Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Pre Game vs. Edmonton Oilers | December 13, 2025

media is here. What’s that? The Calahoo Media. Calahoo media is here. All all one one of them. Turn around for O. Yeah, it’s good news. So, we weren’t sure yesterday, but he feels good and ready to go, which is great. No William or Dakota morning illness game time decisions for those guys. Do you prepare just in case? Yep. Like that. They may not play. Yes, for sure. guys will be ready to go and they know it’s a good opportunity uh to get in there tonight for them. What have you noticed about Austin since he’s come back from the area in what way? Just in how he’s played like do you see Yeah, I think um I still think he he’s I that line is starting to form some chemistry I you know offensively for me and I think that’s a big part of it. Um, I find Max is um, obviously, you know, he’s skating and doing more with the puck, which is good, but I still think there’s more for that line. You know, we’re trying to we’re trying to get more out of them, and, you know, same as our with our captain. What about Troy Ster’s game? Have you appreciated him most since he’s arrived here? Well, I just kind of, you know, for me it’s I know what I’m going to get shift to shift. Um, you know, he skates and competes. uh and just makes the the simple play with the puck for the most part. Um he’s been pretty solid for us all around. You know, moving pucks, defending, uh PK formed some real good chemistry with uh McCabe out there. Uh so they’ve been really good for us. Obviously a positive site, but maybe are you feeling a little bit too? Yeah, I think uh obviously feeling feeling good. Uh I think it was a kind of a freak uh thing out there and and uh I got lucky. Uh I felt like but um it’s all good. Yeah. Uh guy fell on my uh my left leg and Yeah. Are you going through your mind at the time when that happened? No, I mean obviously it happened so quick and I know the the guy fell and obviously he didn’t mean to do that and I I was lucky to get out of it pretty quick. So, um, no, it was, uh, yeah, crazy how, uh, um, much he can change in in a day or day and a half. So, it’s, uh, I’m lucky. Could you be in the lineup tonight or do you have a timet? Uh, no, I feel good. So, it’s, uh, it’s up to to Chief. How long did it take uh, Oliver for it to loosen up when you knew you were going to be okay? Uh, I mean, I think obviously it takes a little bit while you’re trying to feel feel out your body and feel feel out your mind a little bit, but uh um I felt pretty good uh yesterday. So, uh um was able to skate today and felt good. Do you feel lucky in terms of the all the injuries this club has had lately? Yeah, I mean obviously uh you want to have a healthy healthy team and and obviously you want to have all all of your guys in the lineup, but uh if you look through out the league, I think a lot of teams are going through the same thing. So uh I mean it’s you don’t want to see a teammate or uh your teammates go down. Uh so uh yeah, it’s uh it’s always a tricky part of the of the game, so to speak for Troy, but getting a sense for that blue blue line to go up against his old team, that’s probably a special one for him. Uh yeah, I think I mean the way he’s been playing for us and and uh I think he uh he’s going to have a extra step tonight obviously uh being with Edmonton for for a couple years and and uh I think it’s always uh a little bit uh weird facing your uh former team obviously, but uh um no, I think he’s up for it and he’s he’s been looking good and like I said, he’s been playing unbelievable for us. So, we’re uh very happy to have him. Austin, maybe just a quick thought on this match, what your group has to do to make successful. Just wonder what what the key to success might be tonight. I think it’s tracking well. Obviously, uh, you know, they’ve got a lot of uh a lot of speed, a lot of skill. Um, special teams, their power plays good. So, it’s, you know, number of things being disciplined, but I think just checking well, making sure that uh, you know, when those two guys are on the ice, you’re you’re aware of where they are and just trying to get above them as much as possible. How much do you enjoy challenges like game tonight facing breaks like McDavid and Pricide? Yeah, it’s fun. I mean, these are the games that uh, you know, you want to get up for and you want to be prepared and ready for as a team and individually and you know, it’s always a challenge, but I think uh, everybody in this locker room embraces it. How surprised, impressed are you that all of this on the ice after what what what happened last game? Yeah, it’s great to see. I don’t know what his status is, but obviously uh he’s you know been playing really great for us uh all season long and he’s uh he plays a big part in our back end on uh you know in all different areas. So uh it’s a great sign to see him out there this morning and um yeah hopefully he’ll be able to play tonight. If not uh at least it’s uh you know somewhat assuring that it’s not something super serious. So it’s great. Austin injuries have been, you know, something that the entire league has felt and you guys certainly had to deal with it on a regular basis. How do you like the way your group sort of shown resolve or maybe just kind of kept it compartmentalized it and moved forward with it? Yeah, I mean it’s the nature of the game. I think uh you know when guys come in um you know there’s there’s more opportunity for for other guys and um you know that’s that’s the great part about it is guys can step up and have a bigger role and then step into that and and do well. So, I think everybody that’s had to do that so far has done a really good job, whether it’s been defenseman, goending, forwards, uh, all the above. Um, you know, injuries are a part of the game, so to have that depth, it’s really important for us. You know, Troy Ster is going to have to face off against his own team. I know you’ve spoken about just how important has he been given everything back there. Yeah, he’s been great. I mean, he’s stepped in right away, like I’ve said, and um, you know, he’s he’s gotten really comfortable right away. He’s uh, a guy that communicates a lot. He’s, you know, he’s a professional. He goes out there and he hand it his business, but uh he’s been great in the locker room and I think he’s uh really fit in with our group well and it’s not easy. Um, you know, switching teams and coming to a new area situation. Um, but I think he’s handled it really well. He’s played some hard minutes, some tough matchups, and uh I think he really embraces that and he’s been really good for us. Awesome. Can you talk a little bit about how your relationship with Connor has grown over the years from McDonald’s commercials training together and just just how that’s kind of developed? Yeah, I mean I think it’s just happened uh just kind of organically over the years and um you know we played together uh World Cup uh in 2016 and then just kind of over the number of years gotten to know each other a little bit better and um obviously uh ton of respect for him and um you know the kind of person he is but uh the kind of player the kind of leader that he is um he’s obviously a special uh special player and um you know the guy that like I I have a ton of respect for what is the key to success? Uh I think just awareness uh needs to be heightened obviously and uh understand when they’re building their speed through the middle of the ice and um you know keeping an eye on 29 too on his off side cuz he can you know score from anywhere. So yeah it’s a it’s a tall task but you like you said it takes all five guys and that’s a big big um point emphasis communication and um you know looking forward to the challenge. How would you sort of assess? It’s a short time for a guy like Troy who’s going to pay his little team. It seems from the outside it’s been a seamless fit. A lot to like, right? I mean, yeah, I would agree with that. I I hope you would agree with that, too. You know, I think we’ve uh very welcoming and um you know, me and him have found some nice chemistry right off the get-go. So, that’s been nice. And, you know, he’s just uh goes about his business every day. And like the veteran that he is, um you know, he’s steady and skates well, moves the puck well. He’s communicative in the room and on the ice. you know, he’s not not afraid to, you know, raise his voice, which is, in my opinion, a real, um, you know, point of emphasis when you’re comfortable of being able to use your voice in the room. So, um, yeah, it’s been great and we’re we’re super uh super grateful to have them. Last week for just the idea that the injuries are a part of it, everybody gets that, especially throughout the entire league. Is there a way that you guys have pointed out in private where you’ve been able to handle it and just keep rolling or that next man up seems to Yeah, I feel like we’ve done a pretty good job over that over the the few years I’ve been here and um you know in the back and we’re kind of getting beat up this year. So, um guys are coming in and you know playing left, right, whatever it may be. So, guys are stepping up and doing their job. So, it’s been good to see feel like right now. Um, honestly, just another game like standing wise, how important it is. Um, maybe a little extra motivation for me playing against my old team, but focused on trying to help this team find two points tonight. Do you I don’t Do you have a chance to catch up with any teammates or uh not in person, but I’ve stayed in contact with a lot of them since I’ve left. um a lot of good memories. Obviously, making the cup finals two years in a row and never got the job done, but when you go through experiences like that, you create a lasting impression and a lasting bond. So, I’ve have a lot of friends over there that I’ll call friends for life, and you put that aside for 60 minutes tonight, but I’ve definitely stayed in contact with them since I’ve left. Who you I mean, you’re all part of a hockey team. you’re close with everybody, you know. So, um, yeah, there wasn’t one guy that I didn’t get along with there. I It was a tight-knit group, and I think that was evident by the production on the ice and the success that we had over the past two years. So, um, tight groups away from the ice are typically tight on the ice. So, yeah, that was a tight group when I was there. Game plan would look like what if you’re going to try and contain the two big boys and of course they’ve got lots of talent, but if you are going to be successful as a group, contain those two, what does it come down to? Um, just understanding that it’s going to take all five guys on the ice. Um, for forwards trying to stay above, you know, Chip’s skin to allow the Dmen some extra time to break out pucks and if they’re able to get past that wave of our fours and the DM got to, you know, stay inside the dots, try to push things to the outside. So, um, at the end of the day, when you’re as good as, you know, those two guys are, they’re going to get their opportunities and their chances. So, it’s how can you limit them and and do the best job that you can to keep it to the outside. How do you how do you handle the speed of the day? Like what goes through your mind too when he’s coming down the ice again? They just kind of touched on it like you need all five guys. You need your forwards to kind of get in his way to slow him down a little bit so it’s easier for you as a defenseman. But um if you’re not able to do that then obviously you want to have try to have a tight gap so he doesn’t have space to build his speed. Um it’s all situational. I mean if he does have speed sometimes you honestly want a bigger gap so he’s not going to embarrass you. So, it just kind of depends on where he is on the ice, where the puck is, where your support is, and just kind of read and react. How did it end up? I was very fortunate obviously like as a kid like you want to play in the NHL and you want to win a Stanley Cup and I got that opportunity two years to do that. So, um, it was unfortunate we never completed the task, but it’s everything you wanted as an individual player is that opportunity to, you know, represent your teammates, represent your crest and and try to win. So, um, yeah, just very fond memories over there and a lasting impact. I know when my career is over, I’ll be fortunate for them. And past few years, obviously, it was tough to accept, but, um, it’s a bigger picture than just kind of living in that moment. Troy. Hi. Hi, Tony. Good to see you. Uh, sorry if you’ve been asked about this, but tonight’s your 12th game in a le uniform. Uh, you have an elevator. You played over 20 minutes, four points. What can you say about the most of your opportunity so far? Um, I think it’s just that just an opportunity, you know. Um, there’s an opportunity for me to come in and play important minutes and try to help this team win games and uh be an important piece of it. And it’s one thing to get that opportunity, it’s another what you do with it. And I’ve tried to make the most of it. Um, but in saying that, tonight’s probably my biggest test as an individual player, you know, going up against 97. And hopefully know some of his tendencies where I can have some success tonight. But, uh, I’m sure he’s going to get his look. So, uh, yeah, just fortunate for the opportunity, I guess, is what I would say. And how much you been looking forward to this match up? Yeah, quite a bit. Obviously, I touched on it earlier before you got here, but just how close I am with all those guys. And not even just the players, but like Harry and Langanger and the medical staff. Like, it’s just going to be good to see all those guys again, shake their hands, give them a hug, and um we’ll cross that bridge after the 60 minutes are up, regardless of the result, and um go back to being friends afterwards. Troy, when you’re going through a stretch like this, is there an element of mentality? Does that exist for a person that’s been in the league and been around as long as you? guess a no. I think for me, no. Like I just tried to stay true to who I am. Um I think people are starting to realize it here. You obviously saw it firsthand, but I kind of pride myself on, you know, having a good attitude and trying to work hard and I’m a believer in karma and if you keep your mouth shut and you put your nose down and you go to the grindstone, I feel like odds are most of the time it’s going to work out in your favor. And um yeah, so far I’ve been fortunate to have the success I’ve had here playing with Caver, but um you’re only as good as your last game, you know, so tonight’s like another important test. There’s no complacency. You always strive to be the best you can. So I think that kind of goes into your question where I just be true to myself and continue to do what I do.

Head Coach and players speak with the media ahead of Saturday’s matchup against the Edmonton Oilers.

Head Coach – 00:00
Oliver Ekman-Larsson – 01:35
Auston Matthews – 03:56
Jake McCabe – 07:08
Troy Stecher – 08:43

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