Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Pre Game vs. New Jersey Devils | October 21, 2025

Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Pre Game vs. New Jersey Devils | October 21, 2025

Can you describe your reaction with Springer here? I was at home on my couch. Uh, obviously having the game today was tough. I would have loved to be there, but uh, I think you’re ready for tonight, but I honestly I think I hit the ceiling, so it was pretty cool. Were you around, Max, in 2019? Do you remember what happened? Yeah. Yeah, of course. Uh, I think being a local boy is is you’re pretty lucky. you’re spoiled in the city of Toronto cuz obviously you got the Leafs for hockey, then you got the Raptors for basketball and then the Jays ultimately for for baseball as well. And uh only thing we’re missing is is the football, but then you have the Argos too. So you really cross off all the boxes growing up and you become a huge fan of them and uh certainly remember watching the Raps win obviously that was spectacular to see Kawawaii shot. I was actually at that game so that was pretty cool. Um, and then my pops and I sat courtside. Wasn’t uh wasn’t a cheap ticket, but it was one of those things that uh it’s a memory that I’ll have for the rest of my life watching that game courtside and um Steph Curry and all those guys came in um with one of my best friends and my dad. So, it’s pretty cool. What’s it like to see Vlatty walking in with Austin jersey? It’s great. Yeah, it’s awesome. Um I think uh like I said earlier, we’re a sports we’re a sports town, right? and and we all support each other and I think everyone in here is rooting for the Jays right now obviously so it’s uh I’m sure it’s the same thing when when they’re coming to our games but for for him to show some some love and respect to Austin is is obviously welld deserved on on on Tom’s perspective but uh it’s it’s great to see from Vlatty you see his interviews and how emotional he got what this city means to him it’s uh it’s great to see and I’m so happy for him and his entire team and and really turn them on now the World Series apologies if it was just as just the idea for this group and the doubt, you know, there’s a connection there. So, I wonder in your internal discussions here, what that kind of does for your group, seeing what this city does, you know, it firsthand as you’ve seen. Absolutely. What What does it do for this group? It’s inspiring, man. Um I think if you’re not a baseball fan, it doesn’t matter. You’re watching that game, you’re watching that interview, everyone’s got chills. If you don’t, then you’re you’re missing a heartbeat for sure. So, um, I think taking that and seeing how the city responds to it and and and listening to each guy’s interview is is is really cool for for me as as an athlete on on a team to to really see how much they love each other. And, um, that’s what got them to where they are is of course they’ve got the skill, they’ve got the talent, they’ve they’ve got a lot, they’ve got everything, but they they all seem to think that the most important thing was how tight they were. And and I think as a group in here, we we know that we have a tight group in in here as well, and we’re going to obviously cheer these guys on and and then take care of business on our end as well. You have a World Series, Jason six, reuniting with Austin tonight. Have you found when you played with someone before and you kind of get back together, the chemistry comes back right away or does do you find it takes a little bit of time? Played with him throughout the last three years on and off, so it’s it’s not going anywhere, that’s for sure. What do you like about playing with him? He’s one of the best players in the world. Makes it pretty easy on you. But uh no, obviously we’re very close off the ice and um big fan of his as a player and just trying to help him out any way I can. He’s pure goal scorer. Loves to loves to get to those areas. So so my job is to get in the puck. If you could take us through your night last night as you glued to the TV, what was it like? I think uh a lot of people in in Canada have probably had a similar night last night. Uh watching our Jays um move on to the World Series. first time in what 30 30 something years. So that’s great to see. Uh obviously we were talking about it this morning. Everyone was happy for for that group and um you know it was cool to see Vlatty walking in there too with the Austin Matthews Leafs jersey on and uh um it just shows how tight-knit uh the city is and um how close uh you know not just you know athletes but the fans and the whole city you know not just the city but the whole country. I guess Canada only has one M MLB team. So, uh, it’s pretty special to see that, uh, the amount of support that the Jays received and, uh, you know, we’re happy for them, but like Vlad said, the job’s not done for them, so they’re still, uh, they still got some work to do. The connection between your two teams is is obvious. Uh, I wonder what that part of that discussion was like and what that does for you guys inside this room knowing that that’s might how it look and feel, right? It’s almost like a little bit of actual outside motivation, I guess you can look at it, right? like you see um when that team’s doing well, when our team’s doing well. When it comes playoff time, you know, the support um you know, there’s extra bodies in the seats, there’s extra bodies outside. You I’m sure the bars are all filled up with with people who are rooting and cheering and um you know, I had some buddies out and you could see like the Instagrams and the Snapchats of people going nuts when Springer hit that home run. So, um you know, the Jays get that. We get that when we’re doing well, too. So, uh yeah, it’s it’s obviously a hockey city. That’s or a sports city. That’s no secret. But um it’s nice that we can kind of feed off that energy that uh that the Jays are bringing that that buzz uh to the city. What kind of sports fan are you? Are you like yelling at the TV? Are you just watching intently analyzing? Like how I’m not uh I don’t think I’m yelling at the TV, but I’m not going to lie, I think I shocked my wife pretty good when I stood up and gave a big clap and yelled when Springer as soon as it left is bad. I knew it was gone. So um she was kind of rolled over trying to sleep and uh I think I woke her up. But um yeah, I’m not going to be yelling at my TV too too much. Again, I’m used to it. Um watching hockey and stuff now. It’s a little bit different when it’s your job. And um I think I’m more invested in in other sports that I can actually be a fan rather than, you know, when I’m watching hockey. It’s more of like uh work. But uh you know, I’m definitely I’ve got a little bit more excitement for for this Jay’s group this year than I have in in previous years. What’s your World Series prediction? Oh, you can’t ask me. I have no idea. Um I mean, the Jay’s been counted out so many times all year. you know, they they came from behind more than any team in the MLB. And um they’ve kind of had that underdog mentality. Uh even though they did so well throughout the season, but um you know, I’m I’m obviously going to take the Jays. I don’t know how many games it’s going to be in, but um you know, if if the Dodgers get a lead, you just can’t count the Jays out. So, I’m excited to see a good series. Hope you don’t mind a hockey question. Just curious your your comfortability in the middle and like what do you have to focus on when you move to center? Yeah, it’s it’s uh it’s something I’m familiar with. Uh I played a couple years in Carolina. I was kind of all over the map there. And then in San Jose, I was I was center for for quite a while. So, it’s definitely not something that’s new to me. Um, very comfortable taking faceoffs. And I think the big thing is the defensive zone coverage. And, um, it’s almost like less is more. You don’t want to get running around too much and just kind of run yourself out of gas. Um, you kind of just have to be a little bit more patient and survey, kind of work with your defense. And I talked to some of those guys and, you know, we’ve got some veterans back there that obviously’ll help out. And, um, if I’m in the right spot and if I need to go to a guy, you know, they’ll be able to tell me. they can kind of see the whole play in front of them. So, um they’ll be very good at, you know, helping me out. It’s there’s obviously going to be um maybe not a learning curve, but there’s going to be some um maybe small mistakes along the way, but that’s the name of the game. So, um I’m excited to get back and it’s a good challenge for me. Anthony expressed some frustration after last game. What sort of response are you expecting tonight coming off that? Yeah, we’re all competitive guys and stuff like that happens. So, um we dealt with that in in house and there was no fingers pointed and stuff like that. So, um we’re just excited for for the next challenge. So, like I said, we had a team meeting. Um, what was said was said and, um, we’re happy that we get another opportunity to just come out and prove ourselves. So, it’s a very tight-knit group and it’s says a lot about our group that we come together like that. And, um, yeah, Jersey’s been rolling of late. I just wonder what challenges they might provide your group tonight. Sorry. Jerseyy’s been rolling of late. So, what kind of challenges do you see they I mean, you look up and down their roster, they got some offensive defenseman and they definitely have the the skill in their top six, top nine, and all guys that can produce. So, um, they’re obviously going to be, uh, pretty explosive, uh, dynamic offensively, but, um, you know, I think if we do a good job playing our tight defense, and I think that’s what we take a lot of pride in is our defensive game. So, um, you know, it’s been, again, a bit of there’s been some bumps along the way so far, but it’s early in the season, we still need to to be able to, you know, address the things that we need to do defensively in order to, you know, take games over and and that’s how you win. So, uh, it’s a good test for for our defensive group today and, um, not just our defenseman, but overall our defensive performance. So, it’s going to be a good test and I think if we can keep them in check, then well that’ll stem to offense. Assuming you weren’t in the sheets quite yet, win. Okay. What was that like? Yeah, it was great. Um, obviously uh exciting game and um yeah, super happy for for those guys and and uh the city to to be able to experience that. How much do you feel like you guys are feeding off it or drawing motivation from it? Yeah, I mean it’s just it’s cool to see um the city how crazy it was uh after that home run and after after the win and um just amazing to see the to the support that um they’re getting. What was it like to see Vlatty walk in with an Austin sweater? Yeah, that’s pretty cool. I think I’m sure Tone was pretty fired up about that. So, um yeah, I mean is uh as I said, it’s it’s really um impressive to to see the city um rallying rallying behind them and um just amazing comeback from from down 20 uh to start to start the series and down 3-2 and um down in the in the sort of in the game as well. So, it’s just a lot of relentless efforts and I think so many little things that that go into it that that they did such a great job of. What’s your series prediction? Jay’s and seven. How much how much baseball do you play as played till I was like 18 or 17? 17 when I was grade 12 of high school. So, is it too easy to kind of look at uh, you know, the connection between the two teams, Jay’s and Leafs, and go, you know, that it does something for you guys inside this room or or does it to kind of fire you up in a different way? Um, I mean, I I don’t know if there’s a connection like between what’s happening there and and here, but it’s it’s amazing to see you learn um just from watching and and listening. And I think just all as I said before, there’s so many little things that um go into the success of a team and a a lot of things that maybe people don’t talk about, but that you you you can watch and and pick up and and see um see a great team doing doing the things that that they need to win. What’s an example of that? What do you say? Uh, Yemenz bunt probably no one talks about cuz Springer hit a home run, but no one bunts really anymore and he laid a great bunt or barger walking to get on. Um, little things like that, not trying to hit a home run and being happy to get on base to let his teammates help him get home and and make the game closer. I mean, there’s so many little things like that. It’s just like little things like uh that go into a hockey game. So, um, you you you sort of watch and and learn from that. And it’s, as I said, it’s it’s really cool for the the fans, the team, the the city to to be able to experience that. Springer is apparently a pretty big hockey fan. I I know you were at a couple of games. Did you have a chance to talk to him? I I have not. No, but um yeah, just incredibly clutch for his his whole career, right? So, he’s he’s done that for a long a long time and um definitely seems like he he lives for those moments and uh was able to deliver again for the Jays last night. Random hockey question for you this morning. Um I know a lot of focus on defending the net front. What’s the key to a good box out or doing that better moving forward here? Yeah, just trying to get uh body position um and establish yourself between the player and and goalie. And sometimes that’s not going to happen and you might have to front a puck and and just try to block it instead of um when you lose position trying to try to battle. I think a lot of times that’s sort of when your goalie you may maybe you push someone into the goalie or maybe you get pushed into the goalie. Um, I think getting position early and and trying to use your body and and then more importantly get sticks, I think. Um, cuz that’s tips are are extremely dangerous and and really hard for for the goalies to pick up. You got the Oliver shirt on. Um, you guys have obviously played in a number of organizations in the NHL. What’s it been like to just be his teammate here and kind of see uh, you know, your your careers cross paths here? Yeah, always been uh played against him for for a really long time and um extremely gifted player. Um so smart, really really good with the puck. Um plays with a a bit of an edge. Um and he he’s been exceptional for for a really long time. What stands out about how Anthony is vocal in his leadership skills compared to maybe some other bullies that you played with? Um he’s he’s competitive. I think he’s competitive. He’s fiery and and he wants to win. So, um he’s very similar to a goalie I played with in in New Jersey and Marstrom. Um uh who’s hurt now, but he’s very very similar. Um sort of wear their emotions on their on their sleeves and um they’re going to say what they’re going to say and and they’re that’s because they want to win and and they’re the most competitive people. Uh we’ll see. Jersey urgency coming into this game when he does say what he does on Saturday. Um, I think there’s urgency regardless. I don’t think it’s because of of what he says. I think we u we want to play a good game against a really good team. Um, extremely skilled team, very fast team. So, we need to minimize oddman rushes and and um not let them have twoon- ones and threeon ones and and threeon twos because um they will make us pay. That’s that’s how skilled they are. Did you like the blue last night? What do you think? Uh, pretty cool obviously. I mean, um, what a great team to to cheer for and to watch. And, um, obviously last night, uh, with the Springer home run, that’s pretty special. What was the buzz with the team when they saw Vlatty come in with an Austin jersey? Um, not too much, honestly. Someone told me about it. I thought I thought it was pretty cool. I mean, um, you know, we try to support each other here. I know that they’ve come to games in the past and so we’ve been rooting them on and, um, you know, they’re playing outstanding. Uh, it’s been it’s been a lot of fun to watch. What stood out most to you about their run here? Uh, I think I think just their team and kind of how they’re built and how they play. Um, I mean, like I said earlier, it’s it’s an easy team to cheer for just, you know, in which the style they play, the depth and the way that, you know, the later part of their lineups are getting on base. And, um, it’s just been it’s just been a lot of fun to watch and our guys have been supporting them and, you know, we’ve been talking about them all morning. And so, um, as we as we keep going here and by we, I mean the Jays. Um, and, uh, you know, we’re going to be cheer for them and, um, you know, hopefully they can have a good start. Do you guys take anything from it? Do you like what they’ve done? I think there’s always things you can take away from it. Um, you know, you’re there’s a a small part of you that you’re envious of them, right? You’re almost jealous uh at um at at what they’re doing. you know, just I think because they’re in Toronto and you know, you watch it firsthand, you’re obviously happy for them and it’s a, you know, it’s a great moment for the city. Um, but I mean, we want to be able to to do that and have a run like that. We felt that when the Raptors did it, too. Um, so, um, I think you look at the passion that they’re playing with and I mean, that’s contagious and, you know, you want to be able to to to also bring that when your time comes. The Leafs are always, it feels like, in the spotlight, but right now, do you feel like you guys are a little under under the radar with what the Jays are doing? Well, they’re in the World Series, so I I don’t think uh I don’t think that’s I think that’s the way it should be. I think that I mean, they’re right there. They’ve had an incredible run. Uh they’ve had a great year, and you know, I mean, they’re in the World Series starting Friday, right? So, um I mean, they’re, you know, right where they should be, front and center. Do you have a favorite player on that team? Uh no. And I mean, I just enjoy watching them. Um it’s just been a great run. Obviously, you know, they’ve had people uh um you know, answer the bell um all playoffs and all year. Um and I mean, their big guys have have played well and then, you know, like I said earlier, deeper down their lineup, they’ve all been getting on base and doing their part. So, it’s been a really enjoyable team to cheer for and it’s been a lot of fun. Growing up in BC, were you a Mariners fan? No, my dad was a Yankees fan, so we we uh I used to drive down there and watch the Yankees play and um but no, it’s it’s all Jay’s now. Hope you don’t mind a hockey question, I guess. Yeah. Um, a lot of talk about the defending the net front coming off last game. I’m just wondering in terms of like boxing out, like what what what are the keys when it comes to defending your net front? Yeah, I think obviously boxing out’s important, but I think more importantly, I think that applies to all areas of the ice, not just uh our net front. I think in terms of our Dzone, I think we want to be harder to play against. And, you know, I think most teams around the league would be striving for that. um you know whether it’s in the corners or whether it’s you know on the half wall or whatever it is you want to be harder to play against. You want to defend all areas of the ice especially down the middle uh which includes in that front. Um so for us it’s just important to keep building on that and obviously as D boxers are important and um you know it’s a challenging part of the game uh but you know that’s an important area for us to improve on. Morgan, what have you seen from the power play so far? Um, you know, took it a while to get our first one. Um, but I thought we’ve been moving around pretty good and, um, you know, we’re getting shots. Um, I know for me personally, I’m trying to move it quickly and shoot the puck and I know lots of guys are also feeling that. And as you go here, um, you know, hopefully we can score more, but I think we’re we’re in a good place. I thought, you know, our our entries have been good and um, you know, we’re going to look to build. It’s it’s early, but um I think we’re happy with where we’re at, but we’re always going to look to build and and and be more productive. What What’s the biggest thing you took away from your time under Sheldon? What did he do for your game, do you think? It’s a that’s a tough question. Um you know, I think how he he looks at the game as unique. He he I mean he has a you know really high IQ it feels like and he he he looks at the game from an offensive standpoint and um you know he was pretty creative guy uh I think when it came to ozone play um but you know I like playing for him uh you know he’s a good communicator and and I mean obviously has a good thing going right now with uh with his team in Jersey. was made about Anthony Solar’s comments on Saturday and you guys talked about it like what what can you take away from a moment like that looking at the first six games and how you guys will want to play going forward? Yeah, I mean it is what it I mean I think it’s just you know a moment where we all agree and are of the opinion that we have to be better. Um it’s not just about Stoleie. I mean um you know we all felt that. Um, and so we’ve addressed it and I think it’s a great opportunity for our team to kind of answer the bell here early in the season. Um, and I thought it was a great moment for our team to kind of come together and um, I mean, have that conversation and now we’re back at work which is which is, you know, great feeling. Getting together with Austin on that line tonight. They’ve played together in the past and had some success. What do you recall about their chemistry and what worked well between those two? Yeah, they’re both uh, obviously gifted. um offensive players and you know like you said in the past they’ve been able to find some chemistry and play well together. Um so obviously they’ll look to spark that again. But um I mean they’re both great passers and and and obviously very dangerous um in the offensive zone. So you know hopefully they can do a good job for us tonight. The enthusiasm can rub off. can like I mean I just think you know guys are watching and um just the emotion of the game um just the team camaraderie that you you know when you watch the Blue Jays they’re very tight group it’s uh very visible. What kind of sports fan are you? How are you when you when you’re watching other sports? Like what do I do? Yeah. I don’t cheer. I’m just sitting there watching it. I don’t really say much. I let other people say all the dumb comments. Second guess choices. No, never. Christ was talking about how he looks at like a lot of the little things in sports and some of the things that don’t get talked about that kind of help. Like do you kind of look at those things when you’re watching? Yeah, for sure. um you know like when I watched the Blue Jays and you know I’ve watched pretty closely obviously throughout the playoffs and a little bit before and stuff and I had the opportunity to meet the manager and uh coaches and some players. Um like I said, they’re very tight-knit group. I think they’re um you know I watch their guy Vlatty closely. like I I watch how he interacts with all the guys and how much energy he brings all the time and happiness for his teammates and when they do something well and he’s always he’s got a lot of energy and a lot of uh positive vibe around him, you know, which a lot of them do, but he’s their uh he’s their main guy, you know, and he just he brings that and I think the whole team feeds off it. What do you think when he comes in with the Austin sweater? Well, it’s awesome. Like he’s he’s a Toronto guy and you know he supports the Maple Leafs, I’m sure. And um just like we do Blue Jays, you know, so it’s great to see. It’s awesome. Sir, Max was saying that um thing he really noticed about the Jays is how it’s such a a team that everyone makes a contribution and he said that really stands out and he’s trying to incorporate that here. How important is Well, it is and that’s what it’s all about, right? Um, it doesn’t matter what type of team you have. You know, you could be a powerhouse with lots of home run hitters. You could, you know, there’s a lot of different teams are built different ways. Jay’s are built a certain way, but if you, you know, the way you, and the manager said it, their bottom half of their lineup, um, you know, really drives their team, you know, gets on, they get on base. They do little things to get on base and um and you know Springer gets the opportunity to knock a couple in and that’s how it all works, right? But they um they get contributions from everybody which is important. Sorry to change the subject, but uh any changes to your practice uh lines anything from yesterday and how you feeling about tonight’s match? Yeah, no, nothing changes uh going into tonight for the lineup wise and uh I’m excited. Uh we’re playing a good team. That’s a good team over there. They’ve been playing well. Um and um so it’s a good challenge for our team tonight. So being out, uh is that just a numbers game or do you think he can benefit? I think he I think he needs a just a a reset, get a you know, get a game to watch and um it’s always good for young guys to to watch a game at some point. Um but Cowan’s in a good spot. only six games, but how close are you is this team the identity that you want them to play? Well, there’s, like I said, I talked about consistency the other day and you know, we we got stretches of good identity and how we want to play and but then we kind of get off track a little bit. So, we need more 60-minute games, per se. One last baseball question for you. What’s your World Series prediction? Blue Jays. Did you want me to say something different? hockey games. I don’t know. I’m not going to predict that. That’s that’s why they play the games, you know. You got to see what happens. But very happy for the Blue Jays and it’s awesome to see. Great for the town city. Do one more for you. Hockey, a lot of baseball stuff, but uh Doy’s played with Austin in the past. Do you expect that chemistry like in your experience? Does that come back quickly or? Well, I think the chemistry is there. I don’t believe it’s not there. It’s just a matter of executing and doing the right things to to to to make it work, right? So, it’s like they they know each other. They’ve been around each other. They played with each other. So, I’m not so much worried about the chemistry. It’s just executing and doing the right things.

Players and Coach address the media ahead of tonight’s game against the New Jersey Devils.

00:00 Max Domi
03:10 Steven Lorentz
08:01 Chris Tanev
13:40 Morgan Rielly
19:32 Craig Berube

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