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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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...
Jim Hiller on the narratives around Morgan Rielly: “I understand that people got down on Morgan…. I don’t see it… I am giving him a clean slate”
After Monday’s practice, head coach Jim Hiller discussed the Morgan Rielly–Darren Raddysh pairing, the narratives surrounding Rielly entering the season, Dakota Joshua’s status, the competition for roster spots, and his early impressions of the team’s goaltending depth. Morgan Rielly is now two days into training camp, and you had him with Darren Raddysh today. What […] The post Jim Hiller on the narratives around Morgan Rielly: “I understand that people got down on Morgan…. I don’t see it… ...
Maple Leafs Lose Preseason Opener (x2): Analysis & Player Notes From Both Games
At the best of times, preseason is incredibly difficult to evaluate. In these changing times, we have to be even more careful. With the NHL schedule moving to 84 games, the preseason schedule has been reduced to four. In the Leafs’ case, those four games are happening on just two nights. Add in a training […] The post Maple Leafs Lose Preseason Opener (x2): Analysis & Player Notes From Both Games appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Jim Hiller on Gavin McKenna’s NHL (preseason) debut: “He was in on three or four chances… You will take that every day”
After the Maple Leafs’ 4-1 loss to the Canadiens in the preseason opener, head coach Jim Hiller discussed Auston Matthews’ and Gavin McKenna’s performances, the team’s execution with and without the puck, and Dakota Joshua’s status. In your first game as the Maple Leafs’ head coach, how do you assess the performance tonight? Hiller: You […] The post Jim Hiller on Gavin McKenna’s NHL (preseason) debut: “He was in on three or four chances… You will take that every day” appeared first on Maple ...
Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens Preseason Split-Squad Lineups: Stars Stay in Toronto, Bottom Six Heads to Montreal
The Maple Leafs’ split-squad preseason rosters are now available for their games against the Canadiens in Montreal and Toronto. Front and center among the storylines, Gavin McKenna will make his (unofficial/preseason) home debut in a Leafs sweater. Toronto vs. Montreal Preseason Toronto Game Group — Morning-Skate Lines Forwards Line Left Wing Centre Right Wing 1 […] The post Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens Preseason Split-Squad Lineups: Stars Stay in Toronto, Bottom Six Heads to Montreal appeared ...
Jim Hiller on Gavin McKenna skating on the Leafs’ second PP unit: “We don’t want to put any extra pressure on him… We just want to get him started in the NHL, see what it feels like, and then there will be a chance over time”
Jim Hiller addressed the media before Saturday’s preseason opener against the Montreal Canadiens, discussing what he wants to see from his team in the first exhibition matchup, Chris Tanev getting up to speed, and Gavin McKenna’s role on the PP/the early construction of the power-play units. What are you going to be looking for most […] The post Jim Hiller on Gavin McKenna skating on the Leafs’ second PP unit: “We don’t want to put any extra pressure on him… We just want to get him started i...
Jim Hiller on Gavin McKenna’s game through two practices: “He just makes the right play when it needs to be played… Very impressive”
After Friday’s practice, head coach Jim Hiller discussed his vision for the team’s style of play, Jack Roslovic’s opportunity alongside Auston Matthews, his early impressions of Gavin McKenna, the team’s defense pairings with Morgan Rielly skating alongside Emil Andrae, and more. There has been talk about “unshackling” the offense a little bit as long as […] The post Jim Hiller on Gavin McKenna’s game through two practices: “He just makes the right play when it needs to be played… Very impre...
First look at the Maple Leafs’ training-camp lines: McKenna joins Tavares-Nylander, Roslovic with Matthews & Knies, McCabe-Tanev reunited
Our first meaningful clues about Jim Hiller’s vision for the Maple Leafs’ opening night lineup arrived with the first practice of camp on Thursday morning. As always, opening-day training-camp lines are written in pencil. The combinations will change throughout camp, especially with Morgan Rielly missing for now, and the Leafs have only just begun evaluating […] The post First look at the Maple Leafs’ training-camp lines: McKenna joins Tavares-Nylander, Roslovic with Matthews & Knies, McCabe...
Jim Hiller on a potential Cowan-Paul-Sissons matchup line: “They should be able to play against the other team’s best players while also pushing offensively”
After the opening practice of training camp, head coach Jim Hiller discussed Gavin McKenna skating alongside John Tavares and William Nylander, the Auston Matthews-Jack Roslovic connection, Easton Cowan’s potential role on the third line, the team’s camp structure, and more. After all the suspense, why did you decide to start Gavin McKenna on a line […] The post Jim Hiller on a potential Cowan-Paul-Sissons matchup line: “They should be able to play against the other team’s best players while...
John Chayka on Auston Matthews’ future in Toronto: “One day, he won’t be a Maple Leaf; hopefully, that ends with retirement”
Maple Leafs GM John Chayka addressed the team’s injury updates, Auston Matthews’ health and future in Toronto, Matthew Knies’ place in the organization amid incessant trade rumours, the importance of Mats Sundin’s leadership, and his approach to the NHL’s shifting financial landscape. Opening Statements Chayka: Welcome back. It is good to be back and to […] The post John Chayka on Auston Matthews’ future in Toronto: “One day, he won’t be a Maple Leaf; hopefully, that ends with retirement” ap...
John Tavares on living with Gavin McKenna in his rookie season as Leaf: “Hopefully, I can do him a lot of good, but I know it’s going to do me a lot of good as well”
John Tavares discussed welcoming Gavin McKenna into his home, the star rookie’s maturity and character, and the responsibility Leafs’ veteran leaders must take on as a new coaching staff introduces fresh ideas. Gavin McKenna is not the first young player you’ve taken under your wing and shared a home with. What do you like about […] The post John Tavares on living with Gavin McKenna in his rookie season as Leaf: “Hopefully, I can do him a lot of good, but I know it’s going to do me a lot of ...
Auston Matthews on his future in Toronto after the early offseason speculation: “My intent was always to be here”
Captain Auston Matthews discussed his future in Toronto, his motivation after a frustrating 2025-26 season, his relationship with Gavin McKenna, reuniting with Jack Roslovic, and the changes behind the bench under Jim Hiller. What has appealed to you about Jim Hiller’s communication style and the vision he has outlined for the team? Matthews: I don’t […] The post Auston Matthews on his future in Toronto after the early offseason speculation: “My intent was always to be here” appeared first o...
Jim Hiller: Gavin McKenna will “show us where he fits” in Maple Leafs’ lineup
Head coach Jim Hiller discussed the team’s revamped roster, the plan for Gavin McKenna, his relationship with Auston Matthews, his coaching philosophy, and the excitement surrounding his first season behind the Leafs’ bench. What excites you most about the roster entering the season? Hiller: There is a long list, to be honest. I haven’t spoken […] The post Jim Hiller: Gavin McKenna will “show us where he fits” in Maple Leafs’ lineup appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Mats Sundin on the Toronto market: “Börje Salming told me when I came here that I was coming to the best place to be as a player, and he was right”
Senior executive advisor Mats Sundin discussed the importance of building a close-knit team, the support system surrounding Gavin McKenna, and his pride in returning to the organization in a management role. John Tavares recently credited you and John Chayka for helping bring together a roster with so many new faces. What have you done to […] The post Mats Sundin on the Toronto market: “Börje Salming told me when I came here that I was coming to the best place to be as a player, and he was r...
“McKenna is too good to play with players who can’t think the game at a proper level… Tavares feels like the sweet spot” — Anthony Petrielli discusses McKenna’s lineup spot on SN590
MLHS’ Anthony Petrielli joined The FAN Morning Show to discuss the Maple Leafs’ outlook entering the 2026-27 season, the health of Auston Matthews and Chris Tanev, Toronto’s goaltending tandem, Gavin McKenna’s ideal role, and the organization’s approach to discussing the pressures of playing in T.O. On his level of optimism about the new-look Maple Leafs: […] The post “McKenna is too good to play with players who can’t think the game at a proper level… Tavares feels like the sweet spot” — An...
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