Use our rumours form to send us leafs trade rumors.
01 Jan 2025 14:58:39
Happy New Years Leaf Fam! Is 2025 the year?
01 Jan 2025 18:45:22
Happy New Year Clarky & fellow Leafs fans!
I'll go out on a limb and say YES 2025 is the year!
Go Leafs Go š.
01 Jan 2025 20:08:04
Happy New Years.
01 Jan 2025 12:45:28
Any thoughts on Cowan last night? Thought like most of team Canada they took a lot of selfish penalties he reminds me of a cross between marner and nylander he's got marners playmaking nylander scoring ability and has some piss and vinegar to add to me he needs to round out his game at both ends. but I will also say he doesn't have that clutch gene in big moments.
01 Jan 2025 14:50:04
Cowan doesnāt look good to me at all. Hate the way he is playing. Has very lazy tendencies, took a stupid penalty and honestly he wasnāt even noticeable out there. The Mckenna line looks the best for me. Two tournaments in a row where Easton could show why he is the leading goal scorer in the OHL but no work ethic and soft on battles seems a bit disappointing. If we are gonna go for it this year, Iām not opposed to trading him for the C we want.
01 Jan 2025 23:21:55
Again I think the roster itself is awful I mean cowan leads that team in points with 3 but I see what you are saying I think when the pucks on his stick heās able to make plays in almost any position but away from the puck is where his game lacks but I still can see him being the marner replacement.
30 Dec 2024 14:25:08
People saying trade nylander, like come on, core four is staying together, if one goes they all pretty much go..thats when change will come, if they fail this year...i said it a million times on every site, leafs owe it to us fans....there going big, but not with getting rid of our stars, its adding more stars...getting rid of dead weight, using most future prospects and picks to get it....one again 9 for 3...dobson, nelson and wahstrom will come....or kadri, weegar and prospects or oreilly schenn and prospect....its gonna be a mega blockbuster, or barely any trade, one or the other, not a mediocre add...
30 Dec 2024 14:39:52
S Cor. I really disagree with your logic. We definitely do not need more stars. We have too many in the lineup making too much as it is. Stars want the puck all the time, the problem is we have too many guys that want the puck all the time and not enough guys that are willing to do the work to go get it. Iād trade Matthews or Nylander and fill their cap space with 3 solid depth players. So we stop complaining about depth scoring.
30 Dec 2024 18:39:42
@Clarky why Mathews? JT is going to be 1C going forward? A month ago everyone wanted him to be a 4C because he was washed.
Don't resign Marner. He won't waive to be traded, that ship has sailed. Just take the cap space from Mitchy and JT (assuming he takes a large discount) and move on.
30 Dec 2024 23:32:04
This would be offseason LL. Iād go after Bennett and bring in a 3C or maybe Minten is ready for that role. I think with Matthews 13.5 and him not being a noticeable difference in the outcome of most Leaf games, I think he is a logical choice. Can get another 2C plus a 2 way winger and a solid D man all for what Matthews makes. Iād be happy running with a 1/ 2C from Matthews trade (Ek from Minny for example), Bennett, JT and Minten starts out running the 4th line.
30 Dec 2024 23:34:12
@LL, while hopefully this playoffs we can see Mitch and Matthews on separate lines so we can see who the problem is and who doesnāt step up for playoffs but we all know that when they are together, they lay an egg.
31 Dec 2024 00:55:10
@Clarky
Sorry buddy, but no way am I trading Matthews. We haven't had a true 1C since Sundin.
The issue is spending $11.5M and $13M (? ) on 2 elite wingers. We're not going to win like that. Either Willy or Marner should go and Marner is the logical choice since he doesn't have a contract beyond this year.
But honestly, I think Marner gets re-signed as well and Leafs will continue shuffling the deck chairs on the bottom 6.
Something does need to change though, but Matthews is not it IMO.
31 Dec 2024 02:01:50
@Clarky over what sample size is Mathews not a noticeable difference maker? Is this just the recent stint? I don't think this team is better without a top 3 in the world C.
31 Dec 2024 03:54:54
It's one of Marner or Nylander that need to go. Matthews is a difference maker. As Tags said, cant spend too much on the wings. That's the biggest problem. Both Nylander or Marner are more replaceable than Matthews is. You build down the middle upfront, not on the wings.
31 Dec 2024 14:04:44
I agree with you guys that C holds a lot more value than wing. But Iād be assuming we would get one back in the deal, fairly young, JT resigns, sign Bennett as a UFA and keep Minten. Two younger guys ready to take the horns and two guys making their last thrusts at getting a cup in Toronto. This whole team alters their play when Matthews is out there, everyone is always looking for him l, force feeding him passes. Plus Iād be willing to bet my left testicle that Matthews is done in TO after this contract is up to go play somewhere with āPalm treesā.
31 Dec 2024 15:29:49
I know many don't like my idea of loading up the 2nd line and putting Matthews with two grinder types or Domi and a grinder, but it still make the most sense to me. It keeps Matthews away from Nylander and Marner and forces the other team to choose which of the top 2 lines they want to try and shutdown most. I think Matthews style suits playing with Knies and McMann. That is 3 big bodies all with good wheels and the ability to score. I don't think there always needs to be a "set-up' guy to be succesful.
Knies Matthews McMann
Nylander JT Marner
Patches Domi Robertson
Lorentz Kampf Dewar
If they can move Robertson, Holmberg and what ever for McBain, and Leafs become really tough to play against top to bottom as McBain slots in on the 3rd line.
31 Dec 2024 22:45:10
I donāt like Marner and Nylander together. JT gonna do all the forechecking on his own? But I 100% agree on Matthews. Chief needs to at least try Austin with Domi and Knies to prove us all wrong.
30 Dec 2024 05:01:17
I see a lot of fans putting the last loss on Murray and although he wasn't amazing it raises the question is this dcore as great as we were sold or have the goalies been bailing them out all year.?
If I was berube I'd switch up the pairs
Reilly tanev
Benoit McCabe
OEL Timmons
Spread it out so you have three effective pairings also I wouldn't trade for another shutdown dman I'd look for something offensive or spend all the assets on forwards
30 Dec 2024 14:42:05
No one looks good with Rielly because Rielly is the problem. But that game was a lot on Murray. Two goals he should have had at the start of the game! Hard to respond from 2 freebies against good teams. We definitely still have a lot to work out but that result was a lot to do with Murray. Samsonov would if even had those two.
31 Dec 2024 10:39:19
@clarky sure Iām not much of a murray fan but the leafs should of been in that game they missed how many wide open shots but much like our forward group the coaching staff would rather have one good pairing and who cares about the rest.
31 Dec 2024 15:32:03
Murray was bad. It was like every breakdown resulted in a goal against. You need the goalie to make a few tough saves if you want to win. Every team is good enough to get a few good chances a game on every team. Rarely does any team get shutdown completely. Good goaltending is a must nowadays, not just in Toronto.
29 Dec 2024 02:24:45
Dobson, miller, grandlund, oreilly, ,compher,schenn,mctavish, nelson,, gourde are my choices, but this team needs a big overhaul and the biggest blockbuster in history to either make or break, if they dont they lose without trying, if they lose with trying its called dignity..im telling ya 100% if they dont do something spectacular, and at leadt try to win, will be calling, crying screaming every name in the book, to fire all 3 in treliving berube, and shanahan, so why not try and go out with a bang, cause failure this year without trying...leafs will be back to mediocrity for the next decade, and the team will lose alot of passionate fans, u mark my words, this organization owes to us leaf fans who be patient, who probably broke a few tv screens remotes doors windows etc over the padt 10 years...i know i cant handle it anymore, ive spent my life loyal to this team...only seen a handful of conference finals in 45 tears...this is my last attempt to love the sport i grew up playing watching for 40 plus years...if leafs dont mske it padt 2nd round, im done with hockey, i just lost to much from this teams, ive hung around with players, played hockey with them, spent million of dollars cried screamed cussed u name it, its my last time
.ps...please god i need this team to do something over the top...fingers crossed.
30 Dec 2024 04:55:34
As long as shanny is at the helm nothing major will change or it would of happened a long time ago what will most likely happen is they will double down with the core and hope like hell the cap rises enough that they can finally build around them.
07 Jan 2025 02:22:04
Granlund would be my pick.
Dobson or JT Miller would probably require one of Marner or Nylander to acquire.
OāReilly is 34 years old and I am very much against sacrificing assets for players at the end of their careers.
Gompher is an overpaid, 3rd line center who would look good in Blue & White depending on the price. (Cheap)
Nelson is another 33 year old with a big body but almost completely lacking in physicality.
Not really suitable as a 3rd line player.
Nelson is not playing nearly as well as Tavares this season and I would not want to see Tavares demoted to the 3rd line considering his productivity just to bring in Nelson.
McTavish would be nice but it is highly unlikely ducks trade him unless the offer is excessive.
Gourde I am of two minds about.
Gourde is also 33 years old, a rental, with a cap hit of $5.166.
Leafs can not likely afford to resign him after resigning Marner, MCabeās new contract, Knies new contract and the rest of the players on expiring contracts who will expect raises.
Gourde would be fine, again, depending on the price!
28 Dec 2024 11:21:03
Thoughts on Easton Cowan?
Man he reminds me Willy a couple years ago. Not much effort away from the puck, doesnāt engage in puck battles too often. Playing like he is too good to backcheck and/ or forecheck. I am not a fan of this type of player, hope they can shake these bad habits out of him. But yes he has lots of skill, so we are suppose to deal with his defensive/ lazy downfalls? Just spitting my opinion.
28 Dec 2024 16:17:23
Clarky I think the issue is he plays 2+ minute shifts and is conserving his energy. I heard this is how Hunter uses him on the Knights, so this is how he's programmed to play ATM.
I'm sure he'll be different once he starts playing 30/ 40 second high energy shifts with the Leafs during next years rookie camp and training camp.
28 Dec 2024 18:00:04
@Clarky 99% of players coming into the league are like this. Everyone talks about Crosby being a great 2 way forward, but even he was lazy on the backcheck early in his career.
When you're a superstar in juniors, nobody cares if you back/ forecheck. They just don't get it until later on most of the time.
28 Dec 2024 18:42:32
I agree with you guys. I didnāt like Austin the first couple years he came in the league. He was one dimensional. But Austin became a two way player over time where as Willy is maybe JUST starting to work away from the puck and on the defensive side. Took him 10 years to become average on the defensive side of the puck.
28 Dec 2024 19:15:36
Agree for the most part on Cowan. He looked more engaged defensively in training camp.
As for Willy. I am not sure if I have ever seen him lazier than as of late. He started so strong, but he needs to be stapled to the bench for a period if he keeps his lazy, whatever attitude on the ice.
28 Dec 2024 21:50:42
Agreed RLF. Willy always seems to be getting it together, then old habits resurface.
29 Dec 2024 22:04:23
Cowan is a hot dog
Condiments included.
29 Dec 2024 22:38:14
I think Cowan game 1 was a lot more of what he is he was driving play mixing it up after whistles I see him more as a marner type with a bit of attitude.
27 Dec 2024 05:33:54
Trade proposal. Trade nobody for Cody Ceci.
DO NOT GET CODY CECI. UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
Savard is a way better acquisition.
28 Dec 2024 03:22:57
How about neither lol.
24 Dec 2024 23:31:21
I'll summarize 90% of the upcoming posts. Hey,let's trade our average crap for a great player.
Easton Cowan is not getting traded.
22 Dec 2024 12:25:22
As I watched last nightās game in disgust I couldnāt help thinking that Knies was seriously lacking in energy and effectiveness lately.
Then I wake up and read James Tanner and was again disgusted; this time for agreeing 100% with his normal extreme positions.
Heās right the Leafs fans should be concerned.
McMann has surpassed him in his speed, drive to the net, wrist shot and overall effectiveness.
I would be very careful in getting to the next contract since he has NOT proven himself as tier one player, IMO.
22 Dec 2024 14:23:11
Wtf are you talking about? Man the guy had a bad game even a small stretch hasnāt been 100% top Knies. But every player goes through it and itās his 2nd year. He is also playing with Matthews and Marner, the two hardest guys to play with. They played a bunch of games in a short time and he plays a heavy game, itās gonna catch up with him from time to time. Knies will be back up to full energy after the break. Knies and McMann are two different players. McMann gets most of his chances off a fast break because of his speed where as Knies likes to wear you down in the corners. Need both style of players but McMann would not do any better with Matthews and Marner than Knies IMO and not even close. Knies does all the dirty work for the two princesses.
22 Dec 2024 15:39:30
I'm not concerned about Knies. Just turned 22. I said give him a bridge deal for 2-3 years at $3-$3.75M. I'm still sticking with that. I'm more concerned that Timmins gets re-upped at an overpay.
22 Dec 2024 22:08:06
@RLF, Iād be damn impressed with Tre if he got Knies to sign a bridge deal anywhere close to that. I imagine 5M+ to start for any bridge deal.
23 Dec 2024 00:19:57
Clarky. To me, $5M+ for a 20+ goal, 40+ pt winger isn't a bridge deal. If he wants $5-$6M it better be for 8 years.
23 Dec 2024 00:44:30
Okay guys I get that you love Knies. I said I was concerned.
But heās been on a bad run as I stated. If heās not skating and thumping bodies heās not contributing.
Iām saying be careful with the next contract. Iād be very happy with a 3x$3.5m deal but it sounds like itās more which would be the wrong outcome methinks.
He normally has a strong net front presence, good at cleaning up rebounds, screening goalies and tipping pucks.
And yes RLF Iām also concerned about Timmons play of late; too many penalties and sloppiness.
23 Dec 2024 12:59:24
Rsears. I have never been a fan of Timmins. He has spurts of very good hockey, but always tails off. Inconsistent. He is like a taller Liljegren to me. Who by the way, is a healthy scratch in SJ already. How does Timmins, a defenceman, who PK's etc, only have 1 hit in the last 8 games? Benoit has 25 hits in his last 8 games.
Timmins is not a keeper imo. I think they should keep working with Myers. I like his potential more and should be cheaper to keep.
23 Dec 2024 14:36:49
I have, in the past, wanted to see more of Timmons.
He had an outstanding camp for 23/ 24 and then got hurt and never recovered.
I was very pleased with his start to this year but has definitely shown his warts recently.
I have liked Myers play of late and heās from my home town.
Iād be happy with seeing a good stretch of games for him and see if heās a better 5/ 6 D and as you say is cheaper which is important as we head into the new year.
23 Dec 2024 17:30:57
Folks, I get Timmins has tailed off a bit for sure. But watch how he breaks the puck out of our end compared to Myers or Benoit. He makes tape to tape passes or skates the puck himself whereas the other two itās high and off the glass every time. Timmins was playing well before Chief HS him. Let him build his confidence back up, he is a steal for what he is making.
Knies has been a bit tentative with the contact since coming back from his concussion. But he is also playing with Matthews and Marner who werenāt themselves lately. With the way he plays, he will get hot again. Agree to disagree on his bridge deal but I see close to 5M for 2 years.
23 Dec 2024 17:39:44
Clarky. I know we disagree on Timmins. I think you give him too much credit for his breakouts (which there are some nice plays) and not enough credit to Benoit and Myers. It is far from every time off the glass. imo
Also, I have never been a Timmins fan as I have said. This isn't because of his recent play. I just don't see what you do. Hope you are right on his future.
24 Dec 2024 02:15:43
I would take Timmins over Benoit and Myers
And Knies is a 3 million $ forward at most but tredeadthing will sign him for 6 million per.
24 Dec 2024 15:02:37
@RLF tell that to Tom Wilson making 6.5M who has barely got over 40 points a few times in his career. Power Forwards with some zip tend to make a bit more.
24 Dec 2024 16:13:42
Clarky. Wilson got that deal in his prime.
Wilson's bridge deal was 2 years at $2M. Then 5 years at just over $5M. Wilson is so one of the most feared players in the NHL. Knies is not. Regardless. I would say a bridge I suggested is right in line with how Wilson got paid taking into account cap hit%.
22 Dec 2024 01:46:25
When does the conversation start with Reilly..? He's supposed to be our offensive dman but he very much isn't he's also not get in his own end this team needs that difference maker on the blueline offensively
22 Dec 2024 12:20:35
I totally agree Goat.
Heās never been strong defensively and now heās not using his speed effectively, what speed he still retains.
He definitely isnāt worth the $7.5m.
Leafs might have to retain thoā if they decide to retain him.
22 Dec 2024 14:26:30
Man, how long have I been saying this? Everyone shuts me down. He isnāt good defensively and how many times have you heard me say that Rielly has the worst gap control by far in the team. 7.5M not good in his own end and not producing than IMO we have trade bait. We get another OEL type D man around the same cap hit and we wouldnāt miss Rielly at all. He is a puck watching D because he waits for his chance to jump up in the play but does nothing when he gets the puck. He was like -8 before last time one of the worst in the team.
22 Dec 2024 15:21:24
His decline started when he got engaged and has gotten worse since his baby was born. Affects some guys because they see things other than hockey as being the most important aspect of their life now. Their mind is elsewhere. I think Morgan falls into this category.
23 Dec 2024 00:46:58
Okay letās find the best return and get it done.
22 Dec 2024 00:44:14
When will they release Reaves? Heās absolutely brutal. Every time he touches the puck he gives it away. Canāt skate. Ridiculous to keep him around.
22 Dec 2024 00:57:00
He has compromising photos of Shanahan
He will retire next year then become assistant GM.
22 Dec 2024 01:22:05
And has lost his intimidation factor.
You canāt hit what you canāt catch.
22 Dec 2024 14:29:40
Yes! Man Iād over spend a little to get a guy like Olivier. He is 28 and has mastered this enforcer roll with knowing how to play on the line without crossing it. Contributes offensively and willing to take on anyone in the league. Iāve seen a few times from this guy starting a fight because the team needs a spark. Reaves hasnāt done that since he played in Vegas.
22 Dec 2024 15:23:07
Just get McBain and move on from Reaves. Maybe I will actually get my trade wish. . . Nah.