You can never start early enough to get a Maple Leafs prospect thinking like a National Hockey Leaguer. Article content

For coach John Gruden, monitoring the first of a two-day Toronto’s rookie camp on Thursday ahead of weekend games against top recruits from the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens, there’s nothing like a live-fire exercise. Article content Article content

Some takeaways for Gruden as the Leafs head to the Bell Centre in Montreal.

COWAN CORNER

Gruden could eventually see 2023’s top pick Easton Cowan as a full-time member of the AHL Marlies, but wants him taking full advantage of these two much-hyped matches as a springboard to main Leafs camp next week.

Mitch Marner’s departure will create a domino effect somewhere within right-wing depth.

“He was there last y

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