Leafs shake up training camp roster, splitting into two groups as the NHL roster takes shape
Following their second pre-season game against Ottawa, which the Leafs lost in overtime, the team returned to the ice today. Once again the team has been split into two groups, but there is a significant difference between the two. The stars or regulars that are guaranteed roster spots on the Leafs this season are no longer split between the two groups and are together in the second group. Group One, on the other hand, is full of prospects and Marlies players that are likely not going to be on the Leafs' roster anytime soon. Some notable names in Group One are Fraser Minten, Kyle Clifford, and Alex Steeves.
One of the biggest surprises looking at the updated group listings is that 2023 first-round pick Easton Cowan is in Group Two with the Leafs' main roster. That likely means he will be skating in tomorrow's game against Buffalo and could find himself in training camp until the end. Group Two consists of 21 skaters, along with Ilya Samsonov and Joseph Woll meaning that the Leafs' roster appears to be set with only one or two moves to be made. Noah Gregor, Conor Timmins, William Lagesson and Nicholas Robertson appear to be those that are battling it out for the final roster spot(s).
With training camp wrapping up at the end of next week, it would seem that the Leafs and Sheldon Keefe know what most of their roster is going to look like and want to tinker with line combinations and let the players build chemistry with each other while also allowing newcomers some additional time to adapt to the new system.
For a full listing of both groups, see the link below:
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 26 | 936 ANSWERS Leafs shake up training camp roster, splitting into two groups as the NHL roster takes shape Will the Leafs win their pre-season opener against Montreal on October 11th? | ||
| Absolutely, it's a guarantee | 304 | 32.5 % |
| It's the Leafs. Nothing is a guarantee | 508 | 54.3 % |
| They're going to lose in embarrassing fashion | 124 | 13.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
