Maple Leafs Management
JVR: Should He Stay Or Should He Go?
February 17th, 2018 James van Riemsdyk wouldn't be the first player to crumble under the pressure of a contract year, especially the first one of a career. But, JVR, who has been with the Leafs since being acquired in the Luke Schenn trade back in 2012, has done everything but succumb to the...
The Leivo Saga Keeps Getting Weirder
February 7th, 2018 Josh Leivo is a talented young player; I don't think anyone can deny that. The one problem is, he hasn't been given enough of an opportunity to showcase his talent. He has only played in 25 games since the beginning of last season, and just 53 in his entire NHL...
Hometown Hyman Carrying Heavy Load for Leafs
January 13th, 2018 On Wednesday, I wrote a column calling into question Mike Babcock's use of his players. Included in there was the lineup I would like to see the Leafs use as often as possible. One forward line you'll see I didn't tamper with was the top-line trio of Zach Hyman, Auston...
Is Mike Babcock Icing His Best Lineup?
January 10th, 2018 Few people – in fact, maybe none at all – would argue that Mike Babcock is the best bench boss to grace a National Hockey League franchise with his presence. He's a tactical genius, a player's coach and possesses a strong pedigree of success at several different...
3 New Year's Resolutions for the Maple Leafs
January 1st, 2018 The Toronto Maple Leafs' year of 2017 was defined by nothing other than success. Firstly, as the 2016-17 NHL season came to a close, the Leafs made an incredibly surprising playoff appearance and managed to seriously test - and scare - the Washington Capitals. Although...
What Does a Salary Cap Increase Mean for the Leafs?
December 15th, 2017 On Friday, it was announced that the NHL salary cap is expected to rise from the current $75 million limit. The increase will have the cap set anywhere from $78-$82 million next season and it will have some implications on different teams around the league. The question...
Evaluating the Hyman and Brown Contracts
September 8th, 2017 Coming into the offseason, re-signing Connor Brown and Zach Hyman was on the Toronto Maple Leafs' to do list. Minus the Marleau signing, it wasn't an eventful offseason in Toronto, but locking up Brown and Hyman was a priority. The two joined the team for their first...
Leafs Shouldn't Protect Matt Martin
June 12th, 2017 It's been the debate that just keeps grasping at straws, but with only a week left until all speculation becomes either reality or fiction, it's time to take one last look at the Toronto Maple Leafs' expansion draft plans. More particularly, the case for protecting, or...
Off-Season Home Improvements: Leafs Edition
May 3rd, 2017 Despite the surprising success of the Toronto Maple Leafs in securing a playoff spot this season (not to mention giving the hot-shot Presidents' Trophy-winning Capitals all they could handle in their first-round series) along with the continuing growth of a deep and...
Will Mike Babcock Be a Jack Adams Nominee?
April 21st, 2017 It's that time of year where the NHL starts announcing the nominees for the NHL Awards. On Wednesday, it was announced that Auston Matthews was a nominee for the Calder Trophy for the top rookie in the NHL. While Matthews is more than likely the winner of that award, could...
Maple Leafs Name Mark Hunter as Assistant GM
August 22nd, 2016 The Toronto Maple Leafs named Mark Hunter assistant general manager on Monday. "Mark's new title is essentially a formality as these are duties he's already been performing," said Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello. “Brendan and I have been discussing this change of...
Fantasy Spin: Frederik Andersen Traded To Toronto
June 21st, 2016 In what could be a preview of the days and weeks to come, Monday offered the hockey world a glimpse of the run-up to the draft and free agency. We had the first blockbuster trade of the offseason and two potentially impact players had their rights dealt to new teams with...
Leafs Waiting For Compensation
June 1st, 2016 It’s surely no surprise for those who’re following the Toronto Maple Leafs and the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, but on Wednesday the team announced that they will be holding onto their third-round pick for the upcoming draft. As it stands, the Leafs owe the Detroit Red...