Everyone needs a wake-up call, and Bobby McMann received his when he unexpectedly found himself as a healthy scratch during the Maple Leafs’ season opener, watching from the press box.
The message from new head coach Craig Berube was unmistakable: don’t get too comfortable.
This might have surprised McMann, especially considering he had just come off a season that established him as an NHL player. After turning a fringe role into a productive season with 15 goals in 56 games—often playing alongside John Tavares—he was rewarded with a two-year contract extension worth an average of $1.35 million annually. The Leafs could have certainly used his scoring ability in their first-round playoff exit against the Boston Bruins, but he was sidelined with a lower-body injury in the final week of the regular season.
Since returning to the lineup, McMann has scored three goals in three games, sending a clear message to his coach: he thrives in Berube’s straightforward, north-south style of play.
Auston Matthews also made an impact, scoring his first goal as Leafs captain in the team’s 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. After going without a point in the opening three games, Matthews fired a powerful wrist shot from the high slot that beat former Leafs goaltender David Rittich.
“He ripped that one,” McMann commented on Matthews’ goal. “I think it went in and out before anybody even saw it.”
McMann’s two goals in Wednesday’s game were hard-earned, both coming from the prime scoring area in front of the Kings’ net. One was a shot taken during sustained offensive pressure that overwhelmed the Kings’ defense, while the other resulted from a swift sprint to the net, where he converted a beautiful pass from William Nylander. Rittich had little chance to stop either shot.
“He just looks hungry out there,” Matthews praised McMann. “He’s making plays and capitalizing on his opportunities.”
With 13 forwards vying for just 12 spots, Bobby McMann was left as a healthy scratch for the season opener. In the following game, enforcer Ryan Reaves took a seat in the stands, and in the third game, John Tavares was sidelined due to illness. However, in Wednesday night’s victory at Scotiabank Arena, it was veteran winger Max Pacioretty who found himself watching from above. After Tuesday’s practice, Pacioretty admitted he hadn’t met his own expectations during Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Following a summer focused on recovery from two Achilles tendon surgeries that could have jeopardized his career, Pacioretty is now dedicated to honing his skills.
“Holding onto pucks has always been my strongest skill, but I’ve struggled with it since returning,” Pacioretty stated.
He is working closely with Toronto’s extensive staff of skills and skating coaches. Acknowledging that his days as a franchise centerpiece are over, Pacioretty expressed his enthusiasm for adapting to different roles to help the team succeed.
“It’s going to be about finding different ways to contribute to winning, and I’m excited about that,” he said.
In the midst of this intense competition, defenseman Timothy Liljegren made his season debut after sitting out the first three games as a healthy scratch. Conor Timmins, who secured a spot over Liljegren during training camp, took a seat to accommodate him. Despite signing a two-year contract worth an average of $3 million in the offseason, Liljegren didn’t make a strong case for his necessity in the lineup, as he played limited minutes.
Wednesday also marked a milestone for the Leafs: their first power-play goals of the season, scoring two after previously going 0-for-9 in their opening three games. William Nylander and Tavares converted as the team went 2-for-4 during five-on-four opportunities. In line with Berube’s philosophy of merit-based play, Oliver Ekman-Larsson replaced Morgan Rielly as the point man on the top power-play unit. Ekman-Larsson tallied two assists and was involved in both power-play goals.
When asked if there was a message for Pacioretty after sitting out on Wednesday, Berube simply stated, “There’s no message. We have extra players. Not everyone can play every night, that’s just the reality. He’s done well when he’s been in, but I have to make coaching decisions based on what I believe is best for the team.”