Leafs Talk

05 Nov 2026 01:27:57
If they’re t home can they note play Mckenna in the top 6 and shelter his minutes in the dzone and just play him in the offensive end?

I get making him earn it but I don’t see how playing with Sissons/Letteri is gonna show you anything.

Next game they should look at going back to the start of the year looked

Mckenna Matthews Roslovic
Cowan Paul Sissons
Joshua Tavares Nylander
Dewy Blugger Mac

Cowan looked best with Paul and Sissons. He fits the role better than Mckenna and you can get the top line away from the top matchups and then maybe punish Nylander a bit with his lack lustre performance while easing JT back into things.

05 Nov 2026 00:59:54
The dynamic changes completely upfront with JT and Marchenko in the mix. To me

Cowan Matthews Roslovic
Marchenko Paul Nylander
McKenna JT Sissons
Duhaime Blueger MacEwan/Joshua.

05 Nov 2026 04:54:45
I really don't like Paul at 2C. JT and Willy have to be the second line. You can see Willy dogging it every night out there and Paul (as much as I like him as a player), is a 3C and an excellent one. That 3rd line is a black hole right now. They just get shelled every night.

I'm looking at;

Marchenko Mathews Roslovic
Mckenna JT Willy
Cowan Paul Sissons
Keep the 4th line that has been great all year and sit Joshua. I don't hate his game, but that 4th line was really hitting it's stride.

05 Nov 2026 12:18:35
LL. Disagree on the lines. Mostly because your second line is a defensive nightmare.
Here is my reasoning for my lines. Debate is always good.
1st line Cowan is the hound after pucks and has the skill and speed to make plays. That line has already had success and will have good speed.
The 2nd line is about balancing it out and keeping good size on the line. Both March and Willy can drive play. Paul is a big bodied, pretty physical defensive conscience. When Will decides not to show up, March can drive play just as well.
3rd line give McKenna lower competition and he plays with a good vet centre in JT and a defensively reliable player in Sissons. McKenna still gets JT and Sissons to dig pucks and he has a shooter in JT to set up. 3 lines that can score and have good balance. The 4th line stays as is, but Joshua on the line wouldn't be a downgrade either. Especially if he is skating and plays physical.

01 Nov 2026 01:22:36
Nylander with a goal and an assist.

Anyone who has watched that game though, where was the effort? He had zero interest even with 2 points.

All off season I heard Mo was a pile of garbage but he looks good.

I didn't want Raddysh and never liked the signing, but I'll eat one there. He looks better.

Where is Willy? He has zero interest.

01 Nov 2026 18:02:15
Not surprised about Willy, hopefully they move him in the offseason and go after the D we need.
But more importantly, if Bob starts next game, I am going to start losing faith in Hiller. Just throwing points away and we all know it’s going to be a tight finish to make playoffs. Hiller doesn’t seem to mind sitting the kids when they make mistakes, but haven’t seen him take any shifts off Willy yet.

01 Nov 2026 19:12:21
@Clarky I know everyone is blaming Hiller dor the goalie decisions, but I would bet money that it's a Chayka decision. Chayka is still his boss and he has to listen to his analytic "guru" boss.

01 Nov 2026 23:38:37
Not sure about that LL. I think they were hoping a little consistency in games would get him going again but it didn’t. Now we have to stop wasting points as this division is going to be a battle right to the end.

02 Nov 2026 00:43:36
@Clarky I would also be riding Stolarz for a bit, but the fear of an injury I'm sure is weighing on them. He's never healthy.

02 Nov 2026 14:42:56
Willy has a tendency to fade in and out of dominance and effort. It has been his whole career. As for Bob, as I said earlier, run more with the hot goalie. If Stolarz gets hurt, Bob inherits the number 1 again and bring up AA. If Bob still falters, AA gets a bigger role. What concerns me the most about Bob is not his athleticism, he is still very quick. It is that he seems to be way behind in reading plays. He is down way too early on high shots as if he is reading a low shot coming off the stick. He is too slow to react too often. As I mentioned before, that first goal the other night (Seattle game) where Catton cut across the slot to his backhand for a shot with the defender between him and Bob was a glaring concern. If you pause it where Catton make his move to the middle and the puck is on his backhand, Bob is still on the right side of his crease squared up for a shot. Bob was so far behind the play that he had to push across last second to try and blocker away a backhand from the slot. That should have been a relatively routine save had he of tracked it and been in position, but he was way behind what was happening. Yes, Willy let his man by him, but I'm not sure what Bob was doing. OEL had come across and was taking away a drive to the net. Great play by Catton, but not so incredible that it wasn't stoppable.

02 Nov 2026 15:00:48
I truly think this is why he was split up from Matthews after Babcock was canned. He’s one of those players that has so much potential but can’t get out of his own way. Hopefully Sundin and Alferson can get to him a bit this year.

03 Nov 2026 15:40:20
I thought Nylander had started the season off with more defensive fortitude, but he has slowly regressed back to his norm. Hopefully as Goat said, Sundin and Alfredsson can help with that moving forward.
As for the 1 goal and 1 assist against Vancouver, I do commend Nylander for not taking the easy empty net goal and dishing off to Blueger to score against his former team. It was a very selfless play, especially for a goal scorer.
I do agree with the negative comments against Willy when deserved, but he should also be praised when good things happen.
Love him or hate him, he will always be an enigma and more than likely a Leaf for at least 6 more years.
Cheers 🍻

30 Oct 2026 16:47:30
All the talk about Bob has anybody noticed Nylander lately? I'm not sure I have seen him have more lazy games in a few years. Yes he's scoring, but he is mailing it in to another level.

30 Oct 2026 17:23:49
Yes, he started the season strong, but since he got sick, he has really looked uninterested in anything but offence.

31 Oct 2026 15:00:03
Why are we surprised? What is this year 10-11 of the same Willy? We keep expecting him to all of a sudden have heart? Most talent in the whole league but bottom 10% or worse for heart, drive, consistency and leadership. It’s like if McDavid didn’t care to win and just wanted points.

02 Nov 2026 11:26:11
Not surprised. Agreeing.

27 Oct 2026 19:00:59
I think Bob saw my last post and decided to make me look dumb.

27 Oct 2026 19:55:49
He doesn’t seem to have it anymore. Last time, I was talking about how bad he was with reading around traffic in front and terrible rebound control. But this game was open shots on a bad angle, so he is just bad all over right now. Stolarz hopefully starts getting the majority of the nods until Bob figures it out.

27 Oct 2026 22:05:53
He seems to take a bit to get into the games, which is odd but I still think defensively the team needs to be better as well but your right he can’t have 2 bad goals against every game.

28 Oct 2026 00:32:59
The last couple of years he has been hot and cold. He has had many up and down spells in his career. He is down way too early too often. To his credit, he did play very well after that 3rd goal, but the big rebounds he gives up on not difficult shots is a problem as I said before.

28 Oct 2026 04:13:05
@eevryone I hated the signing as well if anyone recalls. I would never have signed a 38yo to term at that cap hit.

@Clarky Stolarz can't win a cup because of health. I was actually happy with Stolarz and Woll but had no argument with other regarding health. Hildebeast is the one I would have made 1B and see how he does. Only time will tell on that one though.

@Goat No doubt the D needs to be better. Any team with Stetcher hitting the ice for 25+ minutes needs serious help. Those goals though were so egregious, I would expect Jason Kidd to save them.

He does take a bit to get into games, but if that means let in three goals it doesn't help.



@RLF Yeah, people forget he was not the starter in the playoffs for the first cup originally. He was a bag of crap nobody wanted, then went on a tear. Same thing in CBJ. He wins a Vezina, then is unplayable. Some goalies you just ride the wave with.

All this said, I agree he is not the stud he used to be in net (although as RLF implied, he's always been hit and miss).

Come playoff time, if Bob catches fire, it can be a cup run. If Bob lets in 3 a night behind an already bottom 5 D, it will be a lottery puck. Let's all hope for the latter.

28 Oct 2026 15:20:33
I think sometimes people forget the the Flyers traded him to CLB when he was young because of soft playoff goals and they thought the more experienced Bryzgalov would be a better answer. Huge blunder by the Flyers. Bryz was in another world. Then he had mostly very good regular seasons in Columbus, but was a bust in the playoffs until his final year there where he told them he wasn't coming back and reportedly refused to waive his NMC at the deadline. Went on to an excellent post season performance and then signed the huge deal with Florida. Was up and down with Florida. I think we can all remember the rumours that Florida wanted to move him and his contract before they won the Cups because he wasn't living up to what they hoped they were getting.

He had a reputation of not not playing well in the playoffs. Until he did. But he has always been up and down in regards to his play.
Mostly, I think the Leafs signed him because he has been very durable and the two goalies they had, have not been. Then add the SC experience and what he demanded in a contract and here we are. Hideby has been meh in Tampa and although Woll has played quite well in Philly, they can't win a game. See if Woll can stay healthy for once. It's early.

28 Oct 2026 18:15:01
@RLF Woll does have the issue of health. I wouldn't have punted him for basically nothing like they did, but at the same time I understand wanting a more steady presence. Stolarz and Woll are so often hurt it is very hard to account for goaltending. Much the same as Tanev.

21 Oct 2026 02:32:05
That entire game was Marchenko playing with an edge and showing every reason to have him.

Sorry Clarky, but Knies was an absolute nobody. He should be embarrassed with his play since the first game. Knies is not what you think he is.

21 Oct 2026 17:38:22
I don’t care about regular season. We have a perimeter team that doesn’t like to go to or stand in front of the net. In playoffs, which should be the ultimate goal, the goals that go in are tip ins, screens and rebounds. I’m not here saying Knies is better than Marchenko. I’m saying this team has enough perimeter players like Marchenko. We have no one standing or screening goalies.

We will do nothing in PLAYOFFS because of it. I’ll be there at the end of year to say I told you so, again! But hey, we have 2 series wins in 10 years and that will continue. At least the goals are nice in the regular season though eh, 🙄. Marchenko got manhandled yesterday and didn’t do much other then Matthews banking a puck off his skate.

22 Oct 2026 19:09:29
Ckarky. In all fairness, if Knies had of ran Christensen into the boards the way Marchenko did after Christensen took a cheap shot at him, you would be talking about what great push back Knies has, but instead you call Marchenko a perimeter player. Which I dont get because he drives the net from the outside often.

He has scored goals from in tight like the one between the legs. Its not like he is afraid out there. You may be right and they fold in the playoffs, but I'm not going to call it a lost season after 10 games and I am pretty sure the team we see right now, is not completely the same team we will see if they make the playoffs.

22 Oct 2026 20:18:31
@RLF Marchenko may bring the puck towards the middle if he has a step on a guy. Between the legs was on the PP. Don’t you notice how all of our shots from the point are easily saved because there is no screen. Do any of our D other than Rifai even have a goal? Raddysh hasn’t had a screen on any of his shots this year. Only 2 guys (Knies and JT with a sprinkle of Paul) would be willing to stand in front, take the cross checks, battle for position, screen the goalie, go for a tip and/or rebounds, that is net presence. Goalies are seeing everything from the outside, no one is screening. How most goals are scored in playoffs. Would be a good thing for all the analytics lovers in here, find the answer to how and where most goals are scored in playoffs to at least shut me up, I annoy myself some days.

I think this trade makes both teams worse off IMO. CBJ needs play drivers and Leafs need net presence, big physical forwards with soft hands. Man he looked sad in that interview after the game, you can tell he really wanted to be here too. Keeping Knies wouldn’t have won us the Cup and I am not saying that. He was still 23-24 and needs some improvement in certain areas, especially knowing his own identity. But IMO, we need more guys like that to win. But they still have to address the other major issue as well, which is the neutral zone. If we kept McMann, Knies, picked up Anders Lee. And made the necessary changes on D that need to be made, I’d like this team's chances much more for winning a playoff series or two.

22 Oct 2026 22:55:11
Ckarky. I was talking about Marchenko not being perimeter and willing to play physical. You turned it into screens and playoffs again without acknowledging anything about not giving Marchenko credit for something you give Knies credit for.

22 Oct 2026 23:53:24
I will also add that two of the biggest problems the Leafs have had in the playoffs that were huge contributors to losing has been a bad PP and PK. I love physical hockey, but when you lose special teams battles in the playoffs, you are likely getting beat. Leafs PK and PP have been great so far.

23 Oct 2026 14:06:41
@Clarky
Hey buddy,
You just seem very bitter and negative since the Knies trade.
Leafs are the team to cheer for, not just the individual player. I get you love him, but just wish him luck in his career and get back on the Leafs band wagon, brother.

Leafs robbed Columbus with that trade. Marchenko is a stud and he's been attacking through the middle of the ice on a regular basis.


Plus, I think they see something in Knies that's not right. He's not the same player he was 2 seasons ago. Maybe it's the knee injury, the concussions and/or the extra weight he's carrying. I wish him the best, but I personally don't think he'll get back to the level he was at or that he'll ever reach the expectations we've had for him.

Go Leafs Go!

23 Oct 2026 19:36:02
@RLF I was explaining the difference between the two. Perimeter players and net presence players. He is a perimeter player. Not sure how else to explain it. We have too many of one style of player and almost none of the other

@Tags I am bitter and negative and it’s not because I love Knies, it’s because this team has no clue how to build a contender. It’s frustrating watching the same junk year after year just with different names in the jerseys.

I love what Knies brings to the table (just like Hyman, Kadri and McMann) because I know it’s what this team needs. But it’s like Groundhog Day every year with this team. We have many improvements like on the 4th line (only line with net presence). But no net presence players in top 6. We will see again when playoffs roll around.

23 Oct 2026 21:03:22
Actually, Matthews was the screen on the Rafai goal. If that is how you explain not being perimeter, so any player who doesn't constantly establish net front is a perimeter player? When a player gains entry carrying the puck from the outside and drives the net, that is a perimeter player, you said. Why? Because he doesn't then go right to the net and stand there. Then it is a perimeter league if not constantly standing in front of the net makes a guy a perimeter player. How often does McDavid or Ovetchkin stand in front when not on the power play? Not often. Crosby? Skilled players who can shoot and pass well, you don't want planting themselves in front of the goalie. JT is there because he lacks foot speed. He would easily be closed on if he was on the half wall or tried circling the zone.

Could the Leafs use more net front presence at times? Sure. They are also one of the highest scoring teams in the league at the moment, so it isn't hurting their ability to score. Typically big guys with little skill are always net front guys. Why? Because they don't skate and/or handle the puck well enough to create the plays that create shots on net. As for the playoffs, yes, banging in rebounds and crashing the net is necessary. No team plays playoff hockey all season. Also, as I said, the Leafs mostly lose because their PP and PK have not been good in the playoffs. They typically held their own score wise at even strength. Were they outphysicalled? Often. Would I like them to be more physical? Yes. Rarely does a team win the Cup though when their stars don't perform. Net front presence or not.

19 Oct 2026 13:20:53
Tor: Cowan

Cal: Parekh.

19 Oct 2026 20:17:06
I’m sure they will meatball. Cowan has heart and drive, that means he doesn’t belong on this team.

19 Oct 2026 21:17:17
Not a Parekh fan. He can put up points, but way too nonchalant with and without the puck.

19 Oct 2026 22:00:23
As RLF said, I don't think Parekh moves the needle.

20 Oct 2026 14:24:31
Trading Cowan is a huge mistake. Localish boy who definitely wants to be a Leaf. He's a dog, not saying he's gonna get 80 points, but he will most likely take a discount and not recommend a trade. Kids got heart. Trading him for a Dman and betting on if he wants to stay or not is a gamble we shouldn't take.