Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Practice | October 20, 2025

Hey, William. Just curious what you thought of Anony’s comments after the game and the frustration you expressed with the way the season started. Yeah, I um I think there’s frustration maybe uh a little bit in the locker room. I think that we know that we can, you know, play better. Um I think our game’s been growing and I mean we’re still what are we three two and one or something. So I mean, you know, it is what it is, but we’re a tight-knit group and we move forward from here. didn’t like how the play unfolded in overtime. What did you see in that sequence? Uh to be honest, I don’t really remember it. I haven’t seen it since. So, um I don’t know. I think he just beat me beat me up uh up the ice there. Um that’s all I can really remember. Have you and Anthony talked about things since the game? Yeah, it’s all good. Look, we’re like we’re teammates. He’s a great guy. There’s nothing nothing that we need to, you know, talk about here. He talked to me after and it was all good. It’s been no wishes since. What sort of leader is he behind the season? Yeah, very vocal, you know, passionate guy and I think that’s what we uh love from him and uh you know to have him in our locker room that’s important. How have you felt about your line so far this season? I thought we have been able to generate maybe last game was a little bit uh less but other than that I think we’ve been generating uh chances and stuff. So just got to keep building. What are you noticing about the power play this year so far? Yeah, I mean, what do we have? Two power play goals now, two games in a row, I think. So, I mean, it hasn’t been perfect the way we want it to be, but I mean, at least we got two goals and, you know, just want to keep building off of that. What stands out about the way JT’s playing? I mean, insane snipe there the other night and, you know, going to the net and, you know, putting in uh my rebounds. So, I mean, he’s been he’s been great all over the ice. uh, you know, playing playing his game. What about Morgan? What are you seeing from Riley earlier this season? Yeah, he’s flying. Um, he’s been active, you know, joining the rush and, you know, creating creating all my rushes. I think uh it’s a big part of his game and I love when he’s uh flying up and down the ice like that. How important to maximize his home stand? Of course. I mean, we’re lucky to be at home uh home for a stretch here. So, you know, want to take advantage of that and, you know, start the season off on a good note. You going to be watching baseball tonight? Uh, of course. Big game. Anthony, obviously you were frustrated there after the game Saturday. What sort of conversations have you had with your teammates about where things are at since then? Uh, yeah. You know, we’ve, uh, discussed it and, um, you know, we’re all competitive guys and, um, you know, we all want to win. It’s uh it’s pro sports and um at the end of the day uh you know our goal is to uh to win the Stanley Cup and uh you know in order to get there it’s it’s a process and um you know uh like I said we’ve had uh some discussions and you know we love each other. It’s a you know a family in here and um you know we’re looking to move on. What was it like with William? He he didn’t seem to have any issues or what was that conversation like with you? Uh yeah, you know, obviously I pull Willie aside and uh you know, we had a conversation and he’s uh you know, someone I admire and someone I respect deeply. I mean, you know, there’s a reason he’s been in this league for so long. He’s uh you know, a hell of a player and um you know, he pushes me, I push him, you know, you look at his offensive skill, you know, he’s made me a better goalie just by, you know, facing him every day in practice. And um you know, like I said, we’re a family in here and we’re looking to uh to push each other and uh you know, get to our ultimate goal at the end of the day. things tend to get magnified in overtime more just because you know three on three and the stakes are there and the or the you know the hero goat thing is you know can go either way. Yeah I mean uh you know like you said it’s three on three it’s overtime and um you know that guy that guy in Seattle barreling down on me you know uh I get paid to stop the puck too so uh you know at the end of the day it’s on me as well. Uh you know for me it’s uh you know simple simple job get in front of the puck and stop it. So, um, you know, there’s, uh, you know, the instances where, you know, as a goal, you got to come up big. And, you know, right there was a prime example. And, uh, you know, for me going forward, that’s, uh, going to be my main focus is going out there, stopping the puck, giving this team a chance to, uh, you know, compete every night. And, you know, I think, uh, you know, the guys are looking forward to getting out there tomorrow. What sort of leadership role do you see for yourself here, Anthony? I know for goalending, it’s kind of almost a different sport at times, like you signed an extension. It’s your second year. What sort of leadership role do you see for yourself in this room? Uh, yeah. I mean, um, I’m I’m a vocal guy and I’m going to continue to be a vocal guy. I mean, uh, you know, I guess I’m a competitor and, uh, you know, it’s the reason I’ve gotten to this point in my career. Um, you know, I’ve, uh, it’s the hardest league to make. And, um, you know, for me, it’s just battling, not taking it for granted. And, uh, as a competitor, every time you go out there, you want to win. Doesn’t matter if you’re playing Super Bowl against the other team or, you know, you’re playing in an NHL game, you know, you want to uh, you want to win and you want to beat them. Does being come naturally to you? Uh, yeah. Yeah, it’s something I’ve always uh by I’ve always been since I was uh you know, a young uh young goalie. Just being able to communicate with the D and uh you know, I think it goes on the ice and it helps out a lot just being able to uh talk to them and show them uh you know, plays that they can’t see. You know, obviously my eyes are up ice, they’re going back in the corner, you know, you can kind of see a little bit more. So, that’s just something for me that uh you know, I’ve always had. How difficult of a balance is it, Anthony, for guys to find the the line in terms of defending teammates when they feel liberties are taken, but also not getting in the way of the team for instance where power play um is coming your way. How difficult balance to be? Uh yeah, I mean for me it’s a it’s a little different just cuz you know as a goalie you’re not really getting in there too much. I mean you know that was uh I kind of looked up at the ref uh you know after I got ran that’s kind of why I took the look. I I looked over I saw his arm was up and obviously you know you think we’re going on or you kind of know you’re going on the power play at that instance and for me I kind of you know did want some retribution for uh him and I kind of looked down and you know he’s kind of vulnerable you know as a goalie with my blocker on you know you can’t you can’t go and uh you know go down on him while he’s on his back. So, uh, hence why I threw the net. But, uh, you know, for me, I just looked around and kind of just saw the ref’s arm was up and, you know, thought that was, you know, kind of my opportunity to get him back there. But, uh, like I said, you know, he’s in a vulnerable spot and, uh, you know, I’m not going to go and, uh, you know, do anything stupid. So, uh, you know, hence why I threw the net and, you know, that’s up. No, not just you though as well, because I know some of the guys are getting criticized that they didn’t jump in as quickly and from their perspective, do you understand why sometimes guys are a little bit more reluctant when they see the power play than other times? Yeah, I mean at the end of the day too it’s you like I said the guy’s on his back and you know you can’t really it’s not the UFC you know you’re not going to go and start uh start a ground and pound. So you can’t really do do much there with him you know and I know the guys have my back and and I have theirs. I mean you know you look at uh two games ago he put you know his arm on Johnny and you know you never know what’s going to happen. So I just went out put my arm on him just to kind of let them know you know hey like I’m here too. So you know you kind of uh you mess with one of us you mess with all of us. How much did your season championship season in Florida sort of influence you, make you more aware of team bonding and things like that? Uh yeah, I mean for me it’s uh you know why you play the game. You know, you see a team like that and um you know you see the the leadership and how things went and how they went uh for them last year as well. Like they’re uh you know just being able to witness that is something you know that I want to bring to this team. Just that that leadership role and um you know we have it. That’s why I’m so passionate. You look around, you look in in this room and the the veterans we have the the the youth, the the grit, the grind, everything like we have those uh same intangibles and uh you know that’s why I feel so passionately about everything just because you know you you see the similarities in both teams and uh you know for me we took him to seven games last year and uh you know we were right there we were right there with the uh with the champs. So, um, you know, we’re, you know, on the cusp of of, uh, you know, doing great things and that’s why, like I said, I’m so passionate about it because we’re right there and I feel like we can do, uh, you know, we can do it and go all the way. How much how much was honest communication a part of, you know, your time in that dressing room? I mean, within some some teams are better at it than others, right? Yeah, I mean, like you said, uh, you know, they had vocal leaders and, uh, you know, they still have a lot of guys there as well. So, um, for me, uh, you know, obviously I have a much larger role here on this team. So, I think that’s why I kind of feel a little more comfortable to, uh, to be able to do that and be able to speak, uh, you know, speak up and being able to have that experience, but we also have other guys. You know, you got Wazy, Oel, uh, Stevie, you know, you have guys who played in the Olympics, they’ve played in World Championships, they’ve played on the biggest stages. You know, you you got, you know, Tone and and Willie have played at four nations. Like, everyone’s played in a big game. Everyone knows, uh, you know, what it takes to, you know, get over the hump. So, uh, you know, for us, we’re going to continue to grow as a group and, um, you know, we’re looking forward to, uh, you know, tomorrow night and getting going here. From your perspective, what have you seen from special teams so far? No, I think it’s been good. I mean, you know, it’s obviously you have a lot of new guys and, uh, it’s continuing to gel and, uh, you know, but, you know, you look at the the last two games, we scored uh, some power play goals. You the penalty kill has been good. I mean, you know, I make a save, it goes right to their guy uh, you know, back door and there’s really nothing you do, you know, for anyone there. It’s just kind of uh, one of those plays. So, I think going forward, you know, we’re going to continue to, uh, you know, watch film, break it down and work hard. You know, we’re doing special teams every day. So, uh, you know, it’s going to be a big part of our success here going forward. Just your thoughts on what Anthony had to see after the game, the frustration expressed with how things are starting here. Yeah, I mean, I think you can appreciate, uh, his passion and his fire. I mean, he he’s a competitor and he’s a competitive guy and obviously we all want to win and all want to um, you know, help in that regard. And so when you know you have a night like the other night, um you know, frustration builds and you know we’re all human. I think you can appreciate that and so um we got to be better and it’s kind of the bottom line. What sort of leader is he behind the scenes? Obviously he was new last year, now he’s kind of second year. What are you noticing? Yeah, he’s a very vocal guy. I mean on the ice he’s a very vocal guy. Um you know, I think he’s an honest guy. He just kind of tells you how it is. There’s not really any holding back. He’s pretty laid-back in general, but when it comes to playing, um he’s a competitor and very competitive guy, and I think you see that in the way he plays and the way that um you know, he competes out there for us. So, what is your sense of how the team has started the season, why maybe it’s taken a while to get in rhythm? Well, I mean, I think we’ve you know, got some new guys. cuz I think you change different things and so I think that always kind of um you know it’s hard to just kind of get everything going right away and um you know I think for us we’re 32 and one and haven’t quite hit our stride yet and um you know there’s some positive things there’s obviously a lot of things that we can clean up and be better in that regard and um you know it’s on us to to do that. So, um, you know, take steps, um, be more disciplined, take care of our net fronts, and, um, yeah, six games in, you want to continue to find your rhythm as a team and individually, and, um, you know, sometimes that takes time, but, obviously, you want to get it going as quickly as possible. Where you at with your line? I know there’s been a bunch of different kind of players rotating in there. Like, how are you feeling about your unit? Yeah, I mean, I think it’s kind of similar to like our game in general. I think it just kind of can lack consistency at times and um yeah, I think that’s probably the way I would describe it. I mean, there’s good good segments and then there’s obviously um you know, segments where I think we’re defending too much and um giving up too many odd mans and those are just little details, little things that we can clean up and make it easier on ourselves. A lot of things uh were analyzed about the overtime play, but it is that high risk, high reward in overtime, but uh it’s kind of hero or goat thing sometimes. Oh, I mean sometimes you just make a mistake and um I go back two overtimes and you guys had the big Yeah. Yeah. I mean overtime can be very um you know high risk, high reward sometimes. I mean you see it you see it all the time. I mean there’s overtime every night and um you know one play can obviously change things. So um you know it’s important we’ve worked on that and uh sometimes you know you think you uh make the right read and you don’t and and that happens. So, um, you learn from those mistakes and we’re going to be in that situation throughout the year and, you know, just make sure that we’re we’re better in that regard come the next time we’re in overtime. What have you seen in the start of the season from Morgan so far? I think he’s been great. Um, you know, defensively, offensively, he’s he’s up in the rush. He’s skating. Um, he’s got the puck on his stick a lot, which has been great. And, um, I think he’s been playing great for us. What are you noticing like the power of play early on? Uh, I mean, I think it’s been better lately. Um, still don’t think we’re getting enough chances or opportunities to get on the power play, but um, you know, like I said the other day, I think that’s on us to hang on to pucks more and draw more penalties and draw more contact in that regard, but I think we’re keeping it much more simple getting pucks in that shooting. Um, obviously a big big one there the other night, but um, we definitely would like to be a little bit cleaner in our execution. How do you find that chemistry with Max? Does it come back right away even though you’ve only had one practice or what’s your sense of it? I mean, we’ll find out tomorrow. Yeah. But, uh, yeah, like I’ve said before, he’s an easy guy to play with. He sees the ice extremely well. We’ve played together in the past, so I think it’s good to have that um, chemistry and that experience together. And so, hopefully that, you know, when we play together in a game tomorrow that we can just kind of hit the ground running. Be watching baseball tonight. I know it’s a later. Yeah, you know, I definitely will be. It’s uh, it’s exciting. Um, really exciting. We’re all rooting for them pretty hard. So, Anthony said GM Willie talked it out. I mean, as captain, is this something you get involved in and just Oh, I mean, we all talked um I mean, we’re a veteran group in here. We’re all big boys. I mean, it’s um you don’t need to like beat around the bush. I mean, it’s easy conversation we we we all had and um you know, you just move on from it. Close the door and move on. And like I said, we got to be better and we will be. What do you make of uh Anony’s comments after the game? Do you like that sort of stuff? You prefer It’s frustration. Um, we all prefer to stay in a room, but it happens. But, uh, you know, we moved on from it. How do you go about moving on from it? Is there kind of a meeting that happens? The players get together. What’s your sense of that? Yeah, for sure. Just talk about it and moved on. Listen, it happens a lot. It’s happened over years and years. You know, players get frustrated and sometimes they say things that um, you know, they just keep in the room, that’s all. But it’s over with. Austin was talking about how Anony’s a very passionate guy. When you have, I guess, a lot of passionate guys in the room, what can that do? Like, what can that benefit? Well, it brings out um emotion for me. Um, you know, they care and um, you know, a lot of guys will voice that in the room, which is a good thing. It uh, it’s just accountability basically and um, you know, there’s nothing wrong with that. I’m sure nothing said wasn’t what you were thinking. Um, is it easy is it sometimes easy when the players come to that conclusion themselves and they can figure it out makes your job easier as the coach? Well, we always want players to hold each other accountable in the locker room. I think that’s important. Um, you know, there’s and and for me that’s a good thing. Like I think it’s um healthy for the team. Um, like I said, you know, people get frustrated, players get frustrated, coaches get frustrated. Sometimes things are said. Um, you know, that’s all part of the game. We’re all big boys. You grow, you know, you move on from it and get ready for the next game. Anthony made the point that you guys should be doing what other teams are doing to him, which is getting in the face of the opposing goal. Yeah. Yeah. No, I I I agree. I mean, we’ve talked about it um quite a bit. We got to we could do a better job of being harder around the offensive net, getting there more, fighting for space. You know, that’s that makes it tough on the goalie and tough on the other team. So, um, net fronts are important whether you’re defending them or offensively getting there. So, yeah, for sure there’s that’s an opportunity for us. We got to be better in that situation. You mentioned you mentioned uh doing a better job clearing in front of your own end. How much of that is positional? It is positional. It’s not it’s not just the will willingness to do it. it is positional and it’s, you know, it’s finding your guys, you know, early enough to to be able to box them out and it doesn’t always happen. Um, you know, there’s a lot of good players that are good at fighting for the net and getting to the net. So, you know, um, we were really good at it last year and um, we’re going to keep banging away at it. To that point, Olympic making a change there obviously high level of trust that six. Yeah, for sure. That’s a veteran uh decor. Um you know, so it it looks like it’ll it’ll stay the same for tomorrow. The amount of power plays that you guys have drawn is around about where it should be, or do you feel like maybe you should be getting a few more calls? It’s not up to me. I mean, I think that uh you know, it is what it is. I’m not going to sit here and talk and complain about calls or anything like that. It you know, we don’t get anything out of that. So, we want, you know, if you want to get power plays, you got to earn them. You got to work for them and, uh, we’ll continue to do that. I mean, we drew four last game. Uh, that’s that’s an upgrade from where we were, and we’ll just focus on that. What’s been your take away from the power play so far? I think, um, you know, and I look at a lot of different things on it. I mean, I think we are attempting shots and shooting pucks and um, you know, we’ve got a couple now, so um, that’s a good thing. But, you know, when we’re at our best is a shot mentality. We’ve got a couple big guys around the net. We win those battles and and score some goals around there. The one area, you know, I think we could be better at is um hitting the net. Um you know, I think we’ve missed opportunities on the power play where we we don’t hit the net. You leaned on doi down the middle since injury wise. Why now get that? um because I just you know um you know that was like you know a plan we had trying Max there and I know he’s played in the past with those guys. So um I just wanted to get to that. um just see how it looks and see where we go from there. And uh that’s uh that’s the real reason

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

00:00 William Nylander
02:29 Anthony Stolarz
09:03 Auston Matthews
13:34 Craig Berube

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29 comments

  2. No heart bums! Anything short of "he was right and we needed that" from Willie is just ridiculous. Mr. Cool, that Willie. Woof.

    The issue isn't chances. The issue isn't the power play. It's the "killer instinct" that Brendan and Kyle requested what…4 years ago now? Maybe 5???

    Holy smokes, man.

  4. You guys, particularly the ones with the letters on your chests, need to start sticking up for not only your insanely talented starting goalie but also stand up for your rookie. The same guy took two penalties last game on him

  5. This is not the UFC Stolie, but Leafs should have accidently fallen on him and hope he sustains an injury. If they are running Stolarz to hurt him, you pay it back.

  8. Give Stollie Marners A! He deserves it. He takes his own accountability but also holds everyone else accountable and he has showed he can turn up the heat and he has no fear. Never mind the fact that he is going to go in the books as one of our GOATs with some of those saves. Hopefully they took his crash out to heart. It was 100% justified and they need to take it seriously.

  9. Stolarz knows the type of heart & culture it takes to win a cup with Florida. And he's not seeing it here in Toronto. Good for him setting the tone early in the season.

  12. Stolarz said what the fan base needed to hear for many years. He never called 1 guy out he called out entire team so I disagree with Berube …if he called out one guy then yeah he should keep it in the room. That said the fan base wants guys driving the net alot more. The team lacks a high standard of play.

  16. Guys the media definitely needs to chill yes the leafs should be 6 and 0 but thats not how it always work they did a lot of great thing that over time win pass from nylander to mathews to win over time easton cowen making his way and are golie is amazing like its early in the season we got ober time twice like what more u want right now leafs will make the plays offs and will c what happend for now enjoy hockey guys like come on go leafs

  17. Very lucky to have Stolarz he's the best the Leafs have had since Felix Potvin. What's really good is he tells guys off and in Toronto it's exactly what they need is someone to bark till they wake up.

  20. FIRE MARK MASTERS… ENOUGH IS ENOUGH W/ THIS GUY. HE IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM W/ TORONTO SPORTS MEDIA…. HE JUST BEATS A DEAD HORSE OVER AND OVER…. MOVE ON W/ IT. EVERY TIME, NO WONDER PLAYERS DONT LIKE HIM

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