Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nicolas Roy is eager to contribute to his new team in anticipation of the upcoming season.
The piece that came back in the Mitch Marner sign-and-trade with the Vegas Golden Knights on June 30th is far from the type of player that is headed to Vegas, but Roy can certainly bring some value to the Leafs. He is a guy willing to play wherever he is needed to help his team win, whether that be on the power-play or shutting down the opposition.
Roy spoke with reporters at the Leafs & Legends Charity Golf Classic on Monday, saying that the pace of practices has impressed him in the early going.
“ I’ve been here for a few weeks getting with the guys. We have a really good group and the pace is actually really, really fast before I came out there,” Roy said. “The guys are ready. Been working out a lot too, nice little scrimmage there, and a good skate. So, excited to start things pretty soon.”
Roy knows what type of team and environment it takes to win the Stanley Cup, as he was part of multiple deep runs and the Golden Knights’ 2023 Cup victory. While it may seem like only practice to some, the important habits have to start early on and be built on as the season progresses.
“Morgan Rielly’s been buzzing in those skates. I wasn’t there before. I’ve seen him, played against him, but he’s been in really good shape,” he said.
Adjusting to a new team always takes some time, though it is certainly a lot easier to manage when it happens in the offseason. The summer months give the player ample time to get settled into his new environment, acclimated with his new teammates, and to study the system he will be entering for the first time.
Of course, entering the Toronto market presents its own unique challenges that not everyone can handle. Roy admitted that it will be different than what he is accustomed to, but is eager to take on the task.
“ It’ll be different for sure. Big market, Canada,” he said. “I mean, it’s always nice to have a little pressure, that’s what you play for. So it’ll be different, but I’ll enjoy it for sure.”
As far as the initial conversations with head coach Craig Berube, Roy felt good about what he is entering as he feels it’s similar to what he was used to with the Golden Knights.
“ [He is] really excited for me to join the team. A little bit of the same I had in Vegas, I guess,” he said. “ Playing in different roles, can power play and PK, but I guess we’ll see where it’s at. But yeah, I had a really good conversation with him.”
There will no doubt be lots of anxious members of Leafs Nation unsure of how things will unfold in the wake of Marner’s departure in the offseason. While what remains is still a pretty solid hockey team, there will certainly be some adjustments to life without one of the core members of the group.
Roy’s message to the fanbase was simple: enjoy the ride because there’s plenty to feel good about the team.
“Be excited about the season,” he said. “I’m new here, but just looking at the guys skating and all of the guys I’ve been working out with, there’s a lot to be excited about.”