The Maple Leafs held a morning skate (game group) and full practice (non-playing group) on Saturday at Ford Performance Centre. <\/p>\n
James Reimer<\/a> couldn\u2019t stop smiling. <\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t had that much fun in a long time,\u201d the 37-year-old goalie said after his first practice with the Leafs since the 2015-16 season. \u201cIt\u2019s been a special experience to be back here. A lot of memories and a lot of good emotions and really enjoying the moment and just enjoying being back. It\u2019s a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n The Leafs picked Reimer in the fourth round of the draft way back in 2006. He played six seasons with the team before being traded to the San Jose Sharks<\/a>. <\/p>\n On Friday, Reimer returned to Toronto signing a professional tryout with the team. <\/p>\n \u201cThis is where I started,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is where the whole thing got going. It\u2019s a special city. I mean, it\u2019s the greatest game on earth and the greatest city to play the game in. I got so many good memories. I\u2019m sure there were some bad memories in there (smile). I don\u2019t remember any of them. I\u2019m sure nobody else does either.\u201d<\/p>\n Reimer became a fan favourite in Toronto after winning the starter\u2019s job seemingly out of nowhere during the 2010-11 season. The eternally optimistic underdog from tiny Morweena, Man., led the Leafs on an unlikely playoff push, which ultimately came up short. <\/p>\n During the lockout-shortened 2013 season, Reimer backstopped the Leafs to their first playoff appearance since 2004. But the first-round series against the Boston Bruins<\/a> ended in nightmare fashion with Toronto blowing a 4-1 lead in the third period of Game 7. <\/p>\n With the rebuilding Leafs in the midst of a last-place season, Reimer, who was in the final year of his contract, was traded to the Sharks ahead of the 2016 trade deadline. <\/p>\n Now, Reimer is getting a second chance with his first team. It\u2019s a story that resonates even among teammates. <\/p>\n \u201cI was a bit of a Reimer fanboy,\u201d said winger Steven Lorentz<\/a>, who grew up a Leafs supporter in Kitchener, Ont. \u201cI\u2019m up to date with all the nicknames and stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n Fans and media often referred to Reimer by \u201cOptimus Reim\u201d or \u201cReim Minister of defence\u201d during his first stint in Toronto. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s kind of crazy how it comes full circle for him like this,\u201d Lorentz said. \u201cIt was just good to see him in the blue and white again.\u201d<\/p>\n The Leafs are in need of additional goaltending depth because Joseph Woll<\/a> is on personal leave to deal with a family matter and there is no timeline for his return. The next goalie up on the depth chart is 24-year-old Dennis Hildeby<\/a>, who has just six NHL games on his resume. <\/p>\n Toronto\u2019s starter Anthony Stolarz<\/a>, meanwhile, has never played more than 34 games in a season. <\/p>\n So, general manager Brad Treliving reached out to Reimer\u2019s agent and invited the veteran goalie to training camp on a PTO.<\/p>\n Reimer split last season between the Anaheim Ducks<\/a> (.864 save percentage in two games) and Buffalo Sabres<\/a> (.901 in 22 games). <\/p>\n \u201cI took some time after the season to kind of feel it out and kind of see, you know, if I wanted to keep playing or not,\u201d the veteran of 525 games and seven NHL teams said. \u201cAnd it became pretty clear early on in the summer that I still love the game and I still love to compete. And so I just ran with that feeling. I was going to prepare myself and if the right opportunity came then I was going to get ready to seize it.\u201d<\/p>\n Reimer spent the offseason training in Kelowna, B.C., which is where his family spends the summer. <\/p>\n ‘Good emotions’: Reimer aims to make most of second chance with Leafs Goaltender James Reimer is back with the Maple Leafs on a PTO, and following his first session with the team on Saturday, the 37-year old spoke about what it means to be back with the team, and making the most of his second chance with Toronto. <\/p>\n Treliving kept close tabs on Reimer during Saturday\u2019s practice even moving to the end of the ice where the goalie was working. <\/p>\n Craig Berube<\/a> gave his newest goalie a positive review. <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a great guy,\u201d the coach said. \u201cHe\u2019s got a great attitude. He\u2019s always in a good mood it seems like. He\u2019s excited to be here and we\u2019re excited to have him. Just going to take a little time to get up to the speed. He\u2019s been working, but it\u2019s not like this.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorentz also played with Reimer with the Sharks and Carolina Hurricanes<\/a>. He describes the 6-foot-2 goalie as a hard worker and top-notch teammate. <\/p>\n \u201cHe was one of the guys that pulled me aside before my first NHL game when I had all the nerves going through me and he just said, \u2018Kid, you wouldn\u2019t be here if you didn\u2019t belong, so just enjoy it, take a breath of fresh air,\u2019 and that really calmed me down,\u201d Lorentz recalled. \u201cI\u2019ll never forget that advice from him.\u201d<\/p>\n ‘Always in a good mood’: Reimer makes immediate impression at Leafs camp James Reimer participated in his first team practice Saturday after signing a PTO with the Maple Leafs, and he impressed fellow teammates and head coach Craig Berube making an immediate impression. <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n During his first tenure in Toronto, Reimer wore No. 34. That number is currently taken by captain Auston Matthews<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cWe had a little bit of a tussle and we kind of figured that probably Monday in practice we\u2019ll have a bout at centre and the winner takes the number,\u201d Reimer said with a laugh. <\/p>\n Reimer will wear 47 with the Leafs, which has been his number since leaving the Sharks at the end of the 2015-16 season. <\/p>\n Matthews skated alongside most of the NHL regulars with the game group on Saturday, but did not take line rushes and did not dress against the Canadiens. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not too worried,\u201d said Berube. \u201cI think he\u2019s been extremely good in camp. Like very good in my opinion with how he looks, his effort, competitiveness and things like that. He\u2019s going to get another game, but I\u2019m not too worried about getting a certain amount of games in.\u201d<\/p>\n Matthews scored in Tuesday\u2019s pre-season game, which was his first exhibition action at training camp. Early in camp, the 28-year-old centre was asked how many pre-season games he feels he needs to get up to speed. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to play at least two,\u201d Matthews said last week. \u201cYou definitely want to play in a few just to kind of get the rust out and get used to just kind of being back in that kind of environment. Obviously, we\u2019re out here and it\u2019s, you know, heavy. It\u2019s hard. It\u2019s physical and competitive, but, you know, nothing really compares to like playing an actual game. So you definitely want to get your feet wet in those.\u201d<\/p>\n Matthews suffered an upper-body injury at training camp last year and never fully recovered while scoring a career-low 33 goals. <\/p>\n With Matthews out, Max Domi<\/a> will move to the middle on a line with Matthew Knies<\/a> and Nick Robertson. Domi, who missed the start of training camp with a lower-body injury, will be dressing in his first pre-season game of the year. <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n After playing in the first three pre-season games, Cowan will get the night off on Saturday. The 2023 first round pick is pleased with how his third NHL training camp is progressing. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been going good, but obviously you can get better, and so just looking to continue to keep going,\u201d Cowan said. <\/p>\n \u201cJust gonna keep playing direct, keep playing simple, you know, keep playing north hockey that\u2019s fast, and chipping pucks, and getting pucks back, and just looking to capitalize on some chances that I\u2019ve had.\u201d <\/p>\n Cowan seems to be well positioned to make the NHL roster despite his age and inexperience. He\u2019s been skating on a line with fourth-line staples Lorentz and Scott Laughton<\/a>. That trio dominated the Canadiens during Thursday\u2019s pre-season game at the Bell Centre. <\/p>\n Lorentz, who scored twice against the Canadiens, is impressed by the grittiness in Cowan\u2019s game. <\/p>\n \u201cHis willingness to go in the corners and battle [stands out and] to see a kid with that much skill not afraid to get his nose dirty, I\u2019m not surprised how well he\u2019s done just because of that mentality and that grittiness that he brings.\u201d <\/p>\n Cowan is quick to note he initially made the London Knights as a bottom-six player before emerging as one of the best players in junior hockey. <\/p>\n Berube is urging Cowan to stay the course. <\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t want him to get too comfortable and try things that will hurt him more than help him,\u201d Berube stressed. \u201cJust stay consistent in what you\u2019re doing. You\u2019re doing a good job there. And I get it. He\u2019s used to scoring and making plays and getting points. That doesn\u2019t always happen right away. It takes time for that to happen. And I\u2019m not too worried about that. I\u2019m more focused on the type of game he\u2019s playing. And he\u2019s doing a good job for us right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Cowan builds momentum at Leafs camp; surprised to be showcased at Hall of Fame With the Leafs about halfway through camp, Easton Cowan discusses what he’s liked about how he’s performed as he guns for a roster spot, and head coach Craig Berube discusses what he’s like from Cowan and his ability to fit into a role. Cowan also discusses being showcased at the Hall of Fame as a part of the London Knights’ 2025 Memorial Cup Championship team. <\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Cowan didn\u2019t realize that his game-worn sweater from the London Knights Memorial Cup final win is on display as part of the \u2018Road to the Top\u2019 showcase at the Hockey Hall of Fame. <\/p>\n \u201cOne of my buddies was in Toronto, and sent me a picture,\u201d Cowan said. \u201cI was like, \u2018Oh, that\u2019s pretty cool. I\u2019ll take it.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n And Cowan decided to check it out himself this week. <\/p>\n \u201cIt was definitely special to see,\u201d he said. \u201cJust brought back a lot of memories I had in London.\u201d<\/p>\n Cowan was named MVP of the Memorial Cup. <\/p>\n We were excited to welcome Easton Cowan for a visit to the Hall this week!\ud83d\ude4c<\/p>\n Our Road to the Top display showcases Easton\u2019s @LondonKnights<\/a> 2025 Memorial Cup Championship game-worn jersey and stick.\ud83c\udfc6\ud83d\udc9a pic.twitter.com\/MhETQLavPE<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) September 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Winger Bobby McMann<\/a> and centre David Kampf<\/a> did not skate on Saturday with Berube citing the need for maintenance as the reason. <\/p>\n