Last but not least, the forwards — the guys who get most the goals and thus most the glory. If you can’t score, you can’t win, so this position is as important as any. It’s also as difficult to rank as any since there are 12 forwards in the lineup compared to just six defencemen
Auston Matthews
In today’s NHL rumors, Bryan Little of the Winnipeg Jets comments on the possibility of him never playing hockey again. The Pittsburgh Penguins have made sweeping changes to their coaching staff, and in Toronto, Auston Matthews comments on the opinions from fans and media about how the Maple Leafs team is constructed. The Florida Panthers
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff play-in series is upon us and there are still some burning questions surrounding the team coming in from Leafs Nation. As the team continues their series against the Columbus Blue Jackets, we’ll be diving into some playoff talk with the latest set of mail-in questions. Related: Maple Leafs’ Mailbag: Questioning
If history repeats, things don’t look good for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Last season the Columbus Blue Jackets played giant-killer during the first round of the playoffs when they swept the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning in four straight games. Similarly, last season the Maple Leafs lost their first playoff round for the third straight season.
July 21 saw the greatest player in National Hockey League history sign on to play for one of its most historic franchises. Plus, a franchise-altering player signed his first-ever professional contract and some new head coaches were hired. The Great One Opens on Broadway Wayne Gretzky signed with the New York Rangers on July 21,
Yesterday, during a 40-minute video conference call, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas was interviewed by reporters. One thing he was most pleased about was that when his troops reported back to Toronto, their fitness level was high. He noted that the organization – during every Zoom call they had with players – stressed
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, the Montreal Canadiens are about to sign an international prospect but got bad news when it comes to players testing positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that a couple of players are back and ready to join the team’s training camp which opens today. The Minnesota
I’m on record as saying that, before he finishes his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews will be recognized as the greatest center in franchise history. Granted, the unexpected might happen to erase that possibility. Related: Toronto Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Andersen, Matthews, Barrie & More For example, we have no idea
In this edition of Toronto Maple Leafs News & Rumors, I want to review Phil Kessel’s time with the team. I also want to share speculation about which Maple Leafs are likely to make Team Canada for the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games. Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Hyman, Robertson, Tavares & Matthews Third, I
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news developing around as many as 11 players testing positive for the COVID-19 virus. What does that mean for camps and why has one person’s name apparently been released? Could the Vancouver Canucks get Micheal Ferland back? And, in some fun Oilers news, a Connor McDavid rookie card
Yesterday, the Toronto Maple Leafs world was hit hard by the report that Auston Matthews, one of the team’s biggest stars, had become infected by COVID-19 as a result of participating in Phase 2 of the NHL’s plan to re-open the 2019-20 postseason. This news comes from a number of sources. The Primary Concern: The
Everyone loves when a young, exciting star comes into the NHL and dominates right out of the gate. The Calder Memorial Trophy is given out each year to the league’s best rookie, with many winners later taking home other hardware, such as the league’s Hart Memorial Trophy. Which Calder Trophy-winning seasons have been the best
Now that it’s all but confirmed that the 2019-20 NHL season is done (fingers crossed for the playoffs!), I thought it would be fun to cap off the year with some individual awards voting for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Joined by fellow THW writer Peter Baracchini, and with the help of Twitter, we will be
The USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) in Plymouth, Michigan is nationally renowned for cranking out high draft pick after high draft pick, and for good reason. There have been five players from the program picked No. 1 overall in the NHL draft — Jack Hughes, Patrick Kane, Auston Matthews, Rick Dipietro and Erik
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news that Artemi Panarin might skip next season, the Ottawa Senators are looking at what to do with Brady Tkachuk, and one scribe looks at changes coming to the Pacific Division. Finally, the Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to get creative when it comes to using this pause
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way the world operates. One can no longer turn on the television or open social media without seeing an updated infection count or new restrictions about social distancing. Now in our fourth week without hockey and sports in general (aside from Toronto Raptors championship re-runs), it’s time to forget
Given the shutdown of public events occurring in California with the onset of the coronavirus, it’s a miserable time to be there. It was also a miserable trip for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but for different reasons. For a team that desperately needed points, the Maple Leafs might have shown up stronger. In total, in
Because the Toronto Maple Leafs don’t play until Tuesday when they meet the Tampa Bay Lightning at home, I want to use this post to review some of the “odd” news and rumors surrounding the team that sometimes get moved to the back when games are being played close together. Item One: Newcomer Denis Malgin