Toronto’s top pick in 2017 draft joins Marlies partner Sandin as Leafs blueliners.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Monday, September 30, 2019
Rookie defenceman Timothy Liljegren a surprise addition to Leafs’ 23-man roster
Toronto’s top pick in 2017 draft joins Marlies partner Sandin as Leafs blueliners.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Damien Cox: Kyle Dubas and the Maple Leafs seem to have a small point to make as they turn their back on tradition
The Leafs are basically saying that while other NHL teams might believe veterans and a layer of toughness are indispensable elements of a championship team, they have an alternate map to a Cup.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
All hail the Central: Why the stacked division will define the NHL season
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Sunday, September 29, 2019
John Tavares emerges as Captain Obvious in Maple Leafs’ search
The former Islanders captain leads by example, C or no C, without any off-ice baggage.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Leafs’ dominant win over Wings to close out pre-season simplifies decisions for opening night
Rasmus Sandin and Ilya Mikheyev appear to be locks to face the Senators on Wednesday night, while Justin Holl and Kevin Gravel still have a shot on defence — at least for a while.
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Rosie DiManno: Making Morgan Rielly captain would be easy for the Maple Leafs to defend
At 25, it seems like the cornerstone defenceman has been here forever. Rielly is steeped in Leafdom, was here for the worst of it, just had a breakout season and for several years now has been the go-to guy when it comes to speaking to the media. He says the club could do just fine without a captain, but if asked he would gladly serve, Rosie DiManno writes.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Rasmus Sandin survives Leafs cuts, likely to make season-opening roster
The 19-year-old rookie defenceman, Toronto’s first-round pick in 2018, has been the feel-good story of camp while playing alongside Martin Marincin on the third pairing.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Friday, September 27, 2019
Leafs notch shootout win over Wings with season opener just days away
Toronto and Detroit close out the pre-season with a return date Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena. The Leafs open at home to the Senators on Wednesday.
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Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews tries to focus on job during tough week
Disorderly conduct and disruptive behaviour charge in Arizona still in the spot light as Leafs prepare for back-to-back preseason games with Detriot.
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Dave Feschuk: Why no recent Stanley Cup contender has paid its top four as much as the Maple Leafs will
Many top NHL executives point to the value of sharing the wealth in the locker room — “economic chemistry,” Dean Lombardi calls it. Leafs GM Kyle Dubas is trying something new. It’s an expensive gamble, Dave Feschuk writes.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Babcock has 'strong feeling' Maple Leafs captain will be obvious
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Revamped Leafs power play could feature plenty of one-timers this year
Marner’s pass to Matthews in Wednesday win an example of how effective the play can be.
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Report: Canadiens' Drouin 'definitely out there' in trade rumors
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Auston Matthews admits to ‘error in judgment’ in keeping Maple Leafs in the dark about disorderly conduct charge
GM Dubas disappointed by incident, and by finding out about it on Twitter.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Body cam footage of police interview with Matthews accuser released
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Dubas 'very disappointed' to learn of Matthews incident on Twitter
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Morgan Rielly looks like he’s picking up where he left off during Leafs’ shutout of Canadiens
Montreal was unable to contain Toronto’s top defenceman when he had the puck.
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Dave Feschuk: Take Auston Matthews off the short list for the Maple Leafs’ captaincy
Between getting caught with his pants around his ankles in May and tripping over his tongue Wednesday, the 22-year-old has demonstrated he’s not suited for the job.
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Bruce Arthur: The Leafs might want to think about Auston Matthews’ decision-making when they decide to hand out letters
Maybe Matthews will be captain. It will just mean handing the official leadership keys to a young man who displayed judgment this poor, whose apology was clumsy at best, who didn’t tell the team, and whose reputation has been tarnished
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Leafs' Babcock 'found out yesterday' about Matthews' disorderly conduct charge
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Blue Jackets' Dubinsky likely to miss start of season with wrist injury
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Leafs star Auston Matthews expresses ‘regret’ after disorderly conduct charge
Matthews made a statement less than 24 hours after news broke of the star centre facing a charge of disorderly conduct and disruptive behaviour after an incident in May in his hometown of Scottsdale, Ariz.
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Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Leafs prospect Dmytro Timashov takes Mike Babcock’s praise as a sign he’s close to the NHL
Babcock has been asking the forward ‘Why not you?’ during training camp. ‘I have to keep working hard and be good on things he wants me to be good on,’ Timashov says.
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Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews was charged with disorderly conduct, disruptive behaviour in Arizona
Leafs centre Auston Matthews is believed to be the team’s next captain. He was charged after an incident last spring with a female security guard at 2 a.m., in which a group allegedly tried to get into her car and Matthews – walking away – dropped his pants.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
John Tavares works on being the centre of attention on revamped Leafs power play
Tavares could be even more involved as he moves from the edge of the crease to the slot.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Dave Feschuk: Maple Leafs will have to keep looking out for No. 2
Insiders will tell you that one of the biggest reasons for the Leafs’ struggles down the stretch last year was their backup goaltending.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Monday, September 23, 2019
Hutchinson stakes claim to Leafs’ backup goalie job with 38-save shutout in Montreal
Yegor Korshkov scores twice for the Leafs, who left most of their regulars at home but handed the Canadiens their first pre-season loss.
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Leafs’ split decisions lead to some long faces as opening night approaches
Hopefuls who have their work cut out to crack the Leafs roster got the message on Monday.
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Shades of Rielly in teen Sandin, who just might make the Maple Leafs defence
Rasmus Sandin has been the Leafs’ top prospect for more than a year. At 19, he has a chance to make a Leafs blue line with two jobs up for grabs.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Spezza and the Goat start to click while Leafs coach clears the air
Jason Spezza wants to earn the trust of coach Mike Babcock, whose earlier comments suggested the veteran centre might not work out. At 36, on a line with Frederik Gauthier, Spezza says he still enjoys the challenge of competing against younger players.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Canes' Gardiner adjusting to life after Leafs: 'I can be pretty anonymous here'
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Maple Leafs split pre-season back-to-back with Sabres
John Tavares, Pierre Engvall and Trevor Moore score for the blue and white in a losing cause in Buffalo.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
There’s a lot on the line for Leafs Nylander and Johnsson
William Nylander’s smiling. Playing with Auston Matthews and Andreas Johnsson, and back on his game after a brutal campaign, will do that.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Goalie Kaskisuo joins ex-Leaf Sparks on NHL waiver wire
Michael Hutchinson and Michal Neuvirth continue to battle for the Leafs’ backup netminding job behind Frederik Andersen.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Friday, September 20, 2019
Maple Leafs break the ice with first pre-season win on a big night for the Matthews line
Auston Matthews and Andreas Johnsson both find the net in Friday’s home-ice victory over the Sabres. They’ll square off again Saturday in Buffalo.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Bruce Arthur: Rasmus Sandin is the coolest kid and just might graduate to the Maple Leafs’ defence at 19
The Leafs will take a run at a Stanley Cup with a defence corps half-built to self-destruct, or at least to walk into free agency next summer. If Sandin arrives ahead of schedule and fits right in, that could solve some problems, Bruce Arthur writes.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Damien Cox: Shanahan’s Maple Leafs master plan remains a rough draft
On Brendan Shanahan’s watch, the Leafs have more or less nailed their high-end draft picks — but that was easy part. The jury’s still very much out on the promise of more gems among their later selections … the key to escaping salary cap hell, Damien Cox writes.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Report: Avs targeting long-term deal for Rantanen at $8.4M-$8.75M AAV
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Bruce Arthur: Potential Leafs captain Auston Matthews gets comfy in the good old cocky game
The competitive arrogance that Matthews showed Wednesday night in Ottawa — peeking at the back of scrappy Scott Sabourin’s jersey, as if checking for ID — is further proof that he’s becoming comfortable in his own skin, but he hasn’t put it all together yet, Bruce Arthur writes.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Leafs sign prospect Nick Robertson to entry-level contract
The 18-year-old was selected in the second round, 53rd overall, by the Leafs in the NHL draft last June after recording 25 goals and 55 points in 54 games for the OHL’s Peterborough Petes last season.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Matthews scores a pair but Maple Leafs drop second straight to Senators
Ex-Leaf Connor Brown had a goal and an assist for the Sens in Ottawa.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Blue-line survivor Kevin Gravel brings a healthy attitude to Leafs camp
After a harrowing battle with Crohn’s disease threatened to derail his career, the 27-year-old defenceman brings a steady hand to his third NHL whistle-stop.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
NHL situational betting: When to fade each Atlantic Division team this season
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Mike Babcock’s long coaching playlist includes D.J.
Senators hired head coach D.J. Smith from Leafs’ staff, the latest NHL bench boss who owes a lot to Babcock.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Leafs caught fishing for the puck too often and drop pre-season opener to Senators
Frederik Gauthier was the best Leaf on the ice in St. John’s. Jason Spezza, not so much, coach Mike Babcock says.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Matt Read takes a flyer with Maple Leafs — and figures it’s his last shot
At 33, the former Philly winger could fill a need on the penalty-killing unit in particular, but there’s still a lot of competition.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Fantasy: 6 players with long-term value to target for keeper leagues
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Monday, September 16, 2019
How it's made: Behind the scenes with goalie mask guru David Arrigo
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Maple Leafs were Mitch Marner’s first, and only, choice
Mitch Marner shunned two NHL teams that presented offer sheets in the off-season, saying his heart was with the Leafs
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Life with the Maple Leafs an adjustment for veteran Jason Spezza
Spezza has been practising with Pierre Engvall on his left side and Trevor Moore on his right in what might end up being the Leafs’ fourth line when the season opens Oct. 2. But Spezza has to earn his spot, and there’s no guarantee he will
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Maple Leafs embrace Newfoundland culture, for cod and country
Normalcy screeches to a halt on the Rock, where it’s been standing room only for scrimmages. Players have been getting a taste of the rich, occasionally slobbery, local culture before the pre-season begins Tuesday.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Maple Leafs cut to the chase as training camp battles heat up
Field for defence duty in particular gets a bit clearer after first round of roster cuts. Meanwhile, with Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews 1-2 in take-home pay this season ... who buys the first meal?
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Leafs’ Tavares happily adjusts to father time
One of the oldest Leafs at almost 29, John Tavares hits the ice after the birth of his first child and soaks up advice wherever he can get it.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Babcock thinks Hyman, Dermott will miss nearly 1st month of season
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Kapanen gets first shot at Tavares-Marner line in Leafs camp
Russians Egor Korshkov and Ilya Mikheyev make good first impressions in Paradise workouts.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Mitch Marner blinked first in contract staredown with Maple Leafs
On Thursday, when camp opened for medicals in Toronto, Marner told GM Kyle Dubas that he didn’t want to miss any games. That helped clear the final hurdle to Friday’s monster six-year deal.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
What do fans think of the Leafs’ Mitch Marner signing?
Mitch Marner became the Maple Leafs’ third highest-paid player putting the team nearly $11 million over the NHL’s salary cap. Fans are divided in what they think of the deal.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Marner reveals how hard contract negotiation was on him, family
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Dave Feschuk: Leafs finally add Mitch Marner’s name to their prepaid plan. They better get dialled into a longer Cup run
There’s never before been an NHL core that’s been given so much — $245 million, to be exact — for achieving so little. But nobody will begrudge the money so long the Leafs move the needle in the playoffs, Dave Feschuk writes.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Friday, September 13, 2019
Pressure to perform: Marner extension signals go time for Leafs
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Mitch Marner and Maple Leafs reach six-year deal
Marner’s contract worth almost $11 million U.S. per season according to multiple reports.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
William Nylander’s quest for NHL domination starts on time — this time
Reunited with star centre Auston Matthews, Nylander vows to make up for lost time after a season shortcircuited by a contract stalemate.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Captain not so obvious at Maple Leafs prepare to hand out the C
Auston Matthews, John Tavares and Morgan Rielly all have a good case for the captaincy, while teammates say there’s so much leadership in the group that it might not matter much.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Damien Cox: Why GM Kyle Dubas, and not Mike Babcock, who should be one on the hot seat
Babcock has won a Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold as a coach and taken a team built around players on entry-level contracts to three straight seasons of 95 points. Dubas, meanwhile, is the promising but unproven executive who made his share of mistakes as a rookie GM, writes Damien Cox.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
Leafs admit they’re ready to name a captain and ‘end the speculation’
The Leafs have been without a captain since Dion Phaneuf was traded in February 2016. Auston Matthews, Morgan Rielly and John Tavares, who had previously captained the New York Islanders, are the leading candidates.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: Toronto Star | SPORTS | LEAFS
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