Toronto Maple Leafs: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Matthews Isn’t Gretzky. But What Amazing Company He’s Keeping

This graphic is pretty funny. It says Auston Matthews needs just 168 goals to pass Wayne Gretzky. Just 168! The way it’s written, you’d think Matthews could knock that off before Christmas.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Maple Leafs Win 6–2, But One Big Concern Remains

Okay, Toronto Maple Leafs fans, a 6–2 win over Columbus is nothing to complain about. Six goals, two points, and a night where the offence finally gave everyone something to smile about.

Kirill Marchenko News / Editor In Leaf / October 21

Another sign the Maple Leafs clearly won the Kirill Marchenko trade

Heading into the season, the Toronto Maple Leafs made a major move, sending 23-year-old top-six forward Matthew Knies to Columbus for Kirill Marchenko, a player they viewed as an upgrade. Toronto also received injured goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and depth forward Miles Wood, who has yet to play a game for the Leafs.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Daily Faceoff / October 21

Leafs continuing to look for upgrades on their blueline

Expectations for the Toronto Maple Leafs coming into this season were mixed, to say the least. Some saw a team with many of the same flaws as last year that would struggle in the competitive Atlantic Division.

Alexander Ovechkin News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Most goals in NHL history' quiz

How many of the 22 players in NHL history with at least 600 career goals can you name in five minutes?

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The '2026-27 NHL captains' quiz

The ''EA NHL,'' covers since 2000' quiz

NHL News / Editor In Leaf / October 21

This Islanders defenceman could be the perfect short-term fix for the Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs could look to add yet another fresh face to their completely renovated lineup that was built by John Chayka this summer, although it could very well just be a short-term fix.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The biggest draft bust for every NHL team

People love a good mid-round draft pick that pans out, and in the NHL you used to see those fairly often, but that’s obviously partially luck. If the Red Wings thought Nicklas Lidstrom was going to become a top-five defenseman in history, they wouldn’t have waited until the 53rd pick to take him.

Kirill Marchenko News / Daily Faceoff / October 21

Kirill Marchenko gets last laugh in return to Columbus

In his first game against his former team less than a month after being traded, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Kirill Marchenko had the last laugh, scoring the team’s first goal in a 6-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Professor Press Box / October 21

3 Reasons Not to Lose Hope in the Maple Leafs

Sometimes a team gives you a game that reminds you why you keep watching. The Toronto Maple Leafs’ 6-2 win over Columbus was one of those nights. They scored four goals in less than 10 minutes in the second period, and every one came off the rush.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Editor In Leaf / October 21

4 takeaways from Maple Leafs' convincing 6-2 win over Blue Jackets

The Toronto Maple Leafs have won two games in a row for the first time this season after a 6-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday night.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / October 21

Maple Leafs Prospect Roundup: The Danford dilemma, Holinka gets on the board

Ben Danford returned to the Toronto Marlies lineup over the weekend after missing a game with a lower-body injury earlier in the week and made an immediate impact in Saturday’s overtime win against the Belleville Senators.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / October 21

Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller raves about Easton Cowan: ‘He’s exceeded my expectations’

Easton Cowan is taking the leap during his second season, and Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller couldn’t be more proud of his 21-year-old winger.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / October 21

5 takeaways from Leafs-Blue Jackets: Marchenko outduels Knies, Matthews, Cowan lead commanding win

It doesn’t appear that the Toronto Maple Leafs circled their calendars for Tuesday’s showdown against the Columbus Blue Jackets, but on the second night of a back-to-back, they delivered their best performance of the young season.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The defining figure for every NHL franchise

People will talk about the “Mount Rushmore” for a franchise, which is to say the four people, usually four players, that most define the franchise. Not always the four-best players, but the four that evoke the essence of the franchise.

Auston Matthews News / Trade Talk Sports / October 21

Matthews at 700: A Goal, a Win, and a Place in NHL History

Auston Matthews reached game No. 700 on Tuesday night, and he marked the occasion the way you might expect. He scored, helped the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2, and added another little piece to an already remarkable NHL career.

NHL News / Field Level Media / October 20

Ex-Blue Jackets power Maple Leafs' victory in Columbus

Easton Cowan and ex-Blue Jacket Jack Roslovic each had a goal with two assists while Kirill Marchenko also scored in his return to Columbus as the Toronto Maple Leafs rode a four-goal second period to a 6-2 win on Tuesday.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'ALCS MVPs' quiz

The 'Most NBA games played' quiz

The 'Last 30-TD season by NFL team' quiz

The 'Most WNBA double-doubles' quiz

Jake McCabe News / Daily Faceoff / October 20

Leafs’ Jake McCabe leaves game against Blue Jackets with injury

The Toronto Maple Leafs picked up their second win in as many nights on Tuesday with a convincing win on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets, but it came at a cost.

Easton Cowan News / TheLeafsnation / October 20

Instant Reaction: Easton Cowan puts on a show as Maple Leafs’ offence comes alive in Columbus

The Toronto Maple Leafs took the first meeting against the Columbus Blue Jackets since the two teams completed a blockbuster on the eve of the 2026-27 season.

Jake McCabe News / TheLeafsnation / October 20

Maple Leafs’ Jake McCabe ruled out vs. Blue Jackets due to injury

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Jake McCabe was ruled out of Tuesday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets prior to the start of the third period, the team confirmed.

Auston Matthews News / NHL on ClutchPoints / October 20

Auston Matthews joins exclusive Maple Leafs club during Blue Jackets clash

The Toronto Maple Leafs are off to an okay start in 2026-27. Toronto currently owns a record of 4-4-2 and are taking on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / NHL Trade Talk / October 20

Why Does Matthews Look Different as Maple Leafs Captain?

Sometimes you watch a player and get the feeling something has changed. You can’t quite put your finger on it, but there’s something different about the way he carries himself.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Lindy's Sports / October 20

Maple Leafs badly need defensive change to make NHL playoffs

So far in the 2026-27 NHL season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been decidedly mediocre. Through the team’s first 10 games of the season, the Maple Leafs are an average 4-4-2, collecting 10 points through the season’s first 10 games.

Sergei Bobrovsky News / Professor Press Box / October 20

Bobrovsky Settles the Maple Leafs Down. Can He Keep It Going?

Sometimes, a goalie can do more for a team than simply stop pucks. He can settle things down, give his teammates a little confidence, and remind everyone that a game doesn't have to slip away when something goes wrong.