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Scenes from Leafs’ morning skate: Woll projected starter vs. Stars, McCabe practices in black jersey and more

Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Jan 14, 2025, 11:36 ESTUpdated: Jan 14, 2025, 11:39 EST
Ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Dallas Stars, the Toronto Maple Leafs held an optional morning skate, with several regulars taking the morning off.
Steven Lorentz — who has been promoted to the first line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner — Max Pacioretty, Connor Dewar, David Kampf, Nick Robertson and Matthew Knies were among the forwards in attendance, while Simon Benoit, Philippe Myers, Marshall Rifai and Conor Timmins joined the skate as well.
Dennis Hildeby was in attendance, while Joseph Woll is expected to start against the Stars. Woll took accountability for the 6-3 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes, and while his teammates appreciated the accountability, they didn’t pin Thursday’s defeat on their goalie.
“I like anybody who takes ownership of themselves and the team and things like that. That’s important,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said of Woll.
Jake McCabe was on the ice in a black uniform and participated in zone exit drills, but it’s unclear whether he’ll participate in Tuesday’s game, after suffering an upper-body injury against the Philadelphia Flyers on January 5.
Hakanpaa skates in grey uniform
Jani Hakanpaa skated in a grey uniform before the morning skate began, and participated regularly in zone exit drills among the rest of the Maple Leafs’ defencemen. Hakanpaa has played in two games and is fighting through a recurring knee injury. It’s unclear at this juncture whether Hakanpaa will participate for Finland in next month’s 4 Nations Face-Off, but it appears he’s progressing in the right direction.
No update on Calle Jarnkrok’s return
Calle Jarnkrok hasn’t played a game after undergoing sports hernia surgery and Berube couldn’t place a timeline for his eventual return. Jarnkrok suffered the injury during training camp, and Berube said the team would have a better update in two weeks.
Lorentz joins Maple Leafs’ top line with Matthews, Marner
Steven Lorentz joined Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner on Toronto’s top line during Monday’s practice, and will get some key minutes among the Maple Leafs’ resident superstars. Lorentz spoke about the opportunity after Tuesday’s morning skate.
“I’ve played with top players before growing up. I just need to not overcomplicate things, and the closer it’s getting to game time, the better I feel,” Lorentz said pre-game.
Lorentz spoke about being moved up in the lineup during his stint with the Carolina Hurricanes, getting occasional looks alongside Sebastian Aho.
“It’s not everyday you get to play with two of the best players in the world, it’s exciting.”
Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Stars
Steven Lorentz-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
Matthew Knies-John Tavares-William Nylander
Bobby McMann-Max Domi-Nick Robertson
Connor Dewar-David Kampf-Ryan Reaves
Morgan Rielly-Philippe Myers
Oliver Ekman-Larsson-Chris Tanev
Simon Benoit-Conor Timmins
Joseph Woll (projected starter)
Dennis Hildeby
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