Leafs Notebook

Since 2011, Anthony Petrielli has been providing his weekly long-form breakdown of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ games and the big storylines surrounding the team.

Toronto Maple Leafs celebration

Leafs Notebook: Ilya Mikheyev’s impact play, a contributing fourth line, and roster-crunch decisions

Nine games into their season, the Toronto Maple Leafs are sporting a good-but-not-great record of 5-3-1. With so many changes to the lineup and...
Mike Babcock of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: Is Mike Babcock really to blame for a 6-5-2 start?

When the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that they were signing Mike Babcock in May 2015, it sent shockwaves throughout the hockey world. The team...
Toronto Maple Leafs' Frederik Andersen and Tyson Barrie

Leafs Notebook: A mediocre first 15 games, penalty-killing woes, anticipating the return of Tavares...

For the first time in many seasons, October was not a fun month for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team finished the opening month...
Mike Babcock of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: Is Mike Babcock really putting the clamps on the offense?

While the Toronto Maple Leafs have gotten off to a — let’s call it — less-than-inspiring start, one of the narratives that has sprouted...

Leafs Notebook: Urgency rising after 0-4-1 stretch, Mike Babcock’s job security, new lines &...

Let’s start by rewinding the clock a few days. After 20 games, GM Kyle Dubas held a press conference to discuss the state of...
Kyle Dubas of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs Fire Mike Babcock: Brendan Shanahan goes all in on Kyle Dubas

November is almost over and here’s where the Toronto Maple Leafs stand: 9-10-4 record Zero impressive regulation wins Third last in the Eastern Conference...
Toronto Maple Leafs' Sheldon Keefe

Leafs Notebook: Dissecting the changes so far under Sheldon Keefe

The Toronto Maple Leafs were tumbling down the standings, desperately in need of a spark. A coach firing and two games later, they have...
Kyle Dubas

Leafs Notebook: Taking stock of the Atlantic Division, the team’s identity, tweaks under Sheldon...

Now seems like a good idea to take the temperature of the Atlantic Division. There has been so much craziness around the Toronto Maple...

Leafs Notebook: Playoff odds, Leafs drawing inspiration from the Seahawks, lineup notes

Approaching the halfway point of the season, the Toronto Maple Leafs own a rather mediocre 14-13-4 record with a minus-three goal differential. Naturally, people...
Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: Justin Holl’s emergence, the Rielly-Barrie pairing, Travis Dermott’s minutes & more

We haven’t had an extended notes edition of the Leafs Notebook in a while. What better time than now? With Christmas almost here, next...
Zach Hyman of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: Christmas Wishlist, Michael Hutchinson’s first win, Zach Hyman’s impact

Let’s start with the most important stuff right off the top – I’d like to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a...
Toronto Maple Leafs’ John Tavares and William Nylander

Leafs Notebook: The All-Decade Leafs team, Injury Bug Strikes, Shopping Jeremy Bracco

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had mixed results over the past few days, picking up three out of four points but losing two keys...
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New York Rangers

Leafs Notebook: The playoff viability question, new faceoff plays & the red-hot Leafs offense

Over the past couple of seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been an elite offensive team. For the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons combined, only...
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings

Leafs Notebook: Morgan Rielly vs. Tyson Barrie on the top power play unit, the...

Let’s set the scene back to the start of the 2019-20 Toronto Maple Leafs season for a second. Coaching and player animosity aside, it is...
Toronto Maple Leafs celebration

Leafs Notebook: What adjustments are opponents making to Keefe’s Leafs? And other thoughts at...

The Toronto Maple Leafs enter their bye week sitting on the outside of a playoff spot. The good news is that they are only...
Toronto Maple Leafs' Kasperi Kapanen

Leafs Notebook: 2020 Trade Deadline Preview

The saying goes that the best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour, so let’s rewind to last year’s trade deadline -- GM Kyle...
Kyle Dubas, Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: What’s next for Kyle Dubas?

It was almost inevitable that the Toronto Maple Leafs would acquire a backup goaltender of consequence. With Frederik Andersen injured, the deal with LA...
Kyle Dubas, Toronto Maple Leafs GM

Leafs Notebook: The imminent Jake Muzzin contract extension, depth issues, and trade deadline plans

As the trade deadline approaches with one eye towards summer free agency, the Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly close on a contract extension for...
Sheldon Keefe of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: Panic in Leafs Nation & final thoughts ahead of the trade deadline

In the span of about five days, the Toronto Maple Leafs played arguably their two worst games of the season with their best game...
Toronto Maple Leafs' celebration with Auston Matthews

Leafs Notebook: A 3-0-0 week, five questions for the stretch run, Travis Dermott &...

How quickly things can change. A week ago, it was the trade deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs had just lost to a 42-year-old emergency backup...

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