Maple Leaf Nicolas Roy Sends Strong Message to the Rest of the NHL: 'Pressure Is a Privilege'
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Nicolas Roy excites Toronto Maple Leafs fans after saying he's ready to handle the pressure that comes with playing for Toronto.
Nicolas Roy reveals his excitement at being a Toronto Maple Leaf, showcasing he has a much needed passion for playing in one of the toughest cities to play in.
Roy, 28, says he's going to be able to step into playing in a large market such as Toronto, and isn't fazed by the media spotlight and pressure to succeed.
Roy was acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs as the return of the sign-and-trade that sent Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Marner famously struggled with the media attention and faced difficulties in trying to succeed, increased by being a boyhood Leafs fan and many of the team's flaws being singled out to him at times.
Nicolas Roy Has The Passion To Be A Toronto Maple Leaf
Nicolas Roy was on The Leafs Nation's 'Leafs Morning Take', where he revealed his readiness to play in Toronto and his own personal feelings playing in the Leafs lineup.
Roy said he was "surprised" to have been involved in the trade for Marner, but he says he's excited to be joining a team thats "win-now".
Really excited to play....for a Canadian team, a bigger market. Obviously, there's going to be maybe a little bit of pressure, but I think that's a privilege as a player. When you have pressure, that means the expectations are high and that's when you want to play and that's when you want to play your best hockey. So, yeah, really excited to be joining the Leafs.
Roy also mentioned the Leafs emphasis on a more physical, defensive roster, saying that he believes the Leafs are in a good place to play a harder style of hockey.
The guys they brought, I think they want to play with a little more grit, I guess, in the playoffs, more physicality. And I think they did a really good job this year just watching it.
What Nicolas Roy Brings To The Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs are getting a player who plays with a lot of intensity and composure in Roy, who has proven to be a solid shutdown center who excels down the middle.
Fans will be glad to hear Roy is focused on playing with a high compete level and wants to focus on defense. He won't replace on Marner on offense, but they replace one of the best defensive wingers in the league with a strong physical player in Roy.
The Leafs are assembling a much more physical and competitive roster, and in Nicolas Roy gains a player who not only works hard, but as an outsider has the passion to succeed and win with his new club.
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