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Maple Leafs player poll: A glimpse inside Toronto's dressing room

Updated Jan. 28, 2025, 10 a.m. 1 min read

Ever wondered how the Maple Leafs really feel about their teammates? From longstanding Leafs such as Morgan Rielly and Mitch Marner , to newcomers in NHL veterans Chris Tanev and Max Pacioretty , to fresh-faced up-and-comers Matthew Knies and Fraser Minten , this is one of the more diverse and dynamic collections of talent and people in the modern Leafs era.

Advertisement Like any NHL team, the Leafs spend an inordinate amount of time together.

Just over midway through the season, they act like family.

Spend a few minutes in the Leafs dressing room and youll hear it in the tone of the banter.

Welcome to the 2025 Maple Leafs player poll: a peek behind the curtain and into some of those conversations.

We crafted 12 questions with the goal of shedding light on the personalities behind the players and what the Leafs think of their closest co-workers.

Only one Leaf refused to take part: Simon Benoit .

The defenceman said he doesnt take part in any surveys.

In his own polite and humorous way, he had a reason.

You could choose anyone for these surveys.

And they would work well, Benoit said.

The margin of error is probably about 300 percent.

We gave Benoit a pass as he isnt wrong about the less-than-scientific nature of this exercise, but 22 Leafs who were available and willing answered our questions over the past three months.

Some had multiple responses to individual questions (even when only one was called for).

Some had no response to other questions at all.

The result, we hope, is a fun two-part glimpse inside the 2024-25 Leafs.

In part one, were looking at the most opinionated Leaf, who is latest and earliest for the team bus, which teammates players would prefer to be trapped with inside an elevator, who would make the best GM, and well try to finally settle the biggest debate of all: who has better style Auston Matthews or William Nylander ? !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r

Want to learn a lot about a person? Put them in an uncomfortable situation.

Our hope was that the imaginary scenario would see some inter-team dynamics play out.

And they did.

Advertisement There's a reason Rielly tied for most votes and has become a long-adored teammate.

"Hed throw a few good one-liners in there and keep everyone laughing," Pacioretty said.

Hes from Vancouver, so hed know what to do," Minten said of the longest-serving Leaf.

Marner had questions before he could make his picks: "How long am I stuck in there for? It depends definitely on the length Im in there.

Like, are we just in there with nothing?" Told it was an indefinite stay, he opted for Rielly, Ryan Reaves , and Jake McCabe .

Bobby McMann wanted his buddy Joseph Woll by his side, with an eye toward the hours not dragging on.

(Woll) is a deep conversationalist.

And he talks about the universe and that can eat up a lot of time, McMann said.

Woll chose McMann, Knies, and Connor Timmins, "because theyre my friends." "You think were friends?" Timmins, sitting a couple stalls over, asked in jest.

But the biggest surprise throughout the months it took to compile these poll results? Connor Dewar .

We thought Dewar was someone who kept to himself.

Hes looked uncomfortable in front of the camera and doesnt exactly give off a makes a lasting impact on teammates vibe.

We were dead wrong.

Not only was this one of the only questions in which Dewar earned votes, he tied for the lead with Rielly.

Dewar's teammates love him and would want to be around him in times of trouble.

Dewar is one of the funniest guys on the team," Steven Lorentz said.

"You guys dont know him because he never talks.

He just mean mugs it.

But when he gets smiling because hes so serious you know youre in for a good time.

Hes hilarious.

Timmins voted for Dewar, just purely for comedic purposes.

Hes a pretty quiet guy normally, so you wouldnt expect it.

And then hes got some pretty funny quips and chirps, so hes pretty great, Timmins said.

Advertisement Hes just funny, hes hilarious.

You can just get him fired up real nicely, Reaves said of his vote for Dewar.

And Mitchy and Dew love to go at it.

I think itd just be a funny dynamic.

Am I trying to escape the elevator? Nick Robertson asked.

If were just chilling, Id say Connor Dewar.

I love that guy.

When he first came here, he was very serious.

Hes so calm and he can make something funny out of a bad situation.

Turns out most Leafs would want to try to keep things light instead of stressing about whether anyone is coming to rescue them.

Both Robertson and McMann said theyd want Simon Benoit in the elevator for the jokes, but other Leafs went a little further with the defenceman.

Simon Benoit, because hed be scared and want to try and get out, Pacioretty quipped, before adding Reaves to his trio.

Because (Reaves) would be making fun of (Benoit).

And Morgan Rielly.

But also, Robertson added of the 6-foot-4 Benoit, hes a tall guy, maybe he can help us escape.

Both Tanev and McCabe garnered votes because of their down-to-earth nature and problem-solving abilities.

Inside the elevator, Dewar was thinking about how to maximize the space around him.

(Mitch Marner) would be good, he said, because hes pretty small.

There would be more room in the elevator.

Marner garnered a few votes for different reasons.

If the goal is finally exiting the elevator, McCabe thought Marner would bring balance to his group.

Mitch might be getting nervous, and Tanev would keep everyone nice and calm.

Morgan would be keeping things light, McCabe said.

And Id try to figure out a way to get us out.

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Spend a few seconds in an NHL dressing room and youll see reminders of times that buses are leaving on white boards, clocks with bright red numbers counting down seconds until the puck drops and neatly typed schedules advising players of off-ice activities.

Advertisement Some players are strict with schedule-keeping, which reveals a fair bit about their personalities.

Its a generalization, but the fathers in the group understand the value in being on time.

"Mos always there very early," Marner said of Rielly.

"I hate being late," Rielly said.

Rielly became a father for the first time before the season.

And suffice to say, hes leaned into Dad Life.

Im wearing vests and sh-t around the neighbourhood, its great, Rielly said.

Other fathers agree.

I like to be on time, Oliver Ekman-Larsson said.

I dont like to be rushed.

I like to show up before youre supposed to be there.

I dont like anybody to wait for me.

Willy, easy one, Ekman-Larsson said.

Well, hes not late, but hes just, like, right on time.

Nylander admitted as much.

Im latest.

Earliest? I have no clue because Im not there, he said, before his trademark laugh echoed throughout the room.

Marner knew his answer before we could even finish asking the question: "Wills late," he said of Nylander.

"Wills the scary one that youve got to be worried about a little bit." "Id say Will, but hes never actually late," Woll said.

"Hes always just, like, (there) as the bus is leaving." That there was no clear winner for who is always on time suggests theres some modesty in the group.

But there are certainly some trend setters when it comes to adhering to schedules.

And hardcore Leafs fans shouldnt be surprised that some of the more mature members of the team hit the mark.

David Kampf runs marathons in his spare time.

Trying to be ahead of the pack makes sense.

I dont think Im the first on the bus, so I dont know who is there first actually, Kampf said, laughing.

Timmins dressed up as a coach for Halloween.

That he keeps a schedule and is aware of distraction makes sense.

Advertisement Conor Timmins is always early, McMann said.

When I wake up in the morning, hes already texting us about traffic.

Robertson is known for his high effort levels on the ice.

And the same holds true off the ice.

You would think other young players trying to make a strong impression on veterans would routinely be early.

But thats not the case, as evidenced by one of the leaders for latest Leaf.

Robertson is earliest and (Matthew Knies) is latest, Pacioretty said.

So thats an example of a good young guy and a not-so-great young guy.

Knies was within earshot of Pacioretty when he made his vote.

Oh, come on, he said, shaking his head.

And yet Pacioretty wasnt alone in his vote.

If anyone is looking ahead for Knies next Christmas gift, a well-functioning watch might be the play.

Kniesys always late for the bus, Tavares said.

I think hes just got a long post-game routine.

And Kniesys always talking to someone after the game.

Hes always got someone at the game.

Im usually one of the latest, Knies admitted.

I procrastinate a lot, and then end up coming in at the last minute.

Plus, my family comes everywhere, so I always have to see them after games.

Yet Knies voted for his former housemate, Tavares.

So too did multiple other Leafs.

This caught us off guard.

You would think the former captain would be the one setting the example, no? John is always late for the bus, Reaves said.

Hes always pushing it because hes got his routines.

Tavares defended his position as only a veteran could.

Guys are out to lunch, he said.

Id say Im always right on time.

I think thats what that means.

Probably John, Timmins said, before adding, Im sure you get that a lot.

Advertisement Hes a very smart player, said Ekman-Larsson, and would be a very smart GM.

Tavares cast his vote for Tanev, who also got the nod from Dewar.

Many others believed that Pacioretty, another former captain and long-time NHLer would be well-suited to the role one day.

Pacioretty and Tavares both drew six votes apiece.

Marner picked both.

"Just because I think they would like it the most," he said.

Hes played a long time in this league so he knows a lot of the people around," Kampf said of Pacioretty.

Marner echoed those thoughts on Pacioretty, a first-round pick in 2007 who has played more than 900 games for five NHL teams.

"Hes obviously played for a couple different teams, built a lot of relationships through that, has obviously had some tough injuries that hes had to, I think, get in some relationships with people and try to seek advice and the best way to recover from stuff," Marner said.

Robertson joked that he wanted to be a GM one day because of all the stuff Ive been through and Hildeby even threw him a vote as well.

However, Robertson cast his vote for McCabe.

Hes been around the game, Robertson said.

Maybe the most surprising player (at least to us) who may be headed for a job in management when his playing career is over: Pontus Holmberg .

The 25-year-old was Nylanders pick for future GM and when asked which of his teammates he saw in the role one day, Holmberg didnt hesitate.

Myself, he said.

Pontus wants to be a GM, Ekman-Larsson said of his fellow Swede.

I couldnt vote for him, though.

His hometown team and my hometown team play in the same division.

We go at each other a bit about which team is better.

Hes a smart guy though, he wants to do it and he could do it.

The two are close pals and seatmates in the dressing room.

Its not unusual to catch them deep in conversation while untying their skates after practice.

Reaves and Domi were at the forefront of a heated dressing room debate last season about whether Formula 1 drivers qualify as professional athletes.

Both insisted they do not.

"You are the only two that don't think so!" bellowed Marner across the room.

Advertisement Domi nabbed votes from Tavares, Tanev and McMann.

(Domi) has got an opinion on everything, McMann said.

"No.

11 I think has gotta be the one," Marner said of Domi.

"I like a good debate.

It's healthy for the locker room to get a good conversation going," Domi, who voted for himself, said.

"Sometimes I'll pick the other side of the argument just to get that conversation going." Nylander leaned in Reaves direction.

So did Pacioretty, Dewar, Woll, Robertson and Kampf.

Its everything, Nylander said of Reaves opinions.

Reaves, 38, is the teams oldest and most intimidating player.

He is also unafraid to share his opinions on just about anything, from his playing time to the state of his beloved Las Vegas Raiders.

He has a lot of opinions, Kampf said.

Reaves agreed.

Probably me, he said, casting a vote for himself.

Its a tie between Ryan Reaves and Mitch Marner, Robertson said.

Rielly and McCabe cast identical votes: Domi and Pacioretty.

Theyre the same, Rielly said.

Its everything.

Its evident theres still a big-brother, little-brother vibe between Knies and his former landlord, Tavares.

No matter what I say, Knies said, Johnny has something else to say to back up his side of things.

I refuse to answer that, Pacioretty said.

I cant vote on that one, Robertson added.

No comment, Minten said.

Ekman-Larsson acknowledged that he might get in trouble for that one, just as Domi strolled past.

He picked Domi instead.

"Im not afraid to go out there and do some crazy stuff," Marner said, calling it a draw, "but I think they take the cake on the crazier stuff for sure." John Tavares , whos done some modelling for Lululemon, declared it a draw.

Its not my kind of style, the 34-year-old said of both Nylander and Matthews.

I chirp them mostly.

I dont think its fair to me to put in the vote, so Ill just go with the tie.

Advertisement Thirty-four, said Rielly, casting his vote for Matthews, who was featured in GQ at the outset of his second NHL season.

He told the outlet that he caught the style bug during the year he spent playing in Switzerland.

Matthews found fashion sense in the NHL to be a little more reserved and traditional.

Hes been more willing to be daring in his choices.

For myself, personally, it was my first year playing professional hockey, so I was making money and I was seeing a lot of stuff that I wanted to buy, Matthews said of his fashion awakening in Switzerland.

So I had the opportunity to experiment a little.

That was when I first got into it, and then I got into it more and more, especially when I got into the NHL.

Playing on Matthews left wing at the time he spoke to us, Knies said he had to pick his fellow Arizonan.

Ive got to make him happy, Knies said.

Id probably give Auston the edge, just because its a little more, Id say, stuff Id wear, Timmins said.

Willys way out there sometimes.

Willys got the baggy pants.

I cant do that.

Theres a lot of stuff I wouldnt come close to touching, the 32-year-old McCabe said.

Ill go 88.

Tanev, Dewar, Woll and McMann agreed that Nylander, who boldly wore a white tank-top when he appeared on a Swedish talk show last winter and who favours bold colours and cuts and can actually pull off sneakers with a suit, had the edge on Matthews.

And indeed, Nylander narrowly captured the win over Matthews.

Sometimes you cant define (his style), McMann said of Nylander.

Thats a factor.

Though he wouldnt pick a winner, Pacioretty admitted that he and Reaves have both expressed interest in going shopping with Nylander and Matthews.

The two stars share an affinity for streetwear and high-end designers.

Never shy to express his opinions, Reaves leaned in Matthews direction.

Though, he noted, he often finds himself looking at the price tags on Matthews clothing and realizing that I cant afford it.

Advertisement But I like a lot of his stuff, Reaves said.

Some of it, absolutely not, but I do like a lot of his stuff.

They both have great style, Lorentz said.

Its very unique style, neither of which I could pull off.

Philippe Myers went further, describing the style of both players as sick and very swaggy, on the ice and off the ice.

Can I vote for both? he wondered.

Pontus Holmberg picked Matthews, who has a taste for bucket hats and turtlenecks.

His fellow Swede, Dennis Hildeby, felt he had no choice but to stick with my roots and go with Willy Styles.

Its in his name, Hildeby said of Nylander, who plays with sticks emblazoned with the Willy Styles nickname.

He just does his own thing, Hildeby said.

I wouldnt be able to pull it off, though.

I stick to my boring, casual style.

Part two preview: It's all about communication.

Which Leaf gives the best advice? Who is going to make the best coach one day? Best media member? Who is most active in the group chat? Who's always on his phone? Stay tuned! (Top photo: Mark Blinch / NHLI via Getty Images).

This article has been shared from the original article on theathleticuk, here is the link to the original article.