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Maple Leafs practice notes: Woll to make season debut, Minten attends in grey jersey, Pacioretty day-to-day
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Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Arun Srinivasan
Oct 24, 2024, 12:03 EDTUpdated: Oct 24, 2024, 15:03 EDT
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube will be facing off against his former team when puck drops against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. Berube met with reporters following Thursday’s morning skate and had plenty of positive memories to reflect upon.
Toronto’s head coach brought the house down with a joke about his wife potentially selling his Stanley Cup ring, but he’s intently focused on getting the two points and moving past Tuesday’s loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
During Thursday’s morning skate, there was a heavy emphasis on the power play, as Toronto’s top unit of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, Mitch Marner and Oliver Ekman-Larsson worked primarily against Woll, while the second unit of Max Domi, Matthew Knies, Nick Robertson, Bobby McMann and Morgan Rielly took reps on the other end of the ice.
Despite Toronto slipping to 4-3-0 with Tuesday’s loss, it still boasts a collection of offensive talent that is nearly unrivalled.
“We can’t come in here thinking we’rre going to out-skill the Toronto Maple Leafs,” Blues head coach Drew Bannister said.
Here’s what you need to know from Monday’s morning skate:

Woll to make season debut

Joseph Woll was activated from injured reserve and will make his season debut against the Blues, Berube confirmed. Woll was placed on injured reserve on October 9, shortly before the Maple Leafs took on the Montreal Canadiens in the season opener. Berube said that the Leafs were always targeting Thursday’s game as Woll’s potential return, as he’s been eligible to play since October 16.
Dennis Hildeby has been loaned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Hildeby made two starts — a victory over the New Jersey Devils, where he looked every bit the part of an NHL goalie in his debut, followed by Tuesday’s loss to the Blue Jackets.
Woll took reps in the starter’s net and will be facing off against his hometown team.

Minten in grey jersey

Fraser Minten attended morning skate in a grey jersey, participating in routine puck drills, before the team split up into two power play and penalty groups, respectively. Minten suffered a high-ankle sprain in September during the Prospect Showdown and was previously seen working with the Maple Leafs’ development staff Thursday as he works his way back into full form.
Toronto’s second-ranked prospect appeared to be improving rapidly, but his timeline for return remains unclear.

Pacioretty listed as day-to-day

Max Pacioretty is listed as day-to-day, while Calle Jarnkrok has yet to make his return to action from an injury that placed him on long-term injured reserve. Pacioretty suffered a lower-body injury Tuesday against Columbus and was ruled out during the third period.
The 35-year-old was not skating Thursday and his progress will be monitored ahead of Saturday’s game against the Boston Bruins.

Maple Leafs’ projected lineup

Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
Bobby McMann-Max Domi-William Nylander
Pontus Holmberg-John Tavares-Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz-David Kampf-Ryan Reaves
Morgan Rielly-Chris Tanev
Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Jake McCabe
Simon Benoit-Conor Timmins 
Joseph Woll (confirmed starter)
Anthony Stolarz 

Blues’ projected lineup

Brandon Saad-Brayden Schenn-Jake Neighbours
Alexandre Texier-Pavel Buchnevich-Jordan Kyrou
Zack Bolduc-Dylan Holloway-Mathieu Joseph
Alexey Toropchenko-Radek Faksa-Kasperi Kapanen
Ryan Suter-Colton Parayko
Philip Broberg-Justin Faulk
Pierre-Olivier Joseph-Scott Perunovich
Jordan Binnington (confirmed starter) 
Joel Hofer

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