Toronto Star

Lehtonen, the KHL defenceman of the year last season, will need to quarantine for two weeks before Leafs camp opens.

In his new book “Catch 22,” the former Leafs captain and 50-goal marksman dishes on life with the downtrodden Leafs in the 1980s, and how he coped with a deep fear of air travel.

“We can’t thank you enough for the service ...” Muzzin said during the virtual visit at Sunnybrook hospital.

Former Marlies assistant Jack Han, a vocal proponent of the 3D strategy, said a number of fellow coaches contacted him recently with stories of using it at various levels below the NHL. Some reported success. His advice to the (many) doubters: Don’t dismiss it until you see it in action, Dave Feschuk writes.

Not every team is built to break with tradition and ice three blueliners, but it makes a lot of sense for the retooled Leafs, says former Marlies assistant Jack Han: “They’re heavy up top, and they have a lot of Ds who are OK but need a little help. It’s a configuration that can help them.” Coach Sheldon Keefe just might try it.

There’s nothing flashy about him, analyst Cassie Campbell-Pascal says, but “he’s a team-first guy, and he’ll play to the strengths of who he’s playing with.”

In his decade-plus as a pro goaltender who’s nobody’s game-stealing saviour, Hutchinson has had to make peace with social media’s uglier side to survive, Dave Feschuk writes.

Shanahan also talked about player drama and contract squabbles on the “SmartLess” podcast.

Hutchinson returns from Colorado as no better than fourth on the goalie depth chart, but the Leafs are thinking a bit further down the road — including the expansion draft to stock the Seattle Kraken.

Three-year veteran knows he will have to be consistent on a blue line that appears deeper than in years past.

The 23-year-old defenceman — back on a one-year deal worth $874,125 (U.S.) — will be in a better position contract wise in the next off-season if he combines a solid year with the arrival of his arbitration rights.

Kirk Muller. Dave Manson. Owen Nolan. Joe Nieuwendyk. Mike Peca. Brian Leetch. Ron Francis. Patrick Marleau. Attempts to buy leadership and character at a bargain price are as old as the uniform itself, Damien Cox writes.