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.

Auston Matthews, goal celebration Maple Leafs bench

Leafs Notebook: A more balanced lineup, Pierre Engvall’s best hockey as a Leaf, the...

With the final month of the season officially underway, eyes are turning towards what we have all been waiting for since last year’s postseason...
Toronto Maple Leafs celebration

Leafs Notebook: A big power-play fuelled win over Florida, early returns from Mark Giordano,...

The final stretch of the season is here, and it’s going to be crazy. For the Leafs, April will feature 15 games in 30 days...
Kyle Dubas, Brendan Shanahan, Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: Do the issues run deeper than the goaltending?

I will be completely honest: I wrote and rewrote this article in my head approximately 100 times, before staring at a blank Word document...
Toronto Maple Leafs, Sheldon Keefe

Leafs Notebook: The goaltending crisis, a cooling-off power play, Nick Robertson’s callup, and other...

The Maple Leafs have been a little inconsistent lately, going 5-4-1 in their last 10. It comes at a time when the schedule is...
John Tavares, Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: The arguments for splitting up Tavares and Nylander, the top line’s dominance,...

Earlier this season, the Maple Leafs rearranged their top four forwards by pairing up Auston Matthews with William Nylander and John Tavares with Mitch...
Kyle Dubas, Toronto Maple Leafs GM

Leafs Notebook: With Ilya Lyubushkin in the fold, is more defense help or a...

As has become customary, Kyle Dubas started his trade deadline early. Jack Campbell was acquired on February 5, 2020; Jake Muzzin was acquired on January...
Auston Matthews, Morgan Rielly, William Nylander celebrate a Toronto Maple Leafs goal

Leafs Notebook: The magic behind Toronto’s NHL record-chasing power play

The Maple Leafs are putting together a historically-good power play this season that should probably be garnering even more attention than it has received...
Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: Justin Holl quietly stabilizing his game, Mitch Marner’s newfound goal-scoring confidence, and...

With the All-Star break over, the stretch drive has officially begun. There is no playoff race to speak of in the East at the moment....
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Columbus Blue Jackets, Michael Bunting

Leafs Notebook: With Michael Bunting and David Kampf, Kyle Dubas’ two-year bets are paying...

With limited cap space and a few notable holes in their lineup, the Maple Leafs took an interesting approach to filling their roster needs...
Kyle Dubas, Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: The case for prioritizing a top-six forward addition, the second line’s underlying...

As we inch closer to the trade deadline with each passing week, conversations are naturally shifting to the position Kyle Dubas needs to address...

Leafs Notebook: Jake Muzzin’s slow first half, Mitch Marner’s return, and is a top-four...

We’re halfway through January yet still five games short of the midway point of the season. Due to COVID-19 and the NHL opting out of...
Auston Matthews, goal celebration Maple Leafs bench

Leafs Notebook: Arguments for/against splitting up Matthews-Marner, Simmonds’ resurgence, and Nylander’s growth as an...

Both of the following statements can be true: - Auston Matthews is elite and will show it regardless of who he plays with - Auston Matthews...
Auston Matthews hat trick, Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: A holiday wishlist, Rielly-Brodie’s continued excellence, Matthews’ mind-boggling numbers

With the season on pause at the moment and the holiday season quickly approaching, what better time to roll out a holiday wishlist? At the...
Maple Leafs celebration, David Kampf, Kyle Clifford, Wayne Simmonds, TJ Brodie

Leafs Notebook: Ondrej Kase’s expanding role, Ilya Mikheyev’s nearing return, and could Justin Holl’s...

As the Maple Leafs head into a four-game western road trip, I thought this would be a good time for an extended notes edition...
Jake Muzzin, Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Leafs Notebook: Why it’s worth staying patient with Muzzin-Holl, adjusting to Rasmus Sandin and...

As the Maple Leafs have rounded into form, there has been one outstanding caveat preventing anyone from suggesting they are completely clicking on all...
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins

Leafs Notebook: How does Toronto measure up against the rest of the Atlantic Division...

With American Thanksgiving now in the rearview mirror, the first official checkpoint of the NHL has come and gone. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, who has...
Auston Matthews, Morgan Rielly, William Nylander celebrate a Toronto Maple Leafs goal

Leafs Notebook: Ice-time allocation at the 20-game mark, Kyle Clifford’s callup, the need at...

The Toronto Maple Leafs are 8-2-0 in their last 10 and continue to march along, led by Jack Campbell in net. American Thanksgiving is now...
Ritchie, Matthews, Nylander, Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Notebook: A promising start to Dean Chynoweth’s tenure, TJ Brodie finding his form,...

After a slow start to the season, the Toronto Maple Leafs are finally hitting their stride, currently on a three-game winning streak and 8-2...
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Calgary Flames, Jack Campbell

Leafs Notebook: Should Toronto wait it out or rush to sign Jack Campbell?

With Morgan Rielly locked in long-term, attention in the Toronto market has naturally shifted to pending unrestricted free agent Jack Campbell. There were conflicting reports...

Leafs Notebook: Balancing the power-play units, the Leafs’ pace of play, Morgan Rielly’s new...

This was a big week for the Maple Leafs, who picked up a few wins and lowered some of the pitchforks their fans were...

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