Seth Griffith getting an opportunity with the Leafs

Wallaceburg’s Seth Griffith is getting his first opportunity in the spotlight with the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight.

The 23-year-old winger will be inserted into the Leafs lineup when they host the Florida Panthers, replacing Peter Holland who will be a healthy scratch.

“I want to keep improving, obviously I want to translate what I did in Junior to pro, and I think I did that at the AHL level,” Griffith told reporters following practice. “Now I just want to bring that consistency on a night-to-night basis in the NHL level. It’s a good opportunity tonight for me to show that.”

Mike Babcock, the Leafs head coach, said this Griffith’s opportunity to impress.

“He was a real good player in the American League, a real good player in Junior, our people like him,” Babcock said. “Obviously, I know (Bruins coach) Claude Julien real well, I talked to him about it. Lots of guys in our league make good on their second and third chances, more so than their first because the league is that tough and they learn a lot.”

Babcock added: “When they go to a new spot they are a little more willing to do some things without the puck that usually endears him with the coach better. So, that’s his opportunity.”

Griffith is slated to skate on the team’s fourth line, alongside Matt Martin and newly acquired centre Ben Smith.

Sources say Griffith will also be slotted beside the Leafs phenom and 1st-overall-pick Auston Matthews on Toronto’s first powerplay unit as well.

Check out the Sportsnet video, featuring comments from Griffith and Babcock: Griffith looks to shine in Maple Leafs debut

The puck drops at 7 p.m.

Watch for more coverage on the Sydenham Current.


Photo credit: Screenshot from a Sportsnet video

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