Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Practice | November 19, 2025

Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Practice | November 19, 2025

It was fun. Um, I was just excited to get back into game action and throw on the sweater for the first time. So, it was good. It was obviously nice to get a win. You look you seem pretty comfortable out there. Just how did you like feel with the systems and new teammates? Like, how would you sum up your night? Uh, I felt actually really good, which uh I kind of honestly expected. Like, I’ve been had been playing very much in Edmonton, so I’ve been getting a lot of extra skate in. So, like my legs and cardio felt really good. And um besides my compete level, I feel like my greatest strength is my feet. So um that definitely helped with feeling comfortable out there is knowing that I was going to have my legs last night. What was the biggest challenge maybe that you found maybe over the course of the whole day be it blocking it out or nerves or even just on legs? Surprising I actually didn’t have any nerves. I’ve I know I was picked up off waiverss, but I’ve been traded three times. So, I’ve been familiar stepping into different locker rooms and um challenges wise, honestly, I didn’t feel like there was any challenges. Like, the guys were really welcoming and they made my job really easy just being vocal on the ice and um I thought we played a great game. So, a lot of times when you have a good team game, everybody as an individual is going to look good. So, um that was definitely nice for my aspect stepping in for my first game. Jake McCabe was actually telling us after the game that he thought you were pretty vocal. What did you feel about your comfort level and being able to do that? I think that’s just kind of the biggest thing they’ve stressed with me so far up to this point is just to be myself and um systemwise all that will come with repetition and watching film. So, um just being myself and become a vocal guy throughout the game. I’m honestly a bit of a cheerleader on the bench. So, um yeah, it’s nice anytime that you feel you can be yourself and you don’t have to be somebody you’re not. So, um, that was just a good way for me to also feel a part of the game is I I could just be who I am and um that’s a cheerleader and being vocal. Have you always been that way? Like, how did that come about for you? I don’t know, but I have definitely been that way. I don’t know where it comes from, but I find when I’m quiet, I feel like I’m out of the game and um not really playing up to my standard. So, uh I know when I’m vocal, it means I’m engaged. So, uh I definitely felt engaged last night. Was there a friend or a family who may have commented on you wearing the blue and white? Somebody who may have been a Leaf fan or somebody that Yeah, I mean being a Vancouver kid, a lot of my family were Canucks fans growing up. Um my sister uh married a guy from Toronto. So that side of the family are Leafs fans, so they were pretty stoked about last night. Was it like to finally get on the same side as Riley? It was great. Um he played great, too. He’s such a good player and um does a lot of really good little things that I don’t think a lot of fans don’t really necessarily see and um there’s a reason why he has the success he has and why he’s our number one D man. So um felt very fortunate to be beside him. Competitor just wondering what it was like seeing John Tarz do what he did in overtime. Yeah, that was incredible. Um but you kind of expect nothing less like you remember like that one-handed move he made with the Islanders in overtime. So, like he’s done it before, but it’s kind of leaves you speechless. And then on the other side of it, too, like Morgan there just sprints off the bench into the corner, which you wouldn’t really expect a DM man to do. So, it was a hell of a read. And then obviously Willie finished it off. So, all three of them made a big play at the big moment there. Sorry, you were asked already, but you drew a penalty last night. I did. Yeah, that’s helps to contribute right away in that respect. Yeah, they thought I dove, but um it was good. just try to use my feet and tried to escape pressure and got taken down. So yeah, it’s nice anytime you can draw a penalty and get your big guys on the ice. How was the overall atmosphere in the game? Mark said blue and white atmosphere was like it was great. Um always loved playing in Toronto as a as a road team and um they’re always fun games to be a part of kind of center of the hockey world and you know the eyeballs are on you so um just embraced it and cherished it. It was a lot of fun. Any advice from Tanv about the market and just playing here or even just the team itself? I think you guys know Tanny’s pretty quiet. He didn’t say too much. So, no, he just wished me well and go play well and I know we’ll we talk often kind of keep that stuff private. Defense obviously interchanges there. What was your impression of Joseph getting to know him a bit? Yeah, he was great. He played really well. Uh, probably one of the first one back, but what are you going to do? It’s an own goal playing in help with the transition. I guess maybe a little bit. Um, I don’t know how much GMs and players really interact, probably see each other through the hallway and say hi, and when you’re playing like crap, you probably tuck your chin. So, um, he’s a really nice man and he welcomed me. Obviously, I saw him in Chicago during the third period and just caught up there. So, um he’s obviously the first guy that you have contact with and he kind of tells you what they expect or what they want out of you. So, he was very clear with his message and uh thankfully he’s given me this opportunity. What did you think of the play John made there in overtime last night? Uh yeah, that was that was unreal. I actually had my back turned because I was like, I don’t know if we’re coming out of this one with the puck. So, I was like, I better get off, make sure we have fresh body out there. Um and then I turned back and the puck’s coming out to Willie. So great play by him. Um just compete. The guy’s um never quits on a play and has shown there. What do you think of how he’s handling a bit of a bigger workload? Age 35 obviously Austin’s out. Like what’s standing out about John right now? Yeah, I mean he’s instilled habits that are going to carry him through if he’s playing more. Um things that are going to keep him fresh, keep him uh fast, and keep him competitive every night. And that’s that’s showing right now. What did that win mean to the group, do you think? Yeah, that was huge. uh closing that one out. Um sticking with it all the way through. I think that was that’s that’s the biggest thing. It’s just like the consistency of shifts is um pushing all the way to the end and then just trusting that eventually we’ll get it. It was big. When a guy like John makes a play like that, is that the type of play that the whole group can kind of rally around when there’s that level of effort, it leads to that kind of a result? Uh I think I mean I think you see it on a bigger stage in threeon-ree like those those plays make such a big difference. But yeah, like I think just five on five throughout the throughout the game, those plays are the ones that add up to to bigger wins and and more momentum and more zone time and then equals more goals. And it’s all sequencing and it all kind of plays out uh throughout. So if everybody takes that competitive side of just winning your one-on-one battles or one-on-ree battles in that instance um and never quitting, then yeah, that’s that’s going to play well for us. What did you see from Jacob Quill in last night? Uh he looked great. Uh he looked fast, he looked physical. um he was making strong plays. I I like this game and I think that’s that’s something that pushed the pace for us and uh helped keep our game fast. So, it was nice to see from him. What have you noticed since he’s come back? Uh it’s like he’s mid-season form. Um he’s solid. He looks squared every shot. He’s uh athletic across the crease. I think he’s just been um elite honestly um since he’s been back. I think maybe the ones that have gone in and aren’t necessarily on him. and they’re more on us. So, he’s he’s been great. What do you make of how well he handled, you know, the accidental home own goal last night before being the hero? Yeah. Yeah, he does a good job of not letting things rattle him. Um, so he just he stayed with it and uh waited for his opportunity and he made took full advantage of that. What impressions did Ster make on you? Uh, he’s great skater. I didn’t really know he um play against him that much, I don’t think, to realize um how good of a skater he is and how well he can get himself out of those these zone scenarios with with his skating and um puck moving. So, he did great. I thought, one more thing on John. Uh lot told us he’s like one of the funniest guys he’s ever met, and I know he’s he’s a leader by the scenes, but like the sense of humor, like what what’s that like? Does he lose any stuff? Uh yeah, I mean he’s usually got uh he’s usually got a good beat on the room. So um he’s he’s got a good uh good take uh once in a while. He’s not always cracking it up with the with the boys, but when he does, he’s he’s got fun something funny to say. Has he been loosening it up like like you guys going through a tough stretch? Has he been keeping it loose? Like what’s been his kind of personality late? Uh yeah, I mean I think he’s just he’s been walking that line of making sure that guys are held accountable. um taking it serious cuz obviously we want to uh win as many games as possible. But yeah, he’s been he’s also been realizing that it it takes a lot of fun um to to make sure you’re having fun when you’re winning and um that’s required. So he he’s definitely leaning into that side of it as well. What’s it like when there’s so many injuries? Like how do you does it focus the mind in a way or like cuz N goes down, we didn’t expect that to happen, seven regular like what’s it like in a room when that’s happening? Uh, I mean it’s that’s just the nature of the sport I think is like how unpredictable hockey is. You see it on the ice, you see it off the ice. Um, you kind of just always have to one be there for your teammates and make sure like they’re taking care of themselves, but also take care of yourself and make sure that you’re ready for any scenario. Um, cuz things could change so quick and um, can’t be rattled about it. You got to be ready to go and um, at all times just be prepared. How about you looking at the standings? are so jazzed up right now even though you guys had lost five, you win one and you’re you’re right back. Yeah, I think uh not really paying attention to it, I guess, this early. Um but yeah, definitely saw that it was tight and um realizing that if we just focus on our game and focus on um doing everything we can to to kind of string some wins together, we can we can be right in the mix or if if not near the top. What are you thinking when you start engaging on in that one? Um well, first uh I think it was Cber uh passed up to me. Obviously trying to catch catch them in transition. Um, and in general for me last night just was fighting the puck a little bit and just couldn’t really get it into a good spot where I could uh make a play towards the net and obviously at that point I knew a little later on in my shift and um we were making a line change just trying to uh kind of hang on to it, buy some time and then um you know once I I got a sense that uh I had the two guys on me and and saw uh their other guy a little more towards the corner I just had to hopefully uh fight them off long enough and just kind of get the puck free um knowing we had guys coming off the bench. So um eventually got to Willie and um pretty uh pretty special play by him after that. So um yeah, happy it worked out and um you know big win for us. How do you feel at the end of that shift? You played a lot of minutes last night. Like what are the energy levels or fatigue factor at the end of a shift like that? Yeah, certainly when you’re uh engaged in a battle like that, um yeah, you’re pretty tired and certainly uh minutes been up the last few games. So, just trying to manage that and continue to to play by game and play well. Um and sometimes, you know, you’re going to have to compete when you’re tired and uh maybe not as fresh as you’d like to be. So, you know, those are the the the things uh you try to uh push yourself through in the offseason every day in practice. Um and just having that mindset of um you know, finding a way to make a play or get it done even when you’re tired. So, just happy that I was able to get it free and then obviously uh Moan really took care of the rest. Chief alluded to um you know, maybe trying to manage your minutes a little bit more because of how much you’ve been playing, but do you feel fine with it all? Uh, obviously every player wants more ice time, but are you feeling like, you know, you welcome this amount of challenge? Yeah, obviously I’m just trying to do anything I can to help the team and stay as ready as I can be for when my name’s called to hop over the boards and to execute and to play well. Um, and understanding the importance of um, you know, your shift length. Uh and obviously um you know the things in between games, after games, uh days like today to to take care of yourself and replenish and refuel and uh get the work that’s needed to get yourself uh back up and ready to play. So it’s uh obviously with the the way the schedule is this year right off the hop here, it’s been really condensed and and uh game after game. So it’s just trying to trying to manage all those things, but uh yeah, you’re always ready for the challenge and the opportunity for when your name’s called. What’s the added level of difficulty with all the injuries that keep piling up here right now? Yeah, it’s been obviously challenging. Um, you know, major contributors to our team. Uh, guys in different roles that bring different elements. So, it’s uh it’s, you know, added to some of the adversity that we’ve been facing here with our play. So, uh, just like the group’s mindset and attitude towards yesterday and the patience in our game and sticking with the things that we have to do well and I think the energy and the competitiveness that we had and it provides more opportunity uh, for guys and um, whether guys have been on the roster and with the group all year or someone like Q coming up and getting an opportunity, it’s it’s uh, it’s a great challenge um, for everyone to to step up and play well and and do what’s needed when uh, you’re missing key players. It was a pretty tough start to the game for for William. He’s always so easy to kill. Did you notice anything different about him after that first goal goes in, whether he was fired up or anything? He never uh never ceases to amaze me. He uh he uh you know, I I personally don’t worry in situations like that. His ability to just kind of let it go and focus on the rest of the game and stay with it. and um you know at any moment he can be a game breaker and and uh do something special which what he did last night. So, um, you know, it’s obviously uh been been difficult for us over the last couple weeks in terms of results and you know, certainly a few of the games that uh we have played uh uh well enough in and you know something else that just didn’t go our way to start the night yesterday, but uh him leading the way just kind of focusing on what’s ahead and the next the next shift, the next opportunity and just kind of staying with it and over the course of uh 60 minutes 60 plus last night you uh you set yourself up uh to win a hockey game. do when Trey Living holds a media availability like he did before the game, like does that register with you or in the room at all? Um well I think obviously being here for as long as I have and understanding um I think the passion of our fan base and the coverage of the team you know everything gets gets heightened and um can get nitpicked and and that’s part of it and that’s what makes playing here great is how much people care about the team and and how many how much people follow the team and you know when things are going well or things aren’t going well um there can be a lot of noise around it and I think um I think It just shows the the leadership from Treeside on just trying to calm the waters and keep us focused and understand we’re a good hockey team and just continue to play our game and and embrace the challenge that we have ahead of us. So, I think it was more uh stabilizing than anything. A lot of your teammates have said you have a good beat on the room, kind of set a good tone. Uh I wanted to ask you lotton said the other day that you have, you know, one of the funniest guys he’s ever been around, but he found it hard to describe your sense of humor. Just wondering like what do you think of that? like how would you describe kind of your sense of humor? I don’t know. I guess I just pick my spots. Uh um maybe it’s just my experience and being around uh few a few years. So um yeah, I mean I just like anyone else love being one of the guys and just part of the group. And I think it’s understanding the intensity and focus and work ethic and all those details which I I you know I think are important for me and and pride myself on but also the importance of having fun and letting loose and the enjoyment and camaraderie of your teammates and the group and um the grind of uh grind of the season and how that can take a toll and the importance of keeping things light and you know just the the bonds and uh relationships you build with one another and and um you know good way to keep each other honest. What were you looking to get out of today? An optional practice like what what was the focus today? Well, it’s some rest for guys, right? A lot of minutes for a lot of guys. Um, so just running optional and then uh we can have a morning skate tomorrow. How do you feel John is handling the extra workload? You know, 35 years old more than he has in the past. What do you what do you sense of him? Yeah, it’s a little it’s it’s it’s a lot uh to ask of him, but you know, he’s he’s willing for sure. Um, you know, he’s played pretty well. He’s I think he’s handled it pretty well, but I got to try to lower that. Is there a possibility you might be able to get anybody back for tomorrow? N [Music] not I would say N and W. No. How about Len maybe progressing. We’ll see. I know he skated today. So, did any of the other injured guys skate today like before? Matthews, Tan of That’s it. Sammy plays good to go. You guys weren’t here then to watch. Are they good to put the shades down? Sammy. Yeah, he should be fine. Do you have any clarity on Matthews or Tan? Math. Well, Tanv’s a ways away. Um, Matthews is coming along like he’s improving. Um he you know obviously he won’t play tomorrow. McCabe, uh you didn’t want to get in trouble and talk about those calls last night, but what did you see on the two penalties he took? Jake, um the second one’s a tough one for me. Like he’s jumping out of the way, the guy, you know, like kind of trying to jump around him. I don’t know. That’s a tough call in my opinion. Um yeah, I mean, but it is what it is. Like ref, you know, I mean, they it’s a split second, right? They they it’s it’s hard. You get and they’re going to get it wrong sometimes. So, it’s the way it goes. We have more time to look at it after. Yeah. Replay. Uh with the mo the you know, you we spoke about John’s play in overtime last night. You spoke to the team like how much can a play like that being a be a bit of a rallying thing or inspiration for the group? Yeah, for sure. I mean, just you know, like we talked about John’s minutes, but I got him out there in OT and he he controls the play by himself against three guys. then, you know, kicks the puck out to Morgan and they make a play and Willie does what he does. But I mean, it just shows his determination and will, you know, I think more than anything with John

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

00:00 Troy Stecher
05:10 Bobby McMann
09:39 John Tavares
15:57 Craig Berube

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