The Maple Leafs hit the ice for their first official practice of the 2026-2027 season on September 17, and right off the bat, things are wild! Morgan Rielly isn’t even participating, reportedly ill, which is a massive curveball this early. Nick Blankenburg is right there with the team group, and Ben Danford also made the team roster. Meanwhile, Tinus Luc Koblar is on the other roster, confirming that immediate split between the main squad and the minor leaguers.
Forwards are a Juggling Act
The initial lines from practice, as reported by Mark Masters, are already giving us a lot to chew on. Up front, you’ve got Knies-Matthews-Roslovic, then McKenna-Tavares-Nylander. This McKenna on Tavares’ line idea? That’s a huge look, and how he’s gonna break into that top six, for sure. They’ve already got the option to swap him with Nick Paul or Easton Cowan if needed, which tells you they’re thinking ahead. Then there’s Cowan-Paul-Sissons and Joshua-Blueger-Duhaime. What’s super intriguing is Steven Lorentz reportedly being in ahead of Dakota Joshua. We heard about Joshua’s alleged chemistry with Teddy Blueger, but maybe it’s the skating speed that’s the factor here. Duhaime is fast, Blueger is only average, and Joshua’s speed has been a problem. Honestly, with these 13 forwards, it feels like Joshua is kinda the odd man out, his role potentially usurped. Could he even get replaced by someone from the Marlies? It’s a tough spot to be in!
The Defense Pairs Are Just Nuts
Okay, the defense? This is where things get truly unexpected. First, with Morgan Rielly reportedly ill, these pairings don’t look like they’re just holding a spot for him. I wouldn’t think he’d play with Darren Raddysh, and if he ends up on a third pair when he’s back, Emil Andrae might move, giving Ben Danford a real shot while Rielly is out. McCabe-Tanev is a solid pair, doing the defense-first work without much fuss. But that second pair, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Raddysh? That’s what’s “very, very interesting.” These guys don’t play like they look! Raddysh looks like a tough, defense-first guy, but he’s not. He’s not even an offensive cycle-joining player like Rielly. And Ekman-Larsson? His defense is way better than his reputation suggests, and while he moves the puck, he’s not your typical modern Swedish puck-mover. What he is, though, is a “dirty and nasty guy with a temper.” Our dirty and nasty guy, mind you!
What a start! Both games this Saturday are at 7 pm, one on TSN, one on SN. We don’t know which team will be on which network yet, but you better believe we’ll be glued to the screen to see how these wild lines play out. This early season action is already delivering.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pension Plan Puppets.
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