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Maple Leafs Prospect Roundup: The Danford dilemma, Holinka gets on the board

Ben Danford returns to the Toronto Marlies after a lower‑body injury and helps spark an overtime 3‑2 win over the Belleville Senators, setting up Brendan Brisson’s game‑winner. Coach Steve Sullivan is now testing Danford’s offensive instincts, even giving him time on the second power‑play unit, as the Leafs wonder if he can fill the blue‑line void left by Jake McCabe’s high‑stick injury and Chris Tanev’s indefinite absence. Meanwhile, prospect Alexander Bilecki tallies 11 assists in 11 games for the Kitchener Rangers, centre Luke Haymes posts a goal and four assists in six Marlies games, and Miroslav Holinka nets his first pro goal in the OT win. The article examines whether Danford could earn an NHL call‑up this season.

Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller raves about Easton Cowan: ‘He’s exceeded my expectations’

Coach Jim Hiller praises 21‑year‑old winger Easton Cowan after the Maple Leafs' 6‑2 win over Columbus on Oct. 21, 2026. Cowan netted his first shorthanded goal and tallied three points, becoming a regular penalty killer and aiming for a 76‑point season. Hiller highlights Cowan’s physical and mental growth, saying he’s exceeded expectations and will be a key part of Toronto’s core alongside Gavin McKenna. The Leafs next host the New York Rangers Thursday.

Join us for the 2026-27 Raptors season on the SB Nation app

Raptors fans are invited to follow the 2026-27 season on the new SB Nation app, now available for iOS and Android in North America with global rollout underway. The app centralizes community posts, front‑page articles, and a real‑time game chat that speeds up comments, notifications, and interaction during live games. Since its launch two months ago, the platform has set record‑high single‑day comment volumes and offers ad‑free reading, seamless community navigation, and instant posting. Download the app to join live discussions, react to every play, and stay connected with the Raptors community.

Maple Leafs' Jake McCabe Injured Vs. Blue Jackets

Defenceman Jake McCabe exits the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Oct. 21 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets after a high‑stick from Kent Johnson cracks his visor. The hit, a late first‑period incident, draws a four‑minute double minor on the Blue Jackets, but McCabe does not return for the second period. Already missing Chris Tanev, Toronto now faces a significant blueline setback; McCabe has logged over 20 minutes per game in his first 10 outings without a point and is on a $4.1 M AAV five‑year deal. The team hopes he’ll be cleared before Thursday’s home game against the New York Rangers.

Can the Raptors shut down the Bulls’ offence in the season opener?

The Raptors open the 2026-27 season against a revamped Chicago Bulls, hoping to exploit the Bulls' weakened frontcourt after the loss of Nic Claxton. Rookie power forward Caleb Wilson, a high‑impact scorer from UNC, draws attention, but Toronto’s Scottie Barnes (237 lb) may have a size edge. Key matchups include RJ Barrett and Barnes versus Wilson, and guard Jamal Shead versus former Raptor Norman Powell. With Kawhi Leonard back and healthy, the Raptors aim to dominate the paint and contain the Bulls’ guard duo of Josh Giddey and Powell. Injuries: Raptors’ Nate Bittle (foot) and Bulls’ Claxton (hamstring) are out.

Blue Jackets’ Rick Bowness drops unreal reaction to blowout Maple Leafs loss

The Columbus Blue Jackets took on the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night. Columbus had a bit of motivation, as this was Kirill Marchenko’s first game against the Blue Jackets following his trade to the Maple Leafs before the season started. Despite the motivation, Rick Bowness watched his team come out quite flat. The Maple […] The post Blue Jackets’ Rick Bowness drops unreal reaction to blowout Maple Leafs loss appeared first on ClutchPoints .

Game Review: Maple Leafs’ rush offense roars to life, Easton Cowan shines, Morgan Rielly turns back the clock in blowout win over Columbus

The Toronto Maple Leafs finally unleash a dominant rush attack in a 7‑2 blowout of the Columbus Blue Jackets, snapping a puzzling early‑season trend of low offensive zone possession. Rookie Easton Cowan sparks the surge with a goal and two assists, while veteran Morgan Rielly delivers a classic two‑way performance, logging over 25 minutes and steering the power play. The review highlights the team's speed, skill, and finishing flair that now translates into a +5 goal differential after just 10 games.

Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard drops poignant video ahead of season opener

Kawhi Leonard was going to come home, one way or another, this past offseason. His hometown may be in LA, and he may have played with the Los Angeles Clippers for seven seasons, but his basketball home will always be north of the border — with the Toronto Raptors welcoming their prodigal son back with […] The post Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard drops poignant video ahead of season opener appeared first on ClutchPoints .

Instant Reaction: Easton Cowan puts on a show as Maple Leafs’ offence comes alive in Columbus

The Toronto Maple Leafs avenge their recent blockbuster trade with Columbus, beating the Blue Jackets 5-2 on Oct. 21, 2026. Kirill Marchenko scores the opener, but the Leafs explode in the second period: William Nylander, Auston Matthews (his 8th of the season) and a shorthanded goal by rookie Easton Cowan—who adds two assists to reach 10 points in 11 games—give Toronto a 4‑0 run. Columbus fights back, flashing a near‑goal before the first intermission, but Anthony Stolarz rebounds, stopping 35 of 37 shots. Morgan Rielly tallies three assists and Troy Stecher logs the most ice time among Leafs defensemen. Toronto heads home to face the Rangers Thursday.

Maple Leafs’ Jake McCabe ruled out vs. Blue Jackets due to injury

Defenceman Jake McCabe exits Toronto’s Oct. 21 win over Columbus after a high‑stick from Kent Johnson forces him to the dressing room. McCabe, who logged six shifts and no points in 11 games, is ruled out for the remainder of the game; his regular partner Chris Tanev also sits week‑to‑week with an upper‑body issue. The Leafs, up 5‑1 entering the third, shuffle depth by promoting Marshall Rifai and extending Oliver Ekman‑Larsson and Troy Stecher’s minutes. Coach Jim Hiller is set to update reporters, and the lineup for Thursday’s home clash with the New York Rangers remains uncertain.

Auston Matthews joins exclusive Maple Leafs club during Blue Jackets clash

The Toronto Maple Leafs are off to an okay start in 2026-27. Toronto currently owns a record of 4-4-2 and are taking on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. For captain Auston Matthews, this is a milestone contest. Matthews is skating in his 700th career game. So far this season, he has played extremely well. […] The post Auston Matthews joins exclusive Maple Leafs club during Blue Jackets clash appeared first on ClutchPoints .

Bulls’ Noa Essengue contract decision shows they’re not quitting on him

The Chicago Bulls will begin the 2026-27 season on Wednesday, October 21, on the road against the Toronto Raptors. Of all the storylines, Noa Essengue’s path forward isn’t getting the spotlight. However, the Bulls see real value in Essengue, as evidenced by exercising a team option on him and Matas Buzelis on Tuesday. OFFICIAL: We have exercised […] The post Bulls’ Noa Essengue contract decision shows they’re not quitting on him appeared first on ClutchPoints .

Raptors pick up options on Collin Murray-Boyles, Ja’Kobe Walter

The Raptors have secured another season for two of their young rotation players. Toronto exercised its 2027-28 team options on forward Collin Murray-Boyles and wing Ja’Kobe Walter, the team announced Tuesday, via Blake Murphy of Sportsnet. Murray-Boyles’ third-year option is worth approximately $6.97 million, while Walter’s fourth-year option comes in at $5.87 million. Both are […] The post Raptors pick up options on Collin Murray-Boyles, Ja’Kobe Walter appeared first on Hoops Wire .

Adam Fantilli Rips Ex-Teammate Kirill Marchenko As Blue Jackets Face Maple Leafs

Adam Fantilli and teammate Mathieu Olivier openly trash ex‑colleague Kirill Marchenko as the Blue Jackets host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 20, 2026. Fantilli says he’s relieved to trade a player who “didn’t want to be here,” calling the departure upsetting but necessary. Olivier echoes the sentiment, “We don’t want guys who want to go elsewhere.” Marchenko, now with Toronto, boasts 10 points in 10 games and a recent hat‑trick, while former Jackets forward Matthew Knies starts strong for Columbus but has cooled off recently.

Raptors Pick Up 2027/28 Options On Murray-Boyles, Walter

The Toronto Raptors exercised rookie‑scale team options on forward Collin Murray‑Boyles and wing Ja’Kobe Walter for the 2027‑28 season. Murray‑Boyles, the 9th overall pick in 2025, secures a $6.97 M third‑year deal and will face a $8.87 M fourth‑year decision by Nov. 1, 2027. Walter, the 19th pick in 2024, locks in a $5.87 M fourth‑year option and becomes eligible for a rookie extension next July. Both players posted solid rookie numbers—Murray‑Boyles averaged 8.5 points, 5 rebounds and made All‑Rookie second team, while Walter improved to 44.6% shooting and 40.9% from three—positioning them as key pieces alongside Kawhi Leonard in Toronto’s rising Eastern Conference squad.