Pair of Leafs prospects form unlikely bromance at training camp
Fraser Minten and Matthew Knies are two of the top, if not the top, two prospects in the Maple Leafs' system and both have had very good training camps so far this year. Over the weekend, Minten and Knies were trusted by Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe to play prominent roles in lineups that did not have the star power that Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and others bring.
Keefe has leaned heavily on the pair throughout camp, but especially over the past two games against the Canadiens on the road in Montreal. Part of that was because the coaching staff felt that the pair was ready for an increase in responsibility.
"We think that they were ready for more and (to) show what they can do against greater competition without being isolated by some of the others," Keefe said of splitting Minten and Knies away from the regular Leaf forwards.
The two forwards have not only grown as players since last year's camp, but they have quickly formed a "bromance" of sorts this year, with Minten catching a ride with Knies from their hotel to the Leafs' practice facility each morning.
"We both want to be here playing in the NHL at some point with the big club consistently. That's both of our dreams. So we bonded over that grind of going through this together and trying to work our way up to the top," Minten said.
Knies has already secured his spot in the lineup, but Minten, who is eligible to be returned to the WHL, could see himself begin the season with the Leafs for an extended look. When asked about whether or not he and Knies had discussed the possibility about playing together in the big leagues, Minten had this to say to The Athletic's Joshua Kloke:
"We haven't really spoken out loud. But you think about that in your head. Both of us, our goals are to be here. So if it works out for one of us, that's awesome. For both of us, even better."
He paused momentarily and then, with a grin on his face, he continued:
"Definitely, it would be super cool."
The pair combined for 5 points against the Canadiens over the past 2 pre-season games, so the chemistry is certainly there. If Minten is not returned to his WHL club in Kamloops before Monday and if he winds up back in the lineup on Monday night with the Leafs, posting similar results, he could very well end up making the team out of camp as a 19-year-old - even if it has always been a bit of a long shot.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 1 | 644 ANSWERS Pair of Leafs prospects form unlikely bromance at training camp Do you think Fraser Minten has done enough to earn a roster spot with the Leafs come opening night? | ||
| Yes, he deserves it! | 208 | 32.3 % |
| No, send him back to junior | 165 | 25.6 % |
| Give him a 9-game trial in the NHL | 271 | 42.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
