{"id":915778,"date":"2026-09-30T21:24:08","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T21:24:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/915778\/"},"modified":"2026-09-30T21:24:08","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T21:24:08","slug":"mark-masters-were-all-human-toronto-maple-leafs-will-be-patient-as-darren-raddysh-works-through-extra-pressure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/915778\/","title":{"rendered":"Mark Masters: \u2018We\u2019re all human\u2019: Toronto Maple Leafs will be patient as Darren Raddysh works through \u2018extra pressure\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York Islanders<\/a> skated at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday. The Maple Leafs held a team meeting. <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

New Leafs defenceman Darren Raddysh<\/a> was on the ice for all three Canadiens goals and committed a game-high five giveaways during Tuesday\u2019s 3-2 season-opening loss. The 30-year-old from Toronto is still adjusting to a new team, new partner and the new higher expectations that come with signing an eight-year, $68-million deal with his hometown team. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all human, so you have a little extra pressure, because of all the things you mentioned, no matter what,\u201d acknowledged head coach Jim Hiller. \u201cSo you can say, \u2018Just relax and go out there and play,\u2019 but I think he\u2019ll have to work his way through that. I think getting the first one out of the way probably will help him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Raddysh and the Leafs get a second chance at a first win on Wednesday night when the New York Islanders<\/a> visit Scotiabank Arena. It will be only the third game that Raddysh has played with partner Morgan Rielly<\/a>, who missed the first pre-season game during this year\u2019s shortened training camp. <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019ll take time,\u201d Hiller said of the top-pair chemistry. \u201cThere\u2019s no question. And we\u2019ve talked about this, lots of new guys, we\u2019re trying to get this thing together as quick as we can, but we all know it\u2019s going to take a little bit of time. We just want to shrink that time. So I just can\u2019t put a date on that, but everybody will get better together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all a process,\u201d Rielly said. \u201cIt\u2019s challenging to come into a new place and a new team, a new system, new coach, and play well the first night … I think it kind of comes down to execution and, as we go along here, I think we\u2019ll get more comfortable and that will improve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Raddysh is coming off a breakthrough 22-goal, 70-point season with the Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a>. Rielly, meanwhile, is trying to get on track after a couple down years in Toronto. <\/p>\n

Raddysh and Rielly are both at their best when on the attack. So, what\u2019s it like striking a balance? <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not hard,\u201d Rielly stressed. \u201cI think it\u2019s just based on opportunity, just based on where the puck is. I think we\u2019re both able to kind of recognize the right spots to go. I don\u2019t think we both want to go at the same time, but it\u2019s not hard. It\u2019s just based off game flow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Raddysh, who possesses a booming point shot, has supplanted Rielly as the quarterback on Toronto\u2019s top power play unit. The Leafs failed to convert on three chances during Tuesday\u2019s opener. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe just didn\u2019t move it quick enough,\u201d said Hiller. \u201cIf there was one area of the game, you know, that we probably had the opportunity to at least get tied or get ahead, it would have been the power play. We need to be more dangerous than we were.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rielly feels ‘great’ about chemistry with Raddysh despite one preseason game together Despite playing just one preseason game together, Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly says his chemistry is “great” with Darren Raddysh and the pair is constantly communicating about ways they can improve. <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

The Leafs actually outshot the Canadiens 28-24 in Tuesday\u2019s game. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think defensively we played a pretty strong game,\u201d Hiller noted. \u201cI think the majority of their chances came off some break-out turnovers from us, so that\u2019s not a defensive breakdown. That\u2019s more of an offensive breakdown with the puck on your stick. So that\u2019s something we have to clean up because we gave a couple freebies that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peter DeBoer, who is starting his first full season as Islanders coach, empathized with Hiller as he watched the Leafs debut. <\/p>\n

\u201cListen, we\u2019re similar,\u201d DeBoer said. \u201cWhat can\u2019t be overstated either is new coaching staff, new systems, you know, with a shortened training camp, we\u2019re dealing with it on our end too. We were talking about it this morning, it\u2019s really hard to implement everything you want to put in. I think the teams with new coaching staffs are paying the bill a little bit early here for that, but we\u2019re all in the same boat and we gotta make it work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Training camps were shortened to just 13 days this fall with veteran players limited to two pre-season games. <\/p>\n

DeBoer did get a head start by coaching the Islanders in the final four games of the regular season last year. That gave the players a sense of his philosophy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel much further ahead than, you know, as an example, Jimmy would over there,\u201d DeBoer noted.<\/p>\n

Lots of wrinkles for Leafs to iron out after dropping opener After a roster overhaul, the Maple Leafs looked like a team that was lacking some chemistry. Mark Masters is joined by Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun to breakdown Game 1 for Toronto and Montreal. <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Wednesday\u2019s game will feature the first overall picks in the last two NHL drafts with Gavin McKenna<\/a> facing off with Matthew Schaefer<\/a>. <\/p>\n

McKenna did not hit the scoresheet on Tuesday and was on the ice for two of Montreal\u2019s goals. <\/p>\n

\u201cNot my best,\u201d the 18-year-old left winger said. \u201cBut, yeah, glad we\u2019re playing again [Wednesday].\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I mean, it wasn\u2019t my best either,\u201d said linemate John Tavares<\/a>. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t the cleanest of hockey games. There wasn\u2019t a whole lot of plays being made. It was choppy at times. It seemed like on both sides the puck wasn\u2019t super friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n

McKenna has proven to be a quick study during his rise up the ranks. Hiller pointed out the Whitehorse native made a big jump from the team\u2019s first pre-season game to the second. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s up another level again,\u201d Hiller noted. \u201cYou just keep, you know, taking the test and he\u2019ll be back. So I thought he was all right, but he\u2019ll probably want to be better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leafs back McKenna after he felt he underperformed in his NHL debut After Gavin McKenna said “not my best” when asked to assess his NHL debut Tuesday night, the Leafs back the rookie, feeling that he flashed plenty of skill in his first game in the NHL. <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Easton Cowan<\/a> moved up to McKenna\u2019s spot on the second line for a couple shifts on Tuesday and assisted on the second goal by William Nylander<\/a>. He was also included in the 6-on-5 group late in the third period. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s had a really good camp,\u201d Hiller said. \u201cI wasn\u2019t here, but what everybody tells me from last year to this year, he\u2019s had a great summer. I\u2019ve just been really impressed with him in my time here … You do well and you should get rewarded, and so we thought he had a pretty good game, and we wanted to reward him for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cowan finished his rookie NHL season with 29 points in 66 games before helping the Toronto Marlies win the Calder Cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, obviously I feel a bit better,\u201d Cowan said prior to Tuesday\u2019s game. \u201cYou know, bigger, stronger, and I feel more confident for sure. So just excited to get out there and play some hockey.\u201d<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Schaefer watched McKenna\u2019s debut and offered some advice for how his former World Junior teammate can navigate things moving forward. <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be too hard on yourself,\u201d the defenceman stressed. \u201cI know obviously we have a lot of expectations for ourselves … Just enjoy it as you go. You\u2019re playing in the best league in the world. You\u2019re going to learn so many things. Don\u2019t take it for granted. Just keep working hard and keep being yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

From No. 1 pick to No. 1 pick, Schaefer offers advice for McKenna for his first NHL season Ahead of tonight’s tilt between the Islanders and Maple Leafs, 2025 first overall pick Matthew Schaefer offers his advice to 2026 first overall pick Gavin McKenna for his rookie season in the NHL. <\/p>\n

Schaefer is mature beyond his 19 years and will be serving as an alternate captain for the Islanders this year. <\/p>\n

\u201cSome people are leaders because of what they\u2019ve accomplished, this kid is just a natural leader,\u201d said Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche. \u201cEven last night, I was here in the press box for the Leafs-Habs game and everybody is talking to me about Matthew Schaefer<\/a> and I tell them, \u2018The great thing is he\u2019s actually a better kid than he is a player.\u2019 His work ethic, his enthusiasm that he brings, you see when he\u2019s in the lineup there\u2019s a different level of energy, so he\u2019s earned that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a privilege to coach a player like that,\u201d gushed DeBoer. \u201cYou know, he\u2019s even better live and in person than he is on tape and I watched a lot of tape of him last year while we were scouting for the Canadian Olympic team. But to actually stand behind the bench those last four games last year with him out there, he\u2019s a real difference-making player. There\u2019s very few of them in the world and he\u2019s one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

DeBoer was an assistant coach on Canada\u2019s silver-medal winning team in Milan. Schaefer was among the final cuts. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what, he was really close,\u201d DeBoer recalled. \u201cI mean, he was in our discussions right up until the last day and, in hindsight, if we turned back the clock, [Josh] Morrissey got hurt the first game, he probably could have helped us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Schaefer thrilled to kick off season in hometown, eager to build off Calder year Islanders defenceman Matthew Schaefer shares how excited he is to kick off the season in his hometown and how motivated he is to build off his Calder-winning rookie season in the NHL. <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

The Islanders will be leaning on Schaefer to slow down Toronto\u2019s top line, which was dangerous on Tuesday night with Kirill Marchenko<\/a> joining Auston Matthews<\/a> and Jack Roslovic. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a big boy,\u201d Matthews said of Marchenko after the game. \u201cHe can make plays, shoots it. I thought for what he had to kind of endure the last 24 hours as far as getting traded, flying here last night, getting here, new everything, getting a visa, all that stuff, I mean, you know, I thought we had some really good opportunities and some good looks, some good chances.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marchenko landed four shots on net and picked up an assist on the opening goal by Nylander. <\/p>\n

\u201cOnce he gets settled in and the more time you\u2019re going to get together, you know, the chemistry\u2019s going to build more and more,\u201d Matthews said. \u201cBut, I mean, all in all, we started really well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnbelievable for me,\u201d Marchenko said. \u201cI don\u2019t know what I can say. They pass me puck. I have like four, five shots and I have good looks. It\u2019s just so easy to play with these guys. I try my best for these guys.\u201d <\/p>\n

Marchenko, who debuted with his new team without even one practice under his belt, admitted to dealing with nerves and he wasn\u2019t satisfied with his performance. <\/p>\n

\u201cActually, I have good chances, but it\u2019s not what I want to see from myself,\u201d the 26-year-old Russian said. \u201cI can play better. I can play better, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marchenko, who is in the final year of his current contract, signed a six-year extension with the Leafs following Monday\u2019s trade. Why was he looking to move on from Columbus? <\/p>\n

\u201cI just don\u2019t answer this question, sorry,\u201d he said. \u201cI keep that private for me a little bit. It\u2019s still four years with CBJ, it\u2019s unbelievable for me and I grow up like a player. But now I think I can do another step here, honestly, with these guys here in this locker room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marchenko grew as a player in Columbus, but the Jackets never reached the playoffs in his tenure in the Ohio capital. The Leafs, meanwhile, have made the playoffs in nine of 10 seasons with Matthews. \u201cJust good opportunity for me and good opportunity to win the games, win the Cups, win something here and I think everybody want to win here,\u201d Marchenko said. \u201cAnd it\u2019s Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>, it\u2019s one of the biggest teams in the NHL and the world.\u201d <\/p>\n

Leafs share their impressions of Marchenko in his debut: ‘Just the way he plays is exciting’ The Leafs share their impressions of Kirill Marchenko in his first game with the team, and explain why they think he’s going to be an impact player for the club this season. <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Hiller confirmed forward Bo Groulx<\/a> will draw in up front on Wednesday night, but the coach opted not to reveal who will be a scratch. Gritty winger Zack MacEwen<\/a> logged a team low five minutes and 25 seconds on Tuesday. <\/p>\n

Anthony Stolarz<\/a> will get the start in net for Toronto. Ilya Sorokin<\/a> is expected to get the start for the Islanders. <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

The Islanders will be missing centre Mathew Barzal<\/a>, who is dealing with a knee inflammation. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe felt the last week he\u2019s had really, really good progress,\u201d Darche said. \u201cWe hope that maybe by the weekend or early next week, at the latest, he gets back on the ice. We\u2019ll see how things progress this week, but he\u2019s had a really good week last week and he\u2019s with us on the trip, so hopefully he\u2019s back on the ice soon. And Mat Barzal is not a guy that needs three weeks to get ready. Maybe when I played, with my poor skating, I needed more time, but a guy like Mat Barzal, like, you give him a few practices and he\u2019ll be good to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Lines in Islanders skate on Wednesday: <\/p>\n

Holmstrom – Horvat – Palmieri<\/p>\n

Maccelli – Ritchie – Schenn<\/p>\n

Eklund – Pageau – Heineman<\/p>\n

Palat – Cizikas – Duclair<\/p>\n

MacLean<\/p>\n

Pelech – Schaefer<\/p>\n

Romanov – Pulock<\/p>\n

Stanley – DeAngelo<\/p>\n

Mayfield, Kessel<\/p>\n

Sorokin starts <\/p>\n

Varlamov<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The New York Islanders skated at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday. The Maple Leafs held a team meeting. —…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":915779,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[433],"tags":[712,49,48,267002,448,82,74650],"class_list":["post-915778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nhl","tag-apple-news","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-darren-raddysh-sports-hockey-player-player-nhl-api-8478178","tag-nhl","tag-sports","tag-toronto-maple-leafs-sports-hockey-team-team-nhl-api-10"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/915778","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=915778"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/915778\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/915779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=915778"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=915778"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=915778"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}