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Gavin McKenna, Leafs get first road test vs. Pacific-leading Knights

Gavin McKenna, Leafs get first road test vs. Pacific-leading Knights

After splitting four home games to begin the season, the Toronto Maple Leafs start a three-game western road trip when they face the Golden Knights on Thursday in Las Vegas.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Editor In Leaf / October 7
How serious are the Maple Leafs about winning right now?

How serious are the Maple Leafs about winning right now?

After four hard-fought, closely contested games this season, the alarm bells remain quiet, and the streets are devoid of fans cursing the gods with shaken fists and pleading faces.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Editor In Leaf / October 7
The Maple Leafs have a new Core Four

The Maple Leafs have a new Core Four

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a new core four. Man, I hated writing that sentence, but hopefully it got your attention. After going three games without registering a point and thinking the world was ending, the 2026 first-overall pick, Gavin McKenna had his best game of his career, scoring his first NHL goal and registering an assist.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Professor Press Box / October 7
The Maple Leafs Have a New Marlies Scorer & an Old Reliable

The Maple Leafs Have a New Marlies Scorer & an Old Reliable

The Toronto Marlies opened their home schedule with a 5-3 win over the Hamilton Hammers, and Maple Leafs fans had plenty of reasons to pay attention. Brendan Brisson scored twice.

Washington Capitals News / Yardbarker Quizzes
The 'Most goals in NHL history' quiz

The 'Most goals in NHL history' quiz

How many of the 22 players in NHL history with at least 600 career goals can you name in five minutes?

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz
The '2026-27 NHL captains' quiz
The ''EA NHL,'' covers since 2000' quiz
Toronto Maple Leafs News / NHL Trade Talk / October 7
Evaluating One More Maple Leafs Trade Mad Lib?

Evaluating One More Maple Leafs Trade Mad Lib?

It’s easy to fall into a trap when a young, talented player might be available: start building the trade package before asking whether the player actually makes sense for your team.

NHL News / Yardbarker
The best and worst NHL free agency deals since 2000

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.

Jim Hiller News / Editor In Leaf / October 7
Jim Hiller faces an extremely difficult decision with the Maple Leafs

Jim Hiller faces an extremely difficult decision with the Maple Leafs

Jim Hiller might be facing a tough decision with the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup, but that is nothing compared to what he could've been facing on Wednesday morning if his team hadn't rallied from down 3-0 to defeat the Nashville Predators.

Gavin Mckenna News / NHL Trade Talk / October 7
McKenna Scored His First Goal in Game 4 & That Really Tells Us?

McKenna Scored His First Goal in Game 4 & That Really Tells Us?

So Gavin McKenna finally got his first NHL goal, and naturally, everyone’s already trying to figure out what it means for his career. Here’s the fun part: it actually tells us almost nothing.

NHL News / Yardbarker
The defining figure for every NHL franchise

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 / NHL Trade Talk / October 7
Gavin McKenna Takes Friendly Jab at Family Following Big Night

Gavin McKenna Takes Friendly Jab at Family Following Big Night

Gavin McKenna‘s wait for his first NHL point lasted three games. On Tuesday night, he got two points in one game, and he had a joke ready about who wasn’t there to see it.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / The Hockey Writers / October 7
Maple Leafs News & Rumours: McKenna Gets His Moment & Matthews Finds His Game

Maple Leafs News & Rumours: McKenna Gets His Moment & Matthews Finds His Game

The Toronto Maple Leafs had quite a night against Nashville. They fell behind 3-0, came back, and eventually won 5-4 in overtime. That’s the sort of game that can leave a coach with plenty to talk about.

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The 'Last 2-rushing-TD duos by team' quiz
 The 'Last 2-rushing-TD duos by team' quiz
The 'Most TD's through four games' quiz
 The 'Most TD's through four games' quiz
The 'NFL RB TD-catch leaders' quiz
 The 'NFL RB TD-catch leaders' quiz
The 'Most HRs by an MLB first baseman' quiz
 The 'Most HRs by an MLB first baseman' quiz
Gavin Mckenna News / Larry Brown Sports / October 7
Gavin McKenna sums up his first NHL goal with a great quote

Gavin McKenna sums up his first NHL goal with a great quote

It was a night to remember for Toronto Maple Leafs rookie forward Gavin McKenna on Tuesday. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft lit the lamp for the first time in his NHL career in the second period of Toronto’s game against the visiting Nashville Predators at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Pension Plan Puppets / October 7

Marlies win home opener against the Hammers

A new season, a somewhat new roster, a new head coach, a new-old assistant coach, a new team in the division. Change is a constant each in the AHL each season, but there was something new from the start of the game.

Gavin Mckenna News / Daily Faceoff / October 7
After (very) early growing pains, Leafs’ Gavin McKenna has come alive

After (very) early growing pains, Leafs’ Gavin McKenna has come alive

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Gavin McKenna heard all the detractors. He even called his “Welcome to the NHL” moment hearing from the media that he hadn’t registered a point through three games.

NHL News / TheLeafsnation / October 7
Jim Hiller discusses Auston Matthews’ ‘really special’ performance following OT victory vs. Predators

Jim Hiller discusses Auston Matthews’ ‘really special’ performance following OT victory vs. Predators

That’s more like how many people thought the Toronto Maple Leafs’ offence would look to begin the season.  After recording only six goals over their first

Gavin Mckenna News / TheLeafsnation / October 7
Gavin McKenna beams over crowd reaction following 1st NHL goal: ‘Love this fanbase’

Gavin McKenna beams over crowd reaction following 1st NHL goal: ‘Love this fanbase’

Gavin McKenna was glowing in his postgame scrum following the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ 5-4 comeback win over the Nashville Predators. And he had all the reason to be – he scored his first NHL goal and added an assist in a game where his team rallied back and won a thriller in overtime.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / October 7
4 takeaways from Maple Leafs-Predators: Matthews dominates in all facets, McKenna’s electric night

4 takeaways from Maple Leafs-Predators: Matthews dominates in all facets, McKenna’s electric night

You could be forgiven if you forgot that the Toronto Maple Leafs once trailed 3-0 to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday evening. Steven Stamkos and Nils Hoglander each scored twice for the Predators, as Nashville raced out to an early lead.

NHL News / Professor Press Box / October 7
What Did We Learn from the Maple Leafs' 5-4 OT Win Over the Predators?

What Did We Learn from the Maple Leafs' 5-4 OT Win Over the Predators?

A few moments into Tuesday night, Toronto Maple Leafs fans probably wondered whether this would be one of those games. Toronto fell behind Nashville 3-0.

Gavin Mckenna News / Editor In Leaf / October 7

3 takeaways from Maple Leafs' big comeback win and Gavin McKenna's breakout game

The Toronto Maple Leafs overcame two multi-goal deficits to defeat the Nashville Predators 5-4 in overtime on Tuesday night. Gavin McKenna scored the first goal of his NHL career, while Auston Matthews had a four-point night, including the game-winning goal in overtime.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / The Hockey Writers / October 6
Maple Leafs’ Top 2 Lines Heading in Opposite Directions

Maple Leafs’ Top 2 Lines Heading in Opposite Directions

Through the first few games of the 2026-27 NHL season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have seen some good in their top line and some lack of production from their second unit – leading to questions around the make-up of the roster to start the season.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / October 6
Kirill Marchenko and Auston Matthews need to turn expected goals into actual goals for Maple Leafs

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.

Easton Cowan News / Professor Press Box / October 5
The Maple Leafs May Have Found Easton Cowan’s Best Role

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.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Trade Talk Sports / October 4
Maple Leafs Have Changed Stance on Trading Easton Cowan

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.

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