Toronto Maple Leafs News

"Those are the kinds of things out there that we're expecting," coach Dave Tippett said. "That's how we're going to have to play if we're going to win. We need everybody doing the little things, a little extra in a game.

Ekman-Larsson starts the season on the second defensive pairing, playing alongside Adrian Aucoin. Last season he scored a goal and 11 points through 48 games with the Coyotes. Expect the former 6th overall pick to continue developing in a tight, defensive system.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Reaves learned after the Blues' preseason finale that he had made the final cut, and in the same few hours, he realized his role could be magnified following news that B.J. Crombeen suffered a broken left shoulder in Saturday's 4-0 loss to Dallas and will be sidelined indefinitely.

With Crombeen out, Reaves takes his spot on the fourth line. Last season he posted an impressive 78 PIM in 28 games for the Blues and has posted 130 or more over the past three seasons in the AHL. If you need PIM, expect Reaves to approach 200 while adding no more than five goals.

Ryan Reaves
Neither Kevin Westgarth nor Jake Muzzin will make the two-game preseason trip, as both will stay back to continue to be evaluated after their respective big hits.

Muzzin registered an assist in last season's 11-game tryout. He was one of the few thought to capitalize on Doughty's infamous holdout but has been relegated to the recovery room for now. Avoid until he proves himself healthy and worthy of an AHL job.

Jake Muzzin
Jake Muzzin did not practice because of what Terry Murray called a stiff neck. Muzzin received a big hit from Phoenix’s Mikkel Boedker last night, for which Boedker was ejected. Murray said he believes Muzzin will return to practice tomorrow.

No reason to use the C word just yet. The Woodstock, Ont. native registered one assist in 11 games last season. The former Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds standout still holds a great deal of potential.

Jake Muzzin