Comments from Noel Acciari and his new teammates seem to indicate a perfect fit in Toronto
It's hard to believe that Ryan O'Reilly and Noel Acciari have only been Leafs for one week. The fit has been seamless between the Leafs and the two former Blues forwards. For O'Reilly, scoring 5 points in his first 3 games has him off to a roaring start, playing alongside Mitch Marner and captain John Tavares. For Acciari, playing on the 4th line alongside Zach Aston-Reese and Alexander Kerfoot, has given the Leafs a 4th line that has tilted the ice heavily in the Leafs' favour. In fact, Sheldon Keefe has already acknowledged that this is the best that the team's 4th line has looked all season, crediting Acciari what he's brought to that line.
Defensively, he is in good spots. He has an incredible defensive stick. He is just really heavy and hard on the puck. When he pushes on you or leans on you, you stop generally. Very, very encouraged with what we have seen from him."
-Keefe on what he likes about Acciari's game
Not only has Acciari hit every opposing player in sight since coming over to the Leafs, but he's also already found the back of the net and could easily have 2 or 3 goals already. The Leafs' interest in Acciari isn't new either. Acciari revealed this week that the Leafs were one of the teams on his short list back in July, when he was testing free agency. He confirmed that he and his agent did try to get something done with the Leafs, but in the end, the Blues came in with a higher offer - not that it mattered, since he is now where he belongs anyway.
As far as how his new teammates have received him, they've taken Acciari in with open arms and really seem to enjoy what he adds to the team. Mark Giordano and Mitch Marner have been especially impressed with him.
-Giordano on Acciari
Marner, who has been a primary penalty killer for the Leafs for a few years running, has enjoyed what Acciari has brought to the team's PK. Marner loves the energy, pace, intelligence and intensity that he's seen from Acciari.
-Marner on Acciari's penalty killing abilities
As far as Acciari himself, he has been very complimentary of the team since they welcomed him in one week ago.
It's better to be on their side than chasing them around."
-Acciari on his first impressions of his new team
With the fit being as good as it has been for both sides, the job still isn't done. According to Acciari, everyone in the organization has their sights set on the playoffs and about changing the narrative that surrounds the team.
-Acciari on he and O'Reilly hoping to help the Leafs end the longest Stanley Cup drought in NHL history
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 24 | 274 ANSWERS Comments from Noel Acciari and his new teammates seem to indicate a perfect fit in Toronto Is Noel Acciari the missing piece in the Leafs' bottom six? | ||
| Yes | 234 | 85.4 % |
| No | 40 | 14.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
