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The start of 2025 was rough for the Toronto Marlies, but they got their footing into the new year and finished the month on a much better note than they started with. They finished January with a 7-2-0 record in their last ten games after losing their first four games in the new year. They played 13 games and finished the month with a record of 7-6-0-1, pushing their overall record to 31-24-11-2-3 (they played one game in February so far, which was a loss in overtime).
Goaltending and defense were key factors in this month’s performance. The team either had outstanding performances from their defense and goaltending, such as shutting out the Manitoba Moose in back-to-back games, or giving up six goals against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Here’s a look at our three stars for January 2025.
Third Star: Joseph Blandisi
After getting his first nomination for a star of the month back in December, Joseph Blandisi continues to shine with his performance in the latter half of January. After only one assist in the first six games of January, he finished the last four games with three goals and four assists for six points, including a short-handed goal against the Bakersfield Condors that saw him finish with his third career three-point night on Jan. 22.
After finding some great chemistry on the third line with Cedric Pare and Kyle Clifford last month, as stated, Blandisi went cold to start the new year and was shuffled around the lineup to see if he could reignite that fire he had last month. It took some time, but he found it with Alex Steeves and the returning Roni Hirvonen, who missed almost a month with an injury. Even head coach John Gruden commented on his three-point performance and how he looked after being on a bit of a cold streak.
“I thought Roni did a really good job,” said Gruden. “He plays predictably and is always in position. [Steeves] scores us two big goals, and I thought it was [Blandisi’s] best game in a while, too. He was outstanding. It seems like one line steps up every night, and we are going to continue to need everyone.”
He also appeared in his 200th game and scored his 59th career goal against the San Jose Barracuda on Jan. 26. Now up to eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points on the season, a strong second half from Blandisi could be a crucial piece the Marlies could use to make a deep push into the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Second Star: Matt Murray
Like Blandisi’s start of the month, Matt Murray struggled early in January in his first three starts. He posted a 0-3-0 record and allowed seven goals on 59 shots, but his next four starts helped turn things around for him and the team as the month progressed. He went 4-0-0 in his next four starts and only allowed three goals on 99 shots, including two back-to-back shutouts against the Manitoba Moose. His 23-save shutout victory on Jan. 17 was his 200th career professional win (NHL: 147-87-24, AHL: 53-27-8). It wasn’t a busy evening, but he produced clutch saves at key times. His second shutout performance on Jan. 19 was his third shutout of the season, turning aside 32 shots.
The Marlies’ goaltending has been up and down, considering they have used four goaltenders up to this point in the season. However, seeing a veteran like Murray perform this well is excellent, and Gruden continues to give Murray his flowers in these moments.
“[Murray] is just solid,” said Gruden. “Never too high or too low, you never know if he’s given up three or not given up any. He is unflappable back there. He has won a couple of Stanley Cups and has been around for a long time. It is contagious through the team and through the defense. It trickles down. Couldn’t be more proud of him.”
With a record of 8-4-2-3, a save percentage (SV%) of .934, and a goals-against average (GAA) of 1.68 in 15 games played, Murray is tied for second-most shutouts in the season. Among goaltenders who have started 14 games or more, he has the second-best SV% and best GAA in the AHL.
First Star: Alex Steeves
Taking home the second consecutive First Star of the Month award, Alex Steeves has been producing exceptionally well throughout January and has taken his game to an all-new level. Finishing the month with nine goals and two assists for 11 points, Steeves is on the run to cement himself as one of the greatest Marlies ever to play while showing why he should be a player the Maple Leafs call up as they desperately need depth scoring.
Three of his 11 goals came from the power play, and two were game-winners. He has 25 goals this season and is just two away from tying the career high he set last season (2023-24). He is currently in the lead for most goals in the AHL. When he scored his 24th goal on Jan. 31, that was his 17th-career game-winner, and he now sits one behind the franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer, Ryan Hamilton, after scoring five goals in the last five games.
With 25 goals, 15 assists, and 40 points, he is tied for fourth in the AHL in points. His contract expires in the offseason, making him a group 6 unrestricted free agent, and setting up what will be a very interesting summer. A player becomes a group 6 UFA if they are 25 years of age, completed three or more professional seasons, have a contract expiring, and have played less than 80 NHL games.
The Marlies are set to play 11 games in February and have already played one against the Condors and lost 3-2 in the shootout. Their next game will be against the Laval Rockets on Feb. 7 at home.
More must-reads:
- Veteran center attempting NHL comeback
- How Giants' Malik Nabers has grown while working with Russell Wilson
- The 'NBA minutes leaders by season' quiz
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Maple Leafs' Forward Trio Could Be Moved Before Next Season, Claims Insider
The Toronto Maple Leafs may not be finished reshaping their forward group. NHL insider Chris Johnston reported for The Athletic that the trio comprised of depth-forwards Nick Robertson, Calle Jarnkrok, and David Kampf, is on the trade block as the franchise continues to explore roster changes ahead of the 2025–26 season. Johnston noted that of the three, the Leafs are most reluctant to part with Robertson, who just signed a one-year, $1.825 million deal and avoided arbitration. Still just 23, Robertson’s age and goal-scoring upside keep him in Toronto’s long-term picture—for now. "With that glut of NHL-calibre players, the Leafs could still ship out one or more of David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok or Robertson before the season begins, Johnston wrote. "However, they’ve been reluctant to part with Robertson because of his age-related upside and ability to put the puck in the net. "Just 19 players from the 2019 NHL Draft have scored more career NHL goals than the 53rd pick. And Robertson has done that while receiving depth minutes at 5-on-5 and limited power-play usage." Veterans David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok, More Likely to Be Moved Kampf and Jarnkrok, both in their thirties, are viewed as more expendable by Johnston. Kampf has two years left on his four-year, $9.6 million deal, carrying a $2.4 million cap hit. He has been a staple of Toronto’s penalty kill for the past four years, but he only produced 13 points in 59 regular-season games last year. Jarnkrok, meanwhile, has only one year left on his contract at a $2.1 million cap hit. He has filled a middle-six role when healthy, but is coming off appearing in just 19 games last season and scoring a meager seven points. Toronto’s summer acquisitions have added competition for bottom-six spots, leaving little room for how either veteran fits the NHL roster next season. Johnston suggested the team has “tried for weeks” to move both players, and with only $1.9 million in cap space remaining, a trade could help provide flexibility for another move. Nick Robertson’s Upside Keeps Him in Play—For Now Robertson scored 15 goals in 69 games last season while averaging limited minutes. Despite trade rumors and facing questions about his fit, the Leafs still appear willing to bet on his upside. The 23-year-old forward had 22 points overall last year, and he reached a career-high figure in goals. Robertson added two points (one goal, one assist) in three Stanley Cup Playoff games as the Leafs crashed out of the postseason early once again, falling in the second round of the playoffs.
Padres already demoting one of their trade-deadline acquisitions
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Blue Jays demolish MLB records with eye-popping Coors Field performance
DENVER — There's nothing like coming to Coors Field to fix what ails you. Just ask the Toronto Blue Jays. Losers of six of eight games before arriving in Denver, the Blue Jays posted an MLB-record 63 hits in a three-game series while easily sweeping a road series from the Colorado Rockies. By totaling 25 hits on Monday night, 14 on Tuesday and 24 in Wednesday's matinee, the Blue Jays set a new MLB standard for offensive prowess. Toronto passed the MLB record of 62 hits in a three-game series, set by the Boston Red Sox in a June 7-9, 1950 matchup against the St. Louis Browns. As part of the hit parade, Toronto smashed 13 home runs, the most ever surrendered by the Rockies in a three-game set. Included in that barrage were three hits by Bo Bichette, including a three-run shot on Wednesday afternoon that got the Blue Jays rolling in the third inning. Kyle Freeland, Wednesday's starter for Colorado, allowed seven hits in his 4.2 innings of work. That was the fewest amount of hits given up by a Rockies starter against Toronto, as Rockies starter Tanner Gordon allowed 11 in 2.2 frames on Monday, while Anthony Molina surrendered nine in 5.0 innings on Tuesday. "We need to pitch with confidence as starting pitchers. We need to command the baseball better in general," said Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer as his team slipped to 30-84 on the season. "We have to put hitters away when we have that opportunity." That was something Colorado couldn't do against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, as their first six runs of a 20-1 blowout win came with two outs in the frame. Wednesday's offensive explosion helped Toronto outscore the Rockies, 45-6, in the series. That run differential was the second-most in MLB's modern era and the most runs scored by an MLB team in a three-game series since the 2019 Chicago Cubs scored 47 runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates from Sept. 13-15, 2019. In all, the 45 runs, 63 hits and 13 home runs allowed in the series were each the most allowed by Colorado pitchers in a three-game set in franchise history. How bad did it get for Colorado at the end of the series? Down 12-1 entering the ninth inning on Wednesday, the Rockies put catcher Austin Nola on the mound for his first-ever pitching appearance. He was nothing like his younger brother, Philadelphia Phillies ace Aaron Nola, as he promptly gave up four consecutive doubles, including RBI shots from Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., as part of eight hits and eight runs posted by the Blue Jays against him. "It hurts when you get beat that bad for three games," Nola said. "We can compete with anybody. I know we can. We're all Major League players, so it definitely hurts. We're going to have to flush this one and get back out there on Friday in Arizona and have a new competitive attitude." All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
NFL Hall of Famer reveals why he chose to join Deion Sanders' Colorado coaching staff
Steelers’ Coaching Staff Can't Hide The Fact Anymore That They Truly Feel They’ve Hit A Home Run With Their Rookie
The Pittsburgh Steelers gave up 299 rushing yards to their arch-nemesis, the Baltimore Ravens, in the Wild Card Round of the 2024 playoffs. Slowing down Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson was never going to be easy, but Pittsburgh’s defense was gashed from start to finish. It was an embarrassing showing that made it clear major changes were needed. The Steelers immediately began planning how to fix the issue heading into the offseason. With the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, a physical and explosive presence up front. Harmon was brought in to restore toughness, speed, and discipline to the heart of Pittsburgh’s defense. Since his arrival, he has quickly impressed the coaching staff throughout training camp and other offseason activities, showing signs that he could be exactly what the Steelers need. Steelers insider reports have added even more excitement around the rookie. During an appearance on WDVE 102.5 on Wednesday morning, one insider named Gerry Dulac spoke about how impactful Harmon has been, both on the field and in the locker room. The Steelers were humiliated in their playoff loss to Baltimore, but with Harmon in the fold, they believe they’re on track to make sure it doesn’t happen again. "I'll tell you who's buzzing about it quietly and internally, are those coaches," Dulac said. "They love this guy. [From] what they have seen, they're thinking this pick is a home run. Now, we'll see how it plays out, but [from] what they've seen so far, they think he's terrific, and gonna be terrific." It’s not just coaches who are noticing Harmon’s impact either. Teammates have been raving about the way he’s carrying himself, especially for a rookie walking into a veteran-heavy locker room. He’s been described as humble, but intense. Quiet, but physical. It’s that mix of work ethic and natural ability that has people around the team believing the Steelers might’ve nailed this pick. Harmon’s explosiveness off the line has stood out in nearly every practice session. He’s consistently disrupting plays in the backfield, and he’s already shown he can hold his own against the Steelers’ top offensive linemen. Harmon is going to be called on as a rookie to be a starter right away. It's not an easy task for any rookie but the Steelers are just that confident in his skills. What’s also impressive is how fast he’s picked up the playbook. For a position that demands a lot of mental processing, especially in the Steelers’ complex scheme, Harmon hasn’t looked overwhelmed. In fact, he’s been praised for asking the right questions, staying late in meetings, and learning from guys like Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton. He’s clearly not just relying on his physical tools. Of course, it’s still early, and everything changes when the pads come on in real games. But if training camp is any indication, the Steelers’ front office may have landed a game-changer in Harmon. And after that nightmare in Baltimore, they’ll take all the help they can get. Steelers’ Defense Expected To Be Elite The Steelers defense is expected to be one of the NFL’s best in 2025. But if they want to be the best, Harmon’s impact will be key. Lining up next to Benton and Heyward, he could help anchor a dominant front. For that to happen, Harmon will need to play at a high level as a rookie. That’s a big task, but the coaching staff believes he’s more than capable. He’s shown the strength, quickness, and awareness they were hoping for. The Steelers didn’t draft him to sit. They want him to contribute now. If Harmon does that, this defense should be in very good hands for the 2025 season.
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