Luke Haymes isn’t pretending the climb to a Maple Leafs roster spot is simple. He’s turning it into a daily routine, one note at a time.
“I’m a big Post-it note guy,” Haymes told reporters after Toronto’s 4-3 overtime loss to Ottawa’s prospects at Centre Slush Puppie. “I just throw something on there and then throw it on my wall somewhere I can see it every day and work towards it.”
Those reminders sit outside his bedroom door, or on it. He sees them every time he leaves.
“As I’m leaving, I just look at them.”
A couple of years back, the message was bigger: NHL draft.
“That didn’t go over too well,” he said. Now the goal is more direct and a lot tougher. “This year’s (goal is) making the NHL.”
The smaller notes are the details he wants to keep hammering: be a goal scorer, get in and around the net, get low on draws, get your head lower than the other centerman, snap as many draws back as you can. That’s the version of himself he wants on display before main camp, even if the roster picture is crowded.
Haymes, 23, signed with Toronto as an NCAA free agent, had a strong first full pro season with the Marlies, helped on a Calder Cup run and got a brief NHL look at the end of a lost year. The depth chart in Toronto hasn’t exactly opened up, but that hasn’t changed the target he set for himself before the weekend.
He wanted his first Prospect Challenge game to reflect the player on those notes.
“I just want to show I play a mature game, 200-foot, can put the puck in the net but also can lock things down defensively and really good in the faceoff dot, which I think I did a good job of tonight, but I can always do better.”
The game itself gave him moments, even if Toronto didn’t get the result. Sawyer Boulton scored first off a Harry Nansi chance.
Ottawa answered on the power play through Kasper Halttunen, then moved ahead 2-1 on a Landen Hookey rush. Toronto didn’t generate much in the second period, and the night seemed to tilt after Timofei Obvintsev stopped a 3-on-0.
Haymes then tied it at 2-2, jamming home a loose puck after Blake Smith’s point shot created traffic in front. It was exactly the sort of net-front finish he’s been preaching to himself.
“I don’t remember much,” Haymes said, “but great shot from Smitty. He got it to the net and then it bounced off my chest or shoulder or something and then I just stuffed it in.”
Ottawa answered again when Borya Valis scored on a breakaway. Toronto tied it once more before Jaxon Cover ended it in overtime.
The game also had the sort of edge that comes with prospects trying to make an impression. Smith and Djibril Touré fought, and Landon Sim tangled with Matthew Andonovski. Haymes said younger players had to step into that environment ready.
“It’s a tough game to step into. It’s super aggressive.
Everyone’s trying to make a mark and show the staff that they belong. I thought our guys did a good job.”
Steve Sullivan used Haymes in just about every role available, including the power play, penalty kill, four-on-three and late-game shifts. “He’s a 200-foot hockey player and it showed tonight,” Sullivan said. “He was part of the power play, part of the penalty kill, right to the end.”
Haymes already has NHL games on his resume. He made his debut last season, played four games and recorded an assist.
Toronto gets one more chance Sunday at 1 p.m. against Winnipeg before the real evaluation begins.
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