Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Observations as training camp comes to end

The Toronto Maple Leafs finished their pre-season schedule with a victory over the Ottawa Senators and will now shift their focus on the regular season.

After playing six pre-season games against the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens finally look forward to games that will mean something for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

They looked quite dominant in their 4-1 victory over the Senators in their final tune-up game as they gave a look at what they’re opening-night lineup could look like. It was also an opportunity to see where the new additions will slot in after many questions during training camp.

We saw William Nylander play on the penalty kill which is not something anybody expected the Leafs to try. We have seen Mitch Marner get more time on the ice by getting shorthanded minutes while also learning to play a more responsible game.

Whether or not this translates Nylander playing on the penalty kill remains to be seen especially when you consider the turnover the team has been through. The skilled winger isn’t going to replace Zach Hyman as David Kampf will be called upon there but that’s one thing to keep an eye on.

Of course, there are still some roster decisions that have to be made going forward and other question marks heading into the season.

How does Ilya Mikheyev’s injury change the Toronto Maple Leafs gameplan?

It seemed like the Leafs liked how Mikheyev stepped up his game during training camp to get a long look in the team’s top-six.

Unfortunately for the Russian forward, he fell awkwardly after getting knocked down to the ice by Senators defenceman Dillon Heatherington. After the game, Sheldon Keefe said Mikheyev will likely be out long term which means that someone will have to move up into his spot alongside Nylander and John Tavares.

The likely candidate will be Michael Bunting who many thought was going to be in the top six after he had a strong start to training camp. We could also see Alexander Kerfoot move up in this situation which is something we have seen before.