For the bulk of Mike Babcock’s first training camp with the Toronto Maple Leafs, defencemen Dion Phaneuf and Matt Hunwick were stuck together.



Babcock had, evidently, settled on his top pair for the 2015-16 season that promised “pain” and eventually, last-place in the NHL. Later it would also provide the right for the Leafs to select Auston Matthews with their first-overall pick in 31 years.



It took only two regular season games — both losses in which the Leafs were thrashed by a combined 7-1 score — for Babcock to ditch his plan for the pairing. Morgan Rielly replaced Phaneuf in tussling with top lines and a few months later, the captain was dealt to Ottawa.



What happens at training camp sometimes stays at training camp.



Nonetheless, the last two weeks of September might offer a few early indications or even answers to key roster questions heading into the Oct. 4 season opener against Winnipeg.



How and...