Toronto Maple Leafs: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Maple Leafs need to listen to the numbers and rework John Tavares’ role

Call it a knee-jerk reaction if you want, call it an emotional reaction after only three games, but the numbers don’t lie — the Toronto Maple Leafs need to figure out a new role for John Tavares.

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The Marchenko Bet & The Leafs’ Possession Play, Sundin’s Push for Bobrovsky, Second-Line Struggles — Maple Leafs Notebook

In the past two seasons, the Maple Leafs barely possessed the puck. Last season, they finished last in 5v5 shot-attempt share. The year they won their division, they finished 29th but were buoyed by excellent goaltending.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / October 5

Jim Hiller believes Auston Matthews is the perfect captain for Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller feels his team has the perfect leader in Auston Matthews. Hiller’s been very impressed with what he’s seen out of his team’s captain so far this season, and frankly, it’s come as no surprise.

Matthew Knies News / Editor In Leaf / October 5

The real reason why the Maple Leafs traded Matthew Knies

Watching a traded player instantly thrive elsewhere is a rite of passage for the tortured Toronto Maple Leafs fanbase. Matthew Knies' spectacular debut with the Columbus Blue Jackets rubbed fresh salt into an open wound.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The '2026-27 NHL captains' quiz

Can you name the players chosen as team captain for each NHL franchise in 2026-27?

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

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

The 'Most NHL goals all-time' quiz

Kirill Marchenko News / Professor Press Box / October 5

The Maple Leafs Wanted Marchenko. But What Did They Give Up?

Every once in a while, a trade comes along that makes me stop and think about what a hockey team is actually trying to build. The Maple Leafs’ trade of Matthew Knies to Columbus for Kirill Marchenko is one of those trades.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The best and worst NHL free agency deals since 2000

The NHL has had an interesting new millennium. It was a league sans a salary cap when the 2000s started… and then the owners locked the players out for an entire season.

John Tavares News / Editor In Leaf / October 4

John Tavares’ role may be holding the Maple Leafs back

If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to get back to the playoffs, they need to upgrade their second-line centre position, downgrading John Tavares to the third line.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Professor Press Box / October 4

Punishment vs. Standards Is an Old Maple Leafs Question

Looking back into Toronto Maple Leafs history, it wasn’t really a story about punishment. It was a story about standards. Back when Pat Burns coached the Maple Leafs, Doug Gilmour was one of the biggest stars in the room.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Professor Press Box / October 4

What Did We Learn From the Maple Leafs’ 3-2 Loss to Ottawa?

Well, the Maple Leafs lost 3-2 to the Senators on Saturday night, and now they're 1-2. That's not exactly panic time. We're three games into the season.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Trade Talk Sports / October 4

Maple Leafs Have Changed Stance on Trading Easton Cowan

John Chayka has not been shy about making big moves since taking over as GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs this offseason, which has included moving on from several mainstays of the organization in recent years.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / The Hockey Writers / October 4

Something Interesting Happens to Former Maple Leafs Around the NHL

This past week, the Toronto Maple Leafs got a pretty good reminder that sometimes a player just needs somebody to give him a little room. Nicholas Robertson had three points in his first game with the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing on the top line with Sidney Crosby.

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / October 4

Maple Leafs’ Loss to the Senators Raises 5 Thoughts

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the Ottawa Senators 3-2 on home ice, but this wasn’t one of those games where the whole night felt wrong. In fact, the first two periods might have been Toronto’s best hockey 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.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Professor Press Box / October 4

Matthews and Marchenko: Something Might Be Starting Here

Something’s going on with Auston Matthews and Kirill Marchenko. I don’t mean that they have suddenly become the most dangerous line in hockey. It’s way too early for that.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Professor Press Box / October 4

The Marlies Are More Than Just the Team Down the Road

I like watching the Toronto Marlies early in the season. You aren't just watching an AHL hockey game. You are also getting a little look down the road at the Maple Leafs.

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The 'Most HRs by an MLB first baseman' quiz

The 'Active 100-hit MLB seasons' quiz

The '2009 NFL Week 1 starting QBs' quiz

The 'Oldest 2-passing-TD NFL games' quiz

Kirill Marchenko News / The Hockey Writers / October 4

Marchenko’s First Goal With the Maple Leafs Could Spark a 30-Goal Season

While the first three games of the 2026-27 season have been a rollercoaster for the Toronto Maple Leafs, there have been some positives for the blue and white.

Easton Cowan News / The Hockey Writers / October 4

Maple Leafs’ Cowan Excelling in Potential Breakout Season

There are plenty of standouts for the Toronto Maple Leafs to start the season, but none have stood out more than the play of forward Easton Cowan. It’s

Kirill Marchenko News / TheLeafsnation / October 4

Kirill Marchenko on first goal with Maple Leafs: ‘I would be most happy if we win’

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Kirill Marchenko scored his first goal as a Leaf on Saturday night against the Ottawa Senators, but if you asked him, he’d trade it for two points.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Editor In Leaf / October 4

One thing is working perfectly so far for the Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs aren't perfect this season. They have a 1-2-0 record after Saturday night's loss to the Ottawa Senators. Just looking at that win-loss ratio could cause some panic but they are looking so much better than their record suggests -- and the games are roughly a million times more enjoyable to watch than last season.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / October 4

5 takeaways from Maple Leafs-Senators: A lack of third-period discipline and six posts

For the better part of two periods, the Toronto Maple Leafs appeared to have found their identity. Toronto was playing with the pace head coach Jim Hiller demands, and the team was in control of possession and shot-creation for the majority of the contest.

NHL News / TheLeafsnation / October 3

Instant Reaction: Maple Leafs defeated by iron in 3-2 loss to Senators

You can try to analyze the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators however you want, but in the end, they hit the post or crossbar SIX times on the night.

Gavin Mckenna News / TheLeafsnation / October 3

Patience must be preached as the market awaits Gavin McKenna breakout

Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna has been held off the scoresheet through his first two NHL games, and anyone who is starting to worry needs to take a chill pill, and grasp on to their patience.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Daily Faceoff / October 3

Leafs' Sergei Bobrovsky apologizes to rookie Gavin McKenna

Sergei Bobrovsky, Toronto’s new starting goalie acquired via unrestricted free agency this offseason, stepped onto the ice right before McKenna.

Patience must be preached as the market awaits Gavin McKenna breakout

Will new-look Leafs make the playoffs in a strong Atlantic Division?

Top five under-the-radar candidates for 2026-27 Calder Trophy

The 'Last 50-goal NHL season by team' quiz

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Athlon Sports / October 2

NHL Legend Wayne Gretzky Sends Strong Message on Maple Leafs' Gavin McKenna

Wayne Gretzky believes Gavin McKenna is handling the expectations surrounding his arrival with the Toronto Maple Leafs better than most 18-year-olds would.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / NHL Trade Talk / October 1

Maple Leafs And Matthews Had Priorities; Knies Found Out the Hard Way What They Are

According to a report by The Fourth Period, Auston Matthews was on board with the trade involving Matthew Knies and Kirill Marchenko. A surprising deal that saw the Leafs trade a big part of their core, Toronto went with the skilled sniper over the grittier power forward.

Anthony Stolarz News / NHL Trade Talk / October 1

Is the Old Anthony Stolarz Back for the Maple Leafs?

Something about Anthony Stolarz felt familiar on Wednesday night. Nothing spectacular or flashy. Just really good. Stolarz stopped 26 of 27 shots as the Toronto Maple Leafs held on for a 2-1 win over the New York Islanders.

NHL News / Yardbarker / September 29

Jacob Markstrom impresses in season-opening win vs. Hurricanes

Panthers' Jacob Markstrom impresses in season opener, emerging as Sergei Bobrovsky replacement early

Sergei who? The Florida Panthers faced the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, in a clash of the past two Stanley Cup champions.

Wild's Bill Guerin, Quinn Hughes talk Brock Faber after scary injury

Canucks blow late lead, pull out opening win over Oilers in overtime

Bruins win 11th straight home opener with late surge past Rangers

Canadiens end Maple Leafs' 10-game home-opening win streak

Maple Leafs confirm six-year extension for Kirill Marchenko after trade