Jim Hiller on the Leafs’ season-opening loss to Montreal: “We looked a little bit like a new team”

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller addressed the media following the team's 3-2 season-opening loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Hiller pointed to defensive zone turnovers as the primary reason for the defeat, while acknowledging that the roster showed signs of being a new group still working toward cohesion.

The game featured several notable appearances, including Kirill Marchenko's debut alongside Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic, as well as Gavin McKenna's NHL debut. Hiller noted that goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky played well despite deflections, and emphasized that integrating new personnel into regular-season roles will take time.