Jim Hiller liked a lot of what he saw after the Maple Leafs closed the preseason with a 6-1 win over the Senators, but the coach kept circling back to the same theme: the tone was set early, and the young players kept building on it.
Hiller said Auston drove that foundation from the opening shifts, pointing to the way he tracked back, lifted sticks and helped spark the first goal.
“I’ve talked to you a little bit about trying to build a foundation first. To me, Auston set the tone.
I think on his first two shifts, he tracked back and lifted sticks. He tracked back on the goal.
[Oliver Ekman-Larsson] is able to stand up because Auston is working out of the offensive zone, back through the neutral zone, and we transition and end up scoring the first goal.”
He added that the effort carried into the third period as well, when Auston again came back through the neutral zone and lifted a stick. In Hiller’s view, that kind of detail work was the best part of the night.
The biggest individual spotlight belonged to Gavin McKenna, who followed up a quieter first exhibition with a much stronger showing in his second preseason game. Hiller said the young forward looked calmer and more relaxed, and that the response after game one was encouraging.
“I think we all saw that, didn’t we? He was pretty calm and relaxed.
We talked about that after the last game. There were some things where he felt like, “I didn’t quite do this.”
It’s going to be a process for him to understand and adapt. It was pretty encouraging to come back from game one and show us what he did tonight.”
Hiller has liked what he’s seen from McKenna through two exhibition games, but he was careful not to get ahead of himself.
“He’s doing really well. He’s played two exhibition games and was tremendous tonight.
He’s doing really well. But it’s a long, hard season, so I’m going to reserve judgment on that.
I didn’t watch him much last year. That was other people’s job, not mine.
We’re just really happy with what he’s done here to start camp.”
What stood out most to the coach was McKenna’s skating and straightaway speed.
“If you asked me - nobody did, I guess, but I’ll tell you my opinion anyway - what is the one part of his game that has caught me off guard, I’d say his skating and his speed. I don’t know if he was talked about that way, but his skating and straightaway speed have been really good. Of course, we know he has great agility, but that’s the thing that has jumped out at me so far.”
Hiller also pointed to McKenna’s growing comfort with space and time on the ice. After running into quick pressure against Montreal, McKenna found more room to operate in the second preseason game, and Hiller said that adjustment seemed to happen naturally. He also noted the help McKenna is getting from veterans around him, including John Tavares, who lives with him, along with Willy and Auston.
The coach said McKenna’s work without the puck was part of the progress too. He was on the forecheck more often, and Hiller said he looked more comfortable handling that side of the game.
Easton Cowan also drew praise for his versatility, including a look on the penalty kill.
“I think he’s just going to be that guy. That’s what we all hope he turns into: a guy who plays on the power play, plays on the penalty kill, can play in your top six, can play on your checking line, and push good teams back. We’ve talked about that.”
Hiller said Cowan isn’t necessarily set to open the season on the penalty kill, but the staff wanted to give him a meaningful run.
Matthew Knies drew a more measured review. Hiller said he thought Knies was better in this game, but not especially dangerous, and that there is still more to come.
“He wasn’t that dangerous. I think he only ended up with one shot on goal and took one to the net.
I think he’s been okay. I wouldn’t say strongly one way or the other.
I think there’s more there, for sure.”
In goal, Hiller said the team got exactly what it expected from Sergei Bobrovsky, who made key stops throughout the night, including a glove save late.
“He really did. I think Pinto got the one-timer earlier in the game, in the second period on their power play.
He made a great save through a screen on that one. And then, what can you say about the last one?
As much fun as it is to see great goals, hits, fights, and all that other stuff, every time you see one of those, it’s a special moment, isn’t it?”
Hiller also singled out Zack MacEwen for his work on the forecheck, his skating for a big man and his physical edge. He said MacEwen did the things the team needs from him, including finishing checks and being ready if things get rough.
As for Nick Paul, Hiller said more would be known on Friday, but he did not think the issue was serious. He said he spoke with Paul after the game.
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