Monday, December 31, 2018

Injured Andersen not ready for Leafs practice


No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen will work out solo on New Year’s Day before Leafs determine next step. William Nylander’s haircut might be good luck.

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Fantasy: 5 moves you need to make in Week 13

from NHL | theScore
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Sunday, December 30, 2018

Rosie DiManno: Maple Leafs can rely on Marlies to plug the holes


Trevor Moore and Garret Sparks are fine examples of players who have stepped up when the big club gets hit by the injury bug.

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Saturday, December 29, 2018

Rosie DiManno: Game Centre: Listless Maple Leafs schooled by Islanders in rout


With Freddie Andersen sidelined with a groin injury, the visiting Isles won running away, winning 4-0 on the strength of a Mathew Barzal hat trick.

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Rosie DiManno: John Tavares and the Maple Leafs are a match made in hockey heaven


Tavares is the consummate professional, and he brings far more to the Leaf organization than just what he can do on the ice. His quiet leadership, and leading by example, are paying immediate dividends.

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Senators' Chabot out 3 weeks with injury

from NHL | theScore
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Maple Leafs make goaltending moves as Frederik Andersen out with a sore groin


First, Kasimir Kaskisuo was recalled from the Toronto Marlies to back up Garret Sparks. Then GM Kyle Dubas traded for some depth, acquiring Michael Hutchinson from the Florida Panthers for a 2020 fifth round pick.

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Maple Leafs acquire Hutchinson from Panthers

from NHL | theScore
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Lamoriello: Unfair to criticize Tavares for leaving Islanders

from NHL | theScore
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Leafs' Andersen out vs. Islanders; day to day with groin injury

from NHL | theScore
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Friday, December 28, 2018

Game Centre: Leafs stretch win streak to five in Columbus


John Tavares and Mitch Marner spark offence on road, goalie Garret Sparks solid in opener of back-to-back after Christmas break.

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Saturday NHL preview: New York Islanders at Toronto Maple Leafs


John Tavares faces off against buddy Josh Bailey and the Islanders at Scotiabank Arena.

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Dave Feschuk: Auston Matthews, Mike Bossy and the joy of flex


Islanders legend Mike Bossy filled NHL nets with his trusty wooden Titan, giving goalies nightmares with a quick release — Leaf Auston Matthews’ calling card today with a much more flexible stick. Goes to show how much the game has changed, and stayed the same, Dave Feschuk writes.

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Damien Cox: Aggressive trade strategy could push Leafs over the top


It won’t be a Tomas Plekanec kind of trade deadline for the Leafs this season. They have all the collateral they need to swap for what they need to take a real run at the Cup. Here are 10 options that make sense, Damien Cox writes.

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Leafs’ Tavares in comfort zone for first date with Islanders


“I gave everything I had for nine years there,” former Isles captain John Tavares says before old club pays a Saturday visit to Scotiabank Arena — Leo Komarov and Matt Martin, too.

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Thursday, December 27, 2018

Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews voted as Atlantic Division all-star captain


Fans voted the star centre as captain of the Atlantic Division all-stars for the annual event, being held Jan. 25-26 in San Jose. Nathan MacKinnon (Central), Connor McDavid (Pacific) and Alex Ovechkin (Metropolitan) are the other divisional captains.

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John Tavares’s signature told the Leafs they were ‘serious contenders’


The free-agent signing was the biggest of the off-season changes and it brings higher expectations; the Leafs aren’t paying Tavares $11 million (U.S.) a season to go out in the first round again.

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Friday NHL preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at Columbus Blue Jackets


Top defencemen Seth Jones and Morgan Rielly will see plenty of ice time at Nationwide Arena.

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Leafs star Matthews earns ‘C’ for all-star weekend


Matthews will make his third all-star appearance and first as captain.

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McDavid, Matthews, Ovechkin, MacKinnon named All-Star captains

from NHL | theScore
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Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Dave Feschuk: Maple Leafs must find right balance of work and rest for Freddie Andersen


Between now and April, striking the perfect mix of work and rest might best include a few more appearances from a practice goalie.

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Rookie Andreas Johnsson earning his keep with the Maple Leafs


Johnsson is proving his worth and making the most of his opportunities in his rookie NHL season.

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Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Junior tournament should do Marlies’ Rasmus Sandin a world of good


Leafs prospect heads to world tournament with plenty of confidence from AHL experience.

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Maple Leafs send four into world junior spotlight


Canadian goalie Ian Scott, Swedish defenceman Rasmus Sandin, Swedish forward Pontus Holmberg and Czech winger Filip Kral suiting up for junior showcase. Leafs player development director Scott Pellerin sizes up what they have to offer.

Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Sunday NHL preview: Detroit Red Wings at Toronto Maple Leafs


Ex-Leaf Jonathan Bernier expected to start in net for the Wings at Scotiabank Arena.

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Rosie DiManno: Marner magical in Leafs’ win, even without the trick


Hats off to Mitch Marner’s two-goal performance against the Rangers — sorry fans, you can’t have them back. Patrick Marleau wasn’t half-bad either at Scotiabank Arena, Rosie DiManno writes.

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Maple Leafs' Ennis suffers broken ankle

from NHL | theScore
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Game Centre: Leafs explode in third period to beat Rangers


Mitch Marner’s pair help break open tight contest at Scotiabank Arena. Red Wings on deck Sunday before Christmas break.

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Friday, December 21, 2018

Leafs’ Morgan Rielly at the fore of NHL rearguards


‘Confident’ defenceman trying to become first Leaf in 71 years to lead NHL blueliners in scoring.

Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS

Saturday NHL preview: New York Rangers at Toronto Maple Leafs


Vladislav Namestnikov has been on fire since returning from a concussion and the Rangers have scored at least three goals in 17 of their last 23 games.

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Thursday, December 20, 2018

Leafs Centre: Auston Matthews takes centre stage in romp over Panthers


Star centre looking like himself again less than a month into his return.

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Maple Leafs' Hyman to miss at least 3 weeks with ankle sprain

from NHL | theScore
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Roberto Luongo is hardly long in the tooth at 39


Panthers goalie is six victories from tying Ed Belfour in career NHL wins.

Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS

It wouldn’t hurt the Leafs to add a little bounce to their ballet


The tough-guy approach isn’t part of Toronto’s DNA, but the Leafs are going to have to step up when opponents start taking liberties.

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Matthews, Marner succeed as role players with The Nutcracker


The highlight of their guest appearance as Cannon Dolls in the Christmastime ballet saw Matthews stride over to the Marner, pick him up in his arms and parade around a bit before exiting the stage.

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Leafs' Babcock praises Lightning: 'They're better than everybody'

from NHL | theScore
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NHL podcast: Handing out Christmas gifts to teams

from NHL | theScore
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Thursday NHL preview: Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs


Aleksander Barkov player to watch when Panthers take on Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.

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Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Bruce Arthur: Leafs’ Andersen raises game behind the mask


Goalie Frederik Andersen finds his happy place free of Twitter and other distractions. He keeps a notebook of goals, dreams and things he’s thankful for. It seems to be working, Bruce Arthur writes.

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Leafs have 12 years to win Stanley Cup before name is removed from trophy


While the championship teams removed are no longer part of the physical trophy, the bands they are on are still permanently enshrined at the Hall of Fame.

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Caught in the middle: Inside life as a between-the-benches TV analyst

from NHL | theScore
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Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Game Centre: Tavares show, Marleau milestone spark Leafs past Devils


John Tavares gets it done at both ends of the ice, Patrick Marleau’s goal ties legend Rocket Richard at Prudential Center.

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Kyle Dubas’ signing of John Tavares worth every penny for Maple Leafs


The free-agent acquisition of Tavares this past off-season has paid immediate dividends. The former Islander is leading the team in goals, and his leadership has proven invaluable for an organization on the rise.

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Dubas: Leafs would prefer to add players with term over rentals

from NHL | theScore
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Monday, December 17, 2018

Maple Leafs sign goaltending prospect Ian Scott to a three-year deal


For now, Scott is wearing the Maple Leaf of that other iconic hockey outfit — Team Canada — where he’s sharing the net with Michael DiPietro.

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Nylander offers advice to Matthews, Marner: Get new deals done before season starts

from NHL | theScore
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Tuesday game preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at New Jersey Devils


Reigning NHL MVP Taylor Hall remains questionable for Tuesday’s game because of a lower body injury.

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Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas confident team will sign Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews to new long-term contracts


Dubas remains steadfast he can sign the star forwards to new deals before free-agent season next summer and develop the current roster into a championship team.

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Dubas: I spend 'zero percent' of my time worrying about offer sheets

from NHL | theScore
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Sunday, December 16, 2018

Dave Feschuk: Maple Leafs’ talent can paper over cracks that are beginning to show


Special teams are struggling, goaltending has slipped a bit and their defence could use some fine-tuning. But this is also a team that has what it takes to overcome this current swoon.

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Friday, December 14, 2018

Dave Feschuk: Maple Leafs confident power-play floodgates will open, eventually


Nazem Kadri, for one, has been particularly snake-bit when it comes to finding the back of the next lately. “I’m a quarter inch from having a bunch, so I’ve just got to stay with it.”

Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS

Dave Feschuk: Saturday game preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers


Zach Hyman returns from a two-game suspension; he was paired with usual linemates John Tavares and Mitch Marner at Friday’s practice.

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5 trailblazing women in sports

from NHL | theScore
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Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Dave Feschuk: Sorry dads, but it’s the mom’s turn to hang out with their Maple Leaf sons


This week’s two-game Florida swing marks the franchise’s first-ever mothers’ trip, and there were those who didn’t take it well. Being happy for the mothers, of course, is exactly the right sentiment.

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Thursday game preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning


The Leafs will have their work cut out for them against the Bolts, who are on a seven-game winning streak.

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Report: Red Wings want at least 1st-round pick for Howard

from NHL | theScore
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Monday, December 10, 2018

Maple Leafs sign Calle Rosen, get defenceman Steven Oleksy in trade with Ducks


The Leafs inked Rosen to a two-year, one-way contract extension worth an annual average value of $750,000 and acquired Oleksy in a trade with Anaheim.

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Maple Leafs trade Cracknell to Ducks for Oleksy

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Dave Feschuk: Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon is one to think outside the box


The 46-year-old strongly believes the NHL should expand the playoffs and do a better job of marketing its top stars. Oh, and he isn’t a big fan of dress codes.

Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS