“The Leafs have a history of getting more attention and hype…Morgan-like investigations (hearings) were not required.”

After Monday's practice, Sheldon Keefe discussed the upcoming individual hearing for Morgan Rielly, lineup adjustments during Rielly's suspension and the status of his injured players.

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Training ways – February 12

# Leaves lines during rehearsals 12/24 February

Kneiss-Matthew-Marner
Bertuzzi-Tavares-Nylander
Gregor-Domi-Robertson
Holmberg-Kampf-Reeves
Additional: McMann

Brody-Lillegren
Benoit-McCabe
Lagesson-Giordano
Rielly-Lajoie
Absent: Timmins (ill)@BodogCA

— David Alter (@dalter) February 12, 2024

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What was your reaction to Morgan Rielly's one-on-one audition with DoPS?

Kif: It's surprising that we've spent so much time looking at almost every check in recent years. Those I thought were similar in nature to Morgan's were nowhere near demanding it.

Also, I think it's the Leafs that have a history of things happening in Toronto and getting more attention and making more noise. This leads to something like this. To that end, I'm not surprised.

This is beyond our control. We will prepare for the game tomorrow.

Given Rielly's history over the years, what do you hope DoPS takes into account?

Kif: I think it goes without saying what kind of player Morgan is. A couple of weeks ago we talked about her winning Lady Bing and competing for it.

He's a role model guy – not just on our team, but in the league in terms of how he carries himself and how he plays. He plays a good, tough, honest game, but for the way he behaves, he is highly respected and admired by his teammates and opponents.

Because of this, you know how he would react to such a situation. It's not about being a nuisance in any way, it's about doing our part to show that we didn't like what happened. That's right.

What is your role as a coach in preparing for an audition?

Kif: I have nothing to do with it. We have experienced quite a few of these in the past. It seems like we have to prepare for him more than anyone else in the league, but my involvement is zero. My role is to prepare for St. Louis.

Do you think the league will try to make an example of Rielly?

Kif: This is not an answer to me. The answer is for them.

Do you think the opinion of the players here gets worse because of more media or the team itself?

Kif: It is not for me to answer. That's a question for others.

How do you understand how Rielly feels about the situation?

Kif: He holds it well. I think he's disappointed that he has to go to auditions and stuff, but he understands that it's kind of a thing.

Morgan made it clear that he had no preconceived notions about how he looked or played. He's going there, he's not just letting it go. I would expect that from any of our players. If we do something similar, I expect our opponent to do the same. That's kind of the way to go.

Morgan is fine with it. He goes, states his case, and sees how it goes.

Why did you decide to pair Timothy Liljegren with TJ Brodie?

Kif: We need to look at different options. It's an opportunity for us to play Brody on his left side.

I think when you lose a player like Morgan — with the minutes and the role he plays — everybody's going to have to move around, play different spots and play different people depending on the situation and manage the minutes.

Anytime there's an injury or whatever, you expect your team to step up and individuals to take advantage.

How important is defensive reinforcement, including forward commitment, to the team's performance?

Kif: This is what I mean about team play. Everybody needs to play a little bit better, a little bit tighter and a little bit more consistent – all the things we've been talking about.

We have managed these situations in the past when players have left the squad over the last few years. Morgan was injured last year. We thought it wasn't good, but then we played our best hockey as a team and played our best game. Already this year, we unexpectedly lost one game to Auston. Going into the game was a little rough, but it was one of our most important games of the season.

You never know how things will go, but our team has gotten stronger in the past. We will need the same.

What do you want to see from Liljegren when he steps up?

Kif: Lily has played here before. He played in those situations. He played well for us. Just accept it and know that you will need it. Get the job done and play like he can play.

Lily is similar to many other areas of our game. He played good hockey for us. Sometimes there are mistakes, but he played well for us. I hope he does the same.

Any time you suddenly need so much, you think you have so little. You just go out and play. Sometimes it can be beneficial for the player as well.

Joe Wall is back training for the first time in a long time. What is his condition?

Kif: Today was an important step for him to get more reps and have his own network. So Jones worked a little bit before practice and a little bit when we went outside of practice.

Today Joe was tested again and he seems to have passed this test well. I haven't spoken to him today – mostly the medical staff – but they will chart his way forward. Today was a good move.

Any update on Conor Timmins?

Kif: No update. He has an appointment today that will help guide him in his direction. He still doesn't feel well. It will obviously be unavailable tomorrow. We'll give you more once he's appointed today.

How about Mark Giordano or David Kampf?

Kif: We'll have to see how they wake up tomorrow and how they feel, but for Gio, it was more important that he got his skates on and felt good. He did it—in fact, it felt better than taking his skates off. This is encouraging.

Kampf seems fine. It's just a matter of making sure it doesn't get worse or worse tomorrow.