Toronto Maple Leafs: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Thoughts on the Matthew Knies – Kirill Marchenko Trade

To the Columbus Blue Jackets: Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a 2027 2nd round pick (via Seattle) To the Toronto Maple Leafs: Kirill Marchenko, Miles Wood, and Elvis Merzlikins (some retained salary – 18%).

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Instant Reaction: Maple Leafs trade power for pace in Kirill Marchenko-Matthew Knies blockbuster

A day before the season opener, minutes before the 5 PM deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets engineered a genuine franchise-altering trade.

NHL News / NHL Trade Talk / September 28

Maple Leafs Land Kirill Marchenko in Stunning Six‑Player Blockbuster for Matthew Knies

In one of the most stunning early‑season blockbusters in recent memory, the Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired winger Kirill Marchenko, forward Miles Wood, and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a multi‑asset deal that immediately reshapes both franchises.

San Jose Sharks News / Yardbarker Quizzes

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

How many of the players to grace the cover of each EA NHL video game going back to 'NHL 2000?"

The 'First-overall NHL Draft picks' quiz

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The 'Most NHL goals all-time' quiz

NHL News / Pro Hockey Rumors / September 28

Blue Jackets, Maple Leafs To Swap Kirill Marchenko, Matthew Knies

After a momentary lull in negotiations, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Toronto Maple Leafs have lined up on a notable trade shortly before the roster deadline.

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.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Maple Leafs Hotstove / September 28

John Chayka on Auston Matthews ahead of the new season: “All of our internal skating data suggests this is the best he’s skated over the last five years”

General Manager John Chayka spoke to the media ahead of the season opener about the team’s expectations this season, Gavin McKenna’s first camp, Auston Matthews’ physical condition, the injury outlook for Max Domi and Dakota Joshua, and the workload plan for Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz in net.

NHL News / TheLeafsnation / September 28

Report: Maple Leafs to acquire Kirill Marchenko from Blue Jackets for Matthew Knies

According to several reporters, the Toronto Maple Leafs are working on a trade that will send Matthew Knies to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Kirill Marchenko.

NHL News / TheLeafsnation / September 28

Maple Leafs acquire Kirill Marchenko from Blue Jackets for Matthew Knies in 6-player blockbuster

The Toronto Maple Leafs have completed a blockbuster trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets on the eve of the new NHL season. The full trade has the Maple

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.

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

The '100-receiving-yard playoff debuts' quiz

The 'Multiple 30/30 MLB seasons' quiz

The 'Active NFL catch leaders' quiz

The '4K-yard, 30-TD NFL seasons' quiz

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / September 28

John Chayka expresses belief that Matthew Knies’ game will turn corner when new season begins

The Toronto Maple Leafs wrapped up their final practice of preseason on Monday, a little over 24 hours before they’re set to take on the Montreal Canadiens at home for the season opener.

Brody Pepoy News / Professor Press Box / September 28

The Maple Leafs May Have Selected Another Interesting Prospect

Every now and then, a prospect gets a little more interesting simply because somebody takes the time to watch him closely. That seems to be happening with Brody Pepoy.

Gavin Mckenna News / TheLeafsnation / September 28

Gavin McKenna says he will have 14 friends and family in attendance for NHL debut vs. Canadiens

The beginning of Gavin McKenna’s National Hockey League career is one night away. The Toronto Maple Leafs will open their 2026-27 regular season against

Zack MacEwen News / TheLeafsnation / September 28

Zack MacEwen among notables in Maple Leafs’ projected opening night lineup

There are few surprises ahead of Tuesday’s season opener, but Zack MacEwen appears to have made the opening night roster for the Toronto Maple Leafs. MacEwen was placed on the right wing of the fourth line during Tuesday’s practice, with Brandon Duhaime on the left and Teddy Blueger at centre.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / September 28

Auston Matthews outlines changes to Maple Leafs’ playstyle under Jim Hiller

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews is feeling good about life right now with the start of the 2026-27 campaign fast approaching. He and the team are fresh off their trip to Arizona for some bonding time and a visit to the family of Matthew Mayich.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / NHL Trade Talk / September 28

Berube Has Defiant Response to Rumors About Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews

Former Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has responded to criticism of his system and his handling of Auston Matthews, and he isn’t walking any of it back.

Nick Blankenburg News / Inside The Rink / September 28

Toronto Signs Blankenburg

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenseman Nick Blankenburg to a one-year contract. The team confirmed the signing on Sunday. According to PuckPedia, Blankenburg reportedly signed a one-year contract worth $1.4 million.

John Tavares News / TheLeafsnation / September 28

John Tavares is antsy for Maple Leafs hockey to return after offseason that was ‘way too long for us’

The Toronto Maple Leafs are back from the longest offseason they’ve had since the beginning of the Auston Matthews era. Maybe it felt that way because the Toronto Blue Jays weren’t anything worth watching this summer, but it was also quite literally the longest one.

John Chayka News / NHL Trade Talk / September 28

John Chayka Has Given Leafs Fans Plenty to Think About

The regular season starts tomorrow, and the Toronto Maple Leafs seem like a brand new team. New general manager John Chayka has been busy since May, so here are three things his summer has shown us.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Trade Talk Sports / September 28

Craig Berube Explains Why Auston Matthews’ Offense Took a Hit During His Time in Toronto

After scoring 60-plus goals and 100-plus points in two of the previous three seasons, it was quite a shock to see Auston Matthews‘ goal scoring and point production drop the way it did once Craig Berube took over as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Editor In Leaf / September 28

The Maple Leafs' season will live or die in October

The Toronto Maple Leafs are known for their slow starts, but they can't afford that this year if they want to get back into the playoffs. Over the past five years, the Leafs have barely been an above .500 team, with their best record being a 6-4-1 start in 2024.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Editor In Leaf / September 28

Maple Leafs’ waiver-wire luck could pay off in a big way down the road

Prior to the start of the 2026-27 NHL season, the Toronto Maple Leafs began finalizing their Opening Night roster by placing various players on waivers.

John Tavares News / TheLeafsnation / September 28

What does a successful 2026-27 season look like for John Tavares?

Ever since he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the summer of 2018, John Tavares has been everything the Leafs could have asked for and more. He’s routinely floated around the 70-point mark, he served as captain for the first half of his contract, and above all else, he’s been a consummate pro the entire way.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / The Hockey Writers / September 28

Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Bobrovsky, Raddysh, McKenna, Paul, Rielly & Knies

The preseason is winding down, and soon the Toronto Maple Leafs will have to stop being an interesting collection of new players and start being a hockey team.

Nick Blankenburg News / Daily Faceoff / September 27

Leafs sign Nick Blankenburg to one-year contract

A blueliner has earned himself a new deal coming out of training camp. On Sunday, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that the team has signed defenseman Nick Blankenburg to a one-year contract.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / The Hockey Writers / September 27

Maple Leafs News & Rumours: A Different Kind of Hockey in Toronto?

The preseason doesn’t usually tell us much about what a hockey team will look like when the games start counting. Too many lineups, too many players trying to make the team, and too many nights when half the regular lineup is in a split-squad matchup someplace else.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / The Hockey Writers / September 27