TORONTO

Brooks Laich indicated to a couple of reporters late on Monday night that he will go out of his way to ensure the youngest members of the Maple Leafs get comfortable as they embark on their respective careers in the National Hockey League.

In his first practice with the Leafs on Tuesday at the MasterCard Centre, Laich went in another direction.

Sort of.

“I told Willie (Nylander) that for the last however many years in Washington, I was on the PK against our PP, and that there was a cute little Swede on the wall named Nicklas Backstrom who had the puck all the time,” Laich said with a smile.

“When we did the PK drill I would always tell him, ‘I’m going to roll out the red carpet and welcome you to hell.’

“Now maybe we have an even cuter Swede on the wall (Nylander). I just tried to bring that, told him welcome to hell and told (Kasperi) Kapanen the same thing.

“Willie said, ‘I’m glad to be here,’ and went in and put one bar-down on me. They’re good guys, I want to get to know them, play alongside them and have some fun. Make sure they remember the game is always fun.”

Nylander, fresh off his NHL debut in a 2-1 Leafs loss against Tampa Bay at the Air Canada Centre on Monday night, was glad for the special teams introduction from Laich.

“Yeah, and then we scored right after,” Nylander said with a chuckle. “Him saying something like that just makes you happy. It brings a special feeling, and it’s fun to have him here.”

There won’t be much joking when Laich buckles down to prepare for his second game as a Leaf, as it’s going to be in Washington against the Capitals on Wednesday night. In his 12th year in the Caps organization, the 32-year-old Laich had hoped to have a role in what many expect will be a run to the Stanley Cup final. Instead, he was traded to the Leafs on Sunday night and won’t be playing hockey past April 9.

“I don’t know if I’m looking forward to it,” Laich said of heading into the Verizon Center as a visitor, “and I don’t know if I’m not. Still the emotions are pretty heavy.

“I’m very fortunate for my time there. I’m really appreciative of the fans and the support I have received in the last couple of days and certainly over the 12 years (he was part of the organization). Just the lifelong friendships, people who have meant a great deal in my life.

“It’s going to be a lot of mixed emotions and I’m going to have to try to control myself a little bit. But I’m going to have some fun.”

It’s clear to all that after just one game and one practice with his new team, Laich, who is under contract through next season with a salary cap hit of $4.5 million US, will be a popular teammate. Leafs coach Mike Babcock recognized as much, but he also wants to see the Saskatchewan native have an influence on the ice.

“His responsibility in Washington dwindled, so we need to help him get his game back to a level that it was once at,” Babcock said. “He’s still a young enough guy to have an impact. Not only do you want to have an impact in the room, you want to have an impact on the ice. We will be working closely with him on that.”

Laich wasn’t thrilled with the way his tenure in Washington ended but the last thing he is going to do is mope about it. If people expect him to be “grumpy and upset” they might be disappointed.

To no surprise, he will approach the game in Washington with nothing but the proper attitude.

“It will take one shift and one of those guys will put me into the boards because I know the style of play they have and I know how much winning matters in that locker room,” Laich said. “They are good friends, but they know me as well and that I am going to compete. I have a responsibility to the guys in this locker room and to help us win.”

FIRING LINE

Steven Stamkos one game, Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom the next.

William Nylander acknowledged he will have to concentrate to stay in the moment when the Maple Leafs face off against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night.

“Ovie is one of those guys you just watch growing up, and the same with Backstrom,” Nylander said. “I’m going to be sitting on the bench and be like, ‘Wow.’ That’s the welcome to the league.”

Nylander, who had 18 minutes 41 seconds of ice time in his NHL debut on Monday and generally impressed, appreciated that Brooks Laich playfully was giving him a hard time during special teams drills in practice.

“He brings energy, and he played with my father (in Washington) so it was a fun experience,” Nylander said. “Being comfortable off the ice and getting confidence is a huge factor.”

tkoshan@postmedia.com

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