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“I struggled a bit early,” Nielsen said. “I didn’t come in here and think they’d just hand me a jersey, but having the season I did last year and then having guys keying on me a little more, it took a while to realize I had to adapt, too, raise my game.”

Dermott is now back with the Marlies after the Leafs were eliminated.

“We kind of came in at the same point. He’s played in the NHL a half-year and you’re super excited for him,” said Nielsen. “You want that to be you. You’re jealous, not to be in his shoes, but not wishing anything but good things for a guy like that. I’ve learned a few things from Travis, seen the work he’s put it. You want to be competing with him on the Leafs as soon as you can.”

Nielsen arrived from the WHL’s Lethbridge Broncos. As a little kid, he was a water boy for future Toronto captain Dion Phaneuf. He had 70 points and 122 penalty minutes his graduating year. Just turning 21 now, he dedicated the second half of this season to putting more muscle on his 6-foot-3 frame and hoping the Leafs’ development coaches now swarming the Marlies, take notice.

“You’re going to have more eyes on you,” he explained. “You noticed Mike Babcock and D.J. Smith here (for Game 1). I’ve worked with the staff on some little things. If you show them you’re ready to work, it will only help in the long run,

“It’s tough to see Borgie and Rosie go down, but that’s when you have to take your opportunity and run with it, right? I think I showed in the playoffs (last year) I could be a contributor.”