Maple Leafs vs. Canucks, The Trade Deadline Strategy, and Sheldon Keefe Talk

Are the Maple Leafs good enough to be heavy deadline buyers?

Welcome to the THW Toronto Maple Leafs Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Maple Leafs writers. This edition includes free content for Leafs fans, but a pre-game preview for premium subscribers.

As the Toronto Maple Leafs get set to take on the Vancouver Canucks, this is going to be a huge test. Can the Leafs find a way to beat one of the best teams in the NHL, and all while struggling with their defense and holding leads?

Meanwhile, are the Maple Leafs changing their position as buyers? How secure is Sheldon Keefe’s job?

It would be great if you’d share the THW Maple Leafs Substack with your friends and family so that they can subscribe and enjoy all the latest.

Now on to the good stuff…

---

Rumors Swirl About Maple Leafs Major Upcoming Roster Overhaul

January 20, 2024 by Jim Parsons

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has shed light on significant doubts circulating in Toronto regarding the team’s roster makeup and the organization’s future direction. Despite initial expectations of being active buyers leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline, a growing sense of uncertainty suggests a more cautious approach, raising questions about Toronto’s willingness to go all-in for the playoffs.

Friedman isn’t suggesting the Maple Leafs won’t be buyers. Still in a playoff spot, the insider assumes GM Brad Treliving might make smaller moves. But, as far as going hard after big difference-makers and marquee names, the feeling is that Toronto doesn’t feel confident enough to give away considerable assets to add what they need.

---

3 Maple Leafs Who Should Be Traded This Season

January 19, 2024 by Spencer Lazary

The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves in an interesting spot this season. They currently sit in the first wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference. They are only one point behind the Detroit Red Wings for the third spot in the Atlantic, but also only a point ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning for second in the wildcard. They have a little under eight weeks until the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline on March 8, 2024, which gives them less than 21 games to turn things around. If things are looking bleak, then the Maple Leafs’ mindset may change ahead of the deadline, and they may sell more than they buy. 

---

Does Sheldon Keefe Deserve to Be Fired by the Maple Leafs?

January 19, 2024 by The Old Prof

As the Toronto Maple Leafs play game two of the team’s current western road trip, there’s a huge amount of speculation surrounding the Maple Leafs and a potential coaching change. Is a shake-up being discussed – probably even as you are reading these words?

One thing that’s easy to see is that readers of THW posts are engaged in myriad conversations amongst themselves that raise questions about the future of head coach Sheldon Keefe. On one hand, it’s easy to see why such rumors are running rampant. The Maple Leafs have been playing inconsistent hockey this season, and as hard as Keefe works to improve the team’s play, it hasn’t yet happened.

---

More Quick Reads:

Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Matthews, Marner, McMann & Jones

January 19, 2024 by The Old Prof

Maple Leafs Aren’t Good Enough to be Trade Deadline Buyers

January 18, 2024 by Peter Baracchini

---

Pre-Game Preview: Maple Leafs vs. Canucks:

The Toronto Maple Leafs face a formidable challenge as they take on the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Saturday. With recent defensive struggles, conceding an average of four goals per game in their last five matchups, the Leafs aim to regain consistency against the high-octane offense of the Canucks.

Let’s take a look at the pre-game notes: