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.

Kyle Dubas, Toronto Maple Leafs GM

Leafs Notebook: Breaking down three possible approaches Kyle Dubas could take at the trade...

Last week, we discussed the high-stakes poker game that is the NHL trade market this deadline. Between the speculated asking prices and a daunting...
David Kampf, Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: How does the Maple Leafs’ bottom six stack up against Boston and...

Last week over at Sportsnet.ca, Justin Bourne published an excellent piece on the Maple Leafs' defensive play, including some of their issues handling opposing...
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, Michael Bunting

Leafs Notebook: The race for home ice, 2023 ice-time trends, Rasmus Sandin’s spot in...

Between the All-star break, the bye week, and a stretch in which four of five Toronto Maple Leafs games are against Columbus and Chicago,...
Ryan O'Reilly, Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: With Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari in the fold, it’s now on...

It is difficult to evaluate much of anything in two games against bottom feeders in a back-to-back situation, with Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari...
Jake McCabe, new Toronto Maple Leaf

Analysis: Kyle Dubas pushes in more chips, acquires Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty from...

If it wasn’t already clear after the Maple Leafs acquired Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari (and it was), make no mistake about it now....
Sheldon Keefe, Toronto Maple Leafs bench

Leafs Notebook: Breaking down a perfect month on the penalty kill, and pondering what’s...

There is – rightfully – so much buzz around all of the Maple Leafs’ trade activity that it can be difficult to think about...
Timothy Liljegren, Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate win in Seattle

Leafs Notebook: Taking stock of goaltending, the core, the coaching staff, and the forward...

With the trade deadline now in the rearview mirror, the heavy lifting of Kyle Dubas’ year is all but over. This is noteworthy because –...
Toronto Maple Leafs, Sheldon Keefe, Michael Bunting, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner

The pros and cons of the Maple Leafs running 11 forwards and 7 defensemen...

When the dust settled after the trade deadline and we added up the Maple Leafs' moves, it left them with a roster featuring 12...
Noel Acciari, Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: Noel Acciari’s big impact, Timothy Liljegren’s dip since the trades, and is...

Yesterday, we broke down the positives and drawbacks of the Maple Leafs running an 11 forwards, seven-defensemen lineup. Let's finish up this week's notebook with...
Auston Matthews, Michael Bunting, Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: Auston Matthews ramping up his game, Erik Gustafsson’s strong showing vs. Carolina,...

Is it playoff time yet?  Everyone has been waiting for it since the Leafs were eliminated in Game 7 last year, and it’s so close...
William Nylander, Michael Bunting, Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: Michael Bunting’s declining stock in a contract year, the playoff defense pairings,...

One of the consistent themes of the Maple Leafs’ first-round playoff exits under Sheldon Keefe has been their power play failing to produce. Here’s the...
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, Michael Bunting

Leafs Notebook: Are the Maple Leafs better suited to beat the Lightning this time...

We all knew the Maple Leafs were going to play the Lightning again in round one of the playoffs as far back as November,...
Ryan O'Reilly, Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: How Ryan O’Reilly can help the Maple Leafs win the matchup game...

The rest of the regular season can’t end soon enough, but there were two important events in the past week: clinching home ice, and...
William Nylander, Michael Bunting, Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: Five questions that will decide the Leafs vs. Lightning series

It almost feels a little surreal that the playoffs are finally here. At this point, time is basically a flat circle as most fans have...

Series Preview: The Florida Panthers are not to be underestimated, but there are clear...

The second-round matchup is set. In a bit of a shocker, the Toronto Maple Leafs have retained home-ice advantage and will play the Florida...
Brendan Shanahan, Toronto Maple Leafs President

Previewing the big questions facing the Maple Leafs this offseason — the GM, the...

The NHL draft and free agency periods are roughly a month and a half away, but the Maple Leafs have all sorts of questions...
Brendan Shanahan, Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs

Kyle Dubas’ unceremonious exit, the profile of a GM replacement, and the path moving...

The dust has begun to settle since Brendan Shanahan called a Friday afternoon press conference ahead of a long weekend and announced that Kyle...
Brad Treliving, Maple Leafs GM search

The big questions facing new Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving, the loss of Spencer...

The Stanley Cup Finals matchup is set, the draft is under a month away, and the Maple Leafs are reportedly honing in on their...
Sheldon Keefe, Toronto Maple Leafs bench

On Brad Treliving’s first week, and the possibility of “running it back” with the...

Whenever there is a change at the head of the front office, a new voice almost always provides a breath of fresh air. That was...
John Tavares, Toronto Maple Leafs

The “Core Four” Offseason Series: How can the Maple Leafs optimize John Tavares’ remaining...

When the Maple Leafs moved on from GM Kyle Dubas a few weeks ago, the next question was obvious: Who else of significance might...

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