Tensions Boil Over Between Two Big, Mean Prospects at Maple Leafs Development Camp

As Maple Leafs Development Camp gets under way on Thursday, it didn't take long to see the battle and competitive spirit of two of the team's attendees result in a violent altercation.

According to multiple sources, a very physical drill involving 2025 Leafs draftee Matthew Hlacar and ECHLer Rhett Parsons led to a very quick escalation, resulting in both 6'3 prospects going toe-to-toe.

According to the Toronto Sun's Lance Hornby, the two prospects were originally slated to square off against each other in another drill before they were separated and paired with other players to defuse the situation.

It's understood that the Leafs organization is looking to change the DNA and become much more difficult to play against following their 2nd round exit at the hands of the Florida Panthers in this most recent playoff run.

The Leafs appeared to favour size and snarl in this year's draft, as was evidenced by the fact that they did not draft a single player under 6-foot-1. Many of their prospects, including Hlacar, were 6'3 or larger.

It's clear from today's sessions at Development Camp that the mandate from the Leafs' management group and the message to these young players is that the team is looking for players who compete hard during every shift. So far, it appears as though the message has been received.