Leafs talk 3

21 Jan 2026 00:29:07
I'm not sure why everyone is caught up with Schenn, he is expensive against the cap and doesn't skate or have the mobility he once had.
If you have been watching Stanley fight since the start of the year he has been gaining more respect and can take on heavyweights like Olivier which nobody on the Leafs can go up against presently.

21 Jan 2026 12:25:56
Me neither. Some say he is needed to replace Tanev. Tanev is a 1st pair D and Schenn a 6/ 7 playing under 14 mins a night. Not sure how that replaces Tanev.

21 Jan 2026 13:08:46
People are holding onto the thought that 3 years ago schenn made Reilly playable but that was 3years ago I don’t think the leafs need a Stanley either they need a two way guy who’s mobile.

20 Jan 2026 10:13:53
It’s been a tough stretch of hockey of late like the last week or so leafs look burnt out. Woll had back to back games where he doesn’t look sharp McCabe has looked like Reilly at times and jt and knies have not looked good for the better part of a month if there’s one team that is gonna benefit from the Olympic break it’s gonna be Toronto. Watching last nights game made me rethink what they really need and to me it’s a mix between a defensive stopper and a guy that can’t skate and move and make plays with his feet. Brock Fabre and Quinn Hughes beat the leafs last night.

20 Jan 2026 16:24:57
They played well for a handful of games and got all world goaltending at the right times.

I for one, did not believe they were suddenly contenders. I still think they make a WC spot and then get a beat down from Tampa or possibly have a good series against Detroit.

20 Jan 2026 17:29:41
There 6-2-2 in their last 10. That is including this last few games that haven't been their best. They look tired. Yes, Woll was playing really well. Last two starts, not so great. Need better than that to win. Just ask Ottawa. McCabe is looking like a 3rd pair D lately. Mental mistakes galore for the team and a lack of energy from too many over the past few games. Benoit had an easy clear on the PK it floats one waist high at the blueline D. Kept in. They score. That needs to be hard and out. McCabe running all over the place chasing the puck. That own zone faceoff flip pass he tried to hit McMann with at the hashmarks was a brutal play that ended up in the net. Then he chased Kaprizov on the PK. Ended up in the net.
It's like before they went on a run. Same GM. Same coach. Same players. They went from playing horrible to playing well.
A blip in the road, now they need to bear down again. Make smart plays, don't get puck watching and up the intensity and physicality again. They do that, they will be fine because Matthews is in beast mode. Don't count on him to do it all. Instead, play a good, intense, physical team game.

20 Jan 2026 19:36:57
I agree players need to play better, which they have been doing since Christmas. Lately, there have been some mental errors from some who are just being over played. McCabe is logging in too many minutes and he's not completely focused mentally; which we can all see.

Anyways, I do put a lot of the blame on Berube. He's an idiot, sorry to say.

McCabe us over used, while Stecher who's been playing well is has been getting less ice time lately. Not good asset management.
Keeps increasing Rielly's minutes. Why? Rielly is sooooo horrible defensively and seems to be on the ice everytime opposition scores.
Also he has Benning sitting. He played 1 game where he played much, much better than Myers but he keeps playing Myers over him, albeit for 9/ 10 minutes a night and is always -2 or worse. I just don't get it.

Against Vegas with 40ish seconds left. Who does Berube put on the ice after the TO? Matthews, I get it. But also Tavares? Especially when he has Laughton and/ or Roy who are the way better defensively. Again completely dumb founded with some decisions.

Cowan and I do really like him, but now 2 games in a row with an offensive penalty where the opposing teams has scored on both. Against Vegas Berube puts him out in OT and he's on the ice for the game winning goal against (I'm not saying the goal was Cowan's fault, but no way, no how, should Cowan have been out in OT especially after his blunder) .

I'm having less and less confidence in Berube the longer the season gets.

20 Jan 2026 23:23:09
I think the moral of the story is this team is gonna take a step back which is ok but after one good year the blueline needs a bit of a makeover they struggle to move the puck and they have no offensive options other than 36 year old OEL. Also sit knies the guy said he’s hurt and playing has made it worse is like to see Laughton play with jt and push jt to the wing quillan is capable of playing nhl minutes. This team is only 4 pts back of Montreal for 3rd in the division and to be honest I don’t think teams like Montreal and Detroit are legit.

21 Jan 2026 12:32:16
They need to find the will and energy on a nightly basis. This schedule is what it will be like in the playoffs. Can't take 2-3 games off. They need to find it within themselves to want to. Like how they did to get things going positive this season. Every game has to be a good one. Make it a habit. They have no choice if they want to make the playoffs. They dug such a deep hole for themselves that this season is a - are you that type of player that can compete on a nightly basis kind of season. If they make the playoffs, their bad start may be the best thing that ever happened to them because they had to work hard in the regular season this year over cruising into the playoffs like seasons past. Hard work may become the habit over the past which was mostly only in the last 10 minutes when needing to score to tie or win a game.

19 Jan 2026 15:39:44
An RD that doesn't get much chatter here anymore, but did when he was in Jersey, is Severson. 20 mins a night. Can play point on the PP. lots of term left at $6.25M. Will be 32 this summer.

I really haven't given any thought to what it would take for Columbus to move him. Just throwing a new name out there. I would think it would start with a potential goal scorer and go from there.

19 Jan 2026 23:01:49
Still a big fan of Severson if he is available. Would fit the role needed perfectly.

20 Jan 2026 09:06:18
Problem is that’s a player that comes with a big price tag truthfully tree built a decent blueline but with the age of these guys and the condense schedule they don’t have the legs you can clearly see that with McCabe as of late.

20 Jan 2026 17:17:36
Age is a factor here. Although, I don't see McCabe's age being a factor in his legs, it's his decision making and poor execution that is costing the Leafs imo. He chases when he shouldn't. He gives the puck away more than normal. Poor passes. Just poor decisions overall.

16 Jan 2026 04:33:39
Maccelli looks great fellas. Low key one of Trelivings best offseason moves. He should be kept out of trades imo.

16 Jan 2026 07:05:49
Have to agree.

Tre ate a lot of rubbish for that move, but it's looking good now.

16 Jan 2026 12:59:22
Agree with both; he’s found his way.
It’s clear he can transport the puck well and zone entry is crucial especially on the PP.
I keep him as well.

17 Jan 2026 00:37:17
He is looking like a player. Very shifty. Good vision. Can find players through seems and a decent shot. Has some good wheels and competes most shifts. Looking like a quality pick up after a slow start.

15 Jan 2026 17:15:26
I know this will sound like a hot take, but I think tonight is as big a game as it was against Colorado in regards to a measuring stick game. Not because Vegas is as good as Colorado, but because they have to put their friendships aside with Marner and want to beat him and his new team jus as bad as anyone else, if not more. Show him wanting to leave and trashing Leaf nation was a bad decision.
If they are wanting to be contenders, they need to show a little animosity to the guy who wouldn't allow himself to be traded during the season last year where the Leafs would have got a good return, and walked instead. Then he trashed the Leafs fans on the way out. Time to show Marner and the League that they are proud to be Leafs by taking it to Vegas. Tonight is a game that will show where the players mentality is. It's either they play hard and show they don't care about if you played for the Leafs in the past and we were buds OR they come out playing soft and pond hockey style with no physicality because they don't want to play that way against their buddy.
Personally, I would love to see someone go right at Marner. Show some animosity and not friendship. I'd love to see the team make it really tough on him. I would be more confident in their ability to have the right mindset to win moving forward if I saw that. If they play him soft and just let him do his thing, I think that will say a lot about what these guys think is the most important to them. Despite the opponent and friendships they built, they need to show that playing the right way and hard no matter who is in the other sweater, matters the most.

16 Jan 2026 13:06:34
So much for the animosity RLF! None seen in any period.
Was in a blackout for last night’s game so no broadcast here.
Saw the highlights tho’.
Reasonably good offensive performance, all goals worthy.
Poor D and suspect goaltending was the problem.
Thought our PK box was too tight on first goal giving a one-time from too close.
Rielly too slow and soft clearing Kolesar and why does McCabe need to be on ice for over 2 minutes.
Woll weak on next goal and Knies loses stick on tying goal.

16 Jan 2026 21:06:36
Disappointing Rsears. I did see the game in its entirety and it was halfway between the Colorado and Utah game. Not overly physical, but much better than the game against Utah. They did skate and compete. For the most part, Leafs were the better team imo.
PK was not good. Goaltending as you said, was just meh. When the Leafs defence broke down, it broke down bad. Too many times they got hemmed in after multiple chances to get the puck out. On the Rielly goal you referred to, that is exactly what happened. Rielly was gassed. I think they had been out for about 2 minutes. McMann had a tough night in getting the puck out. My biggest complaint on him is that he too often uses just one hand on his stick and then starts to try and move with it as he circles out and an opponent reaches and easily takes it off his stick. That happened about 3 times last night. Lazy, poor penalties were an issue by Cowan and McCabe that were a huge factor on the outcome.
They played well enough to win, but the mistakes they did make and penalties, combined with very average goaltending, was the reason for the loss. imo.

17 Jan 2026 17:42:35
Sometimes it’s not how many great plays you make but how few poor ones.

The game was certainly winnable.

I liked Berube’s urging Cowan not to reach but drive through the player. This advice is exactly correct and should be adopted by a number of Leaf players!

11 Jan 2026 18:49:28
Optimism for our Leafs will either be fed or emptied over the next four road games!
Need at least 4 points methinks.

12 Jan 2026 15:15:58
4 points is reasonable if they want to stay in the playoff fight. I am more interested in how they play as a gauge. If they get 4 points and play well, I am more optimistic than 4 pts where they don't really play well, but manage to get points. I want to see how they compete. Are they willing to play physical? Are they in the game, or just holding on? Do they support the D or blow the zone hoping for offence? Do they look poised under pressure?
Those are some of the things I will be looking at.

13 Jan 2026 17:28:21
Test one passed. Best game I have seen Matthews play, since I don't know when. Need McCabe and Knies especially to up their game. Tough night for those two. I still think Knies is too slow to play with Matthews and Domi. Put McMann there. Knies with JT and Willy. Willy will carry the puck in. Maccelli with Cowan and Roy, especially if Robertson can't go. If he can, put Cowan back with Laughton and Lorentz.

13 Jan 2026 19:47:33
Yes it was a great win; a very strong team effort.
Good to see!
Wow, can McMann skate or what!

13 Jan 2026 23:31:48
Yeah I think you’re right that McMann matches Matthews speed better.
And I’m really liking what Maccelli has been doing since his healthy scratches.
He’s a very good puck carrier and playmaker.
Roy has been playing better and winning puck battles and Laughton has been elite in PK and faceoffs of late.
Simply a lot of good things that build confidence and momentum.

11 Jan 2026 02:12:05
The Ottawa senators drama, leafs go through stuff like this daily. no?

11 Jan 2026 05:26:54
Sens have had a lot of odd drama over the years. Ceci being sued, Uber incident, Karlsson, etc.

Leafs go through it, but PR tries to handle it pretty effectively. Sens are a different beast. More like Jerry Jones with an owner thar wants to say things he shouldn't.

10 Jan 2026 04:29:35
My input for today, everyone of you guys propose the worst trades, when, am I going to, see afair value trade, why is it that leafs always got to add, like a trade eith nylander and tkachuk. nylander is worth more then tkachuk. plus u want more stupid idiotic americanbon your team, Americans are goofs.

10 Jan 2026 15:38:08
S. topher
What state did you say lived in?

10 Jan 2026 16:44:06
I think it's the state of confusion.

13 Jan 2026 00:29:40
State of panic would also work for him.

09 Jan 2026 23:59:04
So I’ve really had a lot of time to think of players I would love to see the Leafs get and it’s really hard to think of great players but I got two that came to mind and these are players I’d like for Toronto to get. The first one is Rickard Rakell from the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is a players I have always been a fan of from in his days in Anaheim. 2- way forward, can use the body, gets about 100 plus hits a year. Very good offensively and can produce a good amount of points and I’ve seen that first hand with him playing in Pittsburgh as he’s played with Crosby. Just his overall game I really do like and he’s got term with this year and next at around 5 million dollars so I feel like obviously if a trade went down there would be money retained in that. So he’s the first one that I’d trade for. Honourable mention: Alex Tuch, Jared McCann.

The second name is a defencemen. Honourable mention: Justin Faulk and Rasmus Andersson. But the main defencemen that I would like the Leafs to get is bring back Luke Schenn. Now the reason I would trade for him back is because of two reasons. 1) I felt like he should stayed with Toronto after his second stint in Toronto but didn’t sign back. 2) If Chris Tanev does end up being injured that rest of the season and Schenn can be that replacement in the mean time. So I hope both trades can happen.

09 Jan 2026 15:06:58
Time to get McMann resigned. Don't let this guy go to UFA.

Can play anywhere in the lineup from top line to 4th line. Amongst forwards;
5th in points (On pace for 45)
4th in goals
3rd in hits.
Takeaway/ giveaway ratio is tied with best on the team with Joshua
Big, fast, physical, strong as a bull.
Good defensively.
He is probably going to cost in the $3.5-$4M range with term. Get it done. We don't need another Hyman walking type of situation. Give him a deal similar to Domi's.

From a personal standpoint. I have wanted to see him with Matthews for a couple of years, as I thought he could be a Hyman light. He is getting in on the forecheck and causing turnovers. They tried Domi with Matthews and Knies before, but Knies is too slow. McMann's speed has added a different element to that line and he is very good on the backcheck. Knies is better with the puck, but McMann better at pushing back the D and getting in on the forecheck. Knies, JT and Nylander should be a very good line as a combo of speed, forecheck, grinding and skill.

09 Jan 2026 22:16:46
Agree and I have always liked Mcmann, but what's the number? Look at what Holmberg got. He has to be significantly higher than that, doesn't he? He's never made any real money and will want to.

09 Jan 2026 14:51:32
In their last 20 games, the Leafs are 11-5-4 for 26 points. That's a 106 pt pace.
Same GM, same coach, same players. Much of that with major injuries to Stolarz, Carlo and Tanev. Matthews, Nylander, McCabe, Joshua all missing time.

What's changed? The way the players are playing. They are playing with more consistency, passion, urgency and physicality. They are simply playing better from goaltending out.

The first quarter debacle blame has now pretty much been shown where it belonged, on the players.

Time to stop blaming the coach and GM.

11 Jan 2026 01:40:26
Can’t argue with what you’re saying.
Much better.
A smart move or two could and a continuation of what we’re seeing could start to get me excited!