Maple Leafs Hotstove
Providing Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Marlies news, opinion and analysis since 2008, MLHS is one of the largest, most authoritative independent hockey sites online.
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Can Brandon Duhaime help the Maple Leafs become a faster, harder, and more irritating team? [2026-27 Player Preview]
The Maple Leafs’ UFA offseason additions up front made their priorities at the position pretty clear. After finishing as one of the league’s worst defensive teams in 2025-26 while deploying Auston Matthews like he’s Jordan Staal, the Leafs added Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger, and Brandon Duhaime to their bottom six—a trio of veteran forwards who […] The post Can Brandon Duhaime help the Maple Leafs become a faster, harder, and more irritating team? [2026-27 Player Preview] appeared first on ...
Darren Raddysh doesn’t need another 70-point season to help transform the Maple Leafs’ blue line [2026-27 Player Preview]
Darren Raddysh’s rise from undrafted OHL overager to $68-million defenseman is one of the league’s great late-bloomer stories. Naturally, it is also the source of most of the risk in the Maple Leafs’ biggest offseason bet. Raddysh didn’t establish himself as a full-time NHL defenseman until he was 27. Three years later, following a wildly […] The post Darren Raddysh doesn’t need another 70-point season to help transform the Maple Leafs’ blue line [2026-27 Player Preview] appeared first on Ma...
The Gavin McKenna era begins with immense promise, and a developmental balancing act for the Maple Leafs [2026-27 Player Preview]
Gavin McKenna could be anything from a supporting piece to a game-breaking star in his rookie season, and how the Maple Leafs manage the upside and uncertainty surrounding their new young star matters far beyond just 2026-27. A wide range of plausible outcomes exists for McKenna this season. In the dream scenario, McKenna follows a […] The post The Gavin McKenna era begins with immense promise, and a developmental balancing act for the Maple Leafs [2026-27 Player Preview] appeared first on M...
Jack Roslovic fills a few needs for the Maple Leafs; now they need to find the right fit [2026-27 Player Preview]
The Jack Roslovic-Auston Matthews connection has been played up often since Roslovic signed in Toronto on July 1. The two played together for the USNTDP over a decade ago, finishing first and second in team scoring on a loaded roster that also included Matthew Tkachuk, Clayton Keller, and Tage Thompson. They remain friends, and Roslovic […] The post Jack Roslovic fills a few needs for the Maple Leafs; now they need to find the right fit [2026-27 Player Preview] appeared first on Maple Leafs ...
Emil Andrae brings youth & upside to an aging Maple Leafs blue line, but how high can he climb? [2026-27 Player Preview]
The Maple Leafs are hoping that Emil Andrae can add a few much-needed elements to their blue line this upcoming season: youth/upside, mobility, and puck-moving ability. Whether Andrae — 24 years old and with only 107 NHL games to his name — can supply those elements consistently at the NHL level is still to be […] The post Emil Andrae brings youth & upside to an aging Maple Leafs blue line, but how high can he climb? [2026-27 Player Preview] appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
A healthy Chris Tanev can change the Maple Leafs’ defense, but they must manage him carefully [2026-27 Player Preview]
Assessing Chris Tanev’s first season in Toronto was fairly straightforward: He was exactly the player the Maple Leafs hoped they were acquiring. His second season basically never got off the ground. Tanev appeared in just 11 games in 2025-26, one of which lasted less than six minutes. He recorded two assists, averaged 17:58 per game, […] The post A healthy Chris Tanev can change the Maple Leafs’ defense, but they must manage him carefully [2026-27 Player Preview] appeared first on Maple Leaf...
The Maple Leafs made big changes around Auston Matthews; now he needs to be Auston Matthews again [2026-27 Player Preview]
Auston Matthews’ 2025-26 season made one thing abundantly clear: The Maple Leafs need their franchise player back. The flashes were still there. There were nights and stretches during the 2025-26 season when Auston Matthews looked like the player we all remember — the one capable of taking over games, pouring shots on goal, and beating […] The post The Maple Leafs made big changes around Auston Matthews; now he needs to be Auston Matthews again [2026-27 Player Preview] appeared first on Mapl...
After an inconsistent and injury-riddled season, can Dakota Joshua carve out a firmer role with the Leafs? [2026-27 Player Preview]
Dakota Joshua’s first season back in the organization that originally drafted him was a mixed bag. There were a few stretches when he looked like the heavy, effective bottom-six winger the Leafs thought they were acquiring, but a slow start and a major injury undermined his first season in Toronto. Joshua finished with 10 goals […] The post After an inconsistent and injury-riddled season, can Dakota Joshua carve out a firmer role with the Leafs? [2026-27 Player Preview] appeared first on Map...
Morgan Rielly’s Maple Leafs story isn’t over, but something has to change [2026-27 Player Preview]
Morgan Rielly’s long-awaited bounce-back season never arrived in 2025-26. After a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, Rielly and then-GM Brad Treliving held what Treliving described as a “real, honest discussion” about the defenseman’s performance and the level he was capable of reaching. Rielly later acknowledged that he engaged in “healthy but challenging conversations” with several people, including […] The post Morgan Rielly’s Maple Leafs story isn’t over, but something has to change [2026-2...
Easton Cowan ended his rookie year as an AHL champion; is he ready for an impact role with the Leafs? [2026-27 Player Preview]
Easton Cowan’s first professional season was rarely straightforward. He made the Maple Leafs out of training camp — even though he did not dress in the first two games — despite a perfectly reasonable argument that he belonged with the Marlies, where he could play big minutes in all situations. He bounced between the top […] The post Easton Cowan ended his rookie year as an AHL champion; is he ready for an impact role with the Leafs? [2026-27 Player Preview] appeared first on Maple Leafs Hot...
Troy Stecher was a breath of fresh air for the Leafs; now a more suitable role should await him this season [2026-27 Player Preview]
Troy Stecher was a breath of fresh air when he arrived in Toronto, where the Maple Leafs needed him far more than they ever should have. When the Leafs claimed Stecher off waivers from Edmonton in mid-November, their blue line was in rough shape. Chris Tanev was injured, Brandon Carlo was battling injuries and severe […] The post Troy Stecher was a breath of fresh air for the Leafs; now a more suitable role should await him this season [2026-27 Player Preview] appeared first on Maple Leafs H...
After a forgettable 2025-26, Anthony Stolarz gets a fresh start alongside a familiar legend [2026-27 Player Preview]
Anthony Stolarz’s 2025-26 season was strange, injury-disrupted, and ultimately forgettable — a fitting description of the Maple Leafs’ season as a whole. After leading the NHL with a .926 save percentage in 2024-25, Stolarz finished last season at .893 with a 3.28 goals-against average and a 10-10-3 record in 26 appearances. It was the lowest […] The post After a forgettable 2025-26, Anthony Stolarz gets a fresh start alongside a familiar legend [2026-27 Player Preview] appeared first on Map...
Oliver Ekman-Larsson can play almost anywhere on the Leafs’ blue line, but where does he fit best? [2026-27 Player Preview]
Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s individual season was one of the Maple Leafs’ more positive stories in a mostly miserable 2025-26 campaign. At 34, he produced eight goals and 39 points in 78 games while averaging 20:36 per night, marking his best offensive season in both goals and points since 2018-19 with Arizona. He led the Leafs’ defense […] The post Oliver Ekman-Larsson can play almost anywhere on the Leafs’ blue line, but where does he fit best? [2026-27 Player Preview] appeared first on Maple L...
John Tavares keeps delivering, but finding his optimal role is the Leafs’ next challenge [2026-27 Player Preview]
There is probably no Maple Leaf who deserves more goodwill from the fan base right now than John Tavares. A year after fully embracing the decision to hand the captaincy to Auston Matthews — handling a potentially awkward situation exactly as you would expect him to — Tavares signed what immediately looked like one of […] The post John Tavares keeps delivering, but finding his optimal role is the Leafs’ next challenge [2026-27 Player Preview] appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
The Leafs need William Nylander’s reliably elite production — and a higher level of leadership [2026-27 Player Preview]
William Nylander’s 2025-26 season is a good example of why evaluating star players can’t simply begin and end with the points column. Nylander was easily the Leafs’ most productive player. He scored 30 goals and 79 points in only 65 games, putting him on a 100-point pace over a full season. He led the team […] The post The Leafs need William Nylander’s reliably elite production — and a higher level of leadership [2026-27 Player Preview] appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Matthew Knies has established his value in the Leafs’ core, but can he take the next step? [2026-27 Player Preview]
Matthew Knies’ 2025-26 season was a bit of a complicated one to evaluate. On the surface, there wasn’t much to complain about. Knies set a career high with 66 points in 79 games, improving on the 58 points he recorded the season before. He did it despite losing Mitch Marner as a linemate, playing 427 […] The post Matthew Knies has established his value in the Leafs’ core, but can he take the next step? [2026-27 Player Preview] appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
The Maple Leafs need Jake McCabe to rebound — and he’s a strong candidate to do it [2026-27 Player Preview]
Jake McCabe’s 2025-26 season is a tricky one to unpack. It really was a tale of two halves. Through the Christmas break, McCabe played 36 games, produced 15 points, and the Leafs outscored opponents 28-16 at even strength with him on the ice. The rest of the way, he played 44 games, produced 10 points, […] The post The Maple Leafs need Jake McCabe to rebound — and he’s a strong candidate to do it [2026-27 Player Preview] appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Colton Sissons on his motivations to sign in Toronto: “The opportunity to put the Leafs sweater on is probably number one… That is a pretty special experience for any player”
Colton Sissons joined OverDrive to discuss his decision to sign with the Maple Leafs, preparation for the fast-approaching season, his familiarity with his new teammates, and the Vegas Golden Knights’ run to the Stanley Cup Final. Congratulations on the new deal with the Leafs. What is your level of excitement? You are a Vancouver boy […] The post Colton Sissons on his motivations to sign in Toronto: “The opportunity to put the Leafs sweater on is probably number one… That is a pretty specia...
Maple Leafs Offseason Notes: Darren Raddysh’s shot, the Patrik Laine conversation, expectations for Jack Roslovic & more
With August halfway over, we’re only about a month away from the Maple Leafs’ first preseason game. It is always amazing how quickly things shift from the dog days of summer right back into the thick of hockey season. While we aren’t there just yet, the first sign for me personally is filing season previews. […] The post Maple Leafs Offseason Notes: Darren Raddysh’s shot, the Patrik Laine conversation, expectations for Jack Roslovic & more appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Jack Roslovic on joining his buddy Auston Matthews on the Leafs: “We played in juniors together and had a lot of success at that level… I’m just excited to get pushing with him”
Jack Roslovic joined Overdrive to discuss his decision to sign with the Maple Leafs, his familiarity with Auston Matthews, what he learned playing alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in Edmonton, and how he sees himself fitting into a much-changed Toronto lineup. How’s the offseason going? Roslovic: It’s going great. We’re actually up in Toronto […] The post Jack Roslovic on joining his buddy Auston Matthews on the Leafs: “We played in juniors together and had a lot of success at tha...
Dr. Robek on Auston Matthews’ offseason rehab & prep for the new season: “No stone is left unturned to make sure there is greatness in the 2026-27 season”
Dr. Sean Robek joined First Up to discuss his work with Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, Matthews’ offseason recovery from his knee injury, and the level of preparation and commitment from today’s elite NHL players. Take us through your relationship with Auston and how long you have been working together. Robek: Yeah, I met Auston […] The post Dr. Robek on Auston Matthews’ offseason rehab & prep for the new season: “No stone is left unturned to make sure there is greatness in the 2026-27...
The Leafs’ front office changes, forward fits, and is there anything of interest in the FA bargain bin? — MLHS Podcast Ep. 123
In a dog-days-of-summer edition of the MLHS Podcast, Nick Ashbourne and Anthony Petrielli discuss the Maple Leafs’ continued overhaul of their front office, their forward and defense mix, excitement about the new season, and the remaining forwards lingering in the UFA market. Episode Topics The staffing changes in the Leafs’ front office over the summer […] The post The Leafs’ front office changes, forward fits, and is there anything of interest in the FA bargain bin? — MLHS Podcast Ep. 123...
Maple Leafs VP of Sport Performance Andy O’Brien on Sergei Bobrovsky: “His biologic age is younger than his chronologic age, if you ask me… He doesn’t have the same wear and tear as a goalie who is 37 years old”
New Maple Leafs Vice President of Sport Performance, Andy O’Brien, joined First Up to discuss his decision to join the Toronto organization, his history with Cup-winning teams in Florida and Pittsburgh as well as some of the Leafs’ current players, and his long-standing relationships with Nate MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby. Take us through how this […] The post Maple Leafs VP of Sport Performance Andy O’Brien on Sergei Bobrovsky: “His biologic age is younger than his chronologic age, if you as...
Maple Leafs make trio of front-office hires, including new Director of Amateur Scouting Dan Palango
The Maple Leafs continue to build out their new front office with the hiring of Dan Palango as Director of Amateur Scouting, Brad Rossen as Vice President of Research & Development, and JP Perpich as Director of U.S. Amateur Scouting. More and more, this is looking like an organizational realignment — a redefinition of roles, […] The post Maple Leafs make trio of front-office hires, including new Director of Amateur Scouting Dan Palango appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Neil Glasberg on his involvement in the Maple Leafs’ GM search: “I grew up in Montreal as a Habs fan, but I have to tell you I am the number-one fan in Leafs Nation right now”
Neil Glasberg, Founder/President at The Coaches Agency, joined First Up to discuss his involvement in the Maple Leafs’ executive search and the team’s ultimate decision to hire John Chayka as General Manager. You went from working with Evander Holyfield to now representing many high-profile people in the NHL and being part of the search for […] The post Neil Glasberg on his involvement in the Maple Leafs’ GM search: “I grew up in Montreal as a Habs fan, but I have to tell you I am the number...
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