Toronto Maple Leafs: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

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.

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

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.

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 / 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.

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.

Dennis Hildeby News / TheLeafsnation / December 29

Maple Leafs players defend Dennis Hildeby after overtime gaffe vs. Red Wings

The Toronto Maple Leafs suffered what was one of their first losses in recent memory that wasn’t due to poor process or effort level. Their 3-2 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday night was simply an example of two division rivals going at it and one team getting the favourable bounce in the end.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / 6IX ON ICE / December 29

New Year’s Resolutions for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2026

As 2025 comes to a close, it’s a time to look back at the Toronto Maple Leafs and how this past year fared for them. The best way to describe 2025 for the boys in blue is a roller coaster ride.

Matthew Knies News / TheLeafsnation / December 29

Matthew Knies believes Maple Leafs found their groove due to ‘resilient’ identity

Although the Toronto Maple Leafs lost in overtime to the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday, Matthew Knies was able to find some genuine positives from the game.

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

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

Toronto Maple Leafs 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 / TheLeafsnation / December 29

7 coaches and general managers that are looking for work

It seems like as good a time as any to hunt for bargains the Toronto Maple Leafs might be interested in picking up for their Hockey Operations department.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / December 29

3 takeaways from Leafs-Red Wings: Matthews shakes off injury scares, Hildeby solid in losing effort

During what’s been a disappointing first half of the season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, there have been few losses where you could find true positives.

NHL News / Maple Leafs Hotstove / December 29

Game Review: After a promising first half, Maple Leafs let a point slip in Detroit

While the Red Wings were hanging around only down 1-0, you had to feel good about the Maple Leafs’ play through 35 minutes of this game. After a bit of a jittery first minute or two, the Leafs were mostly breaking out well at five-on-five, using the middle of the ice more and going off […]

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

William Nylander News / Pro Hockey Rumors / December 28

Maple Leafs’ William Nylander Out Day-To-Day

The Toronto Maple Leafs will have to deal with yet another injury moving forward. Star winger William Nylander will miss Sunday night’s game and sit out day-to-day with an undisclosed injury head coach Craig Berube told David Alter of The Hockey News.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Pro Hockey Rumors / December 28