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.
Total reads
3,538
This week
2
Rank
#56 of 457
Published
798 posts
Last 12 weeks
Most read posts
Featured on Sportsblogs
Run this blog? Add the badge to your site to show readers you're featured — it links back to this page.
Latest Entries
Game Review: Early-season sloppiness sinks Maple Leafs despite two Nylander goals, encouraging start for the Marchenko-Matthews line
The high of the Marchenko trade –> the Marchenko-Matthews line flying out of the gates from the opening puck drop –> William Nylander following up in their wake, walking Nick Suzuki, and ripping it past Jakub Dobes in the first minute of this game is something Leafs fans will want captured in a vial and […] The post Game Review: Early-season sloppiness sinks Maple Leafs despite two Nylander goals, encouraging start for the Marchenko-Matthews line appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Jim Hiller on the Leafs’ season-opening loss to Montreal: “We looked a little bit like a new team”
After the Maple Leafs’ 3-2 loss to Montreal, head coach Jim Hiller discussed Kirill Marchenko’s Leafs debut alongside Auston Matthews, Gavin McKenna’s NHL debut, and the challenge of building cohesion with so many new faces in the lineup. How would you assess the team’s performance? Hiller: I thought we played pretty well, to be honest […] The post Jim Hiller on the Leafs’ season-opening loss to Montreal: “We looked a little bit like a new team” appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens – Game #1 Projected Lines, Preview & TV Info
Kirill Marchenko is IN for a season opener between the Maple Leafs and Canadiens that is jam-packed with intrigue: Gavin McKenna’s NHL debut, Marchenko’s Leafs debut, Sergei Bobrovsky’s Leafs debut, Darren Raddysh’s Leafs debut, on top of the many other new faces in the Toronto lineup. (7:00 p.m.EST, Sportsnet) Can the Buds gel quickly enough […] The post Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens – Game #1 Projected Lines, Preview & TV Info appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Jim Hiller on the addition of Kirill Marchenko: “He’s one of those guys who seems to accelerate with the puck”
Ahead of the Maple Leafs’ season opener against the Montreal Canadiens, head coach Jim Hiller discussed the Kirill Marchenko trade, Gavin McKenna’s NHL debut, and his first game behind the Leafs’ bench as head coach. Opening Statement on the Kirill Marchenko trade Hiller: Okay, just quickly before I start—and you’ll ask me plenty of questions, […] The post Jim Hiller on the addition of Kirill Marchenko: “He’s one of those guys who seems to accelerate with the puck” appeared first on Maple Le...
The Morning After the Marchenko Blockbuster: Chayka’s Big Bet on a Higher Ceiling
A day after the Maple Leafs traded Matthew Knies for Kirill Marchenko, the sting of losing a likable, talented, and unique player who loved Toronto is still real. But as a new season begins, so is the excitement of watching a Leafs team that may have just raised its ceiling. Scattered thoughts, in note form: […] The post The Morning After the Marchenko Blockbuster: Chayka’s Big Bet on a Higher Ceiling appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
John Chayka on the Leafs’ acquisition of Kirill Marchenko: “Very few players can single-handedly dictate the outcomes of games… We believe Kirill is one of those players for us”
GM John Chayka explains the logic behind the Kirill Marchenko trade, discusses Matthew Knies’ reaction to the move, and outlines the plan for Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins. What inspired this trade? Why make this move, and why now? Chayka: First off, thank you to Matthew Knies and Steven Lorentz. They’re good Leafs, good men. […] The post John Chayka on the Leafs’ acquisition of Kirill Marchenko: “Very few players can single-handedly dictate the outcomes of games… We believe Kirill is one ...
The Leafs’ Big Bet on Kirill Marchenko — MLHS Podcast Ep. 125
In an emergency episode of the MLHS Podcast, Nick Ashbourne and Anthony Petrielli react to the Maple Leafs’ blockbuster trade for Kirill Marchenko. Episode Topics First reactions to a shocking trade on the eve of the new season (1:00) Framing the Leafs’ trading of Matthew Knies for a different winger (5:00) The factors that have made […] The post The Leafs’ Big Bet on Kirill Marchenko — MLHS Podcast Ep. 125 appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
How Kirill Marchenko changes the Maple Leafs’ near and long-term outlook
On the eve of the new NHL season, the Maple Leafs acquired Kirill Marchenko from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a blockbuster trade and signed him to a contract extension. Some Leafs fans may be less familiar with Marchenko because he has played in a smaller, more anonymous market, but he is a tantalizing talent. […] The post How Kirill Marchenko changes the Maple Leafs’ near and long-term outlook appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Blockbuster Complete: The final details of the Leafs’ Marchenko trade and contract extension
The final details of the Maple Leafs’ ground-shaking trade and contract extension for Kirill Marchenko are now known: TOR-CBJ trade Toronto receives Columbus receives Kirill Marchenko · RW Miles Wood · LW Elvis Merzlikins · G; 18% salary retained by Columbus Matthew Knies · LW Steven Lorentz · LW Emil Andrae · LD 2027 Second-round […] The post Blockbuster Complete: The final details of the Leafs’ Marchenko trade and contract extension appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
What a Knies-for-Marchenko Blockbuster Means for the Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs appear to be on the verge of a blockbuster trade that would reportedly send Matthew Knies to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Kirill Marchenko and Elvis Merzlikins, with other pieces possibly involved. The timing is wild, as the Leafs just returned from a full team bonding trip in Knies’ hometown, […] The post What a Knies-for-Marchenko Blockbuster Means for the Maple Leafs appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
John Chayka on Auston Matthews ahead of the new season: “All of our internal skating data suggests this is the best he’s skated over the last five years”
General Manager John Chayka spoke to the media ahead of the season opener about the team’s expectations this season, Gavin McKenna’s first camp, Auston Matthews’ physical condition, the injury outlook for Max Domi and Dakota Joshua, and the workload plan for Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz in net. You ask the players about their nerves […] The post John Chayka on Auston Matthews ahead of the new season: “All of our internal skating data suggests this is the best he’s skated over the las...
Early Signs of Hiller’s System, McKenna and Nylander’s Fit Together, and the Opening-Night Lineup – Maple Leafs Notebook
As we await more details on a possible Kirill Marchenko blockbuster… In my earlier piece, I looked at why this Maple Leafs season could go in so many directions. The additions of Darren Raddysh and Gavin McKenna, hopefully healthier seasons from Auston Matthews and Chris Tanev, and a new coaching staff with a low bar […] The post Early Signs of Hiller’s System, McKenna and Nylander’s Fit Together, and the Opening-Night Lineup – Maple Leafs Notebook appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Reasons for Optimism and Concern Ahead of a Wide-Open Maple Leafs Season
Happy opening week! The real games are finally ready to begin, and we can start finding out who this Maple Leafs team really is this season. They are an admittedly difficult team to handicap. The range of possibilities feels rather drastic. I could see them comfortably making the playoffs, and I could see them finishing […] The post Reasons for Optimism and Concern Ahead of a Wide-Open Maple Leafs Season appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Beyond the Maple Leafs’ Opening Roster: Notes on the Call-Ups, Prospects, and Marlies to Watch
Preseason is over, and now we await the final roster moves across the league before the real games begin. At the end of last week, we recorded a podcast where we went through each player on the NHL team. Given the timing, we didn’t get to talk about the other depth players and prospects in […] The post Beyond the Maple Leafs’ Opening Roster: Notes on the Call-Ups, Prospects, and Marlies to Watch appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Steven Lorentz clears waivers, preserving more options for the Maple Leafs
Steven Lorentz clearing waivers is a small win on an off-day for the Maple Leafs. They have kept a useful depth player in the organization while gaining flexibility to shuffle him between the Leafs and Marlies—or simply on and off the roster, whether he plays down there or not—as they sort out the bottom of […] The post Steven Lorentz clears waivers, preserving more options for the Maple Leafs appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
A Player-by-Player Maple Leafs 2026-27 Season Preview — MLHS Podcast Ep. 124
In the season preview episode of the MLHS Podcast, Nick Ashbourne and Anthony Petrielli go player by player to tee up the 2026-27 Maple Leafs campaign. Episode Topics Impressions from the Leafs’ two preseason games (1:00) Season Preview: Matthew Knies (9:45) Season Preview: Auston Matthews (17:15) Season Preview: Jack Roslovic (21:00) Season Preview: William Nylander + […] The post A Player-by-Player Maple Leafs 2026-27 Season Preview — MLHS Podcast Ep. 124 appeared first on Maple Leafs Hot...
Jim Hiller on Zack MacEwen gaining traction in Leafs camp: “He scored, but it was more important that when there was some stuff going on, he got in there fairly quickly and did his job”
After Thursday’s practice, head coach Jim Hiller discussed Nick Paul’s status, the “skating” he wants to define the team, Matthew Knies’ performance against Ottawa, and the upcoming team trip to Arizona. What is the latest you can tell us about Nick Paul? Hiller: He obviously didn’t skate today. It’s nothing that we’re overly concerned about, […] The post Jim Hiller on Zack MacEwen gaining traction in Leafs camp: “He scored, but it was more important that when there was some stuff going on, ...
“They have every reason to think they should be a playoff team” – Anthony Petrielli talks Maple Leafs’ season outlook on SN590
MLHS’ Anthony Petrielli joined The JD Bunkis Podcast to discuss Gavin McKenna’s impressive preseason, the encouraging signs from Auston Matthews, the Leafs’ playoff outlook, and the decisions facing Jim Hiller in the bottom six. On whether Gavin McKenna’s preseason changed his expectations: I wouldn’t say it reframed anything, but it put me at ease a […] The post “They have every reason to think they should be a playoff team” – Anthony Petrielli talks Maple Leafs’ season outlook on SN590 app...
Steven Lorentz hits the waiver wire, Nick Paul’s opening-night status unclear as the Maple Leafs begin to sort through roster decisions
Steven Lorentz hitting waivers on Thursday is a mildly surprising development for a player who led a credible Maple Leafs penalty kill in shorthanded ice time among forwards last season and has shown he can capably handle a defensively-tilted fourth-line assignment. It may also say as much about Nick Paul’s uncertain status for opening night […] The post Steven Lorentz hits the waiver wire, Nick Paul’s opening-night status unclear as the Maple Leafs begin to sort through roster decisions app...
McKenna shines, Maple Leafs check the boxes in split-squad sweep of Ottawa: Player Notes & Analysis
And just like that, the Maple Leafs’ preseason is over in the blink of an eye. As we always say, there are too many factors at play in preseason to take the results at face value. But in terms of what you want from a preseason finale, the Leafs’ two games checked just about every […] The post McKenna shines, Maple Leafs check the boxes in split-squad sweep of Ottawa: Player Notes & Analysis appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Jim Hiller on Gavin McKenna’s impressive preseason: “I don’t know if he was talked about that way, but his skating and straightaway speed have been really good”
After a 6-1 win over the Senators in the final exhibition game, Jim Hiller discussed the team at large and Gavin McKenna’s improvement in his second preseason game, Easton Cowan’s versatility, and the performance of Sergei Bobrovsky in net. Can you tell us what happened to Nick Paul? Hiller: We’ll know more tomorrow. I don’t […] The post Jim Hiller on Gavin McKenna’s impressive preseason: “I don’t know if he was talked about that way, but his skating and straightaway speed have been really g...
Maple Leafs vs. Senators Preseason Split-Squad Lineups: Nearly Full NHL Team Set For Action in Toronto
The Maple Leafs’ split-squad preseason rosters are now available for their games against the Senators in Ottawa and Toronto. In the final exhibition warmup, the Leafs’ NHL opening-night lineup, except for their fourth-line forwards, will dress in Toronto. Toronto vs. Ottawa Preseason Toronto Game Group — Projected Lines Forwards Line Left Wing Centre Right Wing […] The post Maple Leafs vs. Senators Preseason Split-Squad Lineups: Nearly Full NHL Team Set For Action in Toronto appeared first o...
Jim Hiller on what he’s looking for from Matthews’ line to end preseason: “I’d like to see a little more, to be honest with you”
Before the preseason game against Ottawa, Jim Hiller discussed what he wants to see from Gavin McKenna and the Matthews line, how he’ll manage competition for lineup spots, and the early work on the power play. What are you looking for from Gavin McKenna tonight in his last tune-up before things get going for real? […] The post Jim Hiller on what he’s looking for from Matthews’ line to end preseason: “I’d like to see a little more, to be honest with you” appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstov...
Are the Leafs approaching their top-six forward configuration the right way? — Maple Leafs Notebook
Preseason has officially started, and the new NHL season is only a week and a half away. While there were some positives to draw from the Leafs’ split-squad games against Montreal, it would also be fair to call the overall display rather sobering. It also served as a stark reminder of just how important intra-division […] The post Are the Leafs approaching their top-six forward configuration the right way? — Maple Leafs Notebook appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Jim Hiller on William Nylander’s camp so far: “We ended the last practice on an incredible backcheck by Willy and a stick lift all the way down… We’re seeing some really, really good stuff out of him”
After Tuesday’s practice, Jim Hiller discussed the impact of Sergei Bobrovsky’s presence on the team, his plans for the defense pairs, Easton Cowan’s potential linemates, and his relationship with William Nylander. What has stood out about Sergei Bobrovsky’s presence? The players talk about him with such reverence. Hiller: It’s really hard to describe. You watch […] The post Jim Hiller on William Nylander’s camp so far: “We ended the last practice on an incredible backcheck by Willy and a st...
Displaying items 1-25 of 798 in total