Maple Leafs notebook: Nick Robertson 'in a fight' to make the cut

TORONTO – The two distinct training groups crossed streams for the first time on Day 4 of Toronto Maple Leafs training camp.

The club mixed its NHL and AHL/taxi groups and held an intrasquad scrimmage after a brief practice (and, yes, Auston Matthews scored).

From outside the Ford Performance Centre, here’s what we learned from the team’s decidedly lighthearted Zoom sessions.

@AM34 blast pic.twitter.com/fctP0NiTZh

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 6, 2021

Hot-Take Holl

Now comfortably ensconced in the Maple Leafs’ top four, Justin Holl is no longer afraid to speak on the important matters during this, our golden age of streaming entertainment.

“True Detective Season 1 is the best show of all time,” Holl said, unequivocally. “Best show of all time.”

The D-man said his stance on the matter would “trigger” former teammate Trevor Moore, who believes a one-off miniseries should be excluded from television’s GOAT debate.

Hey! What about The Sopranos?

“Kind of a parent show, you know,” Holl replied. “An old-person show.”

Ouch.

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Believe it or not, this sidebar discussion does relate to hockey. Holl has himself a new stallmate at camp, Finland’s Mikko Lehtonen, and has been blown away at how well the Canadian newcomer speaks English. “I know I’d be in trouble if I were to go to a foreign country and have to speak their language,” Holl said.

The two D-men have been exchanging tips on which American shows to binge because, well, what else are you going to do at night? (Pro tip: Skip Season 2, but True Detective Season 3 is also excellent.)

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson took a backseat Tuesday, however, in favour of the world juniors gold medal game.

Proud Minnesotan Holl watched the championship with Canadian roommate Mitch Marner.

“This Zegras guy’s unreal,” Holl beamed. “The message he sent before the game was crazy, but he backed it up. So, it was fun to watch and, you know, go USA!”

yessir congrats fellas! #usahockey

— Auston Matthews (@AM34) January 6, 2021

Robertson misses out on gold, prefers blue and white

One notable teenage American phenom who did not win a gold medal Tuesday night?

Nick Robertson.

In conjunction with Kyle Dubas, his agent and USA Hockey, Robertson elected to pour his entire focus into Maple Leafs camp instead of repping his country and flying east to catch up like Tim Stutzle, Dylan Cozens, et al.

“He’s been here in Toronto right since things finished in the [playoff] bubble, and this guy has been absolutely all-in and committed to make himself a better player,” Keefe said.

Fun fact: Robertson scored the Leafs’ most recent goal at 5-on-5.

Not-so-fun fact: Robertson finds himself on Toronto’s non-NHL “B” squad at training camp and appears to be on track to open the season as a taxi-squad option. (That said, Toronto used 22 different forwards in 2019-20, so it’s a safe bet he’ll get his shot.)

“He knows he’s in a fight here to make our team,” Keefe said. “With how much he’s put into it all, I’m not so sure he would’ve forgiven us if we put him in a situation where he had to miss an opportunity to compete in camp. But I know that he’s a proud American and loved his experience with the world juniors there [in 2020].

“He’s as focused an individual I’ve seen in the community of hockey, and he really wants to be part of this camp.”

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Meeting Barabanov

Captain John Tavares describes newcomer Alexander “Bears” Barabanov as “very hungry and excited for the opportunity to play in the NHL… really competitive on the puck and never seems to quit on it.”

The KHL import is set to make his North American debut on the left side of a fourth line loaded with wisdom in the form of Jason Spezza and Wayne Simmonds.

Barabanov, 26, and his wife made Toronto their home months ago. He’s started to soak up the English language and took in the sights — Casa Loma, Art Gallery of Ontario, Niagara Falls — prior to the provincial lockdown.

Easing his transition to the club are skills development consultant Nik Antropov, who served as Barabanov’s interpreter Wednesday, and Ilya Mikheyev.

“We played together with the [Russian] national team,” said Mikheyev, resistant to using an interpreter. “He’s a very good guy. He’s very good at protecting the puck in the corner, and he’s a strong guy too.”

Soup vs. Soupy

If there is a more positive personality on the Leafs roster than backup goalie Jack “Soupy” Campbell, he must still be hiding in quarantine.

How’s this for answer?

Asked if he was the slightest bit envious that teammate Ilya “Souperman” Mikheyev is the one landing liquid-lunch endorsements and cashing those Campbell Soup Company cheques, Campbell broke out one of his easy, wide smiles.

“I’m more jealous of the people who get to work with him on the commercials, because he’s such a good time,” Campbell said. “He’s got a charismatic demeanour. I’m happy he got the commercial. Maybe we can do it together sometime.”

Mikheyev found shooting the commercial quite a challenge, but it was nice the soup giant hired his actual mother in a supporting role.

“It’s much easier to play hockey,” Mikheyev admitted.

“It’s terrific,” Keefe said of the advertisement. “He’s got a lot of personality, and I think he’s used that to gain the attention of our fans.

“Part of the beauty of being a Maple Leaf is you get that type of recognition.”

Jumbo Mo pic.twitter.com/mPfddY3CI7

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 6, 2021

One-Timers
With Alexander Kerfoot day-to-day with an undisclosed injury he suffered during Tuesday’s practice, Pierre Engvall received the next-man-up promotion to take reps with the main NHL group Wednesday…. Defenceman Joseph Duszak was added to the training camp roster. The undrafted 23-year-old right shot impressed with 53 points in 57 games split between the Growlers and Marlies last season…. Denis Malgin cleared waivers…. For those scoring at home, Team Blue destroyed Team White 6-0 in the club’s first of two scrimmages. “Our process was good, but a couple structural breakdowns. We’ll clean that up,” vowed Team White spokesman Justin Holl, with a wink…. A hint at the power rankings Keefe will use in shootouts? Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Jimmy Vesey and Jason Spezza were the six shooters selected to practise the extra-point dill. Remember: That skills competition will be more important this season with every single game coming against a division rival.