Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Practice | October 23, 2025

Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Practice | October 23, 2025

think a line check out can do for the team here? Yeah, sometimes that stuff’s good. I mean, uh just get a different feel uh for line mates, different uh you know, kind of change of scenery. So, obviously we like to get the offense rolling a little bit and uh sometimes we’ll switch up is uh kind of a spark you need sometimes. What’s it been like when you played with with William in the past? What do you like about it? How you feel your game’s complimenting? Yeah, it’s good. I mean, he’s obviously uh such a good player, special player. um you know does everything so such a highend speed and skill and the way he’s able to hold on the pucks make plays and his shots. So um we got a lot of experience together so hopefully we can just kind of hit the ground running again together and uh try to create offensively and uh be you know responsible defensively as well. Are you guys at that point where you just kind of know one another? I mean the skill is obvious and you guys feel it probably like I would imagine doesn’t take much time for you guys to understand exactly where the other is. Yeah, I think so. I mean, I think uh you know, we play together on the power play, different stuff like that, different scenarios. I mean, we’ve gotten shifts together over the last week or so. Um you know, throughout games and stuff, but I think when you have the more consistent um you know, feel for each other out there and you’re out there consistently together, hopefully um you know, you can just kind of build on that and find each other in different areas. Yeah, I mean, I think I’d you know, like to be better. Um you know, I thought the other night was a was a tough night. um you know sometimes uh you know you fight the puck a little bit but um you I just think the little little details of our game um you know helps clean some of that stuff up. So I mean physically feel good uh I just want to kind of get the ball rolling a little bit more offensively and um you know more consistently. I think you know there’s been good opportunities uh at times but um you know you’re not in that rhythm consistently and the structure is not there it’s it’s hard to kind of generate offense um over 60 minutes uh just a lot of kind of one and done. Awesome. Has it been that through eight games now you’ve started the game with four different is that any reason as to why consistency has been? I don’t think so. I mean I like I said I mean I think consistently consistency throughout our our whole game five on five throughout 60 minutes hasn’t been you know up to our standard. So um when that’s not the case it’s going to you know fall on you know into other places as well. So, um, you know, once we take care of that and, uh, clean up some of these areas, lot of man rushes, just puck play, different things like that, um, you know, good things happen. How challenging is it to fill a hole when Tanv is out? Yeah, he, um, you know, eats up a lot of a lot of time on the back end, uh, playing against top lines, penalty kill, obviously. Um, definitely a very reliable guy back there, so it’s tough. um you don’t know uh don’t really know how long he’s going to be out for, but um you know, guys obviously had the opportunity now to step in and uh fill that role, but I think collectively as a group, um you know, he’s a hard guy to replace. Primarily had one right winger in the past. How does Neil Anders game and playmaking ability differ um from what? From like you had Marner in the past. How are they different? Uh, I mean, I think they’re different players, but the way that they see the game, the way that they skate, their edge work, um, you know, is very similar. I mean, they’re different players. I’d say Willie is more of a shooter, uh, in some regards. Um, but just the way that he sees the ice, um, you know, consistently has the puck on his stick, making plays. He’s able to kind of fend guys off. Um, you know, I think it’s pretty similar in that regard, but different kind of in their own way. John’s closing in on a pretty special goal scoring milestone. You’re a great goal scorer. What do you appreciate about how he puts the puck in there? Yeah, just the different ways that he’s been able to do with it, the consistency at you know, which he’s been able to score at throughout his career and um you know, he’s uh he’s not shy to go to the front end, score dirty goals, and then obviously he can shoot the puck, too. So, um I think he’s kind of a great example of just um you know, true professionalism throughout his craft and in so many different ways. And uh I think it’s been great for you know myself when he first came here as a younger uh younger guy and only been a couple years in the league to kind of learn from that and um for a lot of guys to get to experience that and learn from him. What sort of uh difference do you think a line shakeup can make for the team right now? Yeah, I think you know just get some different looks, maybe switch up the the mindset on uh on different lines. I think um could be good for us. What’s your mindset when you’re playing with Austin? I just try to play the same way. I think I mean we just got to maybe simplify a little bit more, you know, get the game going. How do you simplify? Like what does that mean? You know, it’s shooting maybe not looking to pass so much. How do you describe you guys have played together so much in the past certainly power play more recently, but how do you describe what you guys have and maybe that knowledge of one another’s game? Yeah, I like we came into the league. I think we played together for for a while. So, um I mean and then sometimes on and off throughout throughout the season. So, uh, you know, we’re out there on the ice quite a bit and we’ve built, uh, chemistry over over this time we’ve been here together. So, you know, I know that it clicks when we play together. What’s the best part favorite part for you of playing with him when you’ve been out there with him? Yeah, I mean, say he’s the best goal scorer in the league, so it’s the best part. John, it’s pretty close to a pretty special goal scoring milestone. What do you appreciate about the way he puts the puck in the net? Yeah, I mean he I’m lucky to get to play with two two guys that are unbelievable about scoring goals. So, um yeah, I’m so happy for him and, you know, been able to be on his line and, you know, get some apples because of him. So, that’s nice. And maybe what you appreciate about him as a pro just in general on or off the ice, the way he conducts his business. Yeah, just uh complete professional um you know, everything. I mean, if you if a coach put a picture of a pro, I think that’d be him. Speaking of your coach, uh long chat between you and Craig before practice today. Kind of what are you guys going over? Uh I just talking some some power play stuff and just some general stuff. Yeah. What’s the key on the power play? We saw like the lines on the side of the the zone there and the reps. Like what are you guys focusing on there? Uh to go inside those lines, not maybe be stuck on the outside. I think I don’t know actually, but that’s what my thought would be. Uh, what can the forwards do to help the defense now? Obviously Chris being out like obviously big hole. What can you guys do to help them out? Yeah, you know, I think we got to simplify our game a little bit more and be a little bit more predictable, you know, get available for for RD. I think that’s kind of what uh has been missing a little bit. So, I think that uh will help them. And obviously tough uh having Tanny out. So, uh, yeah, but we got guys and we’re going to battle. As a wing, sorry, as a winger, is there is there a massive difference between playing with Tavvar as a center or or Matthews as center? Um, I mean, they they’re both incredible goal scorers and I mean, just try to get open, try to find them as well. Um, you know, I think that they play the game a little bit differently, although they are both like unbelievable goal scorers and, you know, strong through the middle of the ice and strong in the Dzone and Ozone as well. Shake up what the lines can do for this group right now. Yeah, just find uh some more consistency, a little more rhythm uh for everyone. So, you know, natural part of uh of the grind of a long season. So um obviously we got a lot of good hockey players, a lot of depth, a lot of different things uh um there different looks we can we can put together and combinations and whatnot. So um you know big uh big home and home this weekend. So uh good opportunity for us uh to bounce back and and get our game back uh where we expect it to be and and bring that consistency we’re talking about. How does the dynamic change on the line when N’s there and obviously no Willie? Well, yeah. It’s just obviously I think the obvious one left right shot difference and then obviously two players play the game just differently in their skill sets and their habits and things that they do well and how they impact the game. So, um you know, just being aware of those things. Um but at the end of the day, don’t try to over complicate it. Um you know, really try to play to our identity as a group. Uh go out there and execute um and compete and uh obviously is a heck of a player, so uh do a lot of those things right. uh you tend to put things uh in your favor and um create opportunities and uh defend well um and look to look to contribute. You started off I seem to remember anyway you and Matt and I playing a lot together early in his career. How has he come along in in your eyes since he first got here? Yeah, I mean his uh trajectory has just been been straight up straight north. So uh he just continues to get better and better and obviously still just scratching the surface. still a very young player, learning a lot. Um but uh that unique power forward ability, right? And um hard to find those types of players, that combination of uh strength, uh power, um you know, the tenaciousness and and then obviously uh the soft hands and the ability to uh think the game at a high level, good touch around the net, all those sorts of things. So um obviously, uh uh a great player for us and and really, you know, continuing to come into his own. near a couple of goals from a milestone goal. What’s it mean for you to climb up the charts of the all-timers? Yeah, it’s you never your focus whether uh whether you’re a kid or you know once you once you you know you make it to the NHL and trying to establish yourself. It’s just always trying to prove yourself year after year. Um not resting on what you’ve already done or accomplish and continuing to push for more and be better. So, um, yeah, hard to believe. Um, you know, you you get to get to that kind of number, but, uh, you know, a lot of credit goes to my teammates, coaches, a lot of people around me that have been extremely helpful on my journey and helping me as a player and as a person and just continuing to want to to push for more. What sort of memories do you have of Matt Sadine scoring his 500th goal at the lease? Well, it’s pretty memorable, right? The big slap shot. I think it was in overtime against Calgary. So, uh, just a special stage and, you know, when it kind of comes together, those those moments in sports are always phenomenal. Is it crazy to think like that there’s only been one Leaf like to score their 500th goal in that jersey? Like, are you aware of that? I wasn’t aware of that. So, um, yeah, a bit surprising, but uh, uh, there’s no doubt there’s going to be a few more here. Obviously, some guys are trajectory pretty well on this team. Uh but yeah, I mean you just try to go out there and play and focus on what you have to do to help the team win and uh let those things come as they as the as they do or as they beat. You you talk about N as a power forward as as the center on that line. How does your how does it change your game and your job within the game? I don’t try to change a ton. Um you know, continuously play to our team identity like I talk about know my strengths to my game, things that I have to do well. um and just try to execute and and make the players around me better as best I can. So um you know, you get an idea of what your linemates uh do well, what their uh tendencies are and their habits, and you know, you try to work off that and and build chemistry together. So you don’t try to overthink it or try to do too much, but uh I think you do get a sense on who you’re playing with, what they like to do, and you know, you’re when you’re aware of those things, you just want want that predictability to be able to play fast and play quick and and just play instinctive. you don’t want to be thinking the game when you’re out there and and just trusting what you’re doing. What can the forward group do to to make life easier for the D moving forward here now that you know we know Tan’s going to miss a few games? Yeah, I think just in general, um, you know, obviously when you’re when you’re missing a key player, but, you know, as as a team, we we know we have to be better certainly and the way we’re structured to our game and the way we’re connected through all three zones and, you know, managing things at times and and just, you know, just playing really solid for 60 minutes at times, having to weather the storm, but it’s not not shooting ourselves in the foot. So just executing on some of our details and some of our awareness and and and how we manage the game and uh the way we take care of it. So um yeah, o overall, you know, whether we’re we’re missing guys or we’re not, we we want to look very similar night to tonight. So uh we know we still have a lot better and you know, a long ways to go here. Coach was saying yesterday that he feels that it’s it’s kind of 50/50 in between right now in terms of doing the right thing in the neutral zone, commitment to getting pucks in deep and getting after it. Do you see the same thing and and how do you go about correcting that type of Yeah, I think when when we’re all, you know, everyone’s got to be on the same page because it just allows your game to be quicker. Um, you know, especially guys off the puck, uh, just to really dictate pace and to to allow the puck to just kind of move because it’s it’s it becomes just really obvious what the what the play is and what’s there. and whether that’s the opportunity to make a play to attack the net or it’s you know getting the puck in deep to start our forch check or to get a line change all those sorts of things. So um just how you know we’re skating as as a group and everyone’s kind of uh together looks really in sync. So um you know it might be a funny thing but you know a good a good dump in a good chip is it’s a skill. It’s it’s not just an easy thing to dump it in, especially the way, you know, at at the highest level defenders can uh break pucks out the way that the goalenders get involved. So, you know, all of it is is really important to establishing your game and like I always say, putting the game in your favor and wearing your opponent down. Uh why did was now the right time to get Matthews and Elander together as part of a bigger line up here. Well, just like we talked about, I don’t think enough consistency, right? you know, and I’ve used Willie with him numerous times this year in different spots. So, um, yeah, that’s really the reason. How do you wrestle between changing the lines as frequently as you have and maybe just trying to challenge yourself to be patient with Yeah. Like what like that? I don’t have much patience. Fair enough. I like results, but really I’ve only changed one player most of the time. like it. I work in pairs. You guys know that. You know, obviously I change the pairs up on this line and the next line, right? Mixing guys up a little bit. It’s not a bad thing all the time. You know, like I said, I like the pair. I like working in pairs, but just, you know, like I said, we need more consistency. So, that’s what I’m looking for. Do you think a full reset like that can It’s not a full reset, right? changing pairs. Can that offer an opportunity to just sort of get back to to full basics of what you’re trying to accomplish in terms of the style of play? It Yeah, it could be. I mean, for sure. I mean, it’s just something new to form a little bit. Um like, you know, um yeah, I like who knows how it’s going to work out, you know? I mean, it’s not like these guys have never played with each other. It’s, you know, they have. Willie and and Matthews have played together before. JT and N have played together before. You know, Wah and and Dakota Joshua have already played. Max has played with these guys before. The Croc, whoever it was, you know. Um, you know, and I wanted to get Max back in the middle. I just feel like, you know, he moves better there. He’s got more freedom to to skate and do his thing. So, you know, there’s, like I said, all I’m looking for is just consistency in all four lines. How do you think having William there will impact Austin? You think it will create more space for him potentially? I think it for sure. And, you know, Austin’s, you know, he’s a shooter and and and Willie’s Willie is a great playmaker. You know, I think he we under underestimate his playmaking ability. Um, we know he scores goals, too. But I think what it does is it’s a transporter, puck transporter up the ice. It’s a guy that hangs on the pucks in the offensive zone and moves and gets separation. To me, that’s important because Chris does so many, you know, detailed, maybe below the surface things that are so important to your back end. I wonder is it a as simple as an next man up mentality or is there some fundamental shifts that you as a coaching staff have to make without him in your lineup? Well, no, he affects the game in a very good way for us in, you know, a number of areas. Um, you know, so listen, everybody’s got to step up for sure. And not just the D, the forwards, like we all we all we all need to play better and and uh going forward here. And you deal with injuries, you know, that’s part of the game. You know, we lost good players last year, too, out of the lineup. And guys come in and do the job. Yeah, I you know that’s that’s the way you got to look at it. Morgan was dealing with something. Yeah, he’s dealing with something. He’s kind of skated on his own a little bit, went out there. So, I don’t know yet for tomorrow. Did Scott Lton skate on his own this morning or um You weren’t here watching. I didn’t see through the windows there. Yeah, he was he skated yesterday and today. That’s encouraging, right? Yeah. No, he’s doing really good. Like he’s in a good spot right now. So, hopefully, you know, we can get him out with us here soon. I’m I’m hoping. Is it Ken on the line with one Josh? Yeah, we’ll see. I mean, that’s a possibility. He could be there. I had four guys on a line on two lines. You notice how you were? He didn’t see the line either. I didn’t either. He must have been skating on that third rink over there. You had the uh the lines on the side there for the power play reps. What are you kind of looking to see there on the man advantage today? Oh, with the power plays. Oh, just like showing them don’t get outside them lines, you know, get in. Let’s get inside more and shoot. We need, you know, we’re getting a lot we’re getting shots every every power play and and and stuff, but a little bit wide at times. Such it’s more of a dangerous shot inside those dots, I call it, all the time. So, we just put those lines there just to they could see it, you know, they know where they’re at and getting more pucks to the net from them the inside those dots. That’s important. Morgan, is it something that occurred last game or is it something this game? Yeah. Looks like you’re having one of those conversations with William that you seem to enjoy before practice. He’s teaching me about power play and where to shoot and this and that. It’s just always good conversation with them. I enjoy those. Yeah. Any good ideas from him today? He’s a smart guy. He knows a lot about the game. So, he uh I like talking to guys about the game, you know, not just Willie, a lot of guys just what their thoughts are, what they’re thinking. You know, these guys play the game. They’re good players. They’ve been in the league a long time, so they know a lot of stuff. Speaking of guys in the league a lot of time, John is approaching a milestone goal couple away. What’s it say about him to move up the alltime charts the way he’s been doing? Oh, that’s great. And it’s uh you know, I’m I’m very grateful that I had the opportunity to coach him and be around him. Um he’s he’s a great guy and uh what a pro. Like ultimate pro. I mean, never takes a day, you know? He just works and does his thing. The his preparation is it’s the same every every day. It’s amazing. He’s so disciplined. He’s the most He might be the most disciplined player I’ve ever been around in terms of that stuff. I was going to ask you, have you ever seen anybody who’s prepped and disciplined matches that? I don’t know. Like I thought Ryan Orali was close. Like when I coached him in St. Louis, he was like one of the best I’ve seen, the preparation and and his routine and stuff. Um, never took a day off either. And JT’s probably above beyond that. My god. I mean, that’s crazy. It’s uh But it’s impressive. It’s impressive. I remember I got to a hotel room last year and I had all these bags of groceries in my room and I’m like, “Wow, this is nice. They give me all this food and it was from Whole Foods Market.” So, I’m opening all this stuff up and I’m looking at I’m like, “Who would eat this?” But it was they put it in the wrong room. It was JT stuff. So I got a I I made a delivery to him and ordered a burger after. Burger and fries. Yeah. Yeah.

Players and Head Coach address the media following Thursday’s practice.

00:00 Auston Matthews
04:14 William Nylander
07:17 John Tavares
13:33 Craig Berube

SUBSCRIBE: https://tml.hockey/3FvgtoG
FOLLOW US
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/torontomapleleafs/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapleleafs/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs
#Leafs #LeafsForever #TorontoMapleLeafs