Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Practice | December 10, 2025

Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Practice | December 10, 2025

Dennis, just what was that conversation like with your uh family back home and your dad like after the shut out? Uh, no, it was it was good. Talked to him yesterday. A lot of smiles, good talk. How many pucks does he have? Uh, should have should have been his sixth, I think, if I didn’t miscount that. But what are the other ones? Well, two from the AHL and two from back in back in Sweden in the SHL should add up. And uh one from here as well. Two now. Yeah. So, probably your first NHL win. Yeah. And now your first NHL shot. What? You mail them over? No, I’ll just keep them till I get back or they’ll be here for Christmas and we’ll pick it up then. Maybe. Why do you think it’s going so well for you here? Uh I think a game we we’ve been working on is starting to show resolve. Um plus the the team kind of coming together as well and playing on rail in front of me which u which helps a lot too and it usually goes hand in hand and I think we’re on the right on the right path here. How do you deal with pressure? Uh, I mean, you just got to try and enjoy it. Uh, be honest with yourself and like just it’s obviously a little more or a little different than playing in the AHL. But, I mean, it’s also like I said before, it’s my my childhood dream here and you know, you just got to enjoy every moment. It’s a privilege being here. What’s the biggest difference at this level do you find for a goalie? Uh, it’s a hard question. I mean, it goes or it’s a little quicker. You got to be like more I guess everything you do, you got to be a little more crisp and and uh fast. What’s it like off the ice getting to know these guys? Austin was saying you’re starting to get more vocal at team dinners. They’re getting you to come out of your shell a little bit. Uh, yeah. Uh, yeah. I mean, every day you get more comfortable and uh start opening up, I guess. And I mean, yeah, it feels better and better. It’s a good group of guys here. Very easy to talk to, so it helps a lot. There was that picture of you with all the goalies in the belt picture. What’s your relationship like with Anthony? Uh, I mean, it’s it’s good. Uh, Anthony I’ve known since last year. Waller goes a year before that, too. even longer. So, uh I mean they’ve always been there supporting me and and uh and helping out in any way they can. And Ari was also in the picture and he’s been so good to me as well for this this past season and this season as well. I really enjoy spending time with with all of them. What have you what what has impressed you about Henry Then played in the Marus? He’s really good. uh solid player and I think it’s uh I’m happy for him to be here. I think he’s earned it. What was the day off like yesterday for you? Just to kind of relax a little bit. Uh it was good. It was good. Didn’t try to didn’t do too much. Just just relax and enjoy enjoy today. Talk to you about how Chris Tan has worked his way back from a pretty serious injury. You can set me up. Yeah, I mean he’s a very consistent guy. I think uh whatever he’s you know able to do uh and work through um you know while being injured he’s he’s going to do everything he can to you know stay in shape and u be as ready as possible when he gets back. So uh I think he’s the ultimate professional and you know one of the guys that obviously is a big part of our group and hopefully uh you know we get him back soon. Dennis is obviously having a good moment here. Uh when you’re shooting on him in practice like what stands out going up against him? Well I mean he’s huge. um stands out pretty big to me. But I mean he he moves well. He’s athletic. Um you know he covers up a lot of a lot of space in the net and um you know I find he’s got really good reads as well too. He reacts quickly and um you know tries to keep everything in front of him. So I mean he’s really solid. What have you learned about him as a guy? He seems kind of quiet like what’s his personality or what’s he like around you guys? And he’s great. I mean, obviously, you know, he’s kind of part of the Swedish Mafia, but um, you know, he’s definitely gotten more comfortable as time’s gone by and, um, you know, he’s really funny when you kind of get to talk to him um, more one-on-one and, um, you know, I think some of the guys have done a good job of, uh, getting him to speak up a little bit um, at team dinners and stuff like that. Um, but I mean, he’s got a great personality. Naturally, he’s quiet, but um, definitely has like a bit of a quiet confidence to him, especially when he’s in the net. Eight shots for you on Monday. Like, how are you feeling right now? Like is this the best you felt so far this season? Yeah, it feels feel good. I mean, I think we’re playing really well as a team defensively. Our structure is kind of coming along. I mean, for me, I mean, I just got to put the puck in the net, getting all the opportunities. I just got to bear down and and find the find the openings. But I’m really happy with kind of where our game’s been trending, especially since um you know, that long road trip, coming back on home ice, playing some really important games u obviously against some good teams. So, um, you know, we want that positive momentum to keep flowing and, uh, make sure that we’re taking continue to take care of that defensive zone, uh, that structure cuz I think that’s kind of what’s leading to us having the puck a little bit more. What else do you want to see from the power? I mean, I think just predictability. Um, you know, on on all fronts, I think, uh, just predictability, making sure that, you know, we’re covering for each other, uh, moving the puck quicker, um, just kind of simplifying things and not trying to over complicate. And um you know I think that’s just a big area of you know of our game as a team that needs to kind of get going and uh needs to be better. It’s an area where you know in games like the other night where it’s you know really tight. It’s 0 0 1 z um you know those are big parts of games where you can kind of tilt the ice and tilt momentum and and get a big goal. So going up against last year kind of what impressed you? Yeah I think just his all-around game. I mean I think it was pretty evident when he came in just uh not how gifted he is you know offensively. He’s obviously got all the tools and he’s skilled, but I think, uh, his work ethic, the way he competes off the puck, um, you know, he battles hard. Um, you know, it’s not just all flash and all skill. He’s a guy that definitely competes out there and I think that’s kind of what uh, you notice, uh, when watching him play and, you know, as you continue to to play, the confidence builds and he’s obviously uh, been on a tear. So, um, you know, he’s a fun player to watch. I think he’s going to be a great player in this league for a long time. What do you think of how that USA hockey commercial with John Ham came together, final product? Yeah. Um it was funny. I mean I think it’s obviously um you know very very exciting to be able to be a part of it and it’s been a long time coming. So we didn’t actually know who was going to be the the guy there um for the end of the commercial but it was pretty cool to see uh you know see him pop in there and um he’s a big hockey fan and being American and all that. So it was cool. I know you want a gold medal more than Canadian tears but how hot is the rivalry for you right now Canada US? Oh I mean I think it’s huge. But I think just uh from last uh February um you know giving fans and players just an opportunity to see the best on best kind of format again. I think that uh definitely draws a lot of eyes and a lot of anticipation towards uh this upcoming February for the Olympics and um everybody takes a lot of pride in where they’re from and their respective countries. So I think uh you know it’s a great opportunity for for everybody. Had you met John him in any previous events or how familiar are you with this? I’ve met him a few times. I think um I met him at an all-star game in St. Louis not too long ago. Um and I think I met him at one of our games here. Um but yeah, I’ve kind of interacted with him in passing a couple times, but you know, he’s obviously a big hockey fan and I’m a big fan of uh some of his work as well and um you know, he’s a great actor, so it’s uh kind of cool to meet different people from different walks of life and different professionals. What have you seen in terms of the impact has had? He’s fitting great. I mean, I think he’s come in right away and um I think a lot’s been asked of him to come in and play. He’s playing big minutes. He’s playing against uh other teams top lines, but um you know, he’s fit in really well with our group. I think him and Cber have really found some good chemistry uh together on that back end. And I mean, he’s an easy guy to go out there and play with. He works hard and he competes. Um you know, he makes good plays, makes simple, smart plays. Um and he communicates a lot. I think that’s a big part. He’s not shy. He communicates and talks a lot um on the bench, off the ice, on the ice. And I think that’s a big uh important part. Uh it’s not easy to do, especially coming into a new group, a new team, a new setting. Like he’s having a moment right now, Dennis. Like when you’re when you’re shooting on him in practice, like what are you seeing? Oh, he’s not much. You know, he’s huge in there. So, I mean, he’s been playing great. So, I’m so happy for him. Maybe it’s a little different with the Swedish guys. Uh Austin was saying the Swedish Mafia kind of a group, but have you noticed him coming out of his shell? Like, what’s he been like off the ice? Yeah, I I think he’s been, you know, the same from the from day one when we met him. Um, but yeah, I mean, I think maybe feeling a little bit more comfortable in the locker room and stuff like that. That’s uh something might that that might have been changing for him. Why do you think he’s been able to kind of hit the ground running here this season? Like what do you what do you pick up? Yeah, I think I mean this summer he came and practiced with us a little bit and he was, you know, looking great already from there. So, I think he’s put in a lot of work and, you know, effort to to get to this point and it’s nice to see him get rewarded for that. Bit of a different look for you today at practice with Nick and Dakota. What do you think of that? Yeah. No, I think it’s good. I mean, I think we needed to try try something new. I mean, I think our line has had, you know, not so many good looks past couple of games, so I think that’ll be good. What do you like about playing with them? Like big guys, I guess. Yeah. I mean, I I mean, just different looks and I think they’ve been playing great, you know, and you know, Bobby Bobb’s gone for a game, so let’s give it a try. Four games without a point for you. That’s that’s pretty long for your standards. Just how are you feeling about your game? Yeah, I feel like, you know, third chances where I should maybe be shooting the puck, you know, passing it, whatever. So, you know, needed to be uh a little bit more hunger to attack the net and, you know, get the puck there. So, I think that’s probably one of the aspects that’s missing. Uh score a goal maybe. That’s all. What do you like I don’t know if it’s in your heads or whatever, but you guys make some great passes. Did you want to shoot more? You want to create chaos more like on the power play? on the power play like what’s the what’s the ultimate goal to to set up a goal? Well, I think it’s to, you know, attack and then, you know, create chaos and then make plays after that. I think right now, uh, we haven’t really been even feel like getting the puck to the net. And if we get the puck to the net and we get it back, then we, you know, have kind of lost the puck and it’s gone out of the zone or whatever. So, we haven’t really had any sustained, you know, pressure in a while, I think, is So, I mean, confidence is a little bit lacking on the power play, but you just got to simplify and, you know, get pucks in, create some chaos in front, and from there, the plays will open up. That illness you had a few days ago, is that at all related to your little bit of a points? No, no, no, not at all. What was it like to see Tan back at practice been a long road back for him? Yeah, I know. It was great to, you know, see him out there and but I mean I think he’s been looking pretty good. He’s been on the ice with those couple pregame skates too and it’s been looking really good. So hopefully everything uh goes well. It’s been a long road back. Like what have you noticed about how he’s kind of handled this pretty serious injury to work his way back to this point. Yeah. I mean he’s an ultimate professional, you know, taking care of his his body and you know putting in the the work to get better and be to the be at the point where he is today. So you know just hope everything comes back good. What have you seen from the impact that Troy’s made since joining the group and how he’s fit in? Yeah, he’s played great. I mean, playing on the right side, you know, helps because we have a lot of lefty D and, you know, been needing a lot of uh minutes, you know, PK and playing great against other team top players. He’s been a real real big pickup for us. What’s it going to be like to go up against Ryan Reeves? It’s going to be a blast. Can’t wait to see him. You think you’ll have some good trips for you guys tomorrow? I don’t know. I don’t know. We’ll see what he says. Okay. back on the ice. Where where what’s your sense of where he’s at? Uh he felt good today talking to him after he came off. So, um you know, like I said, it’s probably a week like from when I told you. Yeah. What about Tana? First, I know still in red, but I think first time at a full practice here. Where’s he? Like I said, he’s getting evaluated today. Okay. So, I’ll know more after today with with no McMahon. I see you moved a couple of lines around. What do you like Willie there? Well, the Divera’s kneelander cowan line has kind of fallen off for me a bit, dried up a little bit. So, I made a switch there. Um, just to give him a different look. What’s your sense of William right now? Four games without points is pretty rare for him. Um, you know, I think if I had to look at one thing, I would say he’s got to get involved more, engage more in the game, you know, work his way through it. And, um, you know, that’s what I talked to him today about. Work your way through it. You know, all players go through it at some point, but I think if he just works his way through it, he’ll get out of it quicker. What do you need to see from Nick Robertson tonight? Uh that being a little more like I talked to you the other day, I felt his tenacity and his getting involved and engaged a little bit. He has to me that’s a big part of his game, you know, um getting in on a for check, disrupting things, being physical, using his speed, um all those types of things. Um, I felt dropped off. So, I think if he just brings that, good things will happen for him. What’s your reaction to the McMahon suspension given you’ve also lost another guy in Mur? I I you know, I don’t to be honest with you, I don’t really know. I mean, I think we lose a guy for probably a month at least. There’s nothing that I’ve heard. Um, I don’t know. It wasn’t much of a I thought it was more of um him getting kind of bumped and his stick kind of you know I get I know you got to be in control of your stick but I don’t think it’s worth a suspension. Riley serious illness he’ll be fine. Chance Henry through gets in poss. Yeah, good chance. Have you learned about him in the in the short time he’s been here? Yeah, I mean, not a ton. Like, you know, I think more so like we all knew what we were getting when we got him. He’s he’s a good puck mover and uh has offensive abilities. Um, you know, the one good thing he’s been playing the right side down there. So, if he does play tomorrow, it’ll be on the right side. Craig, what else do you want to see about the powerful? just I think right now, you know, we we gota we got to have a more simple approach to it all. Um the puck needs to move quicker to resets and look to get it to the net. That’s really right now where it’s at. You know, other good things will happen after you start getting some momentum from that. Good touch. Good touch shot. Good touch. Good touch. You know, we’re um we’re trying to look for the perfect play too much and it’s not there. So, we got to work our way through that, too. I mean, it’s just execution. It’s make the play that’s available, make it make it quickly, and if we can get pucks to the net, then get them to the net. Like, I know at times, and you know, I’ve been over the years, you talk about power play, and sometimes you overshoot it. I get that. We’re We’re undershooting it. Did you think it’s become a bit of a mental thing? Sure. Oh, definitely. Yeah, it does for sure. It’s like anything, right? Um, you know, stops working and you know it it affects your confidence and mentally it affects you and you know it’s just it’s something you got to work through. Practice time is so rare, especially you got to practice coming off a day off. What did you want to kind of accomplish today? Well, a few things. We’re out there a little longer than normal. Um power play for sure, but just keep working on our our defensive side of things, our Dzone and um you know, coming out of our coming out of our zone with the puck and making some more plays and getting up the ice, which which we worked on today. With thr playing the right side with the Marley’s, was that kind of an organizational decision like this is the best path for him or Well, no, not necessarily. It’s just where they’re at, too, with injuries and everything going on down there. You know, the skating at the end, was that always part of the plan today or was that a reaction to what you saw? No, it’s part of the plan. I think give him a little bump at the end, you know, cuz power play we kind of ran a little longer than normal and you’re a lot of standing around. So, I wanted to give a little push at the end. You say about a month, you think? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

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

00:00 Dennis Hildeby
03:35 Auston Matthews
08:45 William Nylander
12:18 Craig Berube

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