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19 Oct 2026 10:59:07
I might be in the minority here but I’m hoping the Leafs stand pat. To me they can’t afford to move off of guys like Cowan and Danford, example being Minten...
I don’t believe this team is one that can compete in the Atlantic and when they had the bullet to use to get the one thing no other GM has done in the Matthews era, and that was use Knies to get the dman you have always needed.
My thing is let them figure it out and try and move off some of the contracts that have depreciating value like OEL, Reilly, Joshua, etc.
1.) 19 Oct 2026 21:40:41
To be fair the only way we get rid of Cowan is for a stud like Edvinsson or Harley. We don’t have to worry about another Carlo trade lol.
2.) 20 Oct 2026 19:01:58
I don't think they should make any moves unless they are getting an upgrade on D. I don't want them giving up assets for patchwork either.
3.) 21 Oct 2026 12:18:49
After watching this back to back and seeing how well they played both ends of the ice, I say the sand unless it’s a deal that gets u a young stud D. You don’t need any more forwards. Or if it’s a deal that relieves u of contracts like Reilly or Joshua.
Other than that, just keep it going. Reilly actually didn’t play badly on this back to back. Maybe he’s turning the page. Look really good last night against Columbus. 3 helpers and the last one was a beauty to Rodkovic. Keeps ur up could up his value.
13 Oct 2026 10:39:07
Tor: Wood 2nd and maybe toss in Rafi
Cgf: Middleton
Everyone wants the big shinny toy, the big name, when the Leafs need a McCabe.
Middleton is a shutdown player, big plays physical, eats pucks, and can log minutes.
He also is signed for another couple years at 4.3.
Left side becomes McCabe Middleton Reilly.
1.) 13 Oct 2026 13:02:44
I dont think his analytics fit the Leafs build. Hes also a lefty on the older side. And has near identical stats to Troy Stecher. Hard no on this guy.
2.) 13 Oct 2026 13:21:49
Middleton imo is the last type of player the Leafs need. Their main problem on defense is their ability with the puck. The turnovers and the missed passes and just being useless at the point has deterred this offense.
3.) 13 Oct 2026 13:34:33
Sure they need better passing and exits from their Dmen but they have zero physically from them as well. So Middleton would help that.
4.) 13 Oct 2026 13:58:16
Whitecloud replaces Tanev perfectly. Only 29 yrs old and signed to a very reasonable $2.75m for another few seasons. It’s a no brainer and won’t cost u a lot in terms of assets and picks.
5.) 13 Oct 2026 14:02:24
From what is being written in the news it’s getting close to a deal. Especially now that Tanev is pretty much going to LTIR.
6.) 13 Oct 2026 16:32:42
I’m kinda taken back at the takes on Middleton, he’s old? He’s 30, 6’3, 220, who has averaged 17+ minutes a game for the past 6 seasons, also averages 150 blks and 100+ hits a year for a team that struggles to find a shutdown guy after Tanev gets hurt.
This is exactly the type of player the Leafs need, not to mention he’s on a McCabe like deal. We don’t need offence from the blueline, that’s what they pay Raddysh and Reilly for.
7.) 13 Oct 2026 20:15:15
I personally like it Goat. I keep saying we need a sheriff on the back end and he would fit the bill. Plus, like you said, help out the physical side, block shots, PK, sticks up for teammates and especially the goalies.
Whitecloud is another good option, tough to say who would fit better on the Leafs but Whitecloud is cheaper. Depends on asking prices, I guess.
8.) 13 Oct 2026 23:51:01
I disagree. You have Middleton who’s a 3rd paring LD at $4.35m compared to Whitecloud who is playing a 2nd pairing at RD at $2.75. A year younger, half the salary, and replacing exactly the guy u just lost on your roster, it’s a no brainer, Goat. Middleton doesn’t fit that, and I'm sorry at almost 1.5 times the cap hit, no thank you.
9.) 14 Oct 2026 07:20:11
@champ Am I missing something here...? The numbers don’t support what you’re saying. I’ll grant you he’s on a cheap contract but his numbers show he isn't a Tanev replacement.
10.) 14 Oct 2026 11:52:31
Champ... No one has reported that a deal is close.
11.) 16 Oct 2026 08:56:10
Goat, this season they r identical players, same hits, shot blocks. Only difference is Whitecloud plays 21 mins and Mid plays 17 mins. Ones a 2nd pairing the other a 3rd pairing. Like I said one is RD, one is LD. Plus one is younger and cheaper so don’t challenge me about the numbers don’t support that. Nice try.
12.) 16 Oct 2026 14:52:59
Neither can replace Tanev. It would be hard to find anyone that can replace all that he does.
04 Oct 2026 11:39:09
Chayka with his big brass balls should make this trade.
Tor: Nylander OEL 1st (Col) Luc Koblar Beleki
Det: Larkin Edvinson
It addresses the 2c spot move jt down or to the wing and it addresses the top 4 d Toronto maybe adds another pick.
1.) 04 Oct 2026 13:11:55
Nylander wouldn’t agree.
2.) 04 Oct 2026 19:49:19
That’s a big over payment by the Leafs.
29 Sep 2026 04:18:12
Definitely mixed feelings about the trade today. I’m sure I’m not alone. Merchenko adds the immediate offensive boost while opening up the left wing for McKenna and Cowan, but I do think the Leafs will now be searching for a Matthew Knies. I don’t love the contract that they gave out, especially for a guy that has never played for them… we were able to dump Lorentz and Andre but they dumped Wood which I thought was a good player but doesn’t look like it and we got another goalie…? Yes I know he’s out long term but I haven’t seen anything say for the whole season… all in all I’ll remain optimistic but like I said I have mixed feelings about it but clearly something was seen by two management groups that got Knies moved.
1.) 29 Sep 2026 04:17:57
I really want to know what makes Mathew Knies so special to this fan base. I just don't see it.
People act like this guy is Wendal Clark back in town.
Knies has never had 70 points, he does not fight, he does not hit the way people make it sound, he is a below average skater and he is very poor defensively. Never mind his advanced numbers, which are absurdly bad because his hockey IQ is not good.
What is it about this kid that made every Leafs fan think he was the second coming? I seriously don't get it.
Somebody really needs to point to something other than "Knies has grit" for me to understand the love affair with him. Solid middle 6 forward on a good contract. That's all I see him as.
This year in Columbus, I'm surprised if he hits 50 points with those linemates. He was always with JT or Mathews and great off wing, now he gets to drive his own line. Let's see how that goes.
Maybe I'm wrong and Knies wins 8 cups with 3 Harts, I just don't see it.
2.) 29 Sep 2026 07:46:10
@LL For me personally it’s just the fact that the Leafs had a power forward that had size that was willing to fight. No, he didn’t do it a lot but he was one of like three guys in the league who scored 20+ goals and had 200+ hits. Those are rare stat lines. Then like you said he was on a great deal. He was more invested in the city of Toronto than his captain stayed in town after the season and supported the Marlies and Blue Jays.
Idk to me he’s a good core piece for a team and I thought he would of been a Leafs for a long time. Because now who do they have in there top six that plays with edge… it’s all skill player which is what you want but you need other elements too just my thought tho.
3.) 29 Sep 2026 08:54:59
For a guy like Marchenko. This trade made total sense for the Leafs. You now have a solidified RW plus a solidified LW. You are deep at C. How can ppl not see this was a solid move? This guy is 26yrs old, not like u traded for a 30+ yr old and gave up a 24yr old for him. The guy will raise your PP, 5on5. He’s dynamic. Top 6 is going to be scary. Especially now that we have a deep bottom 6.
They can take on more defensive responsibility and allow top 6 to take on majority of offensive responsibility. Made perfect sense. Allowing Cowan and McKenna to play their natural Wing position is huge as well. Smart trade. Leafs definitely got the best player in this deal by far. Now hopefully Werenski wants out and Leafs snag him too at the deadline ??
4.) 29 Sep 2026 10:54:38
Man, our powerplay is full of talent now. We may not have scored much on it in the past but now, we may have the best powerplay with Matthews, March-Nylander-JT and Rad. That alone is exciting.
I like the trade. Marchenko is far superior to Knies in skating, shooting and hockey sense which makes our Leafs more dangerous.
ChaykaCon has some pretty slick moves and made this team exciting.
I'm excitied for puck drop so, gonna work hard knowing our team is ready to do the same.
GO TEAM GO!
5.) 29 Sep 2026 11:07:06
Marchenko might not have the hitting game that Knies had (P.S. @ Goat Knies has never had a 200 hit season) but Marchenko works the boards very well and has a better defensive game to go along with his offensive game.
I am not sure many teams will be breathing a sigh of relief they don’t have to face the vaunted enforcer Knies who in his 3 fights took on vaunted heavyweight fighters such as Nico Hischier lol.
6.) 29 Sep 2026 12:41:29
It's probably a fair deal overall. Leafs flipped Andrae to help get Marchenko. I was never big on that Flyer trade anyway. I don't think it is two GM's wanting to trade Knies. At the TDL, teams inquired about Knies and Tre listened. Ultimately he kept him, so hard to say he was wanting to move Knies. Tre got bashed for not making enough moves and not being willing to trade core pieces and now Chayka will get it for moving core pieces and too much overhaul. Tre brought in the wrong players it was said. If the bottom 6 doesn't show improvement this year, then Chayka will hear it that he brought in the wrong players and he will have McKenna and a more mature Cowan that Tre didn't. Obviously it will be the results is what will matter.
As for Knies, he's good player on a good value contract. One of the only talented big bodies the Leafs had that would play physical. But as I have said before, he is not a bone crushing hitter, he is not a fighter, he does not stand up for teammates the way many other big men in the league do. Knies physicality stood out because of the lack of physicality on the Leafs top 6. Domi looked physical in comparison and he isn't really that physical a player. The concern is obviously about whether the Leafs have gone too skilled in the top 6 and will now lack enough physicality in tough games even more so than before. See how it goes moving forward, as the final product this year isn't likely complete.
7.) 29 Sep 2026 14:15:16
@ goat2.0 Ummm who else plays with an edge? Right, so Cowan for sure saw that in his rookie year fighting a giant on Boston for one. Marchenko for two if ya saw last year when Knies lined him up and he skated thru him like he wasn’t even there put him into the ref and hurt his shoulder.
And if RLF is right or at least I believe he’s on to something Lawson Crouse would give us three in just our top 6! 50% player edge split with high end skill is pretty insane I think. No? It’s our D that’s the problem.
8.) 29 Sep 2026 21:39:06
Who would you get for a D upgrade though? And what would you give up?
09 Jul 2026 09:45:48
I feel like the Leafs biggest piece of business is still the blue line but I’m not sure how the go about it. Do the sign a guy or go the trade route? Reilly trade is looking harder and harder to make with everyone’s cap space shrinking from what I read. Mo said he didn’t want to go to Vancouver or Seattle. The Sharks were rumoured but they have two big contracts already.
Utah, but they have Sergachev and Weegar. Calgary is in the same boat as Vancouver. Anaheim makes a ton of sense but I don’t think they’ll have the money so looking at it Edmonton could make sense and or Pittsburg. They I’d try and add a Stanley on a cheaper 1 year deal
1.) 09 Jul 2026 12:05:02
To Tor
Schmidt $3.5
4th and 5th 2027
To Utah
Rielly $7.5
To answer how it could work with Utah
They have $4.6 in cap, plus sending Schmitt they could fit Rielly and have some left over. We would gain $4m off the trade. Covers the overage and then some. That’s b4 moving other pieces like Joshua and Lorentz and burying McEwen in the minors.
Plus u don’t need to sign anyone cause u got Schmidt as a replacement for third pairing. Only signed for 2 seasons, which works in the Chayka window. He had 22pts last season. Plays 16-17 mins a game, perfect 3rd guy.
2.) 09 Jul 2026 12:34:03
Leafs would love that deal ❤️
Can’t see Utah do’n it ?♂️
???
3.) 09 Jul 2026 15:48:29
Unless Weegar plays on the right I don’t see the fit. Reilly can’t be making 7.5 and playing third pair.
4.) 09 Jul 2026 16:40:57
Well, Rielly is Definitely not go’n to the Ducks now.
Cross another team off the list for Rielly.
5.) 09 Jul 2026 17:10:49
Doesn't look like Rielly will be traded unless he adds more teams to his trade list. I think Pittsburgh & Philadelphia would be interested.
Maybe a trade with LA might still be in the mix, Leafs could target someone like Edmundson.
6.) 09 Jul 2026 17:16:35
Weegar is a RS so he can easily move to his natural side.
Sergachev Marino
Rielly Weegar
Simashev Peeke
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05 Nov 2026 01:27:57
If they’re t home can they note play Mckenna in the top 6 and shelter his minutes in the dzone and just play him in the offensive end?
I get making him earn it but I don’t see how playing with Sissons/Letteri is gonna show you anything.
Next game they should look at going back to the start of the year looked
Mckenna Matthews Roslovic
Cowan Paul Sissons
Joshua Tavares Nylander
Dewy Blugger Mac
Cowan looked best with Paul and Sissons. He fits the role better than Mckenna and you can get the top line away from the top matchups and then maybe punish Nylander a bit with his lack lustre performance while easing JT back into things.
1.)
05 Nov 2026 00:59:54
The dynamic changes completely upfront with JT and Marchenko in the mix. To me
Cowan Matthews Roslovic
Marchenko Paul Nylander
McKenna JT Sissons
Duhaime Blueger MacEwan/Joshua.
2.)
05 Nov 2026 04:54:45
I really don't like Paul at 2C. JT and Willy have to be the second line. You can see Willy dogging it every night out there and Paul (as much as I like him as a player), is a 3C and an excellent one. That 3rd line is a black hole right now. They just get shelled every night.
I'm looking at;
Marchenko Mathews Roslovic
Mckenna JT Willy
Cowan Paul Sissons
Keep the 4th line that has been great all year and sit Joshua. I don't hate his game, but that 4th line was really hitting it's stride.
3.)
05 Nov 2026 12:18:35
LL. Disagree on the lines. Mostly because your second line is a defensive nightmare.
Here is my reasoning for my lines. Debate is always good.
1st line Cowan is the hound after pucks and has the skill and speed to make plays. That line has already had success and will have good speed.
The 2nd line is about balancing it out and keeping good size on the line. Both March and Willy can drive play. Paul is a big bodied, pretty physical defensive conscience. When Will decides not to show up, March can drive play just as well.
3rd line give McKenna lower competition and he plays with a good vet centre in JT and a defensively reliable player in Sissons. McKenna still gets JT and Sissons to dig pucks and he has a shooter in JT to set up. 3 lines that can score and have good balance. The 4th line stays as is, but Joshua on the line wouldn't be a downgrade either. Especially if he is skating and plays physical.
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.
1.) 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.
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.
1.) 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.
2.) 16 Oct 2026 08:44:08
I guess my point is that there’s more teams than just Toronto that have similar bluelines.
3.) 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.
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.
1.) 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.
2.) 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
3.) 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.
30 Sep 2026 10:52:56
So game 1 in the books. Some good, some bad, but I think two areas stick out immediately to me. They need another depth player that can play the third line and push a player like Sissons down to the fourth line… and then they need to add a stay at home dman.
No shock to anyone the Reilly Raddysh pair can’t be a long term thing.
Reilly has and will always drag down his partner, and I hope that if he’s not moved that they at least let him sit every so often
05 Nov 2026 00:02:19
I don’t think you realize how important he is to the Canes. He’s one of their main shutdown guys. The only reason for the rumours is that he’s gonna command an expensive new deal.
25 Oct 2026 04:38:38
I would say 8.2 doesn’t get Edvinsson or I think he would be playing.
21 Oct 2026 06:05:43
Levi has been great for Edmonton no reason to trade him.
18 Oct 2026 20:16:10
I feel like they would move Willy before Auston.
14 Oct 2026 07:20:11
@champ Am I missing something here...? The numbers don’t support what you’re saying. I’ll grant you he’s on a cheap contract but his numbers show he isn't a Tanev replacement.
05 Nov 2026 00:18:34
I think two things came in to play. Stollie got lit up against Utah early in the year and they need Bob to play good. I have more of an issue with Joshua playing 2nd line over Mckenna.
02 Nov 2026 15:00:48
I truly think this is why he was split up from Matthews after Babcock was canned. He’s one of those players that has so much potential but can’t get out of his own way. Hopefully Sundin and Alferson can get to him a bit this year.
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.
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.
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.