Life without Mitch Marner: Sizing up the potential loss and the new possibilities for...
                    Last week, we looked at the Mitch Marner situation and the possible paths forward. 
One of those options—Marner not returning, and the Leafs weaponizing...                
            Five Thoughts: Lane Lambert’s departure from the Maple Leafs, the future of Holmberg &...
                    The Stanley Cup Finals are underway, and the draft and free agency are around the corner. While we prepare for those big movement days,...                
            Instant Analysis: Derek Lalonde joins Maple Leafs’ bench as an assistant coach
                    A little over a week after associate coach Lane Lambert left Toronto to become head coach of the Seattle Kraken, the Maple Leafs announced...                
            What are the right conditions for John Tavares to remain a Maple Leaf?
                    As we crawl toward the NHL draft and free agency (the league insists on dragging out the playoffs to a painful degree), we are...                
            Maple Leafs Free Agent Targets, Part 1: The Difference-Makers
                    Finally, the NHL offseason is here. The draft is approaching, followed by free agency, and the Maple Leafs have many holes to fill.
We’ve spent...                
            Maple Leafs Free Agent Targets, Part 2: Middle-Six Forward Options
                    Our free agency series continues with an examination of middle-six forward options for the Maple Leafs.
As of now, the Leafs‘ roster consists of the following...                
            Maple Leafs Free Agent Targets, Part 3: Depth Forwards
                    Our UFA target series wraps up by examining a handful of depth forward options for the Maple Leafs on the open market this offseason.
As...                
            Maple Leafs Trade Targets, Part 1: Crouse, Colton & Mercer
                    Happy draft week to all who celebrate! 
The Maple Leafs head into the 2025 draft with six picks -- one shy of a pick...                
            Maple Leafs Trade Targets, Part 2: Marchessault, Copp, Kane & Chinakhov
                    Part 2 of the trade target series covers three wingers and one center option if the Maple Leafs dip into the trade market to...                
            Exploring the Maple Leafs’ options in the defense market
                    The draft and free agency are finally almost here. 
While we’ve now covered the free agent and trade markets among forwards, we have yet to...                
            Analysis: Maple Leafs salvage some value for the departed Mitch Marner with Nicolas Roy...
                    Mercifully, the Mitch Marner saga is over. 
The Toronto Maple Leafs have agreed to a sign-and-trade deal to send Marner to Vegas (eight years, $12...                
            Analysis: Maple Leafs lock down Matthew Knies for six years, $7.75 million AAV
                    Ahead of free agency, the Maple Leafs and pending RFA Matthew Knies have come to terms on a six-year contract extension worth an annual...                
            Instant Analysis: Maple Leafs buy low on Matias Maccelli
                    The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired Matias Maccelli from Utah in exchange for a conditional third-round pick in 2027.
Their 2027 third-round pick can become...                
            Instant Analysis: Maple Leafs bring back Steven Lorentz for three years, $1.35 million AAV
                    The Maple Leafs and Steven Lorentz have come to terms on a three-year extension carrying an annual salary cap hit of $1.35 million.
After winning...                
            Instant Analysis: Maple Leafs sign depth forward Michael Pezzetta to two-year contract
                    The Maple Leafs' first signing of UFA day is a minor one, as they’ve inked depth forward Michael Pezzetta to a two-year contract.
The Toronto...                
            Mitch Marner had every chance to be a Leafs legend. He got in his...
                    Mitch Marner has officially moved on to pastures new, and all that's left are the media eulogies of his Maple Leafs tenure and what...                
            The Maple Leafs were quiet on day one of free agency — probably to...
                    The dirty secret about free agency: It’s often more about the mistakes you avoid than the players you add.
Look no further than last year’s...                
            Maple Leafs offload Ryan Reaves, add defensive depth option in Henry Thrun
                    As we enter the dog days of the NHL offseason, the Maple Leafs announced a late-night trade on Thursday: Ryan Reaves is headed to...                
            Evaluating the Maple Leafs’ offseason so far: The current roster picture vs. the what-if-Marner-stayed...
                    Just a few weeks into the NHL offseason, we can conclude that free agency was practically over before it started. The rising salary cap...                
            Instant Analysis: Maple Leafs further round out forward group, acquire Dakota Joshua at minimal...
                    The Maple Leafs have acquired Dakota Joshua from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2028 fourth-round draft pick as they continue to reshape...                
            
            












![John Gruden after the Leafs prospects’ 4-1 win over Montreal: “[Vyacheslav Peksa] looked really comfortable in the net… We wouldn’t have won without him” John Gruden, head coach of the Toronto Marlies](https://mapleleafshotstove.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/gruden-post-game-sep-14-218x150.jpg)




































