Alex Steeves says there is no bad blood with the Maple Leafs, despite the lack of opportunities

Minten is set to center the third line against the Maple Leafs and says he’s still in regular contact with some of his old teammates, especially his old roommate in Easton Cowan.

“We talk almost every day about how things are going and you’re kind of in the same kind of situation, you know, where I was for him last year,” Minten said of Cowan. “So it’s easy to get along. There’s not a lot of people who understand what that’s like, when you’re a young guy coming from junior level, especially a star, you know, for years, and it’s a huge transition to a different role, a different league, all that kind of stuff.”

Minten and Cowan spent a lot of time together early in their Maple Leafs tenures, despite never actually suiting up together for the Maple Leafs or Marlies. The two played together at the World Juniors for Team Canada in 2024 and shared many development camps and rookie tournaments. There will be no reunion tonight as Cowan was sent to the Toronto Marlies earlier this week, but Minten is excited to meet the rest of the team anyway.

“Everyone. It’ll be good to see all those guys on the ice.”

Steeves, who skated on the Bruins’ second line during the morning skate, was just recalled by the Bruins and will make his debut with the team today. In his four seasons as a Leaf, he did everything he could to earn a regular spot on the roster, but he routinely fell victim to the numbers game. The most games he played in a season for the Maple Leafs was seven last year, and while those seven games were his first NHL goal, the Maple Leafs ultimately never had any room for him despite his repeated success in the AHL. He told reporters that despite his lack of opportunities, he looks back on his time as a Leaf fondly.

“I definitely wouldn’t trade my four years here for anything,” Steeves said of his time in the Maple Leafs organization. “I’ve grown so much as a person, as a player. I played for two great regimes. Ultimately, I just decided I wanted to see what other opportunities were out there, because you know, I couldn’t break in here, and you know, there’s no bad blood or anything. I only have good things to say about Toronto.”

Steeves said he signed with the Bruins because they offered him an opportunity, but he still keeps in regular contact with teammates who have become friends.

“Those were some of the best years of my life. I still text with some of my friends every day, mostly from the Marlies. I never expected to get as close to guys as I did in college, but you know, four years on one team is really a long time at this level, and I loved it. I made some really incredible friends and teammates, staff members.”

Assuming the Bruins run with the lineup they practiced with during the morning skate, the Maple Leafs will have to do some extra preparation for a few players who will undoubtedly have a chip on their shoulder.

PRESENTED BY TABLEBEURS + SOCIAL