When Brendan Shanahan was introduced as the new President of the Toronto Maple Leafs, it was met with skepticism and the focus centered on Tim Leiweke’s consistent reiteration of the word “culture.” Conversely, Shanahan's focus was not on buzzwords of culture change, or calls to arms, but a methodical approach to assessing and addressing the needs of a team that has very good parts but ultimately is a poorly built team. "I’m not here today for big speeches, big words, big proclamations; None of that matters. Wins do," Shanahan said at the time. He is right, wins are what matter. But on...

The final installment of Anthony Petrielli's interview with Toronto Maple Leafs Director of Amateur Scouting Dave Morrison touches a little more on the ins and outs of the scouting process, catches up on the progress of a few members of the 2013 draft class (including Frederik Gauthier), and looks ahead to the 2015 Draft. Here's Part One and here's Part Two. Anthony Petrielli: I’ve noticed a theme in your draft history where you give a late pick or two to Thommie Bergman to use. Has there been any thought in bringing him overseas to pick apart the OHL or the...

July 22nd 2014, a date that will live in infamy.  The Toronto Maple Leafs hired Kyle Dubas, formerly the General Manager for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, former scout, agent, and fancy stats pioneer as assistant general manager. While he rankles at the comparison to famed Moneyball GM Billy Beane, Dubas does have the statistical bona fides to change the way game is being played in Toronto. Here are five key points from the hire: The Leafs will use their analytics budget this year Dave Nonis nearly broke twitter last season when he indicated that the Maple Leafs have had money allocated for...

 The Maple Leafs and Jake Gardiner have shaken hands on a 5-year contract worth $4.05 million a season. It's a similar deal to that of Victor Hedman and Niklas Hjalmarsson, both of whom got around $4 million a season for the next five years coming off their ELCs. Roman Josi recently signed for four million per over 7 years. The Leafs have bought a year of Gardiner's UFA eligibility, making him a UFA at the end of the 2018-19 season. Gardiner posted 31 points in 80 games last season, good for 45th in the League among defencemen (and tied with Dion...

When Brendan Shanahan was introduced as the new President of the Toronto Maple Leafs, it was met with skepticism and the focus centered on Tim Leiweke’s consistent reiteration of the word “culture.” Conversely, Shanahan's focus was not on buzzwords of culture change, or calls to arms, but a methodical approach to assessing and addressing the needs of a team that has very good parts but ultimately is a poorly built team. "I’m not here today for big speeches, big words, big proclamations; None of that matters. Wins do," Shanahan said at the time. He is right, wins are what matter. But on...

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Daniel Winnik to a 1-year contract worth $1.3m on Monday. "No disrespect to where I've played, but nothing compares to this market." - Daniel Winnik on being a Maple Leaf Age: 29 years old Height/Weight: 6’2, 210 2013-2014 Season: 6Gs-24As-30PTS in 76 games, On-Ice Shot Attempt Differential: 47.6% CF "A player who Brendan and Dave liked and we discussed here internally. We just tried to carve out how he would help out the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was available and we felt he could be a big help. He’s got a good track record of soaking up some difficult minutes...

New Maple Leafs assistant GM Kyle Dubas stresses that his use of analytics is to help reduce uncertainty when it comes to scouting on-ice talent. Kyle Dubas on Daniel Winnik It was a player that Brendan and Dave had liked, we discussed here internally and tried to carve out a way; how he would help and benefit the Toronto Maple Leafs Next season. He's available now and felt he could be a good help. He's got a good track record of soaking up some difficult minutes and even playing well with some younger players; I'm going back to his Colorado days...

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer joined The Jeff Blair Show to discuss the reasons why he decided to re-sign with the team for another two seasons after losing his starting job to Jonathan Bernier, and what his expectations are this upcoming season.

With James Reimer's negotiations settling on Friday, only Jake Gardiner remains of the Leafs' outstanding contract situations, and this contract quietly might be most interesting among all of the Leafs' RFAs this off-season. Do the Maple Leafs bridge him with a 2 year deal or buy some UFA years on a long term contract, pay a little more than they would have in the next few seasons, and hope it pays off down the road? The comparative thinking here being that $4.25 million for James van Riemsdyk until 2018 is ridiculously good value. We could also point out that the...

The Maple Leafs and James Reimer have followed the league-wide theme of arbitration avoidance by arriving at a 2-year contract agreement worth $2.3 million per season. It’s difficult to know how much praise is deserved for signing good-value RFA deals because the leverage is so tilted in favour of the club, but this is another cap-friendly deal for the Leafs and it seems to comes in for less than Reimer would've been awarded in arbitration. Reimer and Bernier will be earning a combined $5.2 million last season and that’s excellent value for a tandem that stands among the best in the...

The final installment of Anthony Petrielli's interview with Toronto Maple Leafs Director of Amateur Scouting Dave Morrison touches a little more on the ins and outs of the scouting process, catches up on the progress of a few members of the 2013 draft class (including Frederik Gauthier), and looks ahead to the 2015 Draft. Here's Part One and here's Part Two. Anthony Petrielli: I’ve noticed a theme in your draft history where you give a late pick or two to Thommie Bergman to use. Has there been any thought in bringing him overseas to pick apart the OHL or the...