Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Practice | November 21, 2025

Max, what can the team take away from from last night’s game? Yeah, I think the last couple games we’re playing some much better hockey from top to bottom. So, uh, obviously want the extra point, but we’ll take the one for sure. What do you what do you see, part of playing much better? Is that a defensive commitment to Yeah. Yeah. I mean, that’s our focus right now is to focus on getting better there. Um, obviously the offense will come, but first and foremost, you got to take care of the diesel. What have you seen from Joe, especially with the workload that this fac Joe Wall? Uh he looks great. Um I think he’s he’s made a lot of big saves for us. Always nice to have have him back there and also in the room. Um huge part of our team and I think it just instills confidence in our whole group. So the sequence in overtime like what are you seeing there? Do you is that easy to kind of shake off just considering the the threeon three trying to make a play? Um I think that’s that’s a play that you have to make and then I didn’t make it. So that’s 100% on me and and I’ll take accountability there and um if you’re going to make a play like that, you got to make sure you execute and I didn’t execute there. So, um, got to be better in general. Just how have you felt about your game of play? Um, uh, just like I said, I think trying to focus on on the Dzone side of it, the offensive side will will come and and and making some strides there. So, um, just got to keep building, keep getting better and, uh, focus on on the process, not get too caught up on the outcome here. I think that’s that’s an easy way to get distracted and and and get down confidence-wise. So, just got to stick to the process and and be a good teammate and and work as hard as you can. How much progression are you seeing from the East here? He’s he’s awesome. I mean, his number one fan. Uh the way he’s he’s just making plays out there and staying with it. Um he’s he’s playing really good hockey right now and he’s going to be a big piece for us down the stretch here and uh he’s only going to get better as days goes on. He was asked about playing more minutes last night and he said, you know, it’s great, I love it, but I got to bury like I take responsibility. Is can you relate to that kind of feeling as a young guy coming in the league? No, I you know, I think he’s playing great. Uh, and he’s just going to keep getting better. Um, I think when when you’re getting chances like that and they’re not going in, that’s a good problem to have. Uh, it’s when you’re not getting the chances, that’s when you have to start making some adjustments here and there. And he’s not only getting them for himself, but he’s creating them for other guys. So, he’s he’s playing good hockey right now. He’s kind of wearing it last night, maybe unnecessarily so, because he is generating chances. Do you ever talk to another guy like that? He was wearing it like as in kind of put a little blame on himself at times. And I know that sounds a little crazy, but pull a guy like that aside and say stay with him. No, you know what? He’s a competitive kid, so I think you want guys to be able to shoulder like that and take accountability. But that that was certainly not by any means his fault. Um he’s playing good hockey. He’s got to keep building. What do games in Montreal mean to you personally? And how about to kids who maybe haven’t experienced that Saturday night atmosphere? No, it’s it’s it’s a fun place to play, man. You can’t beat it in a Saturday night. Toronto, Montreal. It’s a good rivalry. And I think with where we’re at right now and and where they’re at, it’s it’s a huge game. It’s going to be a playoff late game. Do you remember your first game there? Like, do you remember? Like, is that something that really stood out to you, the first time walking into the bell, like East will experience tomorrow? Yeah, it’s been a long time, man. Um, but no, I I I cherish every moment going in that ring for sure. Going back to Ken, what do you think the biggest area of this game that’s grown since this year? Um, you know, I think when when you’re a young kid coming in, um, it’s it’s every aspect of the game. Um, and and you just see how much he’s enjoying coming to the rank and getting better. I think that’s that’s a huge sign of of of confidence coming in. You watch him. He he loves working on every aspect of the game. And I think when you come in, you really can work on every aspect, and that’s what he’s doing. So, it’s great to see. What was it like to get Scott back? Yeah. Oh, man. He’s he’s such a good piece. A lot of stuff that you guys won’t see. Um the stuff on the bench, the chatter you hear the I mean he’s always cheering the boys on. Um and then he goes out and he blocks shots, he does everything. He wins draws. Big piece for our PK. So uh he’s he’s a big part of our team. The game last night. What what what do you think? You know, obviously you don’t get the the bonus point, but what can the team take away from from that performance? Yeah, I mean I think we were uh building, you know, and you know, just got to take away the positives and, you know, go from there. Obviously, you’d want that extra point. Um, but I think we played a closer to a full 60-minute game, which which was good. Max took responsibility for the the turnover in overtime. But how would you sum up what it’s like as a skilled guy? You’re trying to make a play threeon-ree and kind of balancing the risk and the reward. Yeah, like I mean the other game against uh St. Louis, I tried to, you know, first shift flip it over a guy stick and then went the other way. They could have scored that way. But I mean sometimes that’s just uh what happens. But I mean, and to flip over a guy stick in that situation was maybe a little stupid of me, but um yeah, I mean, you just got to balance it and try to make the right plays at the right time. I mean, he wasn’t trying to make a crazy play either, so it was like was just unlucky. Eastston was quite hard on himself after the game last night, saying that my chances I should have buried one. If I didn’t, he would have won. How do you do do you go to a younger guy who’s who’s hard on himself in a situation like that to maybe just give him some perspective or do you like the competitive? No, that’s uh that’s great that he uh you know expects uh more uh you know from himself. But I mean I think he’s been playing great. So, you know, as long as you’re generating chances is what’s uh most important and, you know, pucks will start going in for him and, you know, hopefully we’ll, you know, get enough goals to win uh games coming up here. What stands out in terms of the growth in East’s game from the start of the season till now? Yeah, I think he’s more, you know, confident, holding on to the puck, um making plays, and I mean, now he’s getting chances like almost every time he’s out there, so he’s been playing playing great. Obviously he got a look with you and John, but Cali obviously started the game there. Just how did you find the line last night? Yeah, I thought we were pretty dominant to be honest uh in that in that game. So I felt going back to the overtime for a sec. All the Leaf goalies you’ve seen, Joseph seems to be very alert. Three and three overtime makes a big save and keeps the puck alive. Have you noticed that as well that he uh he sent you guys the other way pretty quick instead of freezing it? Yeah, I mean I mean to be aware in those situations where their guys are at uh at the same time trying to, you know, stop them from scoring is uh obviously really good awareness and Mono was able to do that to spring the other way. I mean that uh you know helps and could win the game. You said you really liked the power play last night. How did you feel about the way that the power play is progressing? Yeah, I mean I think we’re now getting a lot of chances. I mean we just got to keep keep sticking with it. I mean not trying to change too much. I think the way it’s been going um past couple games is positive. So, we just got to build. What impact does Kelly make getting another right shot out there with you guys? Yeah, I mean the movement of the puck uh sticks match a little bit easier to make some uh some plays. So, that’s what uh happens having a righty down there. Joseph robbed Cali in that power play rep at the end of practice there. How competitive is Joseph in practice? Uh ultra competitive. um all the little rebounds and stuff, you know, sometimes you poke him in there, he can he doesn’t get mad, but you can see that he he’s competitive and wants to stop you the next time. Who has bragging rights right now between you two in practice? Oh, we actually used to um got to get back on that actually. We actually would do, you know, one-on-one competition on who would who would win every practice, but we haven’t done that now. So, I I don’t know who’s up right now. We haven’t had a lot of practices. So, yeah. East’s going to play his first game in Montreal. Just wondering what that was like for you to walk into the Bell Center plays your first game in Montreal. It’s like that a special building I guess. Yeah, super special. But I feel like over the years he played so many games against Montreal in Montreal, you know, mixed in with preeason and stuff like that. So I don’t really remember my first game could have been a preseason game. So like I don’t really uh remember that. But I mean it’s obviously a super special atmosphere and you know one of my favorite buildings to play in. So, it’ll be a lot of fun. Did you rob Kelly on that power play right there? I couldn’t see if the saw’s reaction. Oh, yeah. You got him. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. He didn’t like that. He didn’t like that. Well, he didn’t look like it. Yeah. I mean, it was stick and gloves were in the stands after that was a lucky one to be honest with you. I just kind of closed my eyes, threw my glove out. Yeah. How hard do you go in in practice? Cuz guys have mentioned that to you’re a competitor. Like, do you moderate it at all or are you just like, I’m going out? It depends on the day. Like if it’s uh yeah, I mean it really depends on the day. Depends if it’s morning skate, depends if it’s practice, if I’m playing the next day, if I’m not playing the next day. Like everything kind of depends on that. Um so yeah, I’m kind of modulated based on that. But it’s hard for me to modul. I like to just play and and not think about it too much, but you know, there’s reality and you got to be smart. Where you going? Like was today a modulate kind of day or how would he describe today’s practice for you? Kind of a a mix. Um, I don’t know. I kind of based it off of if I morning skate the next day and if I don’t morning skate the next day type of thing, I can go a bit harder the day before. Um, yeah, just kind of I think that’s just experience. As you as you play in the league for a little while, you start to understand what you need, what your body needs. Why do you think you’ve been able to hit the ground running? Like you miss a lot of time, you’re thinking maybe there might be some rest. It looks like you’ve just kind of hit the ground running. Why do you think you’ve been able to do that? Um, you know, I think I’ve had experience of coming in uh the season either at the start a little bit late or um in the middle of the season after injuries and stuff. So, for me, I think that that part of it’s comfortable and um just kind of getting up to speed. I think I’ve, you know, been league for a little while, like not not a long time, but you know, a couple years now. And I think I have an idea of, you know, my process, what I need um away from the rink, at the rink, type of thing. So, um I think that just allows me a bit more a bit more comfortable. What’s it like to play in the Bell Center? I think you got that first uh regular season game there last year. Eastern will experience his first one tomorrow. Like what’s it like to to play in the Bell Center? Yeah, it’s a pretty cool cool spot to play. Um obviously the fans are into it. Um pretty cool building so it’ll be exciting. Just wondered uh three and three overtime. You have a presence in mind when you make a big save to keep the play a lot. Just wondering, you know, did that talk to you or just overtime learning those things or how did that Yeah, I mean, I think in uh in overtime like that when it’s three on three, the the main key is possession. You know, you see it when when we’re our crowd’s booing the other team for possessing it. You know what I mean? Like that kind of thing. Um which I appreciate our guys doing. But, uh yeah, I mean it’s it’s a possession game. So, I think anytime you can avoid a faceoff where it’s, you know, kind of 5050 toss up, um, try to get the puck to our guys and and, yeah, contain it. Is it also because you have guys like Knander and Matthews that can really jump to the attack pretty quick? Yeah, I mean, we obviously have some pretty good players. Um, and again, it’s it’s a possession game. You know, we have some guys that can that can show up in those big moments. And at the end of the day though, it’s you just want your team to have the puck right and and control it for as long as you can and give yourself a chance. You guys are facing some injury adversity here obviously right now. What was it like to see Austin, Matthew just back at practice today? Yeah, it’s great. Um nice to have have those guys out there. Um everyone kind of brings their own little component to the team. So I think, you know, the closer the team is to to being at full capacity is is the better. So what are the difficulties not having Chris Tann out there in front of you? Yeah, I miss miss Tanny and and Brando right now. Um, but again, you know, we have uh we have good depth and I think our guys have stepped up and um I think you know Merm Shy stepped up last game and the statue has been great for us. Um so, you know, whoever’s out there obviously you miss uh when guys are injured and those are some some great players, but at the same time, you know, I have full faith in in the guys in front of me. When you get someone like Scott Lton back in the lineup, can you define like what he’s like in the room? I know you won’t be on the bench with him, but just his presence in the room and what’s that what that’s like? Yeah, he’s uh he’s an awesome guy. Keeps it pretty light. And I think, you know, with any team, you need a mix of guys that are, you know, not that lightness or seriousness is a good or a bad thing, but you have guys in their personalities are a bit more serious, a bit lighter. And uh I think loss is definitely one of the on the lighter side. And um you need that, you know, regardless of of where you are in the season, if you’re winning, if you’re losing in the playoffs and preseason, you need guys that can keep it light and and keep it fun around the rink. And he’s great for that. We haven’t seen Strollers in a while. I’m just curious your thoughts on or how you what’s your sense of how kind of he’s holding up obviously, you know, how hard it is to to miss the time. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I know he’s uh disappointed. He’s not with the team right now. And um at the same time, he’s coming in every day, I think, in a good mood. And um I don’t know, you know, the exact details of anything, but um we’re looking forward to having him back. Obviously Austin and Matthew out there. What’s what’s the latest on their status? Same as it was yesterday. No change. They’re out there practicing, which is good, but availability tomorrow is doubtful. Stole our skating. Nope. What’s the latest on W? I think we saw obviously yesterday. Where’s Where’s Nicholas at? Um, probably he’s still a ways away, I would say. Um, I got no timeline for him. I You know, what about Carlo? We haven’t seen him. Yep. He’s still not on the ice. So, um, I’m hoping he will be out Monday on the ice. That’s what I’m hoping for. Tanv. Tanv. What about him? Any any change? No, he’s long term. Okay, you’re about to uh you know start a long string of road games here. I guess a message for a group that hasn’t had a lot of this and no doubt important right now given all the challenges, but how do you want this group to approach this first step with Montreal and be a road mentality? Yeah, I just want them to approach that game first and foremost. That’s a big game tomorrow. We talked about that this morning. Um it’s obviously a big division game. It’s always a big game against Montreal and it’s it’s a big game for us um in terms of where we’re at and where we’re heading. So, it’s a big game. And then just after that, we got a little little break, get some rest, and then we get on the road, which I think will be really good for our team to get on the road for a bit. Um what have we got? Four or some games on the road, something like that, maybe five. So, it’s a good trip. It’s a long trip. So, um, hopefully we get bodies back and we get some health, which would be great. So, uh, trip like that can really do good for the team. What’s your, uh, take on where Max Doi’s game is at? What are you kind of seeing from him right now? Sort of inconsistency in and out. Does some good things, you know, um, trying to think of the game that I liked, you know, couple games ago where, you know, I met with him, we talked and I thought I got a good game out of him, competitive game. Um then you know he needs he needs to he needs to stay competitive in my opinion every shift and u we need yeah we need him to be better. He took responsibility for the overtime. Yeah he just you know he forced the puck there. Didn’t need to. You know three on three you know it’s not a um you know a real opportunity the other way. We want to hang on to pucks and keep possession and he forced it. Craig Lee’s on pace for a record number of overtime games. Any any theories as to why what was the league’s on pace for a record number of overtime games. Any theories? It’s an even league. That’s my theory. I think that night in and night out, you know, I used to say it was a 3-2 league. I’m not sure it’s a 3-2 league anymore. I think, you know, there’s more goals going in. I don’t know the stats off by hand, but probably scoring a bit more. But in saying that, teams are even. I mean, it’s there’s a lot of tight games. There’s going to be continue to be that way with tight games. And uh so overtime’s important. Overtime’s important. It’s um you know, we blundered a couple this year already, which we didn’t need to. We We did that ourselves. The other team didn’t do it to us. What are you liking the special teams of Well, I like the power play last night. I thought they really did a good job of moving the puck and attacking right away and creating chaos around the net and some opportunities. And for me, our PK’s been fairly solid all year. I don’t, you know, I get goals going in in certain stretches on your PK throughout the year, but I thought they did a good job last night. And um we just got to continue to keep working on them. And um like I said, we get some healthy bodies back. That should help our power play, too. He gave a good look kind of with Taros and Elander for that game. You got Cali back in there. What are you thinking in terms of the line? Yeah, and I talked about that before the game where I was going to mix and match those guys a little bit depending on situations. Offensive zone, defensive zone. We were down in the game. I put him in there. C I love Cowan’s game last night. I thought he had good jump and good juice and uh made a nice play obviously. So, um that’s the way I’m going to use him. What are your early observations with Jacob Quinn? Well, I think yeah, two games in um he’s done some good things. I love his speed and um his competitiveness. He hasn’t got a ton of ice time, but when he’s out there, you know, he’s noticeable um with doing good things, which was good. And does Troy kind of fit in as seamlessly as you probably thought? Knowing the player, and I don’t know him personally, but just watching him over the years, he was always that guy that he just did the right things every shift. It’s not fancy. It’s not uh, you know, anything out of the ordinary. It’s just he uses his feet extremely well and he’s competitive and he he makes the easy play with the puck. Ken was saying that it’s great to get the more minutes and the opportunity, but he takes responsibility. He has to bury one of his chances if he’s going to get those minutes. Do you like to hear that as a coach or does the kid have to I like to hear that as a coach for sure. And like I I’ve said this over the years, it’s it’s harder for young guys to score in this league. Um, it takes some time, but I do believe that he’s he’s um such a competitor and um he he wants it all like which I like and um so I believe he’ll figure it out faster than nor than normal. I do believe that.

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

00:00 Max Domi
03:58 William Nylander
08:09 Joseph Woll
12:58 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

6 comments
Leave a Reply