Toronto Maple Leafs: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Maple Leafs Notes: Matthews, Halpern, McKenna

Maple Leafs GM John Chayka met with reporters today at the NHL Combine (video link). Among the topics discussed was the future of Auston Matthews amid

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

John Gruden on Easton Cowan bouncing back with a goal and an assist in a Game 5 Marlies victory: “That is what big-time players do”

Toronto Marlies head coach John Gruden discusses his team’s 5-1 win over the WBS Penguins in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final. The Marlies now lead the series 3-2.

John Chayka News / Maple Leafs Hotstove / June 5

John Chayka on his patient process for hiring the Leafs’ next head coach: “It has been a while since the organization has done a full search”

At the 2026 NHL Draft Combine, John Chayka spoke to Ryan Leslie about his takeaways from the combine, his meetings with Ivar Stenberg and Gavin McKenna, his discussions with Auston Matthews, the coaching search, and his first month on the job.

Artur Akhtyamov News / Inside The Rink / June 6

AHL Game Recap: Akhtyamov, Marlies Push Penguins to the Brink; Take Game Five

The Toronto Marlies and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins met tonight for game five of the Eastern Conference Finals in the Calder Cup Playoffs, with the series 2-2.

Mitch Marner News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The '20-point Stanley Cup Playoffs' quiz

How many of the active NHL players to rack up at least 20 points in a single Stanley Cup Playoff run can you name in six minutes?

The 'Stanley Cup captains since 2000' quiz

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The 'Most 5-point NHL games' quiz

NHL News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest rookie seasons in NHL history

There have been successful rookie seasons in NHL history, and there have been superior efforts worth celebrating time and time again. Here's our list of the 25 notable seasons from those with official rookie status, as deemed by the NHL, in reverse chronological order.

NHL News / TheLeafsnation / June 5

Gavin McKenna reflects on potentially going 1st overall to Leafs: ‘I’d be pretty fortunate to go there’

Gavin McKenna is the near-consensus favourite to be selected first overall, so it’s only natural for him to start thinking where he may begin his highly-anticipated NHL career.

Auston Matthews News / NHL Trade Talk / June 5

What Matthews’ Mood Really Means for the Maple Leafs

If John Chayka is saying he’s seeing “a happy captain” in meetings with Auston Matthews is the headline, that’s a pretty useful one. It suggests the immediate fireworks have cooled, and there’s at least enough trust for real conversations.

NHL News / NHL Trade Talk / June 5

Did the Maple Leafs Fire Treliving to Avoid Heat from Hughes Over Failed Knies Trade?

The news is out there officially now: the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens had a deal. Matthew Knies was headed to Montreal, and in return, Toronto was getting four pieces.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Professor Press Box / June 5

The Real Knies Question: What Problem Was Treliving Trying to Solve?

The more I think about the reported Matthew Knies trade that nearly sent him to the Montreal Canadiens, the less interested I am in the specific players involved.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 5

Hall Of Fame NHL Executive Cliff Fletcher Passes Away

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that legendary former NHL general manager Cliff Fletcher passed away at age 90. A member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Fletcher brought the Calgary Flames a Stanley Cup in 1989.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / NHL on ClutchPoints / June 5

Maple Leafs announce passing of former GM Cliff Fletcher

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Friday that former NHL executive Cliff Fletcher has died at the age of 90. Fletcher, a Hockey Hall of Fame builder inducted in 2004, was one of the most influential front-office figures in league history, with roles covering more than 70 years across multiple organizations.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / June 5

Hockey Hall of Famer, former Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher dies at 90

Former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher died on Friday, the team confirmed. Fletcher was hired by the Maple Leafs as chief operating officer, president and general manager in 1991, spending six seasons in this role.

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

The 'Last 30-point NBA Finals game' quiz

The 'Most 1,400-yard NFL seasons' quiz

The 'Most field goals-per-game by playoffs' quiz

The '20-point Stanley Cup Playoffs' quiz

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / June 5

Leafs not planning to trade first overall pick

It was a tumultuous 2025-26 season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, as they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 by finishing last in the Atlantic Division.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Daily Faceoff / June 5

Leafs talked to over 50 coaching candidates; no timeline in place for hiring

The Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t going to rush to name a head coach this summer, as new general manager John Chayka continues to find his footing in the

Matthew Knies News / NHL Rumors / June 5

The Maple Leafs and Canadiens Had a Deal in Place for Matthew Knies

Daily Faceoff: David Pagnotta said that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens had a deal in place before the trade deadline involving Matthew Knies, but it wasn’t able to get completed in time.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / June 5

What we can infer about the Maple Leafs’ draft strategy from John Chayka’s media availability

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka met with reporters at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo to discuss draft strategy, top prospects, and new hires to the organization among other topics.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / June 5

Maple Leafs GM John Chayka calls Gavin McKenna ‘a really nice young man’ after visit to Whitehorse

Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka touched on how things went during a recent visit to Whitehorse, Yukon, to meet with highly touted prospect Gavin McKenna and his family.

Matthew Knies News / The Hockey Writers / June 5

Don’t Expect Maple Leafs to Reopen Knies-to-Canadiens Trade Talks

The failed Matthew Knies trade, which exploded onto the NHL news scene late Thursday night, is no longer an option. At least, not according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, who confirmed the report of the trade on his latest 32 Thoughts podcast, but says the Maple Leafs won’t be interested in the same deal under new management.

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / June 5

Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Laine Gamble & What’s Going on at the McKenna Meetings?

There’s a bit of a dual track forming in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ thinking right now. On one hand, you’ve got potential low-cost NHL roster swings that could add offence in creative ways.

Gavin Mckenna News / Professor Press Box / June 5

Should the Maple Leafs Trade the 1st Overall Pick or Draft Gavin McKenna?

The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing a major decision at the top of the draft: stay put and select Gavin McKenna, or move the pick in a deal that addresses immediate roster needs.

Matthew Knies News / Pro Hockey Rumors / June 4

Canadiens nearly acquired Matthew Knies at NHL trade deadline

Around the trade deadline, it was reported that the Montreal Canadiens had completed a significant trade with an unidentified team; however, the other team was unable to file the trade by the 3 p.m.

Dylan Larkin trade request shows how far once-proud Red Wings have fallen

Assessing trade destinations for disgruntled Red Wings center Dylan Larkin

Four teams that could land Dylan Larkin in a blockbuster trade

Potential trade destinations for Oilers’ Darnell Nurse

The 'Last 70-assist season by NHL team' quiz

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Daily Faceoff / June 4

Maple Leafs close to narrowing down coaching candidates

After dismissing previous head coach Craig Berube, new Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka is in the midst of his first major decision at the helm of one of the NHL’s most storied franchises.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / The Hockey Writers / June 4

Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Roy, Danford, Matthews Waits & Leadership Signals

The Toronto Maple Leafs are spending the summer talking about change, evaluating options, and trying to thread the needle between “win now” and “fix what’s been broken for too long.” It’s a delicate balance, but for fans, it’s a bit of a heyday for speculation.

Auston Matthews News / Professor Press Box / June 4

Is Auston Matthews an Employee or a Hockey Thinker?

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ use of Auston Matthews under former head coach Craig Berube last season is raising questions about how the star forward will be deployed under a new coaching staff.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / 6IX ON ICE / June 4

Reliving the biggest “what ifs” from the Toronto Maple Leafs core four era

Over the years, the Toronto Maple Leafs have made numerous bad moves that have left the fans wondering “what if?” There are so many moves that look terrible in hindsight, such as leaving Jared McCann unprotected in the expansion draft, trading away Nazem Kadri, letting Zach Hyman walk in free agency, and much more.

Max Domi News / 6IX ON ICE / June 2

Analyzing the fallout of Max Domi’s injury and the Toronto Maple Leafs roster

Max Domi has had a rough start to his offseason. It was reported about a week ago that Domi will be out long-term. This came as a bit of an unexpected turn, as Domi was getting back surgery.