With the pandemic altering all aspects of life, the 2020-21 NHL season has had to adapt as well. Part of the adjustment includes a division realignment, which has placed all Canadian teams in the North Division. These changes have also influenced the Stanley Cup Playoff format. Sixteen teams will still make the playoffs, but the
John Tavares
The ’12 Days of Christmas’ is a classic holiday song first published in its current form in 1908. In a nod to the classic carol, join The Hockey Writers as we count down the 12 Days of Hockeymas. Each day, we will provide you with a piece of hockey history as we eagerly await the
July 1 has been a big news day for the National Hockey League in recent years thanks to the start of free agency. In addition to some big contracts getting signed, this date has also seen the birth of three different Hall of Fame forwards. Free Agency Frenzy July 1 has been the opening of
In this edition of Toronto Maple Leafs News & Rumors, I will share an interview with John Tavares about the NHL’s return to play, additional insights on William Nylander’s value to the team, what advanced statistics suggest about different players’ value and the signing of a Toronto Marlies young forward. Item One: John Tavares Remains
Over the past few days, news has emerged that there have been intense discussions about how to restart the 2019-20 NHL season. In fact, this morning (May 19), the NHL reported that commissioner Gary Bettman and his people have been looking at “probably eight or nine different places” that would be able to host “a
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
With the NHL season on hold, obviously there isn’t a single frozen drop of on-ice news to report. Still, for fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs, there is actual news emerging from the organization. Having time off in the “middle of a season” presents a unique opportunity for the team’s leadership to look back and
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
It’s no secret that the New Jersey Devils are looking to trade superstar winger and 2018 Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall before the 2020 NHL trade deadline. New Jersey Devils Left Wing Taylor Hall (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) The 28-year-old Albertan is in the final season of a seven-year, $42 million
In the Toronto Maple Leafs back-to-back games against the Buffalo Sabres, it came down to the play of two goalies. On Friday night in Buffalo, Michael Hutchinson simply gave up too many goals and the team lost 6-4. On Saturday night in Toronto, Frederik Andersen was given just as difficult a test and passed. As
Scouting the Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks Murray Pam: Scouts listed to attended yesterday’s Senators – Sharks game included the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, Vegas Golden Knights, and the Washington Capitals. Scouting the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders – Friday, Oct. 25th Murray Pam: Scouts listed to attend
The Toronto Maple Leafs led 4-1 early in the third period when the Montreal Canadiens scored four straight goals – including one on Jeff Petry’s penalty shot. A power-play goal with just over a minute left in regulation by Auston Matthews (his NHL-leading fifth of the season) tied it up, but the Maple Leafs eventually
The Oilers would still like to add a top-six and a top-four Jason Gregor: Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland: “I’d like another top-six forward and top-four defenceman. Those types of players weren’t available on waivers.” Holland added that there is nothing happening on the Jesse Puljujarvi front. There were a few teams that had been
TORONTO — Auston Matthews continued his dominance on opening night. The Maple Leafs centre scored twice as Toronto defeated the Ottawa Senators 5-3 in the curtain-raiser on the 2019-20 NHL season Wednesday. The Leafs unveiled John Tavares as the 25th captain in franchise history during the pre-game ceremony, with Matthews, winger Mitch Marner and defenceman Morgan Rielly named as
In early September, the Toronto Maple Leafs were ranked by NHL.com as the number two team in the fantasy rankings – after the Tampa Bay Lightning. I don’t disagree with this ranking. Last season the Lightning had a stunning 319 goals (3.9 per game), with the Maple Leafs in fourth place with 286 goals (3.5
Notes on the Maple Leafs, Flames, Jets, Avalanche, Capitals, Canucks and Canadiens James (@Account4hockey): Elliotte Friedman on WGR 550 yesterday. Friedman thinks that the Toronto Maple Leafs had decided already who their next captain would be before the Auston Matthews news was made public – John Tavares. There were some within the organization that wanted
There’s a handful of items that championship-caliber NHL teams have in common. Solid goaltending, sound defense and experience are a few of those items. That said, you will be hard-pressed to find a competitive NHL club that lacks depth at the center ice position. The 2018-19 Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues saw center Ryan
Ristolainen may have asked for a trade Buffalo News: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen implied during a Finnish TV interview that he’s asked for a trade from the Sabres. He added that he wanted to keep things between him and management. “I cannot say anything other than the fact that on the 12th of September,