Leafs talk 3

16 Oct 2026 03:42:50
This coach…really?
He forgets he has an uber talented rookie on the bench?
This is not going to end well…
What a meathead…

16 Oct 2026 02:36:08
Reminds me of Babs.

Mckenna looked like garbage (he's 18, no hate towards the kid). But Babs always benched certain guys and not others. No different from what I can tell.

16 Oct 2026 08:43:08
For whatever reason he likes to just button mash with the lines. Whether Mckenna played poorly or not, sitting him half the game is a good way to lose a player.

16 Oct 2026 14:39:59
I get that Leafs were killing penalties second half of the 2nd period. But man, they had a 2 goal lead to start the third. McKenna pushes play forward. Needed to get him on the ice early in the 3rd. I will never understand when teams are outplaying other teams, they get a 2 goal lead then sit back and just play D in the 3rd.

Keep pressing. Keep the puck in their end. Try and get a 3 goal lead. I would rather my team lose trying to take it to them, then sit back and try and hold onto a lead by just playing defence.

16 Oct 2026 15:08:32
Jim Hiller lost us that game, plain and simple.

15 Oct 2026 09:33:11
A lot of talk about the d core and I came across something that may make us feel better. Washington currently has a top six that includes Liljgren and Holl and they are considered as a cup contender...

Do I think the Leafs have the best built blueline... no, but I do think when healthy they are 1 solid player away from being a good blueline. They need a shutdown guy to help ease the loss of Tanev.

15 Oct 2026 17:43:10
And the Caps aren't doing great.

I like the Caps moves for them in the off-season, but it really shows the lack of solid D-men across the league right now.

16 Oct 2026 08:44:08
I guess my point is that there’s more teams than just Toronto that have similar bluelines.

16 Oct 2026 14:42:11
Without Tanev, the D-core becomes more of an issue. Not sure what they can or would give up to improve there through trade though.

14 Oct 2026 00:33:52
I know I am on an island here, but I am done wirh Raddysh.

Slow as mollases, does nothing offensively, poor defensively, does not help the PP in any way now he is away from Kycherov, poor on the PK, etc

He is a fine 3-4D, but he was signed as a 1D (apparently). What is the hate for Rielly whilr we pretend that Raddysh is a stud? I don't get it.

Mo on that top PP looks exactly the same as Raddysh on the top PP.

14 Oct 2026 07:23:55
I won’t go as far as saying I’m gonna write this player off, but I do think he’s a player you do need to shelter a bit, which isn’t great. Also, he’s been pretty passive on the PP. It’s feed Auston syndrome.

14 Oct 2026 16:29:09
Very poor deployment on the PP in my mind. He shouldn't be quarterback on the PP. Needs to be a shooter.

14 Oct 2026 18:56:06
Do you mean he was signed as a #1D or a top pair D? I don't think many thought he was a #1D, but he was playing top pair in Tampa. From what top #1 D are getting paid right now, Raddysh wasn't paid even close to what a lot of these guys are getting.
He hasn't been that good, but it isn't uncommon when these guys sign their first big deal and try to live up to the pay instead of just playing their game. Especially if they sign in their hometown. My hope is that he will continue to settle down and just play his game as time continues to go on.

He makes some nice plays, but he is definitely looking for Matthews on the PP a lot. Maybe trying too hard to fit in etc. Needs to be a little more selfish and let that bomb go more often. You may be right that he is more a 3-4 in the long run, but right now it's not like anyone is going to take his top pair slot from him. OEL has not looked good at all. MacCabe has been hot and cold. Rielly has been better this year, than last, but still not looking like a top pair guy. They have a bunch of guys playing like 3-5's.

14 Oct 2026 19:14:28
@RLF I listened to media hype Raddysh a true #1 D from the time they signed him and I honestly feel bad for the guy. He's getting the Mo treatment. Put a guy in a position to fail, then act surprised when he fails.



OEL looks his age and McCabe is definitely losing a step from when he first signed.

Not sure this D corps is getting any better.

14 Oct 2026 19:20:49
Does Reilly look better? He is definitely playing more physical, which is good, but he has some of the worst gap control in the league. That’s why he either gets walked, guys go around him on the outside. First periods of the last two games killed them because the gap control in the neutral zone is awful. They tightened up in the 2nd half of both games (especially the Avs). Utah game was too little, too late. Just watch next game when teams are breaking out, our D are already in our zone, backed way off.

Giving so much time and space to make passes, gain speed and be creative. Hopefully it’s something Hiller is working on. But none of the last 3-4 coaches have corrected this major issue. But I’m going to eat humble pie and say Matthews and Nylander are actually stepping up and playing a much better style (especially Matthews), trying to win every puck battle. If the team feeds off this, could be tough to play against.

14 Oct 2026 22:13:40
Clarky. I said Rielly looks better this year than last year. That's all. I think he does. I also said they have a bunch of guys looking like a 3-5. Rielly would be in that category along with Raddysh, OEL, McCabe. Tanev was the only one that looked better than a 3. Then you have Stecher, Blankenberg and Rafai that are 6-7's. You see it differently?

14 Oct 2026 22:45:03
@RLF That's pretty much how I see the D-corps as well. OEL looks bottom pairing, Rielly maybe a 4 probably a 5 and Raddysh a 4 (most would argue 3 and I wouldn't be upset with that either).

What is up with McCabe? Looks like a 7th D half the time.



I do think McCabe is a solid second pairing guy still, but man is he not good enough to cover up for Mo/Raddysh defensievly. He really needs a new partner.

15 Oct 2026 14:41:07
LL, I don't read or watch a lot of media coverage, but I don't remember anyone calling him a true #1D. I remember them saying he is the #1 defenceman available and a PP quarterback as well as a top 4 or top pair. You are probably right, I just didn't see much of that.

15 Oct 2026 19:15:04
@RLF I know you said Reilly looks better then last year, but the only improvement I have seen is he being more physical in the corners. But our D is going to always look bad no matter who you get, if they don’t change the defensive system to close gaps in the neutral zone.

Neutral zone is arguably the most important zone to be good at from a defensive standpoint point and the Leafs have been and still are one of the worst teams for gap control. Makes it easy to play against.

15 Oct 2026 20:11:52
Clarky. I would also say that Rielly is using his feet better to keep moving out of danger with the puck in his own end as another improvement. Point being, he was horrible last season and I wouldn't call him horrible this year. The gap control I don't disagree with, but that is also on the forwards as well. It's hard to stand up at the blue line when guys are allowed to come through the neutral zone with so much speed. When Sissons, Duhaime and Blueger are on the ice together, that speed is taken away and the D don't back up as much.

It also happens on plays where they dump it out and try to change or there is a neutral zone giveaway where now they are flat footed and they play is quickly coming at them. They need to be better at that for sure, but the forwards need to force them to one side better and have a strong backcheck ro support the D so the D can stand up more. Sometimes it is totally on them, sometimes not much they can do but back off or have a guy blow by them or just chip it past them and go get it pretty easily.

13 Oct 2026 20:18:04
I would love to see Rifai get his chance with Tanev out. Guy is all heart every time he gets the call up. Not bad with the puck either, hope they give him a good 7-8 game look.

13 Oct 2026 21:25:15
I also like Rifai.

He isn't replacing anyone as I currently see him, but maybe he can put in an effort worth keeping.

Last 10 years prospects have been ignored and left in the Marlies forever. Maybe one of them is good (Sorry Holl lol)

11 Oct 2026 03:20:29
Said it before, McKenna is looking better everyday.

Really like his back check at times, liking his effort, kid is a stud.

Give him half a year and he will easily have 60pts as an 18 year old.

11 Oct 2026 14:07:41
Great attitude. All I have heard is how much of a sponge this kid is for soaking up as much info from the vets as he can. The discussion before the draft was who is more NHL ready, him or Stenberg and should you take the so-called more NHL ready 2 way type winger. For me, as I believe you as well, I was taking McKenna all the way. He's ready and he is just going to get better. As I said then, his vision and ability to hold onto pucks to find the open guy is waaaaay beyond his years. Even on the PP, Matthews is giving him the puck to run the PP from the half wall.

That said, a shout out to Matthews and Nylander. Willy was good last year and has seemed to be grinding even more. Matthews is a different player this year. Ever since that Nashville game where he admitted after the game the decision for the team was not to lose any puck battles, he has been dominate.

He is skating well, the shot is there, he is winning battles. He is being an on ice leader.

We can give credit to the GM and coach, with the additions of Paul, Scissons, Duhaime, Raddysh, Bob, etc., because those moves are paying off and the style of offence play is more creative. To me, the other big difference we are starting to see from the team this year is the stars (Matthews, Nylander) are at a different level than last year and the emergence of Cowan and the addition of McKenna is huge. Rielly is much better this year. If those guys were playing like they did last year, they aren't 3-2-1. It would be more like 2-4 or 1-5.

08 Oct 2026 20:06:17
Liking the new lines. Pretty much exactly what a lot of us wanted. Just switch Cowan and McKenna so McKenna isn't so exposed defensively and gets lesser competition.

Cowan also deserves top 6 minutes. He came out ready.

06 Oct 2026 22:39:36
It might be early in this game, but penalties are an issue, effort is an issue, and coaching has done nothing to change this team.

Starting to lose hope boys.

07 Oct 2026 01:07:05
Alright, guess they made me look stupid. Happy to see it.

07 Oct 2026 11:37:52
It was nice to see them start to play like losing is not acceptable. I think Matthews even said something about deciding they weren't going to lose any puck battles etc as to what changed during the game.
Also nice to hear a young star quality player in McKenna say he loves this fanbase and it's a privilege to play for a passionate fan base where they want you to succeed so much and that even when there is criticism it's still a privilege.

He's got the right attitude to play here.
Matthews actually looked dominate for the first time since I can't remember when. After that JT goal, the whole team was buzzing.

04 Oct 2026 23:53:11
The way this team is constructed, it is very hard to make a top 3 lines without having a defensive or inexperienced weak spots on at least one of the lines. I think eventually someone from the 4th line will have to move up and someone from the top 9 will have to play 4th line. For now, before that happens, my next game lines are:
Paul Matthews Marchenko
Cowan JT Nylander
McKenna Sissons Roslovic
MacEwen Groulx Duhaime
Blueger - set the tone now by sitting a vet.

Haven’t noticed much from him. Maybe even swap Paul and Cowan between lines. Cowan looks like one of the more noticeable players so far these three games. #missKnies.

05 Oct 2026 12:32:27
I see what you are doing, but personally, I would just leave the lines as is for now except switch Cowan and McKenna so that McKenna sees lower competition and has two good defensive players with him that also can add some offence. Cowan will go get pucks for JT and Willy and McLenna. When McKenna has it more figured out, he can play left side with Matthews and Marchenko and move Roslovic to the 3rd line with Paul and Sissons.

For now
Marchenko Matthews Roslovic
Cowan JT Nylander
McKenna Paul Sissons
Blueger/McEwan Groulx Duhaime

04 Oct 2026 02:20:26
Anyone else think McKenna is looking better?

I know he isn't lighting up the scoresheet, but I'm really liking his improvement.

04 Oct 2026 07:42:49
He’s been better. I just think he’s not hard enough on pucks.

04 Oct 2026 23:43:33
Right now he looks like a boy playing with men. Just needs to get his confidence at this level, he should be fine.

05 Oct 2026 12:25:29
One thing I have noticed with him that the coaching staff and the veterans need to drill into him is don’t be the third man in…and I am not talking fights lol. If an opponent has the puck along the boards or in the corner and we slready have 2 men on that man he tends to drift into the scene a few feet off from them. Which leaves the opposition with many uncovered men.

He could get away with that in junior where his quickness allowed that luxury. But it’s more apparent he is finding even slow guys in the NHL are quicker than he realized initially. Once he masters playing the wing more defensively he can start to work more as a rover. Gruden is the perfect assistant coach to work him through that.

04 Oct 2026 02:53:10
Man, what a s***** way to lose. Refs took the game out of the players hands, but Toronto needs to have some killer instinct. They should of finished that game in the second. Also Tavares stone hands need to not always be on the ice when trying to score a goal. Got cleaned out by Stuzle at the end of the game.

04 Oct 2026 02:17:28
JT is really looking his age at times. He's still a good middle 6 guy, but I don't think he should be 2C at this point.

That said, good luck replacing JT at 2C as that is extremely difficult to find.

04 Oct 2026 04:30:21
The whole 2nd line is giving up too many chances against. McKenna needs to be sheltered on the 3rd line and needs a defensive veteran on his line Atm.
Imo, the easiest fix is just to switch Nylander and Sissons

Marchenko Matthews Roslovic
Cowan Paul Nylander
McKenna Tavares Sissons
Groulx Blueger Duhaime

04 Oct 2026 19:10:13
I like those lines Tags. Marchenko can play both wings so I would move Cowan up beside Mathews and Roslovic down though.

02 Oct 2026 00:13:18
Hahaha I love it, Knies is making all of you eat it right now. Up 4-3 after 2 periods. He has 2 goals and an assist. I find it funny that all of you think this team and the way they play are going to go anywhere. Hopefully a GM comes in one year that builds a team for playoffs and goes and gets more Knies type players instead of less.

Enjoy the regular season guys, this will be the highlight of the year. Looks like I may be right about Robertson too. We will have to wait and see.

02 Oct 2026 04:31:34
You're going to need to wait until the year is over for that.

I like Knies as well, I've said that many times, I just don't like his as much as you do.

I also wouldn't have made the Marchenko trade. They need D desperately.

02 Oct 2026 09:30:15
“On a positive note, I'm sorry Clarky, but Marchenko is a stud. This guy looks so good through two games, he could have 100 pts and 50g. I cannot hate on him.” - LL This what you said the day before and yes you did want the trade, now just like Hyman you will be asking for him back in a year's time when you all realize that’s the type of player we need for playoffs. While all you guys are focused on is Marchenko is in the 91% for play driving and while Knies is in the 55%.

So 86 must be better for “this team” right? We have 6 of our top 9 are supposed to be “play drivers” but who are the net presence, drive through you, type players to get to goalie? Who is going to score greasy playoff goals?
Who is going to run over someone that is taking liberties on Matthews? Getting so sick of this team and franchise. It’s become a joke but all of you wanted this, so I must be wrong.

02 Oct 2026 13:14:28
Clarky, for the millionth time, all the people on here were not advocating for Knies to be traded and to have Toronto go all skill, and no size or toughness. Your insistence that every one did I don't get.
Both Knies and Robertson had good starts on the stats sheet, which you say is what every one else focuses on. A little perspective though. On one hand, you say regular season don't matter, it is all about the playoffs and tough hockey. Yet, here you are lauding Knies and Robertson for a regular season game and then claiming how right you are about the type of players needed for the playoffs. Did Knies and Robertson play playoff hockey in their games?

Let's look at Knies night. Knies had a PP goal and a tip in where he was left completely uncovered. Both were nice goals. Showed skill. Do you know how many people he ran over? None. He had no hits. He also only got 16 mins of ice and had 71% of his starts in the O-zone. Over 2 minutes of his TOI were on the PP. So sheltered minutes. Even with sheltered minutes, Buffalo only had 2 EV goals and Knies was on the ice for both of them. Guess who gave the puck away that lead to both the Sabres 5 on 5 goals. Knies. Got stripped inside his blueline on one and failed to get the puck out even though he had time on the other. I don't think doing that helps a team win in the playoffs. 2 goals, 1 assist, 0 hits and two giveaways that lead to goals against. The exact stuff you complain about when talking about the Leafs skilled players.

Yet, Marchenko has 6 hits in 2 games. That's a 252 hit pace. That would be way more than Knies ever had. Plus, he hasn't been on the ice for any EV strength goals against. He has also been going to the net and standing net front. Shouldn't you be loving that even if he only has 1 assist?

Robertson who you also lauded and said you may be right about. 2 goals, 0 hits. Only 15 mins of icetime. The first goal was a little tip that a minor league goalie should stop. The 2nd, he waits too long to shoot and his shot gets deflected, it bounces off the end boards and the goalie kicks it in his own net. Vladar was brutal in that game. Also, on Robertson's first goal, just prior to the goal, Crosby gets leveled by Risto, close to a head shot, and what did the Pens do(including Robertson), absolutely nothing. Their captain gets smoked and no one comes to his aid, including the guy closest to the hit, Robertson. I thought you hate players who won't get in there when players take liberties at the stars.

I mean you say everyone is just looking at "stats" like play driving etc to evaluate a player when all you did was look at a boxscore for Knies and Robertson's to suggest you are right and they are playoff hockey guys. Except for points, neither played the way you like when it comes to playoff hockey.

As for the playoffs, yes Knies has been physical. Although, his ppg are lower in the playoffs than the regular season and he has been on the ice for more goals against than for. His shots per game are down in the playoffs. His line is consistently outshot in the playoffs. He also gives the puck away a fair amount for a guy who doesn't carry it much. Robertson in the playoffs has 2 goals and an assist in 13 games. Even though he is given more O-zone starts in the playoffs compared to the regular season. His physicality doesn't increase. He only has 11 hits total. His 3 points accounts for all the goals he has been on the ice for, but on for 5 against. All that said, he hasn't been given as much icetime in the playoffs(10:30 avg). He skates hard with effort, but doesn't accomplish much.

Anyhow, I am sure you will now rip me apart and tell me I don't know anything about hockey.

02 Oct 2026 14:10:15
Yeah Clarky, I would have traded Knies for a D man or futures and rebuilt completely.

Now that the Marchenko trade is done I have 2 choices. Sit and cry about it all year or look at Marchenko and realize what a stud that guy is. He is extremely talented, hits, goes to the net, he does it all.

You can be mad about this Knies trade all you want, it won't change the fact that he is gone. I really didn't like the Raddysh signing and fully expect it to go badly, but that doesn't mean I hope it does.

02 Oct 2026 17:44:22
Well thought out RLF. Great post. Clarky, we aren’t hating and if it was a role reversal and Marchenko had a boatload of points we would not be gloating. It’s a long season and I think you will grow to appreciate Marchenko more each game. He does actually drive to the net and works the boards very well and is not a perimeter player per se.

He has also shown a desire in the past to play centre as well. If anything, from watching the first couple of games I find Matthews looking out of place somewhat. He looked much better in preseason.

02 Oct 2026 19:31:18
You guys all keep saying he is very talented (Marchenko) and I’m not disagreeing with you, he is a great player. But if you wanted a different look play driver then you should be moving Nylander. Don’t move a young 23yo that carries all the tools the Leafs need for a guy that carries all the skill we already have in other players. Yes LL, I choose to cry about it all year. We have already seen this when Matthews, Nylander and Marner came up, surrounded them with more perimeter players and decided we didn’t need Hyman because we need more skill?? And now we just did the same thing again. We have won 2 playoff series in 10 years and we still haven’t changed our philosophy, it’s a joke.

I see it clear as day but you 3 that replied still have no idea. I will be there at the end of the year to say I told you so…. Again. I’m a hardcore hockey fan and would take a lot for me to change teams when I watched the Leafs my whole life, but I’m on the brink of doing it because all they care about is selling out seats. I’m going to follow some other teams games this year like CBJ, and maybe start going with a different team that is building a team for the right reasons. Yes it’s one game of the season and it’s too early to say the trade was better for CBJ but I love how Knies gave a little finger to all that wanted him traded on his 1st game. Have a good day gentlemen.

02 Oct 2026 22:42:58
I don't actually disagree moving Nylander would have been a play if he had a market before he signed long term, same with Marner. I would have moved one of them (if not both) depending on what returns were available after the MTL series.

Knies does not drive play. You can see it in him every night and he probably never will. Play driving wingers are so rare I cannot name more than 3 and maybe Willy whenever he decides to wake up from his slumber for a periodic 10 minutes to take over games. That is not a slight on Knies, but he just isn't what some people think he is.

All the advanced stats have been floating around on how bad Knies is when he is moved off of Mathews' wing. That's not a great look for him.

It says something when Tre and Chayka wanted to move him.

02 Oct 2026 23:49:20
Advanced stats! Yes, advanced stats are helpful but you guys think it’s everything. Advanced stats don’t test someone’s drive, willingness to compete in all tough situations, character nor heart. And again, yes, I keep talking playoffs because that should the main goal, all those attributes are what’s most important in playoffs.

Jordan Staal, Sam Bennett, Marchessault, O’Reilly, along with McDavid are some of the dogs you need as these guys are playoff MVP’s. Net presence, good in tough area guys. Team first guys, that raise their game when it matters most. Anyways, we spoke our opinions, on two different islands but is what it is.

03 Oct 2026 13:50:25
Clarky. I like all those players. I was the biggest proponent on here for getting Bennett when he was still in Calgary. By no means has any of us 3 said(to my knowledge) that those intangibles are not important.
Let me ask you this, If Columbus doesn't make the playoffs or gets bumped in the 1st round, then what? Are you still going to say you have proved your point?
The odd thing about the point you are trying to prove isn't that we have disagreed that those types of players don't help and can't be important pieces. You also picked guys that have most of the time, or at least some times up their games in the playoffs and been extremely impactful. Moreso than the regular season. Knies has never dominated in the playoffs yet.

He hasn't been bad, but he hasn't dominated. No one calls him playoff Matthew like the do playoff Sam. Staal dominates defensively and with leadership. O'Reilly well known for his game going to another level in the playoffs. McDavid? Well he's the best player on the planet and extremely driven. March has had a couple of playoff dominate performances. Are you suggesting Knies has upped his game the same as they have in the playoffs? I haven't seen that. Could he at some point? Sure. But he hasn't yet. Plus, as I said, I doubt Chayka is done. He still may very well add that intangible player you speak of. We don't know. It's game 2 of the regular season.

03 Oct 2026 17:08:25
Well let me ask you this RLF, who on this currently construction top 6 fills the role of any of the people we just mentioned?

CBJ comment; no I don’t expect CBJ to make the playoffs, personally I think the trade made both teams worse off. CBJ needs more play driving and Tor needs net presence, all heart battle guys that can score.
And yes Knies ups his game in playoffs and he brings a skill set that we don’t have. The ones that you need to be successful in playoffs. Look at the talent on our team, we should be scoring at will if this game was based off talent alone, our PP should be #1. But it never is and we always make goalies look good because we play and shoot from the perimeter.

03 Oct 2026 17:21:20
I also don’t think Knies is a better player than Marchenko, but he is better for the Leafs. If we could have somehow moved Willy in a deal and got Marchenko back, I’d be happy. Knies, Matthews, Marchenko would be a tough line to stop. The kicker for me is we overpaid in the trade. I would have liked to see what Andrae turns out to be; he could have taken Reilly's place next year if he was as good as Flyers fans were saying he was. We took on Elvis and Woods' contract as a negative impact.

On top of that we pay him almost 5M more than we are paying Knies. I thought Chayka did some good up to this point, but I believe this move will haunt him in the near future. Totally unrelated, but I find it funny we need a tough guy and Chayka got the 2 worst fighters in the league. If you go back and watch Woods' and McEwen's fights, I am pretty sure neither one of them has won one single fight in their whole NHL careers. Anyways, enough babbling, have a good one, guys!

03 Oct 2026 20:27:03
@Clarky The one thing we agree on is I also see it as a bit of an overpay with the second included. Elvis is Robidas Island. He isn't going to affect anything. He's just LTIR.

Andrae I like as well.

I don't think he's a great D, but he's solid enough as a bottom pairing guy.

Miles Wood I really liked as a player 5 years ago. In case of injury I'm still good with him in the bottom 6.