Craig Berube on his expectations for the Leafs as they play out the string: "Where is your compete level? Are you playing for the crest on the front of the jersey?"

""It is always nice to have the mentor trip or dad trip, whatever you call it. The players really enjoy it. The mentors - or dads, or whoever it is - always really enjoy it. It is a good trip and a kind of staple in the NHL now.""

""They want to play well in front of their dads, brothers, moms, or whoever it is. There is always a little extra juice.""

""Probably here, with how much food there is around. For them, it's being around and involved in the meetings, and seeing what goes on with the meetings and preparation.""

""With what the NHL is all about, too, it is a great lifestyle, for sure, as far as how you're treated. It is first-class in Toronto, for sure, but other teams are the same.""

Mentor trips enhance player motivation as they perform in front of family members. These trips allow mentors to experience the NHL lifestyle, including the extensive food options and the preparation involved in team meetings. The presence of mentors adds a fun element to the season, fostering a supportive environment. The timing of the trip is based on the schedule rather than a specific strategy to ease the team's grind during the season. Communication with players remains consistent throughout the final stretch of games.

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