from Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun,

If the Maple Leafs want to stay together for two months of playoff hockey next spring, why not get a head start this summer?

An unusually large group of them have been in town the past week for Nazem Kadri’s wedding and three separate player charity events. At least once they took advantage to skate with prized free agent catch John Tavares.

William Nylander flew in from Sweden, while Auston Matthews (Arizona) and Morgan Rielly (British Columbia) made rare July appearances and coupled with the higher concentration of GTA-based Leafs, the gatherings can’t hurt camaraderie.

“I was just talking to Morgan and it’s crazy how fast summer goes by,” said Zach Hyman, who hosted many present and former Leafs at his first annual charity classic golf tournament Monday at the Lebovic course in Aurora.

“We’re approaching August, then it’s one month until training camp and everything ramps up. You see your buddies more, everyone’s in town and you get excited.”

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