More production from Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner would go a long way against three heavyweight opponents on home ice. The chances have been there.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: TORONTO STAR
Sunday, October 31, 2021
The Leafs have a tough week ahead — Knights, Lightning, Bruins — and a lot of work to do
More production from Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner would go a long way against three heavyweight opponents on home ice. The chances have been there.
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Saturday, October 30, 2021
Petr Mrázek returns to beat Wings and restore order in Leafs net
Mrazek’s return from injury restores the tandem with Jack Campbell that was expected to be one of the team’s strengths. The Leafs will need equally strong showings from both goalies to make up lost ground.
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Rosie DiManno: The Leafs pick up a win that’s easy to defend. But benching Justin Holl wasn’t the reason
Coach Sheldon Keefe is unhappy with the entire team’s defensive ethic to this point, placing the blame equally on forwards failing to buttress the defence. On this night, at least, the team was mostly defensively conscientious in front of Petr Mrázek, Rosie DiManno writes.
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Have your say: Do you think ‘outside noise’ is a problem for the Leafs?
Auston Matthews is among the Leafs who have commented on outside distractions playing a role in the club’s early-season struggles.
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Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: TORONTO STAR
Friday, October 29, 2021
Have your say: What’s your take on Morgan Rielly’s $60-million extension with the Leafs?
The defenceman’s eight-year deal includes a no-movement clause, and avoids losing him as a free agent.
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Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: TORONTO STAR
Chris Johnston: Morgan Rielly and, by extension, the Maple Leafs are in a better place with a long-term deal done
A version of this contract — a departure from the Leafs’ recent reluctance to lock up players approaching age 30 — was quietly on the table for the last couple weeks, needing both sides to get comfortable with it. Pen was put to paper on Friday morning, Chris Johnston writes.
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Maple Leafs sign Morgan Rielly to eight-year contract extension
The average annual value of the deal is $7.5 million (U.S.), the team announced in a news release Friday.
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Thursday, October 28, 2021
Rosie DiManno: There’s something deeply wrong with the Maple Leafs. Squeaking past the NHL’s worst team solves nothing
In some ways, dodging a humiliating loss in Chi-town was just about the worst thing that could have happened to the Leafs. It allows just enough trace evidence of a pulse to let out some rope. If they don’t snap out of it on their longest homestand of the season, starting Saturday against Detroit, trading from the core has to be on the table, Rosie DiManno writes.
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Nylander: Leafs stopped 'feeling sorry for ourselves' in comeback win
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Spittin’ chiclets: Leaf Mitch Marner chips in, and breaks out a classic hockey player smile
Teammate Wayne Simmonds had chirped Marner before Wednesday night’s win over the Blackhawks, calling him a “pretty boy” who now looks “funny” with one tooth missing and another chipped. It happened Monday against Carolina behind the Leafs net, Marner raising a defender’s stick.
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Toews, Kane wish they could have 'done something differently' to help Beach
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Chris Johnston: Kyle Beach will be remembered as a hero. The Blackhawks sex abuse scandal was a failure on every level
The team. The NHL. The NHLPA. All have culpability here, as do wide swaths of the media. There remains even after this explosive series of revelations a dissonance in the response, Chris Johnston writes.
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‘Time to wake up.’ William Nylander scores in OT, and the Leafs can breathe again
With a day off Thursday and the Red Wings, another bottom-feeding team, in town on Saturday, the team may have reduced some of the pressure that had been building.
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Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Two Leafs among the top five highest paid players in the NHL, according to Forbes magazine
Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid tops the list, followed by Auston Matthews at No. 2 and Mitch Marner at No. 5.
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Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Struggling Maple Leafs hope a little adversity is just what they need to grow as a team
Toronto hopes that four-game losing streak will provide painful lessons that will pay off down the line.
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Have your say: Who should take the fall if things continue to go south for the Leafs?
The Leafs, off to a 2-4-1 start, are struggling early this season on the heels of the shocking 2021 playoff defeat at the hands of Montreal.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: TORONTO STAR
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: TORONTO STAR
Damien Cox: Leafs face a crisis of confidence at the lowest point of Brendan Shanahan’s tenure
Maple Leafs president must find a way to restore belief — from fans, critics and others — in the team he’s built.
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Toews joins Kane, 3 other Blackhawks players in COVID-19 protocol
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Mark Messier on leadership, Halloween parties, Cup journeys, and TV gig
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Monday, October 25, 2021
The Leafs dropped their fourth in a row in Carolina — with the boss watching
Auston Matthews scored his first goal of the season, but nothing else went Toronto’s way on Monday night in Raleigh.
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‘It’s been nuts.’ Zamboni goalie David Ayres is back in demand. Beating the Leafs seems like only yesterday
For Monday night’s game at PNC Arena, the Hurricanes — in an example of good marketing and/or excellent trolling — invited Ayres to relive that glory. He operated the goal horn and was introduced as an “alum” who remains undefeated. He got a big ovation.
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Have your say: Which former Leaf could the team use the most right now?
Frederik Andersen is playing well with the Hurricanes. Zach Hyman is thriving in Edmonton. And their former team, the Leafs, are off to a slow start.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: TORONTO STAR
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Sunday, October 24, 2021
Blackhawks set dubious record for failing to lead during 1st 6 games
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Frederik Andersen is back on his game after a rough season with the Leafs. The Hurricanes pretended it never happened
Monday’s night’s Leafs-Canes game in Raleigh could well be billed as a grudge match. After all, Andersen seemed to be painted as the villain in the Amazon series “All or Nothing.” But Andersen isn’t the type for hype.
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Have your say: What is the Leafs’ biggest problem after that ugly loss in Pittsburgh?
Saturday night’s 7-1 defeat in Pittsburgh was the Leafs’ third in a row.
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Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: TORONTO STAR
Things look bleak for the Leafs, and Mitch Marner is an easy target. The solution starts with the stars
Key players lost in free agency are thriving and their replacements are struggling. They can’t buy a goal and are making silly giveaways, too casual with the puck. But the metrics suggest they’re on the right track. The hard part now is believing in themselves and staying the course, despite recent losses.
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Muzzin laments Leafs' blowout loss to Penguins: 'It's inexcusable'
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Saturday, October 23, 2021
The Leafs were embarrassed by the short-handed Penguins, playing like they did before Mike Babcock got fired
It’s clear the Leafs are not playing to the identity they want to have. They’ve been good at possessing the puck, but more on the perimeter. They want to scare the opposition. They frighten only their fans.
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Credit ex-Leafs with an assist while the Penguins wait for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin
From Brian Burke at the top to forwards Kasperi Kapanen, Brian Boyle and Leaf-for-a-moment Evan Rodrigues, now centring the top line, the Penguins have been among the league’s surprise successes heading into Saturday night’s home date against Toronto.
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Chris Johnston: The U.S.’s top scorer sees the Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews in his rear-view mirror
Modano scored 561 goals in his NHL career, Matthews has 199. But, Modano says, “I can’t see anything stopping him from getting there.”
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Friday, October 22, 2021
Keefe downplays Ritchie criticism: Matthews, Marner as much to blame
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Leafs don’t get enough from Hutchinson, Ritchie and the top guns in loss to San Jose
Backup goaltender gives up four goals in first start of season.
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Crosby doesn't have target date for return following wrist surgery
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Maple Leafs happy to hit the road for games in the United States for first time since pandemic
The Maple Leafs haven’t ventured beyond Canada’s borders as a team since a March 3-6 trip to the three California teams in 2020.
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Have your say: Which Leaf is most likely to be traded this season?
The Leafs were the most active traders in the North Division last season.
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Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: TORONTO STAR
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Damien Cox: Is John Tavares the right player to captain the Maple Leafs?
No one would argue Tavares is the heart and soul of the hockey club, Damien Cox writes, but is his quiet consistency what the Leafs need from their captain?
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Have your say: Who do you think should be the Leafs captain?
John Tavares became Leafs captain over two seasons ago, and has had the misfortune of trying to establish himself in that role during the complicated time of COVID.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: TORONTO STAR
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: TORONTO STAR
Hot goalies or not, the Maple Leafs have to wonder when the goals will come
The Leafs have generated plenty of chances in their first four games and expect the floodgates to open.
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Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Mitch Marner is off to a slow start but the Maple Leafs aren’t worried about him
Marner played the first three games without Auston Matthews and was still creating offensive chances.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: TORONTO STAR
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
‘It’s fun being up here:’ Leafs backup Michael Hutchinson excited to be back with the team, no matter his role
The goaltender has learned to fill the waits between appearances with weights.
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Leafs prospect Nick Robertson out at least 10 weeks with broken leg
Robertson suffered ‘a non-displaced fracture of right fibula’ Sunday in a game with the Marlies against the Manitoba Moose.
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Chris Johnston: The Leafs’ goalie manoeuvre was a stroke of salary-cap genius. Other teams might try it
While some may not like the optics of having a university student in equipment on an NHL bench, that’s not a concern for any individual team. The Leafs, like several other cap-strapped clubs, are merely trying to use the rules put in place by the league to the best of their advantage, Chris Johnston writes.
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Monday, October 18, 2021
Auston Matthews makes an immediate impact in Leafs return — but OT miss hurts. ‘I’d like to have that one back’
In his first game of the season after recovering from Aug. 13 wrist surgery, Matthews was a factor in the offensive zone all game long and helped the Leafs earn a point against the New York Rangers, who were 2-1 winners in overtime at Scotiabank Arena.
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Sunday, October 17, 2021
Leafs notebook: Looser dress code suits Auston Matthews fine, and American invaders return to Scotiabank Arena
Said coach Sheldon Keefe on the new policy for game-day attire: “I’m more focused on how they’re performing when they’re in their equipment.”
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: TORONTO STAR
Auston Matthews returns to the Leafs lineup Monday: ‘I’ve been itching to get back in’
Matthews has been recovering from August wrist surgery while his teammates have been struggling to score with just seven goals in three games, albeit with two wins in that time.
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‘It was pretty wicked.’ U of T goalie Alex Bishop has a night to remember as a Leaf
The occasional practice goalie considered himself lucky to get the chance to suit up as the Leafs’ backup for Saturday night’s game. Maybe not as lucky as David Ayres, the Zamboni driver who got the call and ended up beating the Leafs. Bishop was on call that season, too.
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Saturday, October 16, 2021
Rosie DiManno: The Leafs played a risky game against the Senators, and resembled the team they aspire to be
With a university goalie as the backup and Auston Matthews still not quite ready to return, the Leafs fed off the roar of the crowd at Scotiabank Arena and built some confidence along the way, Rosie DiManno writes.
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The Scarborough Maple Leafs strike back against the Senators. And the U of T goalie had a quiet night
Michael Bunting and Wayne Simmonds — both from Scarborough — got a couple of working-class goals, leading the Maple Leafs to a 3-1 win over the Ottawa Senators before a less-than-capacity crowd at Scotiabank Arena.
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Have your say: What’s your take on the Leafs signing a U of T goalie for one game?
A combination of injury, illness and salary-cap issues led to University of Toronto goalie Alex Bishop backing up Jack Campbell for Saturday’s home date with the Senators.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: TORONTO STAR
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: TORONTO STAR
Dave Feschuk: The death of the printed ticket for Leafs games was inevitable. Not everyone’s a fan
For the first time, the Leafs, like the rest of the teams under the MLSE umbrella, aren’t printing up traditional paper tickets. The move has had a significant impact on less tech-savvy fans, the collectibles market and MLSE’s ability to collect data, Dave Feschuk writes.
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Report: Leafs to dress UofT goalie as backup due to cap constraints
from NHL | theScore
via TheScore.com
via TheScore.com
Friday, October 15, 2021
Have your say: Do you think Jack Campbell will be the Leafs’ clear No. 1 in net all season?
Thursday’s injury to Petr Mrazek in his Leafs debut is expected to give Campbell a heavier workload at least for the near future.
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: TORONTO STAR
Read the Full Story @ TheStar.com: TORONTO STAR
Chris Johnston: Jack Campbell might be the answer in the Leafs’ net, but he still has to prove it. The time has come
With Petr Mrazek hurt in his Maple Leafs debut in Ottawa, Campbell will be carrying more of the load in goal. And after Michael Hutchinson cleared waivers, they have some veteran depth when they need it, Chris Johnston writes.
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Thursday, October 14, 2021
The Leafs show up late again and it costs them against the Senators
Ottawa builds a 3-0 first-period lead and survives the Leafs’ third-period rally.
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Former Leafs Connor Brown and Nikita Zaitsev are thriving with the Senators
The Leafs might have gotten some cap space with the 2019 trade, but Ottawa picked up a key pair of contributors.
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Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Leafs win opener when goaltender Jack Campbell shows up before his teammates do
The Leafs allowed Montreal at least five good scoring chances in the opening eight minutes
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Rosie DiManno: Montreal again? Maple Leafs can’t look ahead at ’21-22 season without looking back
Nylander scores the winner as the Leafs return from another summer of wondering what might have been.
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Maple Leafs adds TikTok logo to helmets as both companies search for new audiences
TikTok is aiming to broaden its appeal to users between 18 and 49.
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