Leafs talk 2

31 Oct 2026 04:43:54
I know this is a trade forum but I gotta say I really am leaning towards that the Leafs stay as is for this year.

Some of my points being that trading more young assets to fill a short term need is the exact reason why this team has had little success in the Matthews era. In no way trading a Cowan and or Danford gets you any further ahead.

Secondly, no team is trading you a number 1-2 dman for Cowan, not to mention that the Leafs are cap strapped for next year and can only acquire expiring deals at the moment.

Also, the Leafs need a Tanev like player.

We have that in Danford; that’s his game and he’s currently cheap. Don’t trade players before they get a chance, example Minten.

And lastly I would t mind another year of drafting and adding to the system. I know it’s early but Colorado doesn’t seem like the juggernaut team of past years so maybe the Leafs can end up with a puck that’s 15-20… they should focus on dumping bad money this year if this team can stay healthy they are a wildcard team and once in the playoffs it’s all about who got at the right time.

01 Nov 2026 01:25:14
I agree completely. They're a middling team thus far in a very hard division. Unless something changes just stand pat.

30 Oct 2026 16:47:30
All the talk about Bob has anybody noticed Nylander lately? I'm not sure I have seen him have more lazy games in a few years. Yes he's scoring, but he is mailing it in to another level.

30 Oct 2026 17:23:49
Yes, he started the season strong, but since he got sick, he has really looked uninterested in anything but offence.

31 Oct 2026 15:00:03
Why are we surprised? What is this year 10-11 of the same Willy? We keep expecting him to all of a sudden have heart? Most talent in the whole league but bottom 10% or worse for heart, drive, consistency and leadership. It’s like if McDavid didn’t care to win and just wanted points.

02 Nov 2026 11:26:11
Not surprised. Agreeing.

29 Oct 2026 12:09:57
Really hard to win when you take stupid penalties that keep killing momentum and your goalie let's in 5 goals on 17 shots. They have no choice but to try and run mostly with Stolarz and hope he doesn't get hurt and Bob can find his game. That first goal last was brutal.

29 Oct 2026 13:26:25
I never liked that contract. The Leafs can’t ride a 38 year old but the Leafs sport science team doesn’t trust Stolarz to go in a game he’s backing up so what was supposed to be a bright spot in this team has become an issue.

29 Oct 2026 15:43:43
I try not to let the team off with poor defensive play, but this is 100% on Bob. 2 shots in the 3rd period means your D is doing pretty well. You can't let in one of those shots. Especially with how bad that shot was.

30 Oct 2026 01:08:43
For me, Stolarz plays more and if he gets hurt, bring up AA and if Bob can't go on a run, play AA. Can he do any worse than what Bob is doing? That first goal on the backhand wasn't a great play.

It should have been a relatively easy save. He was just so slow to react he had to come across in what looked like desperation and made the shooter look good.

30 Oct 2026 05:31:27
@RLF Not sure Chayka can just admit a huge mistake a month into the season.

Stolarz probably goes in on Saturday because that seems like the plan, then straight back to Bob.

I will say this. If Bob is an 850 goalie for all 3 years then just trade Mathews now. Unless AA is found money that can get really hot this team goes as far as AM and Bob take then.

Mathews seems to be doing his part, but Bob just can't seem to.

I can't even really blame the defence as much as early on. Mo and Raddysh both look a lot better even if they do have their issues sometimes.

30 Oct 2026 09:31:51
LL. Chayka doesn't have to admit a mistake yet, just going with the hot goalie in Stolarz. Doesn't mean Bob won't play at all. If Stolarz gets hurt, they bring up AA, Bob gets a shot at starter again and if he can't find his game, AA gets a shot.

That will be when Chayka will have to answer tough questions. Right now, just going with the hot goalie.

27 Oct 2026 19:00:59
I think Bob saw my last post and decided to make me look dumb.

27 Oct 2026 19:55:49
He doesn’t seem to have it anymore. Last time, I was talking about how bad he was with reading around traffic in front and terrible rebound control. But this game was open shots on a bad angle, so he is just bad all over right now. Stolarz hopefully starts getting the majority of the nods until Bob figures it out.

27 Oct 2026 22:05:53
He seems to take a bit to get into the games, which is odd but I still think defensively the team needs to be better as well but your right he can’t have 2 bad goals against every game.

28 Oct 2026 00:32:59
The last couple of years he has been hot and cold. He has had many up and down spells in his career. He is down way too early too often. To his credit, he did play very well after that 3rd goal, but the big rebounds he gives up on not difficult shots is a problem as I said before.

28 Oct 2026 04:13:05
@eevryone I hated the signing as well if anyone recalls. I would never have signed a 38yo to term at that cap hit.

@Clarky Stolarz can't win a cup because of health. I was actually happy with Stolarz and Woll but had no argument with other regarding health. Hildebeast is the one I would have made 1B and see how he does. Only time will tell on that one though.

@Goat No doubt the D needs to be better. Any team with Stetcher hitting the ice for 25+ minutes needs serious help. Those goals though were so egregious, I would expect Jason Kidd to save them.

He does take a bit to get into games, but if that means let in three goals it doesn't help.



@RLF Yeah, people forget he was not the starter in the playoffs for the first cup originally. He was a bag of crap nobody wanted, then went on a tear. Same thing in CBJ. He wins a Vezina, then is unplayable. Some goalies you just ride the wave with.

All this said, I agree he is not the stud he used to be in net (although as RLF implied, he's always been hit and miss).

Come playoff time, if Bob catches fire, it can be a cup run. If Bob lets in 3 a night behind an already bottom 5 D, it will be a lottery puck. Let's all hope for the latter.

28 Oct 2026 15:20:33
I think sometimes people forget the the Flyers traded him to CLB when he was young because of soft playoff goals and they thought the more experienced Bryzgalov would be a better answer. Huge blunder by the Flyers. Bryz was in another world. Then he had mostly very good regular seasons in Columbus, but was a bust in the playoffs until his final year there where he told them he wasn't coming back and reportedly refused to waive his NMC at the deadline. Went on to an excellent post season performance and then signed the huge deal with Florida. Was up and down with Florida. I think we can all remember the rumours that Florida wanted to move him and his contract before they won the Cups because he wasn't living up to what they hoped they were getting.

He had a reputation of not not playing well in the playoffs. Until he did. But he has always been up and down in regards to his play.
Mostly, I think the Leafs signed him because he has been very durable and the two goalies they had, have not been. Then add the SC experience and what he demanded in a contract and here we are. Hideby has been meh in Tampa and although Woll has played quite well in Philly, they can't win a game. See if Woll can stay healthy for once. It's early.

28 Oct 2026 18:15:01
@RLF Woll does have the issue of health. I wouldn't have punted him for basically nothing like they did, but at the same time I understand wanting a more steady presence. Stolarz and Woll are so often hurt it is very hard to account for goaltending. Much the same as Tanev.

22 Oct 2026 04:13:34
I haven't been really high on Bob thinking he's been average, but looking into it a bit and I noticed he is top 10 in WAR and Goals saved above expected.

Thought this was interesting as I didn't think he has been a top 10 goaltender so far this year.



I am, however, still having a hard time with how much goaltenders numbers are falling apart year over year for the last decade. I still tend to think of a 910 save pct as a good not great goalie.

23 Oct 2026 06:08:40
It’s been league wide. This is the result of the short pre season but also the Leafs not being great defensively. To sum up our goalies, they will let’s some bad ones in for time to time but they will keep you in the game most nights.

23 Oct 2026 12:11:51
Goaltending needs to be better, but I agree with Goat that the sloppy play has to do with the shortened preseason. I wouldn't take too much from the first 10-15 games of the season this year. I think around the 25 game mark, teams will be showing what they really are.

23 Oct 2026 19:25:13
I called it at start of season. Stolly will be #1 by mid season. Bob is not very good anymore. Waste of 7M. Guy doesn’t know how to look around traffic, just sits there and hopes it hits him. Looking like Samsonov, makes a great save, then lets in a flutter.

23 Oct 2026 21:21:54
I think you guys misunderstood. Bob (before Rangers game) is top 10 in the NHL in Goals saved above expected and Wins above replacement.

What more do want?

24 Oct 2026 02:02:21
I didn't misunderstand. All stats need context. Bob also has a 3.10 GAA and a .895 SV%. Not good. Take a look at his shots per game. Except for 1 game, he doesn't face a lot of shots.

His rebound control has not been good, which causes him to have to make saves on rebounds he shouldn't have to make. Other than 1 game, can you honestly say he was the reason the Leafs won?

21 Oct 2026 02:32:05
That entire game was Marchenko playing with an edge and showing every reason to have him.

Sorry Clarky, but Knies was an absolute nobody. He should be embarrassed with his play since the first game. Knies is not what you think he is.

21 Oct 2026 17:38:22
I don’t care about regular season. We have a perimeter team that doesn’t like to go to or stand in front of the net. In playoffs, which should be the ultimate goal, the goals that go in are tip ins, screens and rebounds. I’m not here saying Knies is better than Marchenko. I’m saying this team has enough perimeter players like Marchenko. We have no one standing or screening goalies.

We will do nothing in PLAYOFFS because of it. I’ll be there at the end of year to say I told you so, again! But hey, we have 2 series wins in 10 years and that will continue. At least the goals are nice in the regular season though eh, 🙄. Marchenko got manhandled yesterday and didn’t do much other then Matthews banking a puck off his skate.

22 Oct 2026 19:09:29
Ckarky. In all fairness, if Knies had of ran Christensen into the boards the way Marchenko did after Christensen took a cheap shot at him, you would be talking about what great push back Knies has, but instead you call Marchenko a perimeter player. Which I dont get because he drives the net from the outside often.

He has scored goals from in tight like the one between the legs. Its not like he is afraid out there. You may be right and they fold in the playoffs, but I'm not going to call it a lost season after 10 games and I am pretty sure the team we see right now, is not completely the same team we will see if they make the playoffs.

22 Oct 2026 20:18:31
@RLF Marchenko may bring the puck towards the middle if he has a step on a guy. Between the legs was on the PP. Don’t you notice how all of our shots from the point are easily saved because there is no screen. Do any of our D other than Rifai even have a goal? Raddysh hasn’t had a screen on any of his shots this year. Only 2 guys (Knies and JT with a sprinkle of Paul) would be willing to stand in front, take the cross checks, battle for position, screen the goalie, go for a tip and/or rebounds, that is net presence. Goalies are seeing everything from the outside, no one is screening. How most goals are scored in playoffs. Would be a good thing for all the analytics lovers in here, find the answer to how and where most goals are scored in playoffs to at least shut me up, I annoy myself some days.

I think this trade makes both teams worse off IMO. CBJ needs play drivers and Leafs need net presence, big physical forwards with soft hands. Man he looked sad in that interview after the game, you can tell he really wanted to be here too. Keeping Knies wouldn’t have won us the Cup and I am not saying that. He was still 23-24 and needs some improvement in certain areas, especially knowing his own identity. But IMO, we need more guys like that to win. But they still have to address the other major issue as well, which is the neutral zone. If we kept McMann, Knies, picked up Anders Lee. And made the necessary changes on D that need to be made, I’d like this team's chances much more for winning a playoff series or two.

22 Oct 2026 22:55:11
Ckarky. I was talking about Marchenko not being perimeter and willing to play physical. You turned it into screens and playoffs again without acknowledging anything about not giving Marchenko credit for something you give Knies credit for.

22 Oct 2026 23:53:24
I will also add that two of the biggest problems the Leafs have had in the playoffs that were huge contributors to losing has been a bad PP and PK. I love physical hockey, but when you lose special teams battles in the playoffs, you are likely getting beat. Leafs PK and PP have been great so far.

23 Oct 2026 14:06:41
@Clarky
Hey buddy,
You just seem very bitter and negative since the Knies trade.
Leafs are the team to cheer for, not just the individual player. I get you love him, but just wish him luck in his career and get back on the Leafs band wagon, brother.

Leafs robbed Columbus with that trade. Marchenko is a stud and he's been attacking through the middle of the ice on a regular basis.


Plus, I think they see something in Knies that's not right. He's not the same player he was 2 seasons ago. Maybe it's the knee injury, the concussions and/or the extra weight he's carrying. I wish him the best, but I personally don't think he'll get back to the level he was at or that he'll ever reach the expectations we've had for him.

Go Leafs Go!

23 Oct 2026 19:36:02
@RLF I was explaining the difference between the two. Perimeter players and net presence players. He is a perimeter player. Not sure how else to explain it. We have too many of one style of player and almost none of the other

@Tags I am bitter and negative and it’s not because I love Knies, it’s because this team has no clue how to build a contender. It’s frustrating watching the same junk year after year just with different names in the jerseys.

I love what Knies brings to the table (just like Hyman, Kadri and McMann) because I know it’s what this team needs. But it’s like Groundhog Day every year with this team. We have many improvements like on the 4th line (only line with net presence). But no net presence players in top 6. We will see again when playoffs roll around.

23 Oct 2026 21:03:22
Actually, Matthews was the screen on the Rafai goal. If that is how you explain not being perimeter, so any player who doesn't constantly establish net front is a perimeter player? When a player gains entry carrying the puck from the outside and drives the net, that is a perimeter player, you said. Why? Because he doesn't then go right to the net and stand there. Then it is a perimeter league if not constantly standing in front of the net makes a guy a perimeter player. How often does McDavid or Ovetchkin stand in front when not on the power play? Not often. Crosby? Skilled players who can shoot and pass well, you don't want planting themselves in front of the goalie. JT is there because he lacks foot speed. He would easily be closed on if he was on the half wall or tried circling the zone.

Could the Leafs use more net front presence at times? Sure. They are also one of the highest scoring teams in the league at the moment, so it isn't hurting their ability to score. Typically big guys with little skill are always net front guys. Why? Because they don't skate and/or handle the puck well enough to create the plays that create shots on net. As for the playoffs, yes, banging in rebounds and crashing the net is necessary. No team plays playoff hockey all season. Also, as I said, the Leafs mostly lose because their PP and PK have not been good in the playoffs. They typically held their own score wise at even strength. Were they outphysicalled? Often. Would I like them to be more physical? Yes. Rarely does a team win the Cup though when their stars don't perform. Net front presence or not.

20 Oct 2026 18:41:02
Can anyone explain to me why Roslovic is still on the top line? I feel like every time the puck touches his stick it's a turn over. Which makes me sad I was an advocate for getting him.

My take so far on every new player.

Roslovic has been a disappointment. I think the experiment on him on the top line needs to come to an end.

Marchenko I like a lot, but 12 million seems way too rich.

McKenna I like that he's willing to be dumb and creative. You need to learn what works in the NHL and what doesn't.

Sissons might be my favourite add. He just plays the game so well.

I wish he had a touch more finish playing with McKenna.

Duhaime I didn't know much about him. I have been pleasantly surprised.

Paul has been really solid filling in for Tavares. I like the chemistry that line has out together.

Blueger I had hoped for a little more energy, but he's fine for a fourth liner.

MacEwan I am indifferent about.

Raddysh. He's going to be useless if the Leafs forwards are scared to stand in front of his shot. We refuse to give him a decent screen and I feel bad for him for that.

Bob. Flashes of brilliance, long stretches of mediocrity.

20 Oct 2026 18:07:18
Raddysh is completely redundant anyway. They currently have a top 5 PP and 1st PK. Who cares about him on the PP?

Dissonance was a solid add. Liked that one from the start as well as Paul.

Roslovic has always had this mo. He scores in bunches and becomes useless for large stretches. I really am not surprised.

20 Oct 2026 19:17:18
I can't say I see it much different. Roslovic's speed is a positive though. He does back off the D at times and can pull away through the neutral zone. Doesn't mean I think he should be on the top line. Over time, I think we will see McKenna with Matthews and either Marchenko or Nylander. The 2nd line will be JT, Cowan and one of the other two mentioned. Roslovic will go to the 3rd line.
Marchenko to me is a really good player. Not as much smoothness as Willy, but more bite to his game and willing to drive the net.

10 points in 10 games. That's going to cost $12M moving forward. Only $3.8M this year though. Add to that, Knies is struggling in Columbus. 3 points his first game and only 1 assist in his last 6. Only 9 hits total. He's getting 18 mins a night and 60% O-zone starts. He is really struggling and isn't playing like the guy he was in Toronto. I think he will get it together and I hope he does.

20 Oct 2026 19:39:57
Can’t say I agree about Roslovic. I wasn’t a big fan of the signing origainally but his speed creates chances and he uses it. Not afraid to engage in puck battles. I like how you mention no one standing in front Shana, that’s because we don’t have anyone willing to do it anymore. Traded Knies and JT is hurt, everyone else is a perimeter player. And we just keep adding more perimeter players. Sad but those are the goals that score in playoffs. Screened goalie, tips and rebounds but hey we have Marchenko for 12.5M, so our perimeter game is set.

I’m also glad a lot of you are starting to see what I’m saying about the neutral zone gaps. I seen a few comments on it now that I mentioned it. Nothing gets cured on this team until the neutral zone starts closing gaps.

Everyone here hating on Raddysh but I’m a fan of him. Not flashy, but makes good passes, a great shot(not his fault no one is willing to stand in front), and most importantly he battles.

20 Oct 2026 19:56:38
Clearly I don't hate his speed through the neutral zone, but I feel like every time he gets a pass in the offensive one the okay dies on his stick. That is where I have issues. I haven't gotten to watch a lot of full games. 2 young kids. So haven't really picked up on the neutral zone stuff that much. But Matthews kind of looks like himself again. We should be giving him players to actually play with.



I feel like I'd feel better having Roslovic on the 4th.

Not entirely sure what I want my lines to be, but probably something like

McKenna Matthews Nylander
Marchenko Paul Cowan
Duhaime Sissons Roslovic (til Tavares comes back) then Paul or Cowan here and Tavares back to 2c
Blueger Groux Roslovic/Macewan.

20 Oct 2026 20:34:52
On another side note: fans went all crazy when McKenna got benched (which I also didn’t agree with for that long) but now he gets moved right up to VIP? Who is running this team? Bothers me because he is getting the opportunity that Cowan has earned over him. Happy he got the game winner and it was a beauty but there are many issues that need to be worked out and shouldn’t be on top line. Too power play to work through them. Here are my lines (for when JT is back):

Paul Matthews Nylander
Cowan JT Marchenko
McKenna Sissons Roslovic
Duhaime Blueger McEwen

Paul, Nylander, Cowan, Marchenko, Roslovic get hurt, call up Vinni Lettieri
Matthews, JT, Sissons, Blueger get hurt, call up Groulx
Duhaime or McEwen get hurt, call up Landon Sim

Sad to say but Stetcher looks like our best D.



Reilly Stetcher
McCabe Raddysh
OEL Rifai
I’m over the Blakenburg tryout. Too small, gets pushed around in the corners and looks timid. Not sure why Rifai is not getting his opportunity right now. Be nice to have some emotion out there or someone throwing a hit.
Sorry for the jibber jabber.

20 Oct 2026 22:50:18
@RLF Who is the guy Knies was in Toronto exactly? I also like the player, but he has only ever thrived with top NHL players on his line.

Knies was a mess analytically and 2 completely opposite GMs wanted to pitch him out of town for that reason. I like the kid as well, but people here acted like he was the second coming of Wendal.

Now we hear the same about Cowan.

Can't move him even for Makar because he may become a top 6, ppg winger someday.

@Clarky Knies looks like garbage in CBJ without 2 play driving linemates and a top 10PP to get him points. Marchenko is the better player by leaps and bounds and even drives the net better than Knies (something that surprised me as well).

20 Oct 2026 23:55:47
LL. He isn't even being physical, is what I meant. He can also help more on offence than that, but he looks lost and very little energy.

21 Oct 2026 01:39:58
@RLF Agree there then if we gor some crossed line. He was just big and therefore called a "power forward".

19 Oct 2026 13:20:53
Tor: Cowan

Cal: Parekh.

19 Oct 2026 20:17:06
I’m sure they will meatball. Cowan has heart and drive, that means he doesn’t belong on this team.

19 Oct 2026 21:17:17
Not a Parekh fan. He can put up points, but way too nonchalant with and without the puck.

19 Oct 2026 22:00:23
As RLF said, I don't think Parekh moves the needle.

20 Oct 2026 14:24:31
Trading Cowan is a huge mistake. Localish boy who definitely wants to be a Leaf. He's a dog, not saying he's gonna get 80 points, but he will most likely take a discount and not recommend a trade. Kids got heart. Trading him for a Dman and betting on if he wants to stay or not is a gamble we shouldn't take.

17 Oct 2026 03:01:27
That loss to me was on Hiller. Absolutely terrible decision to sit 3 guys for almost half the game after just getting back from the West Coast. They played an absolutely great 1st period, we get a little resistance in the 2nd and he sits a line? He shout of been rolling all 4 lines all game and we would been able to scrape out that win. Matthews and Nylander were dog tired by overtime, they were taking 20 seconds shifts at times. Yes everyone is talking about sitting McKenna and I agree but McEwen was playing great along with Blueger. That decision didn’t make any sense to me and IMO cost them the game. That’s it for Clarky's corner today!

17 Oct 2026 18:11:00
Hilly made some odd decisions for sure, but I have to say Willy and Roslovic, tired or not, need more effort.

After losing JT, he really should have run 4 lines though.

16 Oct 2026 18:31:16
Been talk about the D standing up more at their blueline and not being too deep. I agree, they do need to. One of the reason they often seem to sag behind their blueline was on display on the Samuelsson goal. Roslovic and Nylander are at the redline both facing Samuelsson as he comes up the ice with the puck. No forecheck, just standing waiting. Freeze the play as Samuelsson is making his pass. Roslovic engages Samuelsson. McCabe is starting to move to his left to cut off the guy he thinks is getting the pass along the boards. Instead of Willy picking up a man, he stands there hoping to pick off a pass. The pass goes through him and both him and Roslovic let Samuelsson and Thompson blow right by them and literally stand there and watch.

McCabe starts to back peddle to the middle of the ice because he now is facing a two on one all of a sudden. Neither Roslovic or Nylander touched Samuelsson or Thompson.
I am not letting the D off the hook, but this happens way too often with our forwards. I don't think the D trust the forwards to take a man or slow them down and it has a lot to do with why they don't close at the blueline. If McCabe had of been up at the blueline, Thompson would have blown by him or if McCabe engaged, he slips it back to Samuelsson who walks in untouched.

16 Oct 2026 18:46:49
I agree here completely. No D in the league wants to backpedal into their goalie's face. They all know that isn't the right play, but the D on this team have no choice.

Everyone losing their minds about McKenna being benched needs to remember how badly he played.

He deserved the benching.

My only issue with it was not also benching Willy and Roslovic. They both just gave up after the first period and decided they're done for the night.

16 Oct 2026 03:57:33
If Tavares is out does Raty get a shot?

Cowan Matthews Nylander
McKenna Raty Marchenko
Paul Sissons Roslovic
4th line. Who cares?

16 Oct 2026 18:37:32
I don't think he will get a shot at 2C. The Canucks tried to turn him into a defensive C. He is very good on the dot, pretty safe with the puck and uses his body. He isn't used to 17-18 mins a night at the NHL level though and as a 2C, he would have to think more offence than what Van tried to have him play last year and this year.

They have Groulx and MacEwan to fill roles and Paul might see 2C time. My guess is he plays in the minors and they give him more of an offensive role to see if he can put up points again as he had almost a point per game his last season in the A.