Maple Leafs Media Availability | Training Camp | September 24, 2025

Maple Leafs Media Availability | Training Camp | September 24, 2025

Yeah, like I said after the first game, I thought I played a good overall game and I wanted to create a bit more offense and I thought I did that last night. A couple good chances for me about three or four and uh eventually they’ll start to fall, you know, if you keep working hard in practice and keep scoring in practice. So, not too worried about that, but would have liked to have those back, but uh it is what it is. But yeah, overall been very happy with my game. Is it too soon to start to notice that you’re picking up chemistry with certain guys? And if so, who? I mean, you play with anyone in an NHL lineup, they’re going to be good. So, uh, but early on I feel like I’ve had pretty good chemistry with a lot and Lorent there. Uh, you know, I liked our, you know, Lions game yesterday. Thought we created a lot and didn’t give up a lot. So, it was very good overall. What have you been able to take away from someone like this? I mean, he plays hard and he still has good hockey sense. So, that’s definitely something you look at. And, uh, he makes plays all over the ice and but he’s also, you know, efficient with his plays. puts pucks in and go goes and gets them and uh you know uh finishes all his checks. So little stuff like that is very good. Before the camp began, you you talked about um wanting to be better defensively and if you took care of that, the rest would kind of take care of itself. Have you been able to find that plan has been going according to where you want to go? I mean, yeah, like yesterday I thought I was very good in the Dzone that led to my chances. You know, having a good uh good for check there, listening to the systems, it creates a lot. So, uh, yes, for sure. I feel like defense has been leading to some offense for me. I asked Chief this afternoon last night just about, you know, you’ve been here before and and if he’s seen that you fully understand the assignment, you understand what’s at stake here. He thinks you do. Do you feel like now more than ever? Time helps. I get that, too. But, do you sort of understand the the big scope that, yeah, I I can play here and and if I do things right, you’ll get that chance. I mean, yeah, it’s my it’s my third training camp, so you learn a lot, you know, over the years. But yeah, I mean, I feel stronger and I feel good and, you know, I’ve I’ve learned to be a pro over these last couple years. You know, taking care of my body before and after skates. So, just going to keep continue doing that. Control what I can control and that’s, you know, working hard and keep listening to Chief. Obviously, he knows the game. So, just listen to his systems and that’s how you’ll get your chances. Matthew Nis was saying that you’re being a bit more vocal this camp. What’s allowed you to find your voice around the NHLers here? I mean, all of them are great guys, so just being able to have a conversation with all of them, uh, means a lot. Uh, you know, they come up to me, I come up to them. Little stuff like that goes a long way for a young guy, for sure. How it feel to, uh, get into some preseason action with a lot of the NHL caliber players there? Uh, yeah, it was great. Um, I mean, last year didn’t get the full experience, so to get in a game with all those guys was really cool. um last year I didn’t get to really be around them that much uh just having the injury. So to get a get to know them, play in the game with them, you know, be on the ice with them in practices, they’re all great guys and guys, you know, I’ve learned off so far so far in training camp, they’ve been great. So what’s what’s your comfort level like? Is it nerve-wracking being out on the ice with some of these guys or? Yeah, I mean obviously you always have some nerves and stuff going into the game, but um you know it’s I thought uh so far like um you know I just settle in the first shift and you know keep it simple out there and uh just kind of get a feel for the game and um you know the nerves kind of you know been going away which is good. Um I mean I get nervous for anytime really. I’m playing hockey uh before so but when I get out there I feel like uh you know I just uh you know become confident and you know kind of settle in. Your coach has had some really positive words about your game and I think you use some words that kind of mistake for you. You said well direct game. What when you hear that? You talk about the confidence. What can that do for you knowing that you’re playing maybe the way not only you’re supposed to but the way the movement’s catching the eye of the coach and teammates as well? Yeah. Um it means a lot. Um I mean I’m just trying every day here at uh training camp just trying to put my best foot forward um not overdo things. Um just take it day by day. Um I need to hear that. So obviously great feedback but uh you know I just got to keep rolling. um you know just uh just keep taking it day by day, keep getting better every day. So is there someone who’s maybe I don’t know at some point casual conversation or you’re able to decide sort of giving you a little nugget that you’ve kind of kept with you? Um not necessarily. I mean all the guys um yesterday um you know they’re really good um you know all the guys that I played with on the back end last night you know you come off for a shift and you had a good one, you know, they’ll make sure you let you know um you know they’re really good at you know being positive. Um you know that definitely helped me last night. They were really positive when I made it a good pass. Um, you know, that definitely kept helped my confidence throughout the game. Um, I mean, uh, you know, they did a great job and, you know, they I look up to them. So, how much do you feel your game has evolved working with someone like Jake Musk over the last week? Yeah. Um, Muzz has been great. Um, I mean, I think it helps a lot that I mean, he just retired. Um, so we have that relationship. You know, he’s a younger guy. Um, you know, we’re really comfortable with each other. We have a great relationship. Um, I mean, he knows his stuff. Um, I mean, he’s, uh, this year especially, like he’s, um, you know, taught me not what to do. Um, I mean, last year in the OHL, that’s going to make me good. What’s going to make me good when I get to the next level, starting now and junior to make sure, you know, I’m I’m ready for the next level. So, he’s been really good at that and, you know, we’re still working. Um, you know, I talk to him um, you know, all the time, even here at training camp, you know, we chat a lot. So, um, it’s really good. Do you feel that’s accelerated your learning curve just by Yeah, for sure. I mean, like I said that he just retired, you know, he’s just coming out of the game, so he knows what it’s like obviously. Um, you know, he has a lot of experience, won a cup, everything. So, um, yeah, for sure. I think it’s definitely helped my, you know, kind of learning curve. So, what’s been the biggest adjustment for you in these couple games at this level? Um, obviously the speed, it’s faster. Um, uh, I mean, um, guys are guys are stronger. um you know um you know you really got to bury down your battles and I I thought I’d hold my own that way and like 50/50 pucks and stuff um in the D zone but um you know just being aware that uh time and space is limited and you just you know when you get the puck you have to make sure you know you know what uh your next play is quicker decisions like guys on stop you a lot quicker yeah yeah in all teams that way obviously in preseason it’s a bit different uh just like structure and stuff teams are just you know kind of get into the swing of things so it’s uh um it’s a bit different but uh yeah I’d say so why do you think you’ve adjusted so well so quickly Um yeah, I don’t know. Um I think a big one is just I’m keeping it simple out there. I’m not overdoing um things. Um I think, you know, my play style of just, you know, um not overdoing things on the blue line out on the offensive blue line, but you know, having a really good first pass, um playing hard defense, um you know, not trying to be that flashy player cuz, you know, that’s not who I am. Um you know, I’m a guy that’s, you know, going to lock down the back end. So, uh that’s what I’m just trying to do right now. How much pressure are you putting on yourself to make the roster? Or would you be fine with just, hey, I learned a lot. I go back to junior, another good year of development. Yeah, I mean, I’m just taking it day by day right now. Um, I mean, this training camp has earned a really good experience so far. Um, you know, I just want to keep um, you know, I want to be stay here as long as I can. Um, yeah, just keep putting my best foot forward and just see what happens. So, who have you clicked with off the ice? Like, who have you kind of bonded with? Um, I mean, a lot of the guys are they’re unreal guys. Um, they’re really good to me. As a young guy, you know, coming into the um, organization, they treat me unreal. You know, they always say good morning and, you know, they’ll go out of their way to talk to me. Um, I mean, just like I said last night, all the guys after the game. Um, you know, they’re talking to me, saying I, you know, good game. You know, it really helps your confidence and, you know, guys you’ve looked up to your whole life and and they’re able to, you know, come out of their way and say that to you because they don’t have to. And, uh, but everyone’s been really great on the ice. That’s one thing too, but I wonder about off when you learned about conditioning that compared to, you know, the training side of the nutrition side. We hear a lot of guys talking about that, but have you had your eyes open in that area as well? Yeah, for sure. Um, I mean, spending a month in Toronto this year, um, being around Tana, Riley, um, McMahon, those guys that were here, uh, for a good chunk of the summer to watch them train, um, to watch them eat, you know, their their nutrition habits, what they put into their body, um, just everything. Uh yeah, I think it’s helped me a lot, you know, spending some time here in the summer and being around in this camp especially. Um yeah, for sure. Even even like little things like cooling down after games, that kind of stuff, you know, they really invest in their body and I think, you know, goes a long way. So, what are you noticing about East as, you know, you go from the prospect showdown and obviously there’s a ramp up in play. What are you noticing about him during this game? Yeah, uh Cal’s looked really good. Um I feel like he’s playing a 200 foot game, which is uh you know, that’s um you know, that’s what he is. I feel like um people might think he’s you know just an offensive guy, but he’s playing a 200 foot game. He’s contributing. He’s creating plays offensively, but he’s also um you know um being really good defensively as well. He’s being a 200 foot player and you know that’s what he needs to be. So he’s doing really well. Uh it was uh you know great great experience in the sense of you know getting to put the jersey on for the first time and and wear it in the game. Uh that was that was a really cool moment. Uh the game itself you know just first preseason game for a lot of us. Um, you could definitely see the the rust at times, but uh, you know, just happy to be back out there competing with the guys and, uh, working hard. Past experience with other camps, I seem that’s pretty normal like when you go into that first game. Yeah, for sure. You got the long layoff and then coming back and everybody, you know, is once again trying to prove themselves in in a way. Um, you know, and everybody’s just out there going hard. So, it’s a little bit more maybe sloppy than regular season, but you know, that’s that’s what the the games are there for to round into shape. What is you most about playing with Max Doy in that couple times you have here? Uh, yeah, very explosive player, very quick and fast. Uh, sees the ice well and and um I I like his decision- making. So, uh he he’s a fun player to play with. Is there anyone that’s surprised you at this camp? Maybe someone you didn’t know much about and kind of stood out to you going up against them? Um yeah, Dan I think Danford’s been a really uh for how young he is, he’s been really good and um just the the steady calmness about him. Um you know, for me, everybody’s everybody’s pretty much new only really I played with before. So um a lot of guys have really, you know, stood out to me and just noticing what uh what they do really well um really has caught my eye here. We continue to hear Ben’s name kind of brought up in these kind of conversations. I mean, that’s that’s impressive that a young guy can make that much of an impact in a short time. I guess you guys just have an appreciation for the the simplicity or just his Yeah. Yeah. I think it’s just once again the composure at a young age. You know, he’s he seems at ease out there at times, but um also, you know, reads the game well and and um you know, just seems to be in the right spots as a young kid. How’s it been the last few days here just being able to get back in the guys? Yeah, it’s great. Nice to be around. Uh, obviously they’ve been working hard. Everyone looks good. So, it’s nice to jump in the nice. How do you feel after just a little bit of a setback before? All good. No setback. All good. U some uh K was saying, you know, wanted to start you on that line with with Austin and Matthew Melli there now, but what do you like about that idea or possibly working with uh today with Joshua and maybe moving around a bit? What’s your thoughts? It’s kind of Yeah. similar what what the last couple years have been, right? So, trying to just get chemistry with everyone in camp. Uh and then, as you know, as the year gets going, you start to play kind of with everyone. So, um no different this year. just got to be ready to go as far as that top line possibility goes to look at it as a real opportunity given that uh you know that is an open spot there there’s open spots everywhere doesn’t matter where you play you got to go out and do your best so whatever I’m asked to do I’ll be ready to play in that position couple years here now what you learn about yourself last summer about myself uh getting older uh no it’s uh you know what I think as you as you do get older you you really start to appreciate every single day Um cuz I think the initial part of your career, you just think you’re going to be in NHL forever. You know what I mean? And uh not that you don’t value every single day, every practice, every game, and even the tough days, but as you get older, you really start to enjoy that. And the grind of the summer when you get injured, it’s sometimes it’s uh it’s easy to not really get up for those days. But when you learn to enjoy them, it it just opens up a whole other can of worms. So, I’ve been I’ve been having a lot of fun, enjoying it. Enjoy every second and and love being out there with the guys right now. So, it’s been fun. Is there a moment where it kind of just turned that wave? Uh or just No, I think I’ve always been kind of like that, but now it’s just as you every day, I mean, you get more and more familiar and uh it’s crazy. It’s my 11th year in the league, but uh I still feel like I’m 21. So, um it’s uh it’s been it’s best league in the world for a reason and best franchise in in all sports. So, to be able to play with those guys every day and then wear this jersey is is a huge honor and a huge privilege and just trying to enjoy it. What are you noticing from Houston maybe this year, maybe more than last year? It looks great. Yeah. Awesome. Looks great out there. As you get older, does it change the way you you approach the season before, you know, the offseason and heading in? No, it doesn’t actually. Uh, you still get the same nerves for training camp? You still get the same little jitters and anxiety that come with it, but um you’re still a kid, man. you still feel like you you’re you’re a kid growing up and as I’ve always said from from the time I signed here, it’s been my childhood dream to play here. So, you just empty the tank every single day and do whatever it takes, help the team win. You have a bit of a bumpy year like last year healthwise and all that. How do you see it to leave it where the match? Myself personally, yeah. Uh hey, I think as a whole, we we had a great year. We we learned a lot and unfortunately it ended a way that we didn’t really want it to, but we can all value um what kind of went on in the playoffs and and how we played. We lost to a heck of a team in Florida. So, we’re going to focus on that. Nothing else is really at the the forefront of of our mindset. Craig, uh you know, we talked about you earlier in the camp. He was talking, which is not the first time, but he’s talking about you got to shoot the puck more. I’m sure that’s probably not the first time you’ve heard that from coach. How do you how do you look at that and and and sort of how do you approach it? Um, shoot the popcorn. Does it do you agree? Hey man, we keep that stuff in house. I know you guys got to do your job, but uh, whatever I’m asked to do and whatever conversations I have with my coach, you’re going to keep between myself and the coach, as it should for everyone. But, uh, no, a chief wants the best for every guy in that locker room, and he wants us all to be a part of something special. So, shooting the puck is is is part of that, then I’m going to do my best to do more of it. I think there’s obviously players that don’t need a long long camp and there’s other players that need more time. You know, I’ve always found that like, you know, it’s some it seemed like over the years you get some bigger defenseman that need a little bit more time and touches, you know, um in game situation to get themselves ready. But um now in saying that I think there’s probably been too many exhibition games over the years um you know and probably not enough practice time at times you know um so I mean going down to four games next year I think that’s I think that’s fine you know I think you get your guys in a couple games but you get a lot of practice time which is good that’s where you kind You get your work done in practice more than the games in my opinion. How do you manage a guy like Max I guess with all that you said in mind in terms of trying to get him up and what he Yeah. Well, he had a good day today in practice, him and uh Nicka. So, um I think they’ll be available soon to play in the game, you know, but again, we don’t want to put them in a bad situation and reagravate things. So, we got to manage it and we got to make sure that they’re being, you know, honest with us about their injury and everything and what’s going on. So, you know, hopefully they’ll be ready soon. Outside of those guys and a couple of others, you’ve seen everyone from this game. Where does what’s the objective now that you’ve seen that? How does it shift from here to the next? Well, I think getting to our team here quickly in the next little bit and, you know, having our team ready to go and practicing together and g get a game in or two together as a unit. For for you, what does a good season by Max do look like? He’s had a lot of good seasons, you know, in the league. He’s been a good player. I mean, he, you know, he’s played in the league a long time. It’s not like he’s going to overhaul his game. He’s been a good playmaker. He’s he’s played well in the league. He’s, you know, I like that’s a tough question to answer. And you guys are probably thinking about points, right? But maybe also defensively. No, I thought Yeah. Well, no, I agree. Like, you know, there’s some things like the penalties. He’s got to be more disciplined in situations. Um, you know, he he he likes to look after his teammates and probably goes overboard at times, but it’s for a a good reason, but I get it. The penalties. Yeah. And I’ve always talked to Max about um using his shot more. My my opinion, he could score more goals if he looked to shoot a little bit more, you know, and I thought he made a conscious effort last year towards the end of the year and into the playoffs where he was shooting a puck more. And I think if he’s a little more direct that way, shooting a puck more, getting to that inside and using his shot, he’s got a good shot. So I think, you know, that is a good season for Max. What’s the uh early return feel for you on a refreshed Morgan Riley? Craig, pardon me. The early return on a refreshed Morgan Riley coming in. Yeah, no, he’s been great. I mean, I I told you guys the other day, his off season’s been excellent. He’s really worked and uh I could see it in practice, his pace, and uh the way he’s playing. Um he’s got more pace to his game. You know, he’s he’s he looks more confident than he did last year. Simone. Yeah, day to day he skated today on his own, so that’s a good sign. Um you know, a return date that’s a little up in the air yet. I can’t really answer that, but he’s he’s doing better every day, which is a good sign. So, I don’t expect him to be out too long. You said you like your forwards in in pairs. Do you see L and Lorent as a pair? Yeah, I really liked them last year in the playoffs. So, I think they really feed off each other. They got good chemistry together. They’re, you know, they’re pretty tight. So, um I I like those guys together. Um I liked them last night, too, in the game. Why do you think Stanford’s been able to Why do you think Danford’s been able to come in and make such a strong impression with you guys? How much hockey IQ and feet? He’s got great feet and um when I watch him play is like he just knows what he’s doing. He knows where the puck’s going. He’s simple. He doesn’t over complicate it. You know, I’m not saying he doesn’t ever, but for the most part, it’s just like he sees the outlet, makes the play, and you know, he’s a good defender. He plays with a little bite, too. Like, he’s a physical guy and plays with some edge, but I love his feet. I love his, you know, his head’s up all the time seeing the play and um he’s got he’s pretty smart player. You mentioned older defenseman sometime need some time. years a younger looks as though he is kind of, you know, doing what he needs to be doing. Yeah. No, he is. He’s definitely made an impression in camp on everybody, which is good. You know, getting in some games has been pretty solid for us, which is great to see. Uh along with Cowan, you know, I I think Cowan’s looking sharp. He’s got energy. He’s um you know just watching him out there in those some of those battle drills and stuff you know he’s such a competitor you know he’s he’s a lot stronger than you think. Do you envision playing him in most of the games count? Um I don’t know about all of them you know like he he’s rolling pretty good here. So um I’ll think about tomorrow I might throw him in there but I’m not sure yet. I’ll you know that’s a decision I’m going to think about and make with uh Brad. Random one for you. Have you ever fought a teammate training camp? Oh, didn’t train again. Well, I have, but I mean that’s when I first came in the league, you know, I you know, in Philly there like there was a lot of fights. I remember I got in a fight um remember Eddie Hospitalar. So, we have these games. Yeah. Box car and box car high sticks me. We drop the gloves. We fight and then we fight again and then we’re in the training room after and he’s on one table on the other and he’s talking like nothing happened. I was a rookie and I’m like, “Fuck, this is a little strange.” But yeah, you know, I’ve been in I’ve been in some battles with guys in practice, so like, you know, you do them competitive drills sometimes, like it’s gets heated at times, you know, which is I don’t think it’s a bad thing. I really don’t. Um, you don’t want to see anybody get hurt. We’re not trying to hurt each other, but I think it’s important that, you know, you’re getting physical with each other, and it it it only makes you better. I’ I’ve said this before, like it’s almost the respect factor, right? Like you respect your teammate enough that you’re going to play him hard out there. So, he’s improving and you’re improving. I think it’s important. The players know, right? I mean, OL and Cam aren’t driving home now ready to listen, it’s over. It’s like no grudges are held ever. Like I’m not I’ve never had any, but I mean I’m sure that they’re fine. You know, it’s just the way it goes sometimes.

Players and coach speak with the media following Wednesday’s training camp.

00:00 Easton Cowan
02:28 Ben Danford
08:35 Dakota Joshua
10:39 Max Domi
14:33 Craig Berube

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