Training camp for the Toronto Maple Leafs is a bigger deal this season than in years past, primarily due to the homecoming of Ontario natives T.J. Brodie, Wayne Simmonds and "Jumbo" Joe Thornton.
Thornton and Simmonds have each previously commented on their level of excitement after signing in Toronto, but on Monday, both newcomers took some questions from the media on day two of training camp, describing what it's like to be Maple Leafs and what their camp experiences have been like thus far - including what they think of some of their new linemates and teammates.
Thornton had been shacked up with several Leafs, including Auston Matthews and William Nylander since returning from Switzerland, where he kept his game sharp during the offseason, so the adjustment for him was fairly easy, according to Jumbo himself. The same can be said about how he viewed the first day of camp, transitioning over from San Jose to Toronto, according to comments he made on Monday.
"It's been pretty easy. You know, I was quarantining with some of the guys for 14 days, so I got to know guys right off the hop. I feel comfortable.
"It's been real easy," said Thornton. "Super group of guys, lots of laughter in the room. It's a real good feeling around here, a lot of positive vibes."
Thornton's new teammate Zach Hyman also shared some of what excites him about having Jumbo around.
"He's definitely a larger-than-life figure. You know when he's in a room, and he brings a great presence," Hyman remarked. "He demands a lot from his teammates. He's in great shape and he's a great player."
In terms of Thornton's thoughts on what it is to be a Leaf, and the chance to start the season alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, here's what Jumbo had to say:
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Thornton feels no pressure having made the jump from San Jose to Toronto. It seems to be more exciting for the 41-year-old than anything else.
"I got no stress man, honestly. I feel good, I feel comfortable. I tend to play with no stress."
The same can be said for Simmonds, from nearby Scarborough, Ontario. Simmonds has admittedly skated by the glass a few times, just to see his reflection, proud of the Maple Leafs crest on his sweater and honoured to wear the blue and white.
"This is probably the greatest organization in the NHL, and I'm honoured to be a part of it now," Simmonds told the media on Monday.
Simmonds didn't have the same experience as Thornton, being able to quarantine with a bunch of the guys on the team prior to the start of camp, but he is familiar with Mitch Marner, having played together at worlds a few years back. Simmonds recalls trading some dance moves with Marner during a team outing. Classic.
As far as who he has been impressed by at camp, Simmonds identifies utility forward Alex Kerfoot as someone who has really stood out.
"He has a calming presence about him," Simmonds said of Kerfoot. "The way he commands the middle of the ice and he plays a 200-foot game and he's got really good skills. He's really impressed me here."
Kerfoot was one of the Leafs' better forwards during the postseason in 2019-20, helping to generate chances and showcasing his engine and his relentless puck pressure against the Blue Jackets, finishing the series with 3 points in the 5-game series.
On the back end, the excitement for Leafs top defenseman Morgan Rielly must be at an all-time high, coming into this season with a legitimate top defense partner for seemingly the first time in his NHL career with the arrival of free agent signing T.J. Brodie in Toronto.
Brodie has made a very strong statement on day two of training camp, when it comes to his new D partner Morgan Rielly. The Chatham, Ontario native views Rielly as very similar to a recent Norris Trophy winner, whom he knows quite well.
"He's comparable to Gio," referring to Calgary Flames captain Mark Giordano. "He [Rielly] can do it all."
Pretty high praise from 30-year-old Brodie, who had spent his previous 10 seasons in Calgary before signing a 4-year, $20M deal with the Leafs in October.
By all appearances, the energy at Leafs camp seems really good. Hopefully that translates into a successful 2020-21 campaign. With the puck set to drop in less than two weeks, we don't have long to wait to see a much deeper Leafs team in action in the brand new Canadian [North] Division.
