Mete must excel vs. old teams to make new one

New Maple Leaf Victor Mete needs no introduction to the Montreal Canadiens.

Drafted by them in 2016 at the start of the fourth round, he spent four and half years on the other side of the NHL’s oldest rivalry. Now, he hopes to get in one or more of the three games Toronto has versus the Habs on its schedule in the next 15 days. There are two home and home exhibitions, starting Wednesday night at Scotianbank Arena before the start he’d wants most of all, the regular season opener at the Bell Centre on Oct. 12.

Not considered starting six timber in the summer when he signed a one-year minimum wage contract ($750,000), Mete is already moved up the depth chart through six days of training camp. That’s had much to do with injuries to veteran Jake Muzzin, Timothy Liljegren and the contract stalemate of restricted free agent Rasmus Sandin.

Mete’s played one game against Ottawa and merited a longer look through his crisp skating and ability to play both sides. Having spent the past two COVID-19 curtailed seasons with the Senators, the Leafs’ early pre-season schedule is like an old home week for him.

“It’s definitely exciting, fun to play against your old team, especially Montreal,” Mete said Tuesday. “I know a ton of guys over there, (Brendan) Gallagher, (Nick) Suzuki, everyone really. I still talk to them.

“I never liked playing against Toronto (which usually dominates the Habs and Sens in regular season) and  now I’m on the other side.”

Mete came from a Leafs Nation family in the Toronto suburb of Woodbridge, had an Alex Mogilny sweater as a kid and for a few moments in the 2016 draft in Buffalo, there was anticipation he might wear blue and white. Toronto had pick No. 101, but Montreal took Mete right before them.  The Leafs went with another defenceman, Keaton Middleton, who was eight inches taller than the 5-foot-9 Mete.

“I knew the Leafs were next, but it didn’t really matter, I just wanted to get drafted. It’s what you do after the draft that counts and I was fortunate to get p[cked by Montreal and make their team the following year.”

Middleton never signed with the Leafs and has been trying to get a regular NHL gig, most recently with Colorado. The Leafs still need size on the line, but are giving Mete a shot.

The former Memorial Cup champion with the London Knight, a world junior gold medallist, is just 24. The Leafs have a more advanced program than the rebuilds going on in Montreal and Ottawa and living closer to home, it could be the ideal setting Mete needs.

Coach Sheldon Keefe’s system, which Mete got to see close up the past few years has been palatable to play.

“It was a bit like we did in Ottawa last year, a little bit different in the d-zone, but so far it’s good,” Mete said.

“I like to play fast and in quick transition so the way they play here fits my style.”

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Among others, Mete has been paired at camp with another NHLer looking for a new start, Jamie Benn, but will likely be moved around in the exhibitions. Also trying to make an impression while the three regular defencemen remain out are AHL Marlies Carl Dahlstrom and Filip Kral.

Muzzin was working out Tuesday, continuing to get through a back injury that will sideline him at least until next week.

“Every individual has to be responsible for his job,” said Morgan Rielly, one of the team’s most seasoned defenceman. “We’re going to have guys in our lineup who can play the game well. We just have to play our structure. I don’t think there’s a lot of over-compensating because we’re missing people.

“Victor has to earn his spot, he’s no different. It’s obviously different having him on the same team, but we know how he plays, a great skater who moved the puck well. He’s been a good addition for sure.”

Before Wednesday’s match, the Leafs and Canadiens will honour many members of Team Canada ’72, the exhibition falling on the 50^th anniversary of Paul Henderson’s last-minute Game 8 series’-winning goal.

lhornby@postmedia.com