Toronto Maple Leafs: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Maple Leafs Analyst is Riding With Auston Matthews Until the Wheels Fall Off

There’s always going to be noise surrounding the top players on the Toronto Maple Leafs—that just comes with the territory—but lately, it’s taken on a life of its own in a way Auston Matthews has never really faced before.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Maple Leafs Prospect Roundup: Danford’s depth role for Canada, Holinka’s hat trick

Hockey’s brief holiday break came to an end with the World Juniors getting underway in Minnesota on Boxing Day, and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ben Danford was a part of the group that took the ice as Canada began its pursuit to avenge back-to-back years without a medal for Canada.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / 6IX ON ICE / December 30

Toronto Maple Leafs hot takes heading into 2026

If you’re tired of watching Team Canada be what the kids call “mid” at the World Juniors, I have some hot or not-so-hot takes on the Toronto Maple Leafs going into the New Year.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / December 30

Auston Matthews is a game-time decision, Joshua and Tanev won’t play vs. Devils

Just as the Toronto Maple Leafs were beginning to string together some positive momentum, the injury bug came back and bit them in a big way. After missing

Pittsburgh Penguins News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'All-time points leader by NHL team' quiz

Can you name every NHL franchise's all-time leader in points in five minutes?

The 'Maurice Richard Trophy winners' quiz

The 'NHL 1,600 point club' quiz

The 'Team Canada 2025 Four Nations Face-Off roster' quiz

Toronto Maple Leafs News / NHL Trade Talk / December 30

Injuries Piling Up Again for the Maple Leafs: Call for Reinforcements

The Toronto Maple Leafs are once again dealing with a growing list of injuries at the worst possible time, creating uncertainty around their lineup and who will be available.

NHL News / Yardbarker

Who is the winningest coach for every NHL franchise?

NHL head coaches have to hire good assistants. They have to set an overarching philosophy, juggle lineup configurations, and do the kind of “man management” that is impossible to track statistically.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Pro Hockey Rumors / December 30

Maple Leafs Recall Matt Benning, Jacob Quillan

The Maple Leafs have recalled defenseman Matt Benning and center Jacob Quillan from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, according to a team announcement. Toronto’s active roster is full, so two corresponding moves will be necessary.

Matias Maccelli News / Pro Hockey Rumors / December 30

Bruins Have Shown Interest In Matias Maccelli

The Bruins are known to be in the market for a winger as they look to gain ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race. According to Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic, re-upping a sentiment Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet had first put out earlier in the month, Maple Leafs lefty Matias Maccelli is another name they’ve checked in on.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / December 30

How Nick Robertson is carving himself a top-9 role and future with Maple Leafs

Nick Robertson deserves to be in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ lineup each, and every game. The shifty winger continues to develop into a complete player under Craig Berube’s system, and recently, Robertson’s elevated his game, and is quickly becoming one of the most important players on the Maple Leafs’ roster.

Justin Holl News / NHL Trade Talk / December 30

Whatever Happened to ex-Maple Leafs Blueliner Justin Holl?

Few Toronto Maple Leafs players have ever divided opinion like Justin Holl. He was a solid enough right-shot defenceman. When he played with Jake Muzzin, and both were in top form, they were a steady shutdown pairing.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Inside The Rink / December 29

Toronto Maple Leafs Defense Is Improving

The Toronto Maple Leafs, with 40 points, remain at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. However, there is a reason to be optimistic going forward. The Leafs’ defense suddenly looks like it’s working.

Anthony Stolarz News / NHL Trade Talk / December 29

The Anthony Stolarz Situation Is Getting Strange

When the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Anthony Stolarz went down in mid-November, the first word was reassuring. A couple of games. Not a concussion. Something upper-body, but nothing too alarming.

Auston Matthews News / NHL Trade Talk / December 29

A Matthews-to-Detroit Trade Would Be Silly Season

I stumbled onto a hypothetical trade this morning that has Auston Matthews ending up in Detroit, and I didn’t even have to read it twice to make sure I hadn’t missed something overnight.

Marshall Rifai News / TheLeafsnation / December 29

Maple Leafs defenceman Marshall Rifai clears waivers

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Marshall Rifai has cleared waivers and will report to the Toronto Marlies, according to multiple sources. Rifai is working his way back from wrist surgery that has kept him sidelined for the entire season to date, and was placed on waivers on Sunday in order to report back to the American Hockey League.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / The Hockey Writers / December 29

Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Hildeby, Robertson, Tavares & Holinka

The Toronto Maple Leafs left Detroit with a point after a 3-2 overtime loss to the Red Wings, but it didn’t feel like a consolation prize so much as an unfinished thought.

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

The 'Most NFL pass completions' quiz

The 'NBA Christmas Day triple-doubles' quiz

The 'NFL rookie QBs to win a playoff game' quiz

The 'NBA Christmas Day 40-point games' quiz

William Nylander News / Last Word On Sports / December 29

William Nylander’s Injury Could Define Toronto Maple Leafs Season

The Toronto Maple Leafs received a scare they simply can’t have happened on Saturday night when William Nylander did not return after the second period against the Ottawa Senators.

Easton Cowan News / The Hockey Writers / December 29

Maple Leafs Mystery: Easton Cowan’s Development Dwindling

In a season riddled with individual and team struggles, the Toronto Maple Leafs have started to see some growth out of their top prospect in Easton Cowan.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / NHL Trade Talk / December 29

Recently dealt $18M winger had Toronto on his no-trade list

Mason Marchment has been linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs quite a few times over the past few years. First, as a free agent in 2022 before signing with the Dallas Stars, then this offseason as a trade target before being dealt to the Seattle Kraken, and again before the recent holiday roster freeze—ultimately sent to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

John Tavares News / TheLeafsnation / December 29

Top Leafs stories of 2025 – When we made the case for John Tavares’ return

Analyst Predicts Auston Matthews Trade to Sharks for Top Prospect

Times are changing for Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs, and it’s happening fast. For nine years, the now-captain was the focal point of a star-studded core — a group that consistently put up big-time regular-season numbers and cruised their way into the playoffs with little trouble.

Auston Matthews News / The Hockey Writers / December 29

Maple Leafs Could Trade Auston Matthews to Red Wings in Suggested League-Altering Blockbuster

The Toronto Maple Leafs have struggled this season, and while fans were hopeful they could stay competitive after losing Mitchell Marner to the Vegas Golden

Craig Berube News / TheLeafsnation / December 29

Craig Berube maintains optimistic tone after Maple Leafs pick up five of six points in last 3 games

The Toronto Maple Leafs are at a point in their season where there doesn’t feel like there’s any leeway with any losses. Perhaps at the start of the year,

NHL News / Yardbarker / December 28

Red Wings' young defensive duo may help team end playoff drought

The Detroit Red Wings have not been in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the 2015-16 season. For a team that once went 25 consecutive seasons in the playoffs, that nine-year drought is a significant fall from grace.

Penguins' Justin Brazeau achieves personal milestone vs. Blackhawks

Linus Ullmark taking leave of absence for personal reasons

Matthew Tkachuk practices with Panthers for first time in 2025-26

USA’s Cole Hutson out day-to-day after taking puck to head

Canadian World Junior team apologizes for not shaking hands with Czechia

2026 World Juniors: Top standouts from Sweden vs. Switzerland