STOCKHOLM — A guarantee: Max Domi‘s Swedish adventure will include a visit with the Mats Sundin.
“He’s been trying to get me down to Sweden for a long time,” says Domi, whose received a few photos of the GLOAT’s life on the other side of the pond. “Looks like paradise.”
The much-respected Toronto Maple Leafs alumnus was in attendance at the star-studded Börje premiere Tuesday and is scheduled to join the Leafs staff dinner on Thursday, after connecting with Domi.
“He’s like family to me, man. I mean, I’ve leaned on him a lot over my whole life for advice, both on and off the ice. A great resource of mine and my entire family, really,” Domi says.
“Really excited to see the kids and him and [his wife]Josephine at some point throughout this this trip and see where they live and kind of how he grew up. He’s probably the greatest Swede of all time.”
Also in that conversation is Salming, whose docuseries premiere was attended by all the current Leafs Swedes — William Nylander, William Lagesson, Calle Järnkrok, Timothy Liljegren (his left ankle wrapped in a boot) — as well as captain John Tavares Johan Tavaressen.
“It was an awesome event. A great movie to get some insight on his journey and his background and obviously the impact he made in Toronto,” Tavares said. “To see the love and admiration for him here in Sweden is pretty phenomenal.”
For the non-Swedes, the trip offers a chance to dig into some elite meatballs and learn about the culture of their teammates.
“We love it. It’s great. You see the guys back in their home country, just the smiles and everything. I’ve found the Swedish guys are a really tight-knit group. We kinda joke around with them about it a bit,” Auston Matthews says. “I’m sure this is a really cool experience for them.”
Curiously, Matthews wore a long-sleeved T-shirt Wednesday emblazoned with a logo of David Kämpf’s face and the words: “David Kämpf Christmas Skate 2023.”
What’s that all about?
“It’s a secret,” Matthews smiled.
When will we find out?
“Twenty twenty-four.”
Swedish schedule bent in Maple Leafs’ favour
Sheldon Keefe was reminded Wednesday by a reporter that when the Columbus Blue Jackets traveled to Finland for the Global Series, the team went for an authentic sauna experience.
What sort of fun cultural activities have the Leafs been diving into in Stockholm?
“We’ve tried to sleep,” deadpanned Keefe, still adjusting to life six times zones east of Toronto.
“I woke up this morning to check the scores, and there were games still going on.”
Forever preparing and always in search of a competitive advantage, Keefe surveyed past NHL coaches who have participated in the Global Series for how best to set up his team for success and for the pitfalls of such ambitious travel, such a drastic season interruption.
Yes, he wants his Leafs to soak up some sights and enjoy their mandated day off Friday in the capitial — “but not lose sight of what we’re here for.”
That would be four points, including two Friday against divisional rival Detroit, currently tied with the Leafs for third place in the Atlantic.
The good news for Toronto, however, is that the Leafs are better positioned for schedule wins at Avicii Arena than any of the other three clubs that made the journey.
Because Detroit faces Ottawa Thursday, the Leafs will catch a tired Red Wings group Friday on the second half of a back-to-back.
Further, they’ll catch the Minnesota Wild sleepy on Sunday at 2 p.m. local, less than 24 hours after the Wild play the Sens at 5 p.m. local Saturday.
Despite the Stockholm advantage, Keefe is concerned how his players will adjust back to the normal NHL rhythm upon their return to North America.
His sources warned him that the negative affects of this European vacation could linger.
“Some of them felt it took them a really long time to recover once they got back,” Keefe said.
Klingberg, Timmins unlikely to play Friday
The plan for John Klingberg to skate Wednesday got scrapped, and the banged-up defenceman instead watched rinkside, missing a third consecutive team practice with an undisclosed injury.
Keefe said there is a chance the lanky Swede could participate in Friday’s morning skate, but Klingberg’s chances of playing against Detroit are “low” and his recovery from Saturday’s win over Vancouver has taken longer than anticipated.
“I don’t think the long flight did him any favours,” Keefe noted.
Conor Timmins (LTIR) was a full participant in practice again, but he too is unlikely to dress Friday.
