#roster-competition

#roster-competition

While other teams around the NHL will have a couple spots to fill and have a mix of veteran skaters and young and hungry prospects fighting for that roster spot and to not suffer the heartbreak of a cut before opening night; the Leafs don't. If anything, they have more than the actual skaters they should have. With the re-signing of Nick Robertson earlier this month, the Maple Leafs have 14 forwards and seven defensemen on the NHL roster.

Matthew Knies is no stranger to Olympic hockey but despite that, he will face some tough competition for a roster spot on Team USA's final team. But, he can bring something more than any one of his peers. All of the 44 players that Team USA decided to bring to their Olympic orientation camp were present and participating earlier this week, with both Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies seen together.

Jamison Battle deserves all the praise he can get. The Raptors took a chance on him as an older, undrafted prospect from the 2024 class, and when Toronto needed an offensive spark, Battle proved he was more than capable of knocking down the three. Battle finished his rookie campaign averaging solid stats: 7.1 points on 42.9% shooting, a stellar 40.5% from three, 88.9% from the free-throw line, and 2.7 rebounds.