Colton Sissons is heading into a new chapter with the Maple Leafs, and the veteran forward isn’t hiding how much the move means to him.
“The opportunity to put the Leafs sweater on is probably number one… That is a pretty special experience for any player”
That was the hook for Sissons when he joined OverDrive to talk about why he chose Toronto on a two-year deal, how he sees his role with a team that has a new coach, a new GM and a fresh mix of faces, and what it was like to watch Vegas push all the way to the Stanley Cup Final last season.
For Sissons, the appeal of Toronto starts with the jersey itself. He said he is excited to “come north of the border again” and experience what it is like to be a Leaf, and he made clear that the chance to wear that sweater was hard to turn down. He also said that after speaking with John Chayka and hearing about the plans and additions the organization was making, he felt even better about the fit.
He is not in Toronto yet. Sissons said he is still in Nashville, where he spends most of his offseasons, and expects to drive up next weekend. The living situation is still being sorted out, but he said things are coming together.
Inside the locker room, the transition should be a clean one. Sissons said he is not especially close with anyone on the roster, though he knows Mo Rielly a little bit from skating together out west in summers years ago. Otherwise, he sees it as “a fresh slate” and is looking forward to meeting everybody.
That newness around the team is part of what makes his own role important. Sissons said he plans to come in, be himself, help bring the group together and establish a good vibe.
He also wants to work, lead, and keep things simple so everyone gets on the same page quickly. With camp expected to move fast and new systems to learn, he said the team will need to sort things out together.
The compressed schedule is another adjustment he is ready to handle. Sissons called the shortened camp a plus for an older player, but stressed that the Leafs have to be sharp right away because there is not much runway to clean things up before Game 1. In his view, the preseason games need to be treated seriously so the team can head into the opener feeling good about itself.
Sissons also had plenty to say about the star power waiting for him in Toronto. He called Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares “special, special players,” adding that teams need superstars like that to win.
He said he has not seen a ton of them over the course of his career because he spent so much time in the West, but he is glad to be joining them now. He also noted that Matthews was one of the first people to text him, and joked that both sides were happy not to be battling in the faceoff dot this season.
Before Toronto, Sissons spent 11 years in Nashville and last season in Vegas, where the Golden Knights finished with a strong push to the Stanley Cup Final after an uneven regular season. He said the key was simply getting into the playoffs and then finding their best hockey at the right time. A late coaching change gave the room new energy, and Vegas caught fire when it mattered most.
And yes, he is already part of the Maple Leafs fantasy football league. Sissons said Max Domi handled the draft order with a video for the group chat and a live draw from a bucket to keep things honest.
Sissons landed the second pick and said he is happy with it, adding, “I do not hate Bijan in my lineup.” He also admitted he has been busy getting his life organized for another move and has not done much fantasy research yet.
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