HALIFAX

As the latest Maple Leafs coach charged with the development of young defencemen Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner, Mike Babcock has some big plans.

But before he awards top-pairing minutes, he feels there is a need for both promising blueliners to improve the defensive side of their game.

Just two days into training camp, Babcock has paid close attention to the two young players, who are each expected to land in the top four of the Leafs defensive configuration this season. But like many in the lineup, Babcock is hoping his staff can help coach them up.

“We’re going to watch and find out (where Gardiner and Rielly fit),” Babcock said. “That part is going to happen over the next eight exhibition games. We’re going to watch.

“They both gave up some chances (during scrimmages on Saturday.) They’ve got to get much better with their stick defensively. But they’re both elite skaters, guys who like to try. I think we need to help them out.

“All in all, our defence, I feel we can make them get a lot better.”

How Babcock constructs his blueline is certainly one of the more intriguing aspects in this camp, starting with who gets paired with captain Dion Phaneuf.

Many feel Rielly would be a natural candidate, as he continues on his upward curve towards potential NHL stardom.

Some suggest that Rielly would be better paired with Gardiner, as has been the case for part of camp, though that combo has potential danger if it lacks defensive responsibility.

Another possibility is Matt Hunwick, the former New York Ranger who has caught Babcock’s eye in the first two days of camp while paired with the veteran Phaneuf. Hunwick has size, but is also a slick skater and if the Leafs are looking to have some offence return to Phaneuf’s game, the 30-year-old Michigan native may be a fit.

“He knows how to play, that’s his biggest asset,” Babcock said of Hunwick. “When you look at the whole package and his size and skating – all that stuff — I’m impressed. Because of his hockey IQ, his competitiveness, the way he plays, how strong he is pound for pound, that’s why he’s capable of doing big things.

“He can help our guys get better because he makes good plays.”

ROSTER TALK

Organizing a training camp with 69 players has been a detailed process for the Leafs staff and next up is the eight-game pre-season schedule, beginning with a split-squad doubleheader Monday in Ottawa and Toronto.

Babcock wishes there wasn’t a third game the next night in Montreal as well, but is forming a strategy for the exhibition schedule. The games are important on many levels as team management gets a look at prospects, but also makes final roster decisions and line matchups.

“The guys we need to watch we’re going to play more,” Babcock said. “Most veterans are going to play four games. We’re looking at it now and by the end of the weekend we’ll know what our roster is for the first two games.”

Among those “guys” they need to watch are the several players in camp on professional tryouts. For Year 1 of the major rebuild, some of those options are more important than rushing young prospects into the league.

Adding to the challenge is that, under league rules, teams must dress a minimum of eight players who are considered veterans. By definition, the league says players must have played 30 or more games the previous season or 100 games overall (50 for goalies) or have been a first-round pick in the most recent draft.

ROOKIE TREATMENT

It’s been a crazy busy summer for the rawest of Maple Leafs first-round picks, Mitch Marner, but the fourth overall selection likes his introduction to playing with NHLers.

“It went really well,” Marner said. “First time on the ice with all the NHL guys. The speed is a big thing. It’s good to compare yourself to that.”

Marner said he definitely noticed a change from rookie camp the previous week in London.

“After a while, you get used to it, just another time on the ice,” Marner said. “It’s very intense.”

QUICK HITS

Like many of the Leafs players, forward Joffrey Lupul has raved about the Halifax hospitality the team has enjoyed here. He recalled how everything was wonderful when he was here for the 2003 world juniors — before catching himself. “Well, it was until we lost to the Russians,” Lupul said ... After a long opening day of training camp, what did the Leafs management group do on Friday night? Sample the ample Halifax nightlife or dine on seafood? Nope. Most of them hit the Metro Centre for the home opener of the Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League ... The pace slowed some for Saturday’s on-ice sessions, but that was by design. “Day 1 and Day 3 are harder than Day 2,” Babcock said. “Day 2 is more about teaching. I still thought we got them to skate, which is important for our group. We’ve got to learn to skate and stop gliding.” ... The buzz out of Pittsburgh on Saturday? Observers raved about a pair of goals Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby combined on during a scrimmage at Penguins camp. Crosby loves having a sniper with a right-hand shot to feed: “Just what I expected,” Crosby told reporters in Pittsburgh. “(Kessel has) a great shot, he uses it well there. Having a guy that can shoot the puck like that on that side is definitely going to draw some attention.” ... How intense is Babcock? While graciously signing autographs for a large throng of fans, he was all business as well. “Everybody be ready. Have your stuff out.”