bit here and there. So, it’s been uh it’s been cool to see just to see how uh you know he is off the ice how and I mean we see it every day how relaxed he is and whatnot, but just to see uh you know a little more behind the scenes and whatnot. It’s pretty neat to see back. I know it’s not the first time just sitting inside and chatting with him and seeing him back. Uh yeah, it’s exciting for sure. It’s great to have him back. um you know like I’ve I’ve said before you know we have an unbelievable relationship and um you know just to have him around us again and uh you know that competitive nature that he brings to uh to our team and you know his uh you know his high energy it’s uh it’s nice to have back in the room. So um you know as a goalie you know you’re always uh supporting each other and whatnot. So I think to have him back is uh is huge for uh not just the team but me as well. How important are division games in a year when the division is so tight? Yeah, I mean, you know, you look up and down the standings, I think it’s uh second, like last place or separated by three or four points. So, um you know, the four-point swings and we got a big one here tomorrow. So, uh you know, we kind of know uh what this team’s going to bring and um you know, they’re they’re a feisty hard-nosed team. So, um you know, we’re going to want to put our our best foot forward here tomorrow, especially on home ice. You know, we’ve had a nice little run here and we’re going to want to continue that uh here tomorrow. You appreciate against the Toronto Boston rival from afar, I guess. What’s been your personal uh success against them or how well have you done against them? Uh yeah, pretty well. I mean uh you know I think I played him once or twice with with Philly. Uh maybe once with uh with Florida, but I mean I played him I think two or three times last year. So uh I think we won in uh I think we lost one in overtime and think had a shut out against him last year too. So uh no, I’m looking forward to it. It’s always going to be an exciting matchup and obviously Swayman’s one of the best goalies in the league. So, uh, you know, just to be able to have to rise up to that occasion against him is, uh, is going to be exciting for me. This dates back about a half decade now with this team where they get to November and then for some reason, November is the month where things just take off. You guys are already 3 and 0 this month. Anything you can point to as to why that happens on the calendar. I mean, I think it just has to do with uh, you know, just a little transition period to to start the year. Obviously, training camp, uh, you know, you kind of have a lot of bodies and then once you kind of get settled with the, uh, the actual roster, it kind of takes a little time to to find the, uh, the right lines and the right chemistry between guys. So, um, you know, that would probably be my best guess, but, um, you know, it’s, uh, it’s nice to see. It’s nice to start out the month so hot, but, uh, you know, so we couple big games here back to back against two very good teams, then we go right to Boston. So, um, you know, I think the the style and the brand of hockey we’ve been playing the last couple games here is is indicative of of our record. I think we’ve played extremely well and um we’re want to continue that forward here. William said good Halloween party. That was the key. That was the key. Good Halloween party. Yeah, I think it was good. I think it was just the uh it was a good meal and uh you know the costumes were were pretty good. So uh you know it was exciting for sure just to be able to go out on the road, hang out with the guys and uh you know just kind of let loose and you know I think that kind of brings the the team together. So um you know let’s uh see what holiday we what we got here coming next. American Thanksgiving maybe. So So yeah, we’ll just do that Thanksgiving party next. So, it’ll be good. You looked uh skyward after that second goal the other night. Like, what were you I mean, what did you see or not see there? Uh yeah, it’s a it’s a tough read. I mean, you know, obviously you get somewhere around on the ice from the blue line. It’s uh you know, always tough, but for me, it’s you know, I just couldn’t pick it up. Uh you know, three guys, so uh you know, you just want to have your stick on the ice and uh at that key point in the game, you know, 2-1 towards the end of the second period, that’s one that you know, you’re uh you’re not going to want to give up, you know. So, uh, for me, it kind of just let it go and, uh, you know, just try to focus, like I’ve been saying, you just got to focus on that next shot. And, you know, kudos to the guys that came out in the third period and kind of, uh, you know, stayed patient with our game, kept playing our game and waited for them to, uh, to make some mistakes and, you know, that allowed us to get the, uh, you know, the lead back and then obviously take a twogoal lead and then, uh, sealed a deal there. What inspired the new mask? Um, just try something new, I think. You know, that’s what I’m going to say. So, I uh okay, you know, the the blue cage and you know, it’s been working for me now. So, uh you know, I’m gonna stick with it. I think it’s a little different and whatnot. So, uh you know, I’m I’m excited about it. Knander’s off to the hottest start production wise that he’s had in the NHL. What are you seeing as allowing him to kind of tip up his production? I think this like he’s he’s always scored lots of goals, but I think um this year he’s he’s making more plays with the puck, you know, and getting assists, but he’s like I I said before, he’s underrated passer. I mean, he’s he’s a good playmaker, but kind of he’s always scored a lot of goals. Craig, your team leads the NHL with the five and five goals, but it’s 30th in power play percentage, I guess. What do you make of the contrast between team five and five offense and power play offense? Um, well, I’m not making excuses. We get one power play a game, maybe two. I mean, that’s a little bit of a problem for sure. But now, in saying that, we got to do a better job of executing on our power play with the chances we have. And for me, we haven’t executed well enough. And I think that’s really really what it boils down to. Um there’s been plays that we’ve had in tight or good chances we miss a net or we just didn’t we didn’t execute well enough and you know that’s that’s the biggest thing for me. Do you want to see more rapid fire that like No, I think we’ve been shooting a puck. If I look at the stats, you know, we’re one of the top teams that have shot the puck on the power play and I’m not that’s that is that’s good. I don’t that’s not a problem. I I think we got to keep shooting it that you got to keep attacking, but I think we just need to execute better on our our grade A chances. What do you have to do to earn more power plays? I don’t know. You have to ask the league. I mean, I like our uh like uh the last um eight games, I would say. Our uh zone time in the offensive zone is really good and it’s gone up. That’s to me, you know, you work in the offensive zone, you make people take penalties. Um, we just got to stay with it. There’s not, you know, we can’t focus on it or worry about it. We just got to keep doing the work we’re doing and eventually it’ll come around. What have you liked uh about Brandon Carlos game lately? Just his assertiveness more than anything. I think if you watch his netfront battles and physicality he’s using um it’s been obviously moving in the right direction. And I think um you know, like I said before, he um pucks find him. you know, he eats a lot of pucks and breaks a lot of pucks up with his sticks and so he’s been an effective player going back to last year for us. Anything new about Matthew N or is this kind of what you see on a regular basis? Is there anything different about his game right now? Um, no. I think you know what you saw last game with the effort the second and third effort stuff. Um, to me when he’s when he’s doing that he’s a very effective player. He’s second and third effort guy with the body, the skill that goes with it. Uh but it’s all about that quickness and second and third effort when he’s on top of things like that. He’s a hard guy to handle. Where do you feel that Joe Wall’s game is at through the work he’s done in practice since return? I mean, yeah, he’s he’s fine. I mean, like really hasn’t had that much. I mean, but he’s getting work, which is good. Um he’s going to go down and play some Marley’s here. So that’ll be really good for him to get into action. So that’s where I think start making some real strides getting in games. What was the idea I guess for Primo today in practice? Well, just because we wanted LOL to get that time stallers, you know, we need those guys. And he went over and worked with some with the goalie coach on some other things. You like So you have three goalies in practice. They don’t get I wanted Wolsey to have the whole net. You like uh McMahon and Robertson together. What do you They always seem to come back together. They play together in the Marlies. Like what do you like about Oh, they did that. I didn’t know that. Should have checked into that. Well, yeah. I mean, they played a lot together last year, obviously. Um I think more than anything, they they have good chemistry together with their speed. You know, they’re both real quick players. They’re fast. they get on top of things and they they they get in the corners and work well together, you know, and eventually the puck gets to the net and somebody’s putting it home like last game. Um, but I like that speed with Johnny just down the wings. They get on top of things and JT, you know, does his thing what he does. So, I just think more than anything they’ve played together for quite some time now. They have good chemistry together. They they enjoy playing together and it’s direct, you know, both of them. It’s like straight lines, direct, get it in deep, and go to work. And and they expose people with their speed at times. This dates back about a half decade now with this team where it’s you get to November and then November for some reason is the month where things take off. You guys are already three and0 this month. Like is there anything you can point to as to why that happens seemingly year after year? I only can go by the last year and a bit I’ve been here. But um you know I think what I’m seeing now going back a little bit even in October or later October is just playing to our identity and understanding that this is how we’re going to have success and when we do it we’re pretty good. We give ourselves a chance to win.

Players and Coach address the media following Friday’s practice.

00:00 William Nylander
04:18 Joseph Woll
09:58 Anthony Stolarz
14:44 Craig Berube

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