Leafs talk 3

09 Jan 2026 23:59:04
So I’ve really had a lot of time to think of players I would love to see the Leafs get and it’s really hard to think of great players but I got two that came to mind and these are players I’d like for Toronto to get. The first one is Rickard Rakell from the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is a players I have always been a fan of from in his days in Anaheim. 2- way forward, can use the body, gets about 100 plus hits a year. Very good offensively and can produce a good amount of points and I’ve seen that first hand with him playing in Pittsburgh as he’s played with Crosby. Just his overall game I really do like and he’s got term with this year and next at around 5 million dollars so I feel like obviously if a trade went down there would be money retained in that. So he’s the first one that I’d trade for. Honourable mention: Alex Tuch, Jared McCann.

The second name is a defencemen. Honourable mention: Justin Faulk and Rasmus Andersson. But the main defencemen that I would like the Leafs to get is bring back Luke Schenn. Now the reason I would trade for him back is because of two reasons. 1) I felt like he should stayed with Toronto after his second stint in Toronto but didn’t sign back. 2) If Chris Tanev does end up being injured that rest of the season and Schenn can be that replacement in the mean time. So I hope both trades can happen.

09 Jan 2026 15:06:58
Time to get McMann resigned. Don't let this guy go to UFA.

Can play anywhere in the lineup from top line to 4th line. Amongst forwards;
5th in points (On pace for 45)
4th in goals
3rd in hits.
Takeaway/ giveaway ratio is tied with best on the team with Joshua
Big, fast, physical, strong as a bull.
Good defensively.
He is probably going to cost in the $3.5-$4M range with term. Get it done. We don't need another Hyman walking type of situation. Give him a deal similar to Domi's.

From a personal standpoint. I have wanted to see him with Matthews for a couple of years, as I thought he could be a Hyman light. He is getting in on the forecheck and causing turnovers. They tried Domi with Matthews and Knies before, but Knies is too slow. McMann's speed has added a different element to that line and he is very good on the backcheck. Knies is better with the puck, but McMann better at pushing back the D and getting in on the forecheck. Knies, JT and Nylander should be a very good line as a combo of speed, forecheck, grinding and skill.

09 Jan 2026 22:16:46
Agree and I have always liked Mcmann, but what's the number? Look at what Holmberg got. He has to be significantly higher than that, doesn't he? He's never made any real money and will want to.

09 Jan 2026 14:51:32
In their last 20 games, the Leafs are 11-5-4 for 26 points. That's a 106 pt pace.
Same GM, same coach, same players. Much of that with major injuries to Stolarz, Carlo and Tanev. Matthews, Nylander, McCabe, Joshua all missing time.

What's changed? The way the players are playing. They are playing with more consistency, passion, urgency and physicality. They are simply playing better from goaltending out.

The first quarter debacle blame has now pretty much been shown where it belonged, on the players.

Time to stop blaming the coach and GM.

11 Jan 2026 01:40:26
Can’t argue with what you’re saying.
Much better.
A smart move or two could and a continuation of what we’re seeing could start to get me excited!

07 Jan 2026 22:27:57
Why is everyone trying to get rid of Macelli. I think he looks great, has awesome vision. Looks better every game to me unless I'm missing something. He might get caught on one of those cross ice passes when he enters the Blueline.

08 Jan 2026 00:20:14
Once nylanders back I think he will get bumped down to the fourth line which he won’t be as effective he’s been good but he’s forsure the guy to be moved.

08 Jan 2026 21:42:16
As Goat says, the issue is a numbers game. When Nylander comes back, personally, I would put Maccelli in Cowan's spot. I like Cowan, but he hasn't been that good. He is trying to find his way, but Leafs need wins.

09 Jan 2026 09:00:20
@RLF no way am I breaking up that third line nope won’t do it!

09 Jan 2026 13:35:44
Roy and Robertson have both been good together, but Cowan is the weak link on that line. imo Maccelli is outplaying him right now.

06 Jan 2026 16:30:05
Although I have mentioned Luneau and Colangelo many times for a long time - now, more than ever, is the time Leafs should be trying to get Luneau.

Not sure if they can work something out where the Leafs also take on Strome to get a deal done. Something based around Robertson and Jarnkrok heading to Anaheim and Strome and Luneau coming to the Leafs. Anaheim is going to have to eat some money as well most likely.

07 Jan 2026 00:36:59
Do you think if the leafs took stromes deal the duck would take Reillys deal something like luneau and strome for Reilly? Just thinking out loud.

07 Jan 2026 02:28:13
Goat. I thought about the same thing, but Ducks don't need Rielly. They have really good young LD's. Just couldn't see them wanting Rielly.

07 Jan 2026 16:03:10
Yea my thought is that there left side is all young guys maybe they would want to add a veteran lefty to balance it a bit more.

07 Jan 2026 16:20:09
I know, I thought the same thing Goat.
Then I asked myself, who comes out for Rielly? Lacombe, Minty or Zellweger. I am not sure they want to take on Rielly with years of contract left and not have 1 of those 3 play for the next few years. If Rielly was on the last year of his deal, I think they may have interest, but not when there is so many years of his contract left.
Then again, I don't think Rielly will waive. New wife, baby. Doubt he wants to uproot all of that.

04 Jan 2026 21:21:28
Anyone else wondering if Tanev is done permanently?

I know he's having surgery with a long recovery time, but he's played so hard, for so long that at his age I can see this being the end. Maybe he comes back for a bit then goes LTIR again.

05 Jan 2026 08:57:17
It wouldn’t surprise me one bit a lot of hard miles on him when we signed him. It’s kinda the issue with tree signing multiple defenders who are older.

05 Jan 2026 16:30:06
I'm getting Muzzin vibes.
Hope I'm wrong!

05 Jan 2026 17:24:44
Yeah I’d be surprised to see him back. He’s been a warrior for sure but two tough injuries to come back from.
Concussions and severe groin injuries are serious, especially with wear and tear he’s been through.
Robidas Island may get another visitor.

07 Jan 2026 18:12:09
I think he will play again. For how long? Who knows?
He looked pretty good when he came back until the groin issue. Doesn't seem like a guy ready to hang them up, but that's just my opinion on him.

08 Jan 2026 17:10:11
I’m sure he doesn’t want to retire but the frequency of injuries this year has me thinking the doctors may be recommending it.
He’s been a true warrior but his body might not be able to execute what the brain is messaging.
I hope I’m wrong tho’.

04 Jan 2026 03:04:19
Honestly attach a 1st round pick and dump Reilly they will never win anything with him on the roster like zero hockey IQ in the ice for all 4 goals tonight and 8 of the last 10 goals against idc if he scored 70/ 80/ 90 points he’s got to go.

04 Jan 2026 05:08:35
I have said this for years; judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree, it will believe it's whole life that it is stupid.

Mo is a second pairing D and everyone in Leafs nation ess sold on him being Hughes or Makar. He is not, and never was.

If Mo is in the right spot he is a great second pairing D. He needs to be in the right spot.

He is a fish trying to climb a tree and has been for a decade.

04 Jan 2026 09:30:59
The leafs organization has held onto his 20 goal season believing that is what he is as a player and all it has done is hurt them.

04 Jan 2026 13:23:14
Kind if a lackluster effort by most guys. They weren't skating or pressuring much. Not much physical play.
As for MO, it does look like he is getting worse at his reads as he ages instead of better. Your taught as a kid to check over your shoulder for the open man. He is mesmerized by the puck. Protect the middle, yet he so often leaves the middle to try and double team the puck carrier.
Simply put, dumb hockey too often.

04 Jan 2026 17:40:20
The leafs have spent a decade of hockey trying to find the right partner for him imagine what that blueline could of looked like they got tanev the best rhd the leafs probably have ever had and he played two games with Mo so what’s that tell you.

04 Jan 2026 23:59:24
LL
I believe it was Einstein who said this, not you.
Sorry to burst your bubble.

05 Jan 2026 16:24:07
I can't say for certain what LL is saying, but I didn't get the impression LL was saying he coined the phrase, just that he has used it for years.

05 Jan 2026 17:29:05
Maybe not.
So perhaps state he thinks Einstein played hockey with him and used the analogy in the dressing room.
Lol
I just wanted to make the point.

05 Jan 2026 23:22:42
Maybe he did. Maybe Einstein played wing. lol
What point? That LL didn't coin it?

06 Jan 2026 14:26:45
Simply clarifying that it should be attributed to Einstein.

02 Jan 2026 18:40:59
What do the leafs do if they are truly back in this year? They have way too many bodies that have little value they need to add a blueliner and they could use an impact forward. But I wouldn’t move any of Cowan danford or holinka tuff spot to be in.

03 Jan 2026 01:32:12
You do nothing and play it out. Even if they do make the playoffs this team is not beating anyone to win a cup.

03 Jan 2026 11:31:26
With Tanev and Joshua both out long-term it seems and the lack of assets the Leafs have, I would look to move Jarnkrok by the TDL and depending on how Robertson and Maccelli are playing, possibly them as well for more assets.
Otherwise, play it out and hope being the underdog, counted out, etc, makes them play hard and use the off season to evaluate what to do moving forward.

04 Jan 2026 09:33:03
I think it’s a weird situation because of the better play of late and the one positive I can take away is how guys like Robertson and maccelli and mcmann have been playing boosting their value in case they do decide to move off of them.

01 Jan 2026 20:35:46
I thought that Philip Myers had a very good game against the Devils.
If he could play like that every game he’d have value.
He’s from my home town of Moncton; that’s one reason for tooting his horn.

01 Jan 2026 18:57:27
I believe this game tonight will signify if leafs are going to push for playoff spot or if it's going to go further south. jets lost 7 in a row and leafs are playing the best hockey of there season, so a loss tonight can be devastating on there season. gonna be a tough game. leafs better be on tonight cause these are the games that can crush momentum mentally.

01 Jan 2026 03:10:46
Just talk to McDavid buddy, he said he wants to be a leaf but he needs to know how they finish the season and what the summer brings, he's not coming unless toronto is showing they wanna continue to be a playoff team or starting over, I had a feeling something was strange to this season and I guess it's for gd reason. let's pray.