The 25-year-old signed a PTO with the Maple Leafs last week after four seasons in the San Jose Sharks organization.
The 25-year-old signed a PTO with the Maple Leafs last week after four seasons in the San Jose Sharks organization.
Noah Gregor is ready to make his mark with the Maple Leafs at training camp later this month.
The 25-year-old joined Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill on Leafs Morning Take to discuss how the PTO came together and his expectations at training camp in Toronto.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qcnE85yhsk[/embed]
"Ever really since the first day of free agency, Toronto's been a team that I've been in talk with," Gregor said.
"Obviously, I was looking for a contract throughout the summer and nothing really came about. But I always felt comfortable with Toronto and I had some good talks with (Brad) Treliving and (Sheldon) Keefe, and I know (Shane) Doan as well.
"So I've had some good talks with the staff there and I felt like it was a good fit for myself and now I'm getting excited here for camp."
Gregor has spent his entire career in the San Jose Sharks organization after being drafted by them in the fourth round (111th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft. The 25-year-old, in 178 games with the Sharks, has scored 51 points (26 goals, 25 assists).
The Beaumont, Alberta native set a career high with 10 goals in 57 games last season. And although he's on a PTO, Gregor notices that he brings something different to the Maple Leafs.
"To be honest, that's kind of been my thought process my past three or four camps, is to just come in and try and earn a roster spot. I've never really been in a position where I have a solidified spot," said Gregor.
"Maybe last year a little bit, I was in a better situation. But, I've always tried to come into camp and show the staff and the coaches that I can be an important player and a solid piece. I think I can help Toronto's lineup here.
"I think I bring a different element to the bottom-six forward group and hopefully I can come in and make an impression."
Playing in San Jose, Gregor has always known what it's like to play in a smaller hockey market. But now, with signing a PTO in Toronto, the 25-year-old's excited to experience the other side.
He's excited try out to be a part of an organization he's watched from afar.
"It's going to be different for sure. Just the attention that Toronto gets is going to be different. I'm really excited for it. It's good to be back in Canada, where I'm from. My family's all excited, that if I do make the team, that it'll be a short flight for them and they don't have to travel across the border.
"But I'm really excited. Toronto's always an exciting team to watch as well. They're one of the teams that I have followed quite a bit, just with all their top players and they're a really exciting team to watch.
"That was another reason why I chose to come on a PTO with Toronto, just they're a really good team, they're a really fun team to watch. I think my game should fit in well with them."
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