Ahead of Thursday’s matchup with the Rangers, Jim Hiller touched on a little bit of everything: Jake McCabe’s scary-looking eye injury that turned out to be less serious than it could have been, Marshall Rifai’s uncertain status, and the steady rise of Easton Cowan. But Hiller also spent time on two of the Leafs’ biggest names, Auston Matthews and William Nylander, and what has made both players look so polished early this season.
On McCabe, Hiller made clear the defenseman avoided a far worse outcome after a stick caught him underneath the eye.
“He really got himself a break, right? It was an accident, of course, but anytime the stick gets up underneath the eye, you never know what it’s going to look like.
He was fortunate. He’s doing well.”
McCabe had mentioned that some younger players around the league seem to be getting a little more careless with their sticks, but Hiller said he hadn’t personally noticed that trend.
“I haven’t noticed it personally, but the guys on the ice usually understand it better than us. If he says that, then it could be right. But I haven’t noticed it personally.”
What Hiller did not hesitate to praise was McCabe’s everyday professionalism. In his view, the veteran defenseman is exactly the kind of player coaches love to have around.
“There are so many things. He’s a pro’s pro.
He’s been in the league for a long time, and it’s just all about winning for him. It’s whatever he can do.
He obviously doesn’t have to be on the power play. He can block shots, do whatever he has to do to help the team win.”
“Sometimes, it takes a while for players to get to that stage in their career. He’s been there for a while, but you always really appreciate it when you come across a guy like that.”
Marshall Rifai’s situation remained up in the air after he left the morning skate.
“Not sure. He’s dealing with something, so we’re going to have to wait and see on that.”
Hiller also pointed back to camp when discussing Matthews, saying the early-season goals are really the result of a steady process that started from day one.
“I’ll bring it back to the first day of camp. He’s just been so consistent.
He’s skated from the first day of camp. That’s what I’ve noticed.”
“He’s going to score. We know that.
He’s a world-class goal scorer. I don’t think he’s doing anything different since the first day he showed up.
It’s just all been really good. When you do those things, it’s just a matter of time when you have that type of talent.”
Hiller said Matthews’ growth goes well beyond the obvious physical gifts.
“It feels so good. I’m just so happy for him.
You hope a player matures at that rate. You can see what he can become beyond his physical gifts.
You see the rest of it: the leadership, the maturity, the caring, the thoughtfulness.”
“They’re not our kids, but when you see them grow into that, you’re just really happy for them. You just really feel good. He’s getting everything he’s deserved.”
Nylander, meanwhile, is showing a different kind of growth - one built on understanding the game in a fuller way.
“One thing with Willy: He was always a great offensive player. I spent a lot of time with him, among other coaches, just talking about play without the puck and how the game works offensively and defensively.”
“What I see now: Willy understands the game very well. He understands both sides of the puck.
He’s got a really good grasp of how the game works, how he fits into the game when he’s playing well. That part of it is not really a discussion with him anymore.
That’s really positive, too.”
Hiller’s thoughts on Cowan were just as revealing. The conversation Hiller had with the young player before the season stuck with him because Cowan came in with his own standards already set.
“The interesting part of that conversation is, before I told him what my expectations were for him, he told me what his expectations were for himself. I thought that was really important because he had a better picture than I did.
He knew what he could do more so than I did, and he’s done that. That’s an important distinction.”
Hiller said the challenge for any young player is repeating that level night after night, and so far Cowan has handled it well.
“The hardest thing for the young player is to be able to do that Monday night and Tuesday night and Thursday night and Saturday night. So far this year, there have been a couple of little dips, but let’s be honest: He’s been very, very consistent, and we know what the game looks like. That’s the biggest part of it, to be able to do it night after night.”
As for the Rangers, Hiller said he has not studied them closely, but he likes what he sees from their roster construction and recent play.
“I don’t know. I haven’t watched them a ton.
I’ve been pretty focused here. We’ve had a pretty busy start to our season, but they’re a good team.”
“I really like the additions. I think they made their blue line better this summer.
I know a couple of those players, coached them before, so that’s a big part of it. You firm up your blue line a little bit.
The goalie’s playing well despite the star being out.”
“When you’re playing well, you’re feeling good, and you’re winning games, you’re a tough opponent. That’s what they are tonight.”
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