Toronto Maple Leafs forward Connor Dewar suited up in the first game of his conditioning stint this past weekend with the Toronto Marlies.
Dewar spoke with reporters after a Toronto Marlies practice on Monday about how he felt to be back in game action when he played against the Cleveland Monsters on Saturday. He spoke on having to be patient while recovering from his injury and the relief he felt to have shoulder withstand a game.
“It was good,” he said on how it felt to take the contact in a game for the first time since his injury via TSN’s Mark Masters. “I think before the game, you’re kind of worried about that and nervous for that moment especially. But once it came and I felt fine, I just put it behind me and ready to play hockey.”
He has yet to make his season debut due to an offseason shoulder surgery that had a recovery timeline that stretched into the beginning of the year. Dewar was unable to participate in training camp but has since been a regular participant in practices in recent weeks while sitting on LTIR since the regular season kicked off.
Along with Jani Hakanpaa, Dewar was assigned to the Marlies on an LTIR conditioning stint on Friday, which signalled that he was inching closer to being cleared to play. With a one-year extension at a $1.18 million cap hit secured over the summer, he feels more comfortable in Toronto since being acquired from the Minnesota Wild at the trade deadline.
“He just wants it to be hard and direct,” Dewar said when asked about what stands out about Craig Berube’s system. “I feel a lot better around here. I know everyone and I feel at home here now.”
Dewar was one of the bright spots in Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Monsters with a goal and an assist on the night. His goal was especially impressive as he got a breakaway out of the penalty box and made a nice move to beat Jet Greaves up high. He
With him continuing to work his shoulder back to full strength as well as a roster crunch that will result in an impending transaction, the Leafs are surely going to give Dewar as much time as he needs. Worth noting is that a conditioning stint can last up to three and four games, with NHL teams having the option to request an extension if needed.
Dewar has no idea when he will be called up to the main squad but will continue to work with the Marlies and stay ready for whenever they need him.
“He plays a 200 foot game. You can put him in all situations,” Marlies coach John Gruden said regarding an assessment of Dewar’s performance. “For him, when you’ve been off the ice that long it just takes time to get your timing back. Sometimes at this level, it can be a little bit scramblier. But at the end of the day, I thought he fit in extremely well for us, and I thought he did a good job of playing with structure and trying to get his timing back.”
