Toronto Maple Leafs: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Kirill Marchenko and Auston Matthews need to turn expected goals into actual goals for Maple Leafs

Kirill Marchenko and Auston Matthews have been among the NHL’s best shot creators through the opening week of the season. Marchenko, Matthews and Jack Roslovic have operated as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ first line through three games.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

TSN’s Cheryl Pounder wants to see Gavin McKenna and Auston Matthews on a line together

The pressures of playing in Toronto always seem to magnify slow starts. In the case of the Toronto Maple Leafs, getting off to a 1-2-0 start has caused some of the fanbase to voice concerns over various players throughout the lineup and what changes should be made to get the club going.

Easton Cowan News / Editor In Leaf / October 6

Easton Cowan immediately deserves a bigger opportunity on the Maple Leafs

Following the Toronto Maple Leafs' 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night, much of the conversation centered on decisions made by new head coach Jim Hiller. One that stood out was the ice time for forward Easton Cowan, who broke out in a major way over the first two games of the season.

Gavin Mckenna News / Editor In Leaf / October 5

Maple Leafs are saying all the right things about Gavin McKenna’s slow start

Gavin McKenna wasn't going to be the Toronto Maple Leafs' savior as an 18-year-old, regardless of where he went in the 2026 NHL Draft. While most Maple Leafs fans wouldn't have expected him to be the team's top forward after three games, they might've expected him to at least have a secondary assist by now.

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

Easton Cowan News / Professor Press Box / October 5

The Maple Leafs May Have Found Easton Cowan’s Best Role

I've been watching Easton Cowan closely this season, partly because I think he’ll be an important player for the Toronto Maple Leafs and partly because young players are just interesting to watch.

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.

Gavin Mckenna News / NHL Trade Talk / October 5

Is Gavin McKenna Becoming a Problem? Leafs Fans Sound the Alarm After Multiple No‑Shows

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ start to the season hasn’t entirely gone to plan. With a team experiencing so much turnover, it makes sense there would be some growing pains, especially as a new coach brings new systems.

NHL News / Maple Leafs Hotstove / October 5

Jim Hiller on how Gavin McKenna is handling a slow first three NHL games offensively: “He just seems unflappable to me”

After Monday’s practice, Jim Hiller discussed the Maple Leafs’ offensive-zone play, his patience with the line combinations, Gavin McKenna’s adjustment to the NHL, and the emphasis on getting pucks and traffic to the net during practice.

Darren Raddysh News / Editor In Leaf / October 5

Darren Raddysh is part of the Maple Leafs’ biggest problem — and the solution

Much of the talk around the Toronto Maple Leafs' modest start has centered on their newcomers, and Darren Raddysh is among the names drawing the most attention. The offensive defenseman signed an eight-year deal carrying a cap hit of $8.5 million per season, and through three games he has one assist, no goals and a team-worst minus-three rating.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / October 5

William Nylander has no concerns over Gavin McKenna’s slow start: ‘It’s going to come in waves’

The Toronto Maple Leafs entered the 2026-27 season with favourable expectations after missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade in 2025-26. Through three games, the Maple Leafs find themselves with a 1-2-0 record, and in a little bit of shocking fashion, have seen their offence struggle to put the puck in the back of the net.

Jim Hiller News / TheLeafsnation / October 5

Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller defends decision to keep lines intact after 3 games

We’re three games into the season, but the Toronto Maple Leafs may be facing their first real adversity of the campaign, following Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators.

Gavin Mckenna News / NHL Trade Talk / October 5

There’s Something We Might Be Missing About Gavin McKenna

Steve Simmons got me thinking about Gavin McKenna, although probably not in the way he intended. Simmons wrote about Guy Lafleur and the way we talk about McKenna after only a handful of NHL games.

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.

Gavin Mckenna News / TheLeafsnation / October 5

Maple Leafs’ lineup news: Gavin McKenna remains in top-six, no major changes to lines

Ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Nashville Predators, the Toronto Maple Leafs made no major changes to their lines during Monday’s practice. Auston Matthews centred Kirill Marchenko and Jack Roslovic, while Gavin McKenna remained intact with John Tavares and William Nylander.

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

The 'NFL RB TD-catch leaders' quiz

The 'Most HRs by an MLB first baseman' quiz

The 'Active 100-hit MLB seasons' quiz

The '2009 NFL Week 1 starting QBs' quiz

NHL News / TheLeafsnation / October 5

Kirill Marchenko discusses childhood inspirations following Alex Ovechkin’s final season announcement

Longtime Russian superstar and Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin announced to his teammates on Monday morning that the 2026-27 season will be his last.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / The Hockey Writers / October 5

Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Bobrovsky, Wood & Problems Can Be Solved Later

The Toronto Maple Leafs are only a few games into the season, so I’ll try not to get too carried away by what I’m seeing. That’s harder to do than it sounds, of course.

John Tavares News / TheLeafsnation / October 5

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.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Maple Leafs Hotstove / October 5

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.

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.

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 / 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.

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.

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

Kirill Marchenko News / Yardbarker / September 29