That was made obvious before the game, with Andrew Campbell collecting the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy before the Saturday meeting with the Rochester Americans.
A lineup shorn of Zach Hyman, Josh Leivo and William Nylander presented opportunities for others on the roster to stake a claim at playing in game one of the Calder Cup next weekend.
It was a little disappointing the players that did appear didn’t play to a level expected against a Rochester team that had lost eight of his last ten and had been blown out in Albany the night before.
It began well, as Toronto once again struck with an early goal that has been their trademark of late.