Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Practice | December 15, 2025

Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Practice | December 15, 2025

John, what stands out about the way Easton’s been playing as of late? I just think he just continues to uh to adapt to uh the league and and uh getting a a feel for the pace and physicality and and I think just the overall grind of you know travel uh playing every other day pretty much and um all that kind of comes with that. So obviously he’s got great hockey sense uh great puck skills and uh understands the game real well. So you can just see him kind of getting a feel for the pace and all those sorts of things. So um yeah, he’s doing a good job. What does it mean to the group to see out there in a regular jersey today? Yeah, it’s exciting. Uh we’ve we’ve really missed them, I think. Um obviously the player and u what he can do is really uh really unique and very underrated. um an elite defender, elite hockey sense, and uh on top of that, amazing leadership and and certainly uh you know, his ability to block shots, just uh um you know, just plays through anything. So, he’s a real warrior and uh we’ve missed him. So, it’s great to great to see him uh getting closer and closer. So, um yeah, good sign for uh uh first and foremost for him, but for us as well, obviously. John, the the coach said on on Saturday night he needs more from his leaders. Um I’m sure you heard that. What’s your reaction to that? Yeah, we just got to continue to to to play better uh execute at a higher level and you know be be the difference makers uh driving force for the group that uh uh you know going to help uh propel us forward and um play the way we need to play, earn the results that we want to earn. And you know that’s the course of a long season. you you uh keep pushing through all the ups and downs and and certainly up to uh leadership to to uh steady things and and understand uh the right times. Um continuing uh to you know elevate and do what you have to do to um you know help the group in any way you can. How down were you after that game Saturday? It was disappointing. I mean, uh, you know, we’re in a decent spot, uh, you know, late in the second and, you know, we get behind it. Unfortunately, going into the third, but, uh, you know, not, uh, not the worst situation being down one at home and, you know, we come out flat and and, um, you know, all of a sudden we’re down three and really kind of sucked the life out of us. And you know, we uh you know, obviously have to do a much better job of the way we uh need to come out and and be more aggressive, being on our toes, and um just in in in simple areas of the game of just being on the right side of 50/50s and uh the way we’re skating and moving our feet and putting ourselves in good positions to, you know, win pucks, gain more possession, uh play on their half of the ice, and really make them have to, you know, be challenged and have to defend. John Conor regard having those tremendous seasons going to be out of the lineup tomorrow. How different does Chicago look with him out of the lineup? Yeah, I mean obviously he’s uh you know really becoming one of the best players in the in the league. Obviously uh tremendous talent. Um, but I think first and foremost we want to take care of ourselves and making sure that we get to our game the way we need to get to and understand uh, you know, whoever uh, you know, whatever uh, that team or their lineup presents uh, ready for the challenge and understand that. So obviously a really really good player that’s out of our hands will will uh, you know, prepare the way we need to. Can you talk a little bit about you guys not coming out for the third period and starting strong? Are you able to pinpoint why that might happen at some of these some points? as like J just mentioned just uh just being more on our toes just on on just uh you know times where we can get ourselves in better position to earn pucks back uh being on top of them the way we’re moving our feet closing time and space things like that that all of a sudden you put uh a couple plays in a row uh we earn the puck back we execute and we uh support one another all of a sudden you’re on their half of the ice and you know you’re putting them under pressure um and then eventually breaking them down to an opportunity ities offensively. So, um we can just be uh just more consistent in that area and that’s uh you know doing that game after game. That’s uh the challenge that everyone’s working for and uh trying to earn. So, um we know we can be better in those those little details of the game that all of a sudden uh u you know the things that might show up as big plays or important plays um you know comes from from those things. Also, what does it mean for the group to see Chris Hanov out there in a way? Yeah, it’s great. Um, you know, obviously he’s big part of our back end, big part of our team and eats up a lot of minutes for us. Um, you know, defensively is as sound as it gets. So, it’s great to see him. It’s been great to see him on the ice in general over the last couple weeks, but obviously uh it’s different, um, you know, when a guy joins practice, especially on contact. So, a lot of good signs pointing in the right direction for him. What do you like playing on the line with William? Uh, I mean, I think we’ve had a lot of experience together. I think uh you know we’re good at finding each other. Um you know kind of understand each other’s games and he obviously is as skilled as it comes and makes plays and uh sees the ice really well and you know plays with some good pace. So um definitely a guy that I’m pretty comfortable playing with. I played with lots before. So um you know hopefully we can generate some uh some good opportunities as we get going here. Austin on on Saturday night coach said he wants more from the seniors. I’m sure you heard that. What’s your reaction tonight? Yeah, I mean we can all be better. Obviously, um the last two games, you know, it’s frustrating. You go into a game uh against San Jose, you got the lead and then, you know, the third period wasn’t very good and then obviously on Saturday, um you know, I think we’re in a position where the game’s right there, it’s 3-2. Um you know, bad break on the third goal, but um you know, I just think that the third periods we came out and we’re just really flat and didn’t have enough energy and just kind of let the game get out of hand. So, um, you know, I think rightfully so. It’s going to fall on the leaders and and that, uh, is fine. I mean, we’ve got to be better in that area and make sure that when we’re in these tight games that, you know, we just keep grinding and doing what was making us successful the first two periods. Overall, where are you going to be? I mean, it’s fine. It’s been a grind lately. I think, you know, for us, it’s, you know, trying to string together points and wins and, uh, you know, I think we’ve done a pretty decent job of that, um, you over the last, uh, seven, eight, nine, 10 games. And um you just want to continue to put yourself in position to to win games and do what you can to help the team win games. And you know I think over the last two games I think some of the um you know just details in our game and execution slipped a little bit especially like I said in the third period. So just simple things that we want to clean up but um obviously these games are very very important. Why do you think this year feels like maybe a bit more of a grind than past years? I don’t know. I mean every year presents different challenges, different circumstances. Um, obviously, um, it’s hard to kind of pinpoint one certain thing. Got a tough division. It’s, you know, there’s a lot of different factors that go throughout the season, injuries, uh, stuff like that. But, you know, for us, uh, for myself personally, I mean, it’s just next game doing whatever I can to to help the team win. That’s the most important thing, uh, for us in this room. Um, you got to kind of put your individual stuff to the side and that kind of pride aside and do whatever is necessary to to obviously help the team win. Of course, you want to produce, you want to score and do all that stuff, but I think uh the little things leak through uh the locker room um just as much as the big things do. When you look at these standings and just see how tight they are when you refresh them, like what comes to mind this year with how tight the Atlantic division is? Yeah, I mean it’s always been a dog fight in this division. And I think now, you know, maybe the teams that um, you know, were a little bit um, in a somewhat of a rebuilder now, you know, they’re they’re contending and, you know, there’s not really any teams in our division that are um, you know, trying to contend to win right now and have good teams, good players. Um, so it’s it’s always been a dog fight in our division, I find, but I think this year especially, um, you look at the standings, everything’s extremely extremely close. So, how are you feeling? Yeah, feel good. Um it’s great to to be out there with everyone and uh sort of actually participate in in my first practice. Tomorrow night at Target or is that still up in the air? Uh it’s very fluid situation here. So we’re going to um sort of go day by day, see how how things are are progressing here. And um but as I said, really happy to to be out there with the team and be a full participant in practice. Can you take us back to November 1st and just how frightening that was for you and went through your mind when it happened for you? Uh yeah, not not ideal. Uh not a great situation, but sort of like a weird fluke flu hit and um just want to thank the our docs or our trainers and um the the people in Philly there for really taking care of me and and making sure that nothing catastro catastrophic was wrong. And um yeah, really appreciate that. Obviously was little bit of a scary situation, but when you’re when you’re with around good people and and surrounded by the right people, um they they really calm you down and and make sure every everything’s okay. We’re just doing things that that need to be done um to make make sure you’re safe. What did you learn about the second opinion on Friday? Um yeah, I mean I knew I was going to be out for for a period of time. So that sort of six week mark was Saturday and then um talked to to our docs uh a couple other docs and um was able to be a full participant in in practice today. What was the entire recovery process like for you being out for this experience? Yeah, I mean it it sucks not playing. Um thankfully I was allowed to skate and um and and be active in the gym. So um it’s not like I hadn’t skated for 5 weeks and that really um it makes it a lot harder to get back into to game shape and um prepare yourself to to play when you when you haven’t skated for a period of time. I mean I’ve skated a lot uh by myself or or with Marshall. Um but um yeah, you at least you’re able to um stay on the ice and and sweat and and touch the puck. Um things like that. Was surgery ever an option discussed? I’m not really going to get into that, but um talked to the docs and uh they they all agreed that I I could come and and take some contact today and and now it’s sort of going to be a fluid situation from here on out. Obviously, it takes a while to get back into that game shape, but how did the body feel of your skating today? Getting a bit of pumps in there. Yeah, I mean, it’s always a bit different battling. I think that’s the hardest. You can skate all you want, but um getting into battles, um fighting for pucks, just things happening at at game speed is is always an adjustment. Um, so it was nice to be able to do some of that to sort of try to acclimatize myself to more of a a game-like scenario. What have you seen what what have you seen in the group fights to keep you upset about water in this playoff fight? Yeah, I mean guys are guys are battling. I mean, Stch has been amazing. Come in and done such a good job for us and uh so happy for him. Um obviously goalies have been um amazing and uh I think overall defensively we’ve we’ve really improved um the last probably eight nine games. So um since sort of we left that to go on that road trip. So things things have changed and um yeah guys guys are battling um getting getting points and it it’s it’s a tough league, right? So we playing a lot um everyone’s playing every night. So, um, can’t can’t say enough about how hard guys are working and like I said, um, so happy for for St to to be able to come in here and and and do such a good job for What stands out about the way that Troy approaches him? I don’t Did you cross path with him in Vancouver? Yeah, I play Vancouver, Calgary. I mean, I was I was in his wedding. He’s he’s one of my best friends, so he’s um Yeah, when I learned that we were going to get him, I was I was pretty pumped up. and um so excited for him to to get a new opportunity to to play and cuz I cuz I know how good of a player he is. So um yeah, he’s um he’s been great. He works his behind off every every situation and um does his job, isn’t flashy, but um works like he’s double the size than he actually is. Through so much stuff, but during this stretch, was there ever concern about your long-term health? Like did you ever think about well the repercussions maybe? Um you you you always think about things and um yeah and initially when when that happened you you talk to doc talk to doctors and um you have to determine the next steps and and and obviously what’s best for yourself and and uh the game and hockey and your team and your family. Um that’s but um yeah, as I said, happy to really happy to be here and and skate today and uh it was great to to be around the guys being out there. How many different have you spoken to? Um I don’t know a few. I I don’t really want to get into specifics, but um yeah, spoken to a few and uh as I said, we’re here right now. Craig, you see Chris Han of out there regular shift. What’s the prognosis? That’s the the goal for him. Well, that’s his first practice and first practice with context. So, we’re going to need more and see where he’s at. He’s not playing tomorrow. Could he play before Christmas? Um, that’s a good question. Like, we got to see how he keeps progressing here and how he does, but um be great. But, we’ll see. It’s a long journey back for him. What do you make of It’s a long journey back for him. What do you make of what he’s going through to get back? Well, it’s tough. I mean, obviously he’s uh he’s worked extremely hard on his own. You know, obviously our medical team has done a great job with him and um you know, he’s just taking it day by day. It’s tough. It’s tough for a guy like that. Been around, wants to be involved, wants to play, wants to help the team. But his attitude’s been good about it all and he’s worked hard and u you know trying to prepare himself to get back. What about Joe Wall’s status for maybe tomorrow possible. Is that a NFL word? Questionable or uh doubtful. Oh, he’s did well today. Um there’s a chance Yeah. he could be ready. Yeah, I think you know he he had a good practice. He feels good. So, we’ll I’ll you know, sit down and talk to him. I haven’t talked to him yet. How much would that help with the workload that Dennis Well, I think Yeah, for sure. Dennis had a he had a heavy workload and um it would definitely help for sure. Aside from that game Saturday night, like do you think Hillby can have more of a workload aside with Well, he’s shown he can handle it. Um, you know, I think he did a great job for us and going into even last game, you know, we we we limit a couple things, you know, he gives us another chance to win the game, you know, in your mind, where’s Austin’s game in comparison to where it can be? Yeah. Yeah. That’s um it’s not at the level that he wants it at or us. And um you know, not even just it’s not just about scoring goals, it’s just the whole uh game in general, I think. Um but I do believe and I think he and I know he believes it’s going to get better here. And it’s not just him. I think it’s, you know, our team in general. Um, I thought we, like him, was trending in the right direction on the road there in that road trip. And since we’ve been home, I think it’s dropped a little bit our game. And, um, not only him, but everybody’s game. We can be better than that. And, um, he’s like everybody else. We got to all be better and uh, going forward here starting tomorrow. and you’re moving up there an effort to help get off. Well, I just I like I’m not seeing enough from that line in general offensively or defensively like you know it’s um so going to move Willie up there and um you know that has it could be a real good line you know it’s they got to work together and do things right but it could be a real good line and um yeah that’s why I did it. Why do you think that level of has consistency has been elusive for Austin? Uh it’s not like I I said it’s like it’s not just on one guy, you know. I think our consistency has been up and down a a lot this year and um you know, it just it bleeds through everybody on the team. You know, I’m not going to just focus on one guy. It’s not about one guy. It’s about the team. And um consistency is important in this in this league. uh you look around the standings and how tight it is and you know you you got to you got to be consistent and we got to be better. What do you like about the way uh Stevie Eastston and Scott are playing together right now? Well, it goes back to camp. They had good chemistry and I think with uh Cowboy there, he just feeds off their energy. U you know, I think that line’s got ton of energy. They skate, they work, and um it’s a good fit for Cowboy. He he’s a guy that can finish and make some plays and uh produce for us, you know, down there, which is important. It’s a Joe Bowen night tomorrow. Yes, it is. Bonesy story. I don’t have any stories, but I mean I wasn’t around here too much, but uh I love the guy and I love when he comes around and we can talk and chat. I’m going to see him tomorrow morning. He’ll be at the rink. So, um what a great career and very happy for him. We love him.

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

00:00 John Tavares
04:31 Auston Matthews
07:55 Chris Tanev
13:29 Craig Berube

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