Benoit-Olivier Groulx arrives in Montreal as a recalled centreman who has invited 10 friends and family to watch his first NHL game back, and coach craig berube wouldn’t confirm his place in the lineup. The 26-year-old was promoted after a strong season with the Marlies and is set to make his Leafs debut at Bell Centre at 7: 00 pm ET.
Benoit-Olivier Groulx’s return at Bell Centre and what it means
Benoit-Olivier Groulx, a 26-year-old Quebec-raised centreman, has spent the past two years battling injuries and moving between leagues, and he says the call back to the NHL is personal for his circle of supporters. Groulx invited 10 friends and family to Montreal to see him play at Bell Centre, and he described the past two years as difficult, with recalls and demotions that left him unsure where he would be.
Groulx played 65 NHL games for the Anaheim Ducks across three seasons, registering one goal in that span, and spent time with the AHL San Diego Gulls. This season with the Marlies he leads the team with 27 goals and 50 points through 54 games, and he has emphasized speed as his greatest asset. Groulx said that focusing on offensive improvements while keeping defensive responsibilities helped earn his post-deadline promotion to Toronto.
Craig Berube’s praise and the lingering lineup question
Coach Craig Berube would not confirm Groulx’s place in the lineup, and he noted the team wants to see what players can offer at the NHL level. Berube said, “We want to see guys, right? We want to see what they’re all about and where they’re at in their game. He’s had a very good year down in the minors. ”
On the ice in Montreal, Berube singled out the young forwards who played well, and later described the same debut night positively: “I was very happy with him, [Quillan], and Cowboy. They all played well tonight. ” He added that he was impressed with “a couple of plays he made tonight. He challenged defensemen and beat them. He had a couple of good scoring chances. ” Those remarks came after a game in which Groulx logged 14: 13 of ice time and two shots on goal.
For now, coach craig berube’s lineup decisions remain flexible: the projected scratch Calle Järnkrok was noted as putting in extra work at morning skate, a detail that signals the coach is still weighing options ahead of the game.
Marlies production, Toronto’s skid, and what the call-up reflects
Groulx’s promotion follows a season in which he stood out with the Marlies, and it arrives while the Maple Leafs are searching for answers in a slump. Toronto had entered a stretch described as a seven-game losing skid, and the club’s need to find scoring depth was explicit in postgame remarks.
Berube outlined the problem plainly: “We just need more. Going out for the third period, we just need more of a push from a lot of guys. ” He spoke about the difficulty of producing a consistent 60-minute effort and the need for more contributors to both create chances and keep the puck out of the net. Those remarks framed Groulx’s recall as a chance to test a player who has shown offensive production in the minors while the team looks for additional scoring.
Groulx himself emphasized the personal meaning of the opportunity, saying it would be rewarding for him and for those who supported him through injuries and uncertain roster moves. He also noted a youthful perspective on his earlier NHL stint: he was “so young” in his first two NHL seasons and felt there was more he could do at this level.
For the fans who traveled to Montreal and the 10 family members in the stands, the confirmed next development is clear: Benoit-Olivier Groulx will make his Maple Leafs debut at Bell Centre at 7: 00 pm ET. The game will reveal whether the call from the Marlies translates into a longer look in Toronto and how coach Craig Berube adjusts the lineup in response to what he sees on the ice.
