Maple Leafs Klokebook: Does Kyle Clifford’s suspension open the door for Jason Spezza’s return?

Welcome to the latest Maple Leafs Klokebook, which features news and notes from Tuesday’s Leafs practice after a 5-0 win to the playoffs against the Lightning.

Kyle Clifford has been suspended for one game for his hit on Lightning forward Ross Colton that the NHL’s Department of Player Safety called a “forceful hit to a defenseless player who is no longer in possession of the puck.”

“There’s a lot of times these suspensions or hearings and stuff come with penalties or things that might have been missed in the game,” said Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe on Tuesday before the suspension was announced. “But in this case, obviously he got a five-minute major, he gets ejected for pretty much the entire game, or 50-some minutes of it. So there’s something to be said about that. I believe that should come into account.”

With Clifford out of the lineup, Keefe has a decision to make. Could the door open for Jason Spezza to return? The veteran centre was one of the Leafs’ more consistent offensive producers during the 2021 playoffs against the Canadiens. His five points in seven games was tied for third among all Leafs. Whatever veteran presence Clifford offers, Spezza brings it in spades.

After Game 1, Keefe praised Clifford’s defensive play, insisting that the fourth line is better when Clifford is on it. But if the series tightens up and offence is needed, should Spezza draw back in?

What might a fourth line with Spezza look like? Perhaps Spezza’s role will be determined by whether Michael Bunting is available to play in Game 2 (more on that in a bit) but Keefe will have to be mindful of how, as of late, Spezza and Wayne Simmonds looked off the pace of play at times. Colin Blackwell could help balance things out by bringing some of his trademark energy, but if Bunting returns, could that lead to Alex Kerfoot falling to the fourth line after an excellent Game 1?

Either way, Spezza’s recent history in the playoffs could warrant his place in the Game 2 lineup. 

Beyond that, once Clifford’s suspension is over, Keefe will have to decide: Does he need the sandpaper Clifford brings? And is that worth taking some playmaking off the fourth line?

More physicality to come?

The penalties were plentiful in Game 1: 113 minutes in total, the majority of which came in a scrappy third period.

Morgan Rielly was given 15 minutes in penalties after getting in a fight with Lightning defenceman Jan Rutta. Rielly said his bloodied hand feels fine after the fight.

“That’s not something I’m overly familiar with,” said Rielly of his two fights in the third period. “It’s a bit of a scrum. I didn’t think there was anything offside. It’s just a matter of playoff intensity.”

On Tuesday, there was no getting away from the notion that not only could that physicality continue, but that the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions will likely put in a more clinical effort than they did in a lacklustre Game 1.

“We’re playing against a very good team that’s going to respond very well tomorrow. And the reality is that as well as we played yesterday, as good as we feel about our game, we’re going to have to play better,” Keefe said.

With Clifford out of the lineup for at least Game 2, one player who could become even more engaged with his 6-foot-5 frame is forward Pierre Engvall.

Keefe has long wanted Engvall to use his size to his advantage, something the 25-year-old forward has struggled with at times.

But those struggles might be behind him for now.

“I thought last night he was as good as I’ve ever seen him in the NHL in that regard,” said Keefe of Engvall’s physical engagement and his defensive attentiveness on the penalty kill.

Engvall ended up logging 19:13 TOI, second-most among all forwards and his highest total of the season. It’s these kinds of performances that are encouraging not only for Keefe but for the Leafs’ chances throughout the rest of the series.

“We’ve been talking a great deal about it and there’s an expectation there that he can make a difference that way for us,” Keefe said. “I’ve seen him do (play physical) in the AHL. But he was great on the penalty kill, he was great in terms of how he was physically engaged. That’s exactly what we need him to do.”

Bunting back?

Michael Bunting is still taking his undisclosed injury “day by day.”

Speaking to the media on Tuesday for the first time since he left an April 23 loss against the Panthers mid-game, Bunting neglected to provide specifics on the injury.

Whether he plays in Game 2 will be determined by how he feels on Wednesday morning.

“As long as it continues to go well, in terms of not having any sort of flare-up or any negative reaction, then we believe he’ll be ready to play,” Keefe said. “(If there is) just a setback in that sense, then we’ll give him a little more time.”

Though skating alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner as he did during Tuesday’s practice could be seen as a step in the right direction. Bunting smiled repeatedly on Tuesday when discussing Game 1.

“It got me going,” he said. “I was standing up, I was cheering.”

If the third period of Game 1 was any indication, the chippy play could continue in the remainder of the series.

That’s Bunting’s wheelhouse.

“A player like (Bunting) is made for playoffs,” Keefe said. “He thrives on it. He plays a lot of regular-season games like they’re playoff games. And that’s part of what makes him successful, is he’s playing with a higher level of intensity all the time.”

Kase easing his way back

Even though Ondrej Kase didn’t exactly look like the “Kamikaze fighter” that he’s been described as by Simmonds in his Game 1 performance, he was effective nonetheless, chipping in with two assists and spending time both on the power play and as part of the lauded penalty kill.

Kase was thoughtful and patient while addressing the media on Tuesday, taking his time to carefully consider his answers to questions. Kase last played on March 19 but suffered a concussion. He’s a player with a history of concussions so the Leafs’ insistence on taking their time with him made sense, but he was deemed ready to play for Game 1.

Asked whether he’s looking for ways to avoid contact this series and presumably stay healthy, Kase took on some of the onus of responsibility.

“It can be both bad luck and sometimes I’m in a bad position,” Kase said.

The Leafs will need the depth scoring Kase provides to have a chance against Tampa Bay. And in a series that could become even more physical, it will be intriguing to see how Kase deals with increased contact, should it come.

No rush for Mrazek

Tuesday was also the first day back at practice for Petr Mrazek since suffering a groin injury. He last played in a March 29 win over the Bruins and was expected to miss at least six weeks with the injury. Keefe said the coaching staff will continue to work with Mrazek to get him back to full health.

It doesn’t sound like Mrazek will be rushed back in any way, however.

“We’ve been really happy and content with what (Erik Kallgren) has provided us, so we’re not thinking much outside of that at this point.”

Clune saying goodbye?

After missing the AHL playoffs, the Marlies held their exit interviews on Tuesday. Two players whose future with the Leafs organization is still up in the air spoke to the media.

First was forward and captain for the last two seasons, Rich Clune. The 35-year-old spent 19 games with the Leafs in 2015-16 but has since spent every season with the Marlies, becoming a beloved member of the Marlies organization. He was on a one-year AHL contract this season and seems ready to at least entertain the notion that his hockey career might be coming to a close.

“There’s a lot of things I want to do in my life. There’s a lot of interests that I have other than hockey. I haven’t come in here today with any sort of plan set in stone or any concrete idea of what I’d like to do. I’ve been at this a long time,” Clune said.

Clune has shown an increased interest in acting, and I have no doubt he could carve out a role for himself in that profession. But count me as one person who believes Clune could work in player development and, eventually, in a coaching role. When you consider how much Clune has had to overcome and how strong and thoughtful a communicator he is, he still seems like exactly the kind of person who could be effective in a position working with younger players.

“I don’t know how much I let on, but I’m clearly a student of the game and probably watch more than I let on. So there’s always possibilities of working in hockey,” Clune said. “So let’s see what happens. Or I come back and lead the league in fights again, who knows?”

Ho-Sang wants to return

After his one-year AHL contract came to an end, would Marlies forward Josh Ho-Sang be interested in returning on another AHL contract next season?

“If Toronto wants me back, I’d be happy to come back,” he said. “I get to play hockey for a living. As long as I’m making enough money to do that I’m not as focused on making it to the NHL. For me, my hunger, my passion comes from just getting better. And so, hopefully, one day, someone just says, ‘You’re ready, go play.’ I would love that. And I feel like I can do well and thrive in that situation.”

Ho-Sang ran hot and cold this season, coming out of the gates and contributing on the score sheet before becoming less and less effective as the season wore on. But he points to his performances in Leafs preseason games as evidence of his capabilities at the highest level, even if that consistency still evades him.

“Technically, yes, I proved at the beginning of the year that I could still play in the NHL,” Ho-Sang said. “I think it’s a matter of consistency and really just trying to find my everyday game.”

(Photo: Claus Andersen / Getty Images)