The Toronto Maple Leafs have relocated to Bracebridge, Ontario for a little team bonding as well as rest and relaxation before the 82-game marathon begins. That doesn’t mean that practices aren’t still happening and Wednesday brought the arrival of two players that haven’t previously been in the main group, Jani Hakanpaa and Connor Dewar. Both players are with the team and both players have ditched their red non-contact jerseys as well.

The lack of red non-contact jerseys often signifies another hurdle has been crossed on the way to returning to the lineup, but it is also possible that during the time Bracebridge that the Leafs are foregoing battle drills and other situations that would require bright red stop sign on the ice. Nevertheless, having Dewar and Hakanpaa on the ice with the players that they will be playing with this year is something that hasn’t happened.

Brad Treliving has stated that Jani Hakanpaa will start the year on the LTIR and until the Leafs update that projection it is best to assume that is still the plan. If Hakanpaa does remain on the LTIR that means he won’t be available for the Leafs until their game on November 2nd against the Blues, meaning he’ll miss the first 11 games of the season.

Dewar’s timeline is less clear and Brad Treliving previously stated he wouldn’t be available at the start of training camp due to offseason shoulder surgery. Now deeper into it is possible that he’ll get a chance to push for an opening night spot.

The Leafs will soon be departing from Bracebridge for Detroit as they have a preseason game on Thursday night against the Red Wings. Their final preseason game will come Saturday night at home, also against Detroit. It is a safe bet that Jani Hakanpaa will not be playing in either of those games, but it will be interesting to see if Connor Dewar is ready for his first (and likely final) look of the preseason.