Don’t tell a group of anxious Maple Leafs that exhibition games are meaningless.
Injuries have held top-six forward Calle Jarnkrok to one game so far, 35-year-old Max Pacioretty is trying to play as many as he can to recover his conditioning and it’s getting down to crunch time for bubble boys such as Easton Cowan and Timothy Liljegren.
All were to be in the lineup Thursday evening on the road against the Detroit Red Wings and perhaps a couple could get in the rematch on Saturday in Toronto, when close to the starting lineup is expected — depending on what general manager Brad Treliving and coach Craig Berube are thinking.
“I’ve always felt that way (playing the maximum in pre-season),” Pacioretty said before the Leafs departed. “In Carolina, I remember telling (coach) Rod Brind’Amour before I got injured I wanted to get in as many as possible. He was like ‘really?’ And I said yes, especially with coming to a new team, new atmosphere. It’s hard to switch teams (three times the past three years).”
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Pacioretty, who was able to train properly this past summer versus the past couple of years of ankle surgery rehab, is on a PTO, though a contract is expected to be signed by opening night Wednesday when they’re in Montreal.
“It’s nice to get in a rhythm, find my game, build on it,” said Pacioretty, who was flying on adrenalin his first game with a couple of goals, though not so much the second. “I like the pace, like where my legs are. I’ll have a better indication after tonight.”
Jarnkrok has been limited this camp as a lower body injury disrupted his routine. But it’s projected he inherits William Nylander’s right wing spot on the second line as Nylander is tried at centre with Max Domi on the left. Nylander, Domi and first-liners Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies aren’t going to Detroit.
Jarnkrok termed his injury “nothing crazy” and said he otherwise has enjoyed the buzz of camp under new coach Berube.
“We have a great group, it’s a new season, a deep group without too many spots open,” Jarnkrok said.
He’s also excited about Swedish countryman Oliver Ekman-Larsson being added as a free agent on defence,
“We’re the same age (33) and grew up playing together for the national team,” Jarnkrok said. “He’s a great player, an even greater guy.”
The clock is almost run out for forward Easton Cowan, 2023’s first-round pick, who has yet to have a breakout exhibition game, but can’t be placed with the farm team Marlies.
Toronto might keep him as a reserve for at least nine games before a final call would have to be made on returning him to junior with an eye to him eventually playing for Canada at the world junior hockey championship in December.
Liljegren, who saw special-teams work Thursday morning, also needs to stand out a bit more as he, Conor Timmins and Marshall Rifai battle for the last blueline spot on the starting six.
Anthony Stolarz is starting in net with Joseph Woll staying back for what should be Saturday’s assignment at home to wrap the exhibition schedule.
Winger Steven Lorentz, also on a PTO with a great chance of sticking, will get into his second game in Detroit. The Stanley Cup winner with Florida last year also missed some time early in camp, but looks like a good fourth-line fit with Ryan Reaves and centre David Kampf.
The enthusiasm to play in exhibitions conflicts with some calls around the league to restrict the exhibition games after a spate of serious injuries and reckless hits this autumn.
“I know a few top-end guys have gotten injured,” Pacioretty said. “When that’s the case, it’s a little more under the microscope, big names in big markets. There’s a lot of buzz (about pre-season games), but I’ve always thought it’s a great time to build your game.”
The club announced Thursday morning that forward Nick Abruzzese had been placed on waivers and among the first group of players assigned to the Toronto Marlies camp was goalie Dennis Hildeby.
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