1 week Ago By [email protected] (Kevin McGran)
If there is a beneficiary of ’ continued absence from the , it is forward . With the Leafs suggesting Matthews could miss more than just Saturday night’s game against the Edmonton Oilers, Steeves plans to make the most of his opportunity. “I’m lucky to be a part of this organization,” the 24-year-old Marlies veteran said.
“I’ve obviously had my fair share of frustrations over the past three years, knocking on that door, wondering what do I have to do to get that extended run up here. “For me, it’s just trying to continue to up my game, and then be ready when my name’s called upon. Luckily, this year it’s happened earlier than it has in years past, and that’s an exciting feeling.
” It is more than Matthews’ lingering upper-body injury that caused the Leafs to call up Steeves earlier in the week on an emergency basis. is out week to week after appearing to injure his hamstring. Max Domi hasn’t missed a game but routinely misses practices for “maintenance” days, as he did Friday.
After a rather hectic schedule, the Leafs play only three games over the next nine days and the way coach Craig Berube was talking, it would surprise no one if Matthews missed most, if not all, of that schedule. The Leafs captain has not skated since Monday. “No setbacks,” Berube said.
“Just doing what we can. We’ve got two games over a long stretch of time, so we’re just letting him recover. We want to get him 100 per cent right.
We want to get it behind us so he can move forward.” Steeves isn’t in Matthews’ stratosphere in terms of talent and ability, but he’s no slouch. He is a versatile, heavy-hitting hitting forward who can score.
He was leading the Marlies with nine goals in 10 games when he was recalled. He played 14:09 in his first game of the season Wednesday in Washington, with three shots. He had never played more than 10:14 in seven NHL games dating back to the 2021-22 season.
But he made a good impression on Berube. “I thought he had a real good camp with his energy, his work ethic and puck battles,” the coach said. “He came in and did a fine job for us last game, too.
I thought he was fine in the game and we were happy with him. It could be a result of Berube’s style of play, it could be because of Matthews’ absence, but the league leaders in five-on-five goals last year It could be a result of Berube’s style of play, it could be because of Matthews’ absence, but the league leaders in five-on-five goals last year “He’s just got to keep staying focused. And when he gets an opportunity to get in there, do his best with it.
” Steeves was an undrafted centre at Notre Dame when he signed with the Leafs for the 2021-22 season. He has been around for four years, called up briefly each season. The Leafs have been largely patient with their prospects; Bobby McMann was 27 when he finally became an NHL regular last year.
“There’s a couple ways to look at that,” Steeves said. “No. 1, they want to win.
To me that means playing the best players regardless of who you are. No. 2, I look around this locker room and I’m in my fourth year but I’m still pretty young on this team.
It’s nice to remind myself I’m still a young person. With how young the American League is now, I’m starting to feel a little old down there.” Only Nick Robertson (22) and (21) are younger than Steeves with the Leafs.
“It’s nice to feel like they haven’t given up on me,” Steeves said. “I’ve definitely never given up on myself. I have a ton of self-belief, and I really do believe I’m going to have a long career in the NHL and I’d love it to be here.
” After a great start to the year, Knies joins a handful of talented NHL young guns ready to demand a hefty pay raise coming out of his rookie deal. After a great start to the year, Knies joins a handful of talented NHL young guns ready to demand a hefty pay raise coming out of his rookie deal. There is no guarantee Steeves will remain in the NHL all season, but the Leafs will be happy if he makes a strong case to stay.
But if he does go back to the Marlies, there’s a record waiting for him, even if it’s one he does not want. He has 166 points in 198 games with the Marlies, leaving his two points shy of Kris Newbury’s franchise record for points. “Hopefully I never play an American League game again but, if I do, of course I’m going to try to break that record the next time I’m in.
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