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Toronto Maple Leafs: Observations from first prospects scrimmage game

By Omar L

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 15: The Toronto Maple Leafs 100th anniversay opening ceremonies honouring past Maple Leaf legends prior to action against the Boston Bruins an NHL game on October 15, 2016 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Bruins 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 15: The Toronto Maple Leafs 100th anniversay opening ceremonies honouring past Maple Leaf legends prior to action against the Boston Bruins an NHL game on October 15, 2016 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Bruins 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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There was more action at the Toronto Maple Leafs development camp on Tuesday as the camp invites defeated the prospects 6-3.

The Toronto Maple Leafs finally got into some gmae action at development camp. Tuesday’s affair saw the prospects (Team Clark) against the invites (Team Sittler).

Thoughts and Observations

  • Team Clark came out strong with goals from future Toronto Marlies forward J.J. Piccinich and 2016 fifth round pick Vladimir Bobylev. The lead was lost in the second half of the game, but Adam Brooks also scored to make it 4-3 Team Sittler.
  • The top line of Pospisil–Rueschhoff–Tortora was on fire for Team Sittler. The line combined for nine points in the second half of the game including a hat-trick from Tortora. Tortora was the second camp invitee to record a hat-trick with line mate Pospisil earlier in camp. If there were any players could get a second look at the end of camp, these three would be first in line.
  • 2017 first round pick Timothy Liljegren was on the top pair for Team Clark along with 2016 fourth round pick Keaton Middleton. Liljegren finished the game with a single assist, but his skating and puck handling were on display for his team. There was a point in the game where Liljegren carried the puck into the offensive zone, cut through the opposing players and got a shot on net. If Leafs fans wanted a reason to be excited for Liljegren, these scrimmage games are definitely helping.
  • You’re not going to expect grade A defensive coverage in a camp scrimmage game. With that being said, Ian Scott didn’t look too steady for Team Clark. Team Sittler was giving up a lot of odd-man scoring chances, but there were a couple of the goals you would’ve liked Scott to have. Then again, it’s only game one.
  • Speaking of goaltending, Joseph Woll was absent from camp after leaving early Monday. This could still just be precautionary to prevent whatever it is that is keeping him out from getting worse. Jeremy Bracco was also missing for the third straight day due to an illness.
  • Another point to keep in mind was that this was Team Sittler’s third game while this was Team Clark’s first. That could explain why the camp invites appeared to be more dialed in because the prospects were still developing chemistry with their teammates. A second prospects vs invites scrimmage will take place on Wednesday, and the Leafs draft picks will definitely look a lot better.

Next: Updates at development camp

What did you think of the game? Are you impressed with Team Sittler’s top line? Who do you think could get a contract as a result of their play so far? Let us know what you think in the comment section below! 

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