Leafs Captain Auston Matthews has Identified Two Unexpected Training Camp Standouts
Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has identified two players in training camp who have really stood out to him thus far, and they're not who you might think.
As training camp continues to roll on, the players are becoming more and more familiar with Craig Berube's new system, and some are taking to it better than others. According to Auston Matthews, two players who have really excelled so far are Marshall Rifai and Bobby McMann.
Rifai skated in two games for the Leafs last season and didn't look out of place, despite playing limited minutes. The 6'2, 205-pound blueliner is looking to show that he should be the first call-up on the blueline when the inevitable injuries occur. He has come into camp to compete at a different level in the eyes of Matthews.
After going from healthy scratch to scoring a hat-trick and becoming a mainstay in the Leafs' lineup in the second half of last season, McMann earned himself a two-year extension with the Leafs, which kicks in this season. Although he was injured and missed the Leafs' first-round series against the Boston Bruins, McMann is now healthy and raring to go through the opening days of training camp with Matthews comparing him to his linemate, Matthew Knies.
McMann skated in 56 games with the Leafs last season scoring 15 goals and totaling 24 points. Heading into this season, McMann appears set to be a staple in the middle-six for the Leafs and will look to build on a very successful second half of the season and hopefully replace some of the scoring lost with the departure of Tyler Bertuzzi to the Chicago Blackhawks.
| POLL | ||
21 SEPTEMBRE | 1197 ANSWERS Leafs Captain Auston Matthews has Identified Two Unexpected Training Camp Standouts How many goals will Bobby McMann score this season? | ||
| 10-15 | 232 | 19.4 % |
| 16-20 | 578 | 48.3 % |
| 21-25 | 324 | 27.1 % |
| More than 25 | 63 | 5.3 % |
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