John Tavares' Future as Maple Leafs' Captain & Untouchable List Sees 3 Big Names on Trade Table
Plus, is the team firing Keefe enough change, the latest news & rumours and more
Welcome to the THW Toronto Maple Leafs Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Maple Leafs writers.
Buds Breakdown Weekly: Focusing On the Restructuring
May 12, 2024 by Anthony Testaguzza (Premium Substack content)
In this week’s edition, the Toronto Maple Leafs focus on the offseason after an unfortunate Game 7 overtime loss.
Also, the club’s management needs some changes, a fair spot in the 2024 Draft, and player media day responses.
Maple Leafs’ Boring, Risk-Adverse Hockey Cost Them Playoff Series
May 11, 2024 by The Old Prof
In a recent article for The Athletic, analytics expert Dom Luszczyszyn delivers a critical analysis of the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ playoff performance, highlighting a concerning trend that has plagued the team for several seasons. That is the shift towards a conservative, risk-averse style of play that has undermined the team’s success on the ice.
Analyzing a Proposed Monster Leafs and Flames Trade for Marner
May 11, 2024 by Jim Parsons
In a recent post on untouchables for the Toronto Maple Leafs, I cited a proposed trade that suggested Toronto deal Mitch Marner to Calgary. Ryan Dixon of Sportsnet proposed the deal and he wrote that the Calgary Flames would get Marner, center Fraser Minten, winger Nick Robertson, and defenseman Timothy Liljegren. In exchange, the Maple Leafs would get goaltender Jacob Markstrom and defenseman Rasmus Andersson. In the deal, the Flames would retain 25 percent of Markstrom’s remaining salary. By most standards, this would be considered a monster trade in the realm of a blockbuster.
John Tavares’ Future as Maple Leafs’ Captain
May 11, 2024 by The Old Prof
In a recent discussion between Luke Fox, Nick Kypreos, and Justin Bourne, John Tavares‘ captaincy with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the last year of his contract rose to the surface. Tavares has another season left on his contract. Even as early as July 1 this summer, the team can negotiate a contract extension – should it wish. In the meantime, his status with the team has brought up some intriguing considerations on the team’s on-ice leadership.
Maple Leafs’ Untouchables List Sees 3 Big Names on Trade Table
May 10, 2024 by Jim Parsons
Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman discussed the press conference held by Toronto Maple Leafs’ management and media on Friday and discussed their big takeaways. Friedman suggested that it was clear MLSE CEO Keith Pelley is in charge, but is leaving GM Brad Treliving and President Brendan Shanahan in charge of making on-ice changes. And, there will be changes.
Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Blaming Samsonov & Ironic Keefe Firing
May 10, 2024 by The Old Prof
In this edition of Toronto Maple Leafs News & Rumors, I want to explore the aftermath of Sheldon Keefe’s firing and its ironic implications. Does Keefe’s dismissal align with the circumstances as we revisit the playoffs and examine the team’s playoff exit?
Maple Leafs Done Waiting on Core 4: 3 Media Avail Takeaways
May 10, 2024 by Jim Parsons
Amidst speculation from fans and media, the future of the Toronto Maple Leafs took center stage as Brendan Shanahan, the team’s president was announced as committed to the organization. MLSE CEO Keith Pelley called Shanahan a champion, and the group of Pelley, Shanahan, and GM Brad Treliving essentially confirmed the core of the team would be changing, without actually saying the core of the group would be changing.
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Hockey Analysts Point to Brind’Amour as Next Maple Leafs Head Coach
May 10, 2024 by The Old Prof
In a recent discussion between Luke Fox and Jeff Marek, the topic of the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ next head coach took center stage. With yesterday’s departure of Sheldon Keefe, there is a lot of speculation about who will fill the vacant position. The conversation concerned several potential candidates, including Craig Berube and Jay Woodcroft. These two were likely the most low-hanging fruit and most of those who engaged in conversations about Toronto’s new coach named them right off the bat.
Maple Leafs: 5 Potential Coaching Candidates to Replace Keefe
May 10, 2024 by Rupert McDonald
The Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t take long to make their first big change of the offseason, as they announced early yesterday that Sheldon Keefe had been relieved of his duties. This was a move most expected, as aside from a first-round series win last year, the Maple Leafs struggled to get things done in the postseason.
Is the Maple Leafs Firing Sheldon Keefe Enough Change?
May 10, 2024 by Karine Hains
The writing was on the wall for Sheldon Keefe. When he spoke to the media as the players were clearing out their lockers, he looked like a man falling on his sword, and yesterday that’s exactly what he became. At 10 AM on May 9, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that head coach Sheldon Keefe had been relieved of his duties and the search for his replacement would start immediately.
Predicting Maple Leafs’ RFA Timothy Liljegren’s Next Contract
May 10, 2024 by JP Gambatese
Entering the 2024 offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs have four expiring restricted free agents (RFAs): Connor Dewar, Nicholas Robertson, Noah Gregor, and Timothy Liljegren. Simon Benoit, before signing a three-year, $1.35 million average annual value (AAV) contract at the end of March, would have qualified for this list as well. Being that he’s the only RFA defenceman without a contract extension, the Maple Leafs as a whole are going to struggle on the salary cap front, and Liljegren should be a staple on the blue line for a while, it’s imperative to think about what his next contract with Toronto will look like.
Sheldon Keefe Bids Classy Farewell to Maple Leafs Fans
May 10, 2024 by The Old Prof
In a move signaling a shift in leadership, the Toronto Maple Leafs decided to fire head coach Sheldon Keefe. In general manager (GM) Brad Treliving‘s announcement, he expressed appreciation for Keefe’s contributions while emphasizing the need for a fresh perspective to propel the team forward. The decision comes ahead of a new two-year deal Keefe signed, set to take effect after this season.
More Maple Leafs Must Reads
Morgan Rielly Gives Honest Assessment of Maple Leafs in Exit Interview - May 9, 2024 by Peter Baracchini
Maple Leafs Fire Head Coach Sheldon Keefe - May 9, 2024 by Justin Giampietro
Ranking the Maple Leafs’ Best Goalies Since 1990 - May 9, 2024 by The Old Prof
NHL Insider Sees Maple Leafs Targeting 2 Veteran Goalies - May 9, 2024 by Spencer Lazary
Several Teams Already Showing Trade Interest in Marner [Report] - May 9, 2024 by Jim Parsons
Maple Leafs’ Playoff Performance Shows Need for New Front Office - May 9, 2024 by JP Gambatese
The Journey of a Legend: Valter Skarsgård Becomes Börje Salming - May 9, 2024 by The Old Prof
Maple Leafs & Predators Swapping Marner for Saros Is Perfect Trade - May 9, 2024 by Spencer Lazary
Auston Matthews’ Ted Lindsay Nomination Outweighs Hart Trophy Snub - May 9, 2024 by Corey Abbott
Maple Leafs Made a Mistake Letting Frederik Andersen Go - May 9, 2024 by Rupert McDonald