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Minten, Samsonov, Reaves & Benoit

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In this version of Toronto Maple Leafs News & Rumors, I’ll marvel aloud whether or not Fraser Minten will likely be transferring again to juniors earlier than his 10-game stint is up. He has three issues that could possibly be checked off on the “Keep in the NHL Side” – talent, smarts, and he’s a pure heart. However, he probably wants extra growth earlier than he lands with the Maple Leafs for good. 

Second, I’ll report that Ilya Samsonov will begin tonight towards the Minnesota Wild. Although he didn’t surrender any targets that have been flat-out stinkers, he gave up 5 targets on not-so-many pictures. Hopefully, he can have a bounce-back recreation at residence.


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Third, I’ll share that Ryan Reaves was lauded by Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe for what he delivered to his first recreation with the workforce. I’ll share what his debut confirmed that he would possibly add to the workforce and what Reaves famous himself concerning the struggle that occurred towards the Montreal Canadiens.

Finally, I’ll share the information that depth defenseman Simon Benoit was moved to the American Hockey League (AHL) Toronto Marlies.

Item One: Will Fraser Minten Move Back to Juniors?

Fraser Minten shocked virtually everybody by making the Maple Leafs roster out of coaching camp. However, though he didn’t look dangerous in his first recreation, he must work on some issues.

Related: Abruzzese & Minten: Maple Leafs Most Underrated Prospects

Given that the Maple Leafs should not able (they’ve loads of expertise on the roster) or mindset to hurry younger gamers into the NHL earlier than their time (Nick Robertson is an ideal instance), preserving Minten with the massive membership was an oddity. Yet, from what I learn and noticed in-game motion, the second-round draftee within the 2022 NHL Entry Draft earned the invite. 

Minten’s emergence through the coaching camp was stunning. It positive caught the eye of Maple Leafs’ administration. As camp progressed, he confirmed much more maturity and talent. His penchant for already with the ability to excel within the finer particulars of the sport, significantly his play away from the puck, appeared to translate right into a promising on-ice efficiency.

Fraser Minten, Toronto Maple Leafs (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

When the Maple Leafs began coaching camp by inserting William Nylander into a job as a middle, there was no house for Minten to inhabit on the lineup. However, as camp moved towards its conclusion, the teenager was given an opportunity to indicate what he might do within the third-line heart spot. 

Related: Top 10 All-Time European-Born NHL Forwards

If he can deal with that function properly over his first few NHL video games, Minten will likely be in a key place on the workforce. His chemistry with fellow rookie Matthew Knies is already nice; and, Knies seems to be to be a keeper for a very long time with this workforce. All this mentioned, the following few video games will present how fast Minten’s studying curve is. Last season, Pontus Holmberg was able to rise to take his place as a middle. He might do it once more this season with out transferring Nylander again to heart.

Do Minten’s on-puck abilities nonetheless require refinement? Would his growth profit from extra time within the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Kamloops Blazers? 

I might guess that, for proper now, Minten will see common NHL motion. If he can enhance shortly on his first recreation. The final replace from yesterday’s follow confirmed the identical line combos that began the primary recreation of the season. One factor to look at tonight is how Minten does in his second recreation. I additionally appreciated his work on the penalty kill and search for extra of that.

Item Two: Ilya Samsonov Will Start 0n Saturday

Ilya Samsonov’s play within the first recreation of the season had combined critiques. Intriguing, is likely to be an excellent phrase. While I didn’t see him permit any targets that could possibly be labeled as horrible, it was a difficult evening. The Canadiens have been capable of make the most of virtually each alternative they’d and managed to attain 5 targets on simply 24 pictures. 

Related: 7 Things About P.Okay. Subban

On the upside, though his statistics line may not look nice, give Samsonov credit score. He made a number of key saves through the third interval, additional time, and the shootout. His recreation one was a mixture of ups and downs.

Ilya Samsonov Toronto Maple Leafs
Ilya Samsonov, Toronto Maple Leafs (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Images)

Samsonov will guard the house crease tonight when the Maple Leafs face the Minnesota Wild. If the workforce can proceed to attain as they did towards the Canadiens, Samsonov received’t should be flawless. Yet, if he have been capable of return to his home-ice type of final season, it might be an enormous profit for his workforce. The 26-year-old goalie performed 42 video games final season, however I’m hoping his workload would possibly lower, particularly with Joseph Woll ready within the wings to indicate his stuff.

Item Three: Ryan Reaves Lauded by Coach Keefe for Introducing Grit 

Ryan Reaves made fairly a constructive impression in his Maple Leafs debut – not less than on coach Keefe. He laid a powerful hit (he had three hits in whole) on a Canadiens participant, bought jumped from behind, and engaged in his first struggle within the Blue & White. While he obtained a five-minute combating main, he was up two minutes as a result of Arber Xhekaj was assessed a minor for being the instigator. 

Related: Maple Leafs Hope Ho-Sang Can Overcome His History

The getting old however gritty ahead, who signed with the Maple Leafs over the summer time for 3 years (a complete of $4.05 million) in whole, was anticipated so as to add some physicality to Toronto’s lineup. In the Oct. 11 recreation, he did simply that. Now Maple Leafs followers have a style of what Reaves is probably going to usher in over future video games.

After the sport, Reaves expressed his displeasure with how Xhekaj began the struggle. “I don’t like getting jumped,” Reaves informed David Alter of The Hockey News. “I don’t know if I’ve ever jumped anybody. If you want to fight, just ask me. I’m always around; you know where to find me.”

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs? 

Simon Benoit, the 25-year-old bodily defenseman, was returned to the AHL Marlies yesterday. He was a wholesome scratch within the Maple Leafs win over Montreal.

Last season, Benoit played 78 games with the Anaheim Ducks and made his presence felt with 216 hits and 128 blocked pictures. His return to the AHL provides the Maple Leafs some roster flexibility. However, he might quickly make one other look within the Maple Leafs lineup.


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