Skip to main content

Toronto

Latest blog entries from Toronto teams across every league

RSS Feed

Teams in this area

Report: Kawhi Leonard is expected to miss a period of weeks due to swelling in left knee

Kawhi Leonard is slated to miss several weeks after his left knee swelled during a pre‑game warm‑up on Oct. 27, 2026. An MRI showed no structural damage, but the Raptors will begin a rehab program and reevaluate him in a week. Leonard, who has averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals in Toronto’s first two games, was ruled out hours before the Sunday night matchup with Minnesota. The injury forces the Raptors to rely on Scottie Barnes and other players ahead of upcoming contests against the Magic, Lakers, Nuggets and key division rivals.

Checking in on former Raptors through the first week of the 2026-27 NBA season

Raptors Republic checks in on former Toronto players as the 2026‑27 NBA season kicks off. DeMar DeRozan, now a bench scorer for the Denver Nuggets, posts 15.3 points per game and enters Sixth Man talk. Fred VanVleet returns from an ACL tear with the Houston Rockets, averaging 8.3 points, seven assists in 30 minutes. Norman Powell scores 19.5 points for the Chicago Bulls but shoots just 36.5% overall. OG Anunoby struggles early for the New York Knicks, logging 17.3 points while shooting below his usual percentages. The piece tracks how these familiar faces are adapting to new roles and teams.

Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews laments penalties in loss to Flames

Auston Matthews says untimely penalties doomed Toronto’s 4‑game win streak, as the Maple Leafs fell to the Calgary Flames on Oct. 27, 2026. Matthews recorded one assist, two third‑period penalties—including a costly delay‑of‑game for a glove‑touch faceoff at the start of a power play—and admits he didn’t fully grasp the rule. He praises teammate Easton Cowan’s response and notes forward Kirill Marchenko’s lower‑body injury, leaving the roster shorthanded. Matthews emphasizes collective responsibility and urges the group to step up in the upcoming games.

Flames beat Maple Leafs 5-2: Gridin Scores 2 goals

The Calgary Flames crush the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Oct. 27, 2026. Matvei Gridin leads the way with two goals and an assist, joining Mikael Backlund’s early marker to give Calgary a 3-0 lead. Toronto fights back with goals from Easton Cowan and William Nylander, but the Flames seal the win with late scores from Luke Farabee and Martin Pospisil. The Flames outshoot the Leafs 34‑28, dominate the boards 24‑23, and finish with a .929 save percentage from rookie netminder Devin Cooley. Calgary (5‑6‑0) remains last in the Pacific, while Toronto (7‑5‑2) holds third in the Atlantic.

Former Illini Dosunmu, Shannon Jr. off to strong starts with Timberwolves

Former Illinois standouts Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr. are fueling the Minnesota Timberwolves’ hot 2026‑27 start. Minnesota wins its first three games by 20‑plus points before a 127‑125 setback to Cleveland. Off the bench, Dosunmu averages 12 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4 assists, posting 16 points vs. Miami and a near‑triple‑double vs. Orlando. Shannon hits double figures in each of four games, with 15 points against Toronto and 14 vs. Cleveland, averaging 13 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Their early contributions position Minnesota as a Western Conference contender.

Beyond the Boxscore: Matvei Gridin snipes two as Flames take down visiting Leafs

The Calgary Flames crush the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 on Oct. 27, 2026, highlighted by rookie Matvei Gridin’s two spectacular goals. Goalie Devin Cooley delivers a league‑best performance with multiple highlight‑reel saves, while Martin Pospisil dominates possession (87.26% CF%). The young squad’s depth shines as all four lines contribute, and the special‑teams unit shuts down Toronto’s power play. Gridin’s 78.67% xGF% and an empty‑net tally cap a night of dominant transition play and solid defensive pairings, marking the Flames’ best outing of the season.

Tuesday Morning Fly By: Another crack at it

The Philadelphia Flyers host the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight, aiming to snap a losing streak against the Metropolitan Division’s lowest‑ranked team. Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen is sidelined for at least two weeks with a re‑aggravated hand injury, prompting rookie Hunter McDonald to step up under coach Rick Tocchet, who is also leaning on Travis Sanheim. Trade chatter swirls around 22‑year‑old winger Ivan Miroshnichenko, a potential add‑on after his stint with the Capitals. Meanwhile, the Flyers’ 2023 draft class—Matvei Michkov, Oliver Bonk, Denver Barkey, and Cole Knuble—are already contributing, with goaltender Yegor Zavragin still pending. Elsewhere, the Hurricanes sign Alexander Nikishin, and the Flames upset the Maple Leafs.

Drew Doughty provides update on his future with Kings

Los Angeles Kings veteran defenseman Drew Doughty reveals he wants to stay in LA and play past age 40, despite being told the club won’t extend his contract this season. He expects a team‑friendly deal worth $3‑5 million in cap hit after his current $11 million AAV contract expires, and says he feels better than in the past two seasons. GM Ken Holland hasn't finalized anything yet, and a trade before the March deadline could see the Toronto Maple Leafs showing strong interest.

Maple Leafs GM Opens Door To Another Blockbuster Trade

Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka confirms he’s open to another blockbuster trade, echoing the recent Matthew Knies‑Kirill Marchenko swap. He stresses no player is "untradeable," even promising winger Easton Cowan, a 21‑year‑old 28th‑overall pick who’s posted six goals and 13 points in 14 games. While Chayka says a top‑four defenseman could be moved for a premium asset, he emphasizes internal defensive development and notes the team has $2.4 M in cap space. The Leafs sit 7‑4‑2, riding a four‑game win streak.

Kevin Porter Jr. should be kept far away from the Toronto Raptors

Kevin Porter Jr., recently waived by the Milwaukee Bucks after posting 17 points, seven assists and two steals per game, is unlikely to be a fit for the Toronto Raptors. Despite his on‑court production, his documented history of legal trouble—including a misdemeanor assault and harassment plea tied to alleged domestic abuse—raises serious concerns. Raptors fans have voiced frustration with point guard Immanuel Quickley, but the article warns that Porter’s past volatility could disrupt the team’s locker‑room chemistry, which the Raptors prioritize. The piece argues the Raptors should avoid adding Porter to their roster as they pursue a playoff push.

Easton Cowan puts blame on himself for Maple Leafs’ loss to Flames: ‘I cost us the game’

Toronto forward Easton Cowan admits his turnover and a late‑period penalty directly led to Calgary's go‑ahead and third goals in the Leafs' 5-2 loss on Oct. 27, 2026. Despite opening the game with a goal, Cowan’s errors sparked a 2‑on‑1 and a power‑play goal, prompting him to say, “I cost us the game.” The defeat also highlighted early trouble from Sergei Bobrovsky and a strong performance by Flames forward Matvei Gridin (two goals, an assist). Toronto aims to bounce back Wednesday in Seattle against the Kraken.

Who Must the Blue Jays Protect From the Rule 5 Draft?

As the Blue Jays wrap up a shortened 2026 season, they face a crucial deadline ahead of the December 9 Rule 5 Draft. The club can protect up to 40 players, and the article argues that two high‑upside arms must be shielded: right‑hander Nolan Perry, the organization’s top prospect who logged a 2.50 ERA, 117 strikeouts in 82.2 innings across three minor‑league levels, and Triple‑A starter Gage Stanifer, a former top‑10 strikeout leader who posted a 2.90 xERA despite a regressed 4.83 ERA this year. Their protection is vital to keep Toronto’s prized pitching talent from being snatched by rival clubs.

Jim Hiller on Easton Cowan blaming himself for the loss in Calgary: “I commend him for taking responsibility, but he didn’t cost us the game”

After a 5-2 defeat to the Calgary Flames, Maple Leafs coach Jim Hiller addresses the team's turnover woes, highlights Easton Cowan's self‑blame after a tough first period, and notes rising injury concerns following Kirill Marchenko's exit. Hiller praises Cowan for owning up but insists he didn't cost the win, while pinpointing the broader issues that let the game slip away.

Instant Reaction: Maple Leafs lose to Flames, and worse, lose Kirill Marchenko to injury

The Toronto Maple Leafs fall 5-2 to the Calgary Flames on Oct. 27, 2026, and lose rookie forward Kirill Marchenko to injury. Marchenko, who has posted 14 points in 13 games, was knocked down in the second period and exited after trying to play through the pain. Coach’s concerns now hinge on his status, as the Leafs’ early‑season offensive surge could stall without him. Toronto’s defense struggled, with Sergei Bobrovsky shaky early and a team‑wide lapse leading to Calgary’s second goal, while Easton Cowan and William Nylander scored the lone Leafs goals. The loss ends a four‑game winning streak and raises questions about the roster’s depth.

Instant Reaction: Maple Leafs lose to Flames, and worse, lose Kirill Marchenko to injury

The Toronto Maple Leafs fall 5-2 to the Calgary Flames on Monday night, but the real blow comes when rising forward Kirill Marchenko exits with a leg injury in the second period. Marchenko, who has logged 14 points in 13 games, tried to stay on the ice before being forced out, and his status remains uncertain. While the Leafs’ defense struggled and Sergei Bobrovsky showed erratic play, the loss ends their four‑game winning streak. The article stresses how Marchenko’s absence could derail the team’s early offensive surge unless a replacement steps up.

Instant Reaction: Leafs wilt in final Saddledome visit, Flames run streak to four wins

The Calgary Flames crush the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 in the Saddledome on Oct. 27, 2026, extending their winning streak to four games. After a shaky start, the Flames seize momentum with Matvei Gridin’s first‑period goal (assisted by Martin Pospisil and Simon Nemec) and a second‑period power‑play tally, followed by Mikael Backlund’s early strike. The Leafs rally to 3‑2 late, but Calgary answers with empty‑net goals from Joel Farabee and Pospisil to seal the win. The victory marks the Flames’ final home game against Toronto this season and caps a four‑game home stand.