Sheldon Keefe explains the decision to award rookie Fraser Minten a roster spot out of camp
I can't imagine that many people had Fraser Minten cracking the 2023-24 opening night roster for the Toronto Maple Leafs prior to the beginning of training camp, but after the club placed 6 players on waivers and traded Sam Lafferty to the Vancouver Canucks over the weekend, that's exactly what is expected to occur.
It might have come as a surprise based on predictions and projections from earlier this summer, but that's just a testament to how well he performed in training camp and throughout the preseason. His work ethic, intelligence and the intangibles that he carries at such a young age are impressive and he has earned every bit of his opportunity.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe made the call to keep Minten up with the big club out of camp and he was more than happy for the young center. He mentioned that he didn't have one specific moment in mind when he realized Minten would be sticking around, but that his performance from the beginning of camp straight through until the final horn went in his 5th pre-season appearance made including him on the opening night roster a must.
"It's the body of work, which never really took a step backwards. That's really what you're looking to see. Sometimes, whether it is the competition increasing and playing more NHL players that are pushing as it is closer to the season, or the grind of the preseason itself takes a toll on you That didn't really happen.
Because of that, he remained, relevant and in the conversation all the way through. Some flexibility on our cap became available with the move yesterday, and with that guy, we were able to keep extra guys on our roster. It became more real for him there.
There were two separate decisions. There was a desire to create more flexibility and keep a bigger roster, and then it was, 'Who do we want to keep?'
I'm really happy for Fraser. He has worked extremely hard and we think he can help us. We'll give him that opportunity." Keefe on Minten making the team
Because of that, he remained, relevant and in the conversation all the way through. Some flexibility on our cap became available with the move yesterday, and with that guy, we were able to keep extra guys on our roster. It became more real for him there.
There were two separate decisions. There was a desire to create more flexibility and keep a bigger roster, and then it was, 'Who do we want to keep?'
I'm really happy for Fraser. He has worked extremely hard and we think he can help us. We'll give him that opportunity." Keefe on Minten making the team
For Keefe and the coaching staff, there were plenty of reasons, aside from Minten's play during camp, that made it abundantly clear that he was ready for a look at the NHL level. Keefe revealed this weekend that the team has had their eye on Minten, noticing "tremendous growth in him" since the end of last season.
"Credit to Fraser. Even since his season ended last season to coming into this season, we have seen tremendous growth in him. He is faster, bigger, and stronger. Probably more important than anything, the foundation of his game is rooted in competitiveness, intelligence, pro habits, and detail. All of those are things that kids coming out of junior normally have to take time working into their game. He arrives with that.
That is exciting, and it is why he hasn't taken a step backward. He has that solid foundation to build upon." - Keefe on Minten's growth as a player
That is exciting, and it is why he hasn't taken a step backward. He has that solid foundation to build upon." - Keefe on Minten's growth as a player
After scoring 20 goals and 55 points in 2021-22 for the Kamloops Blazers, Minten improved to the tune of 31 goals and 67 points in just 57 games in 2022-23. He was expected to battle for a spot for Team Canada at the World Juniors this season, which might be a slam dunk if he can play well and stick around with the Maple Leafs.
For a club that is constantly strapped for cap space and very rarely drafting in the early stages of the first round, the Leafs are hitting on some of their recent 2nd round picks and it has the chance to be such a boon for a squad that already has the likes of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner at the top.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 10 | 96 ANSWERS Sheldon Keefe explains the decision to award rookie Fraser Minten a roster spot out of camp Will Fraser Minten remain with the Leafs after a 9-game trial this season? | ||
| Yes | 58 | 60.4 % |
| No | 38 | 39.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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