Morgan Rielly Undergoes Hearing & Leafs Fall In The Battle Of Ontario
Also, 3 Prospects Who Could Be Trade Considerations & more
Welcome to the THW Toronto Maple Leafs Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Maple Leafs writers.
THW analyzes the Toronto Maple Leafs strengths and weaknesses within their lineup, more of the latest news and trade rumors involving the Leafs, what’s going on with Morgan Rielly, three Leafs prospects could be dealt & three centres the Leafs should consider, and more!
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Analyzing the Strengths & Weaknesses of the Maple Leafs’ Lineup
February 11, 2024 by The Old Prof
If we do a quick evaluation of the present roster we see the Toronto Maple Leafs have a solid top-six forward group. This strong top-six unit includes the team’s first line of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and Matthew Knies. The second line is John Tavares, William Nylander, and Tyler Bertuzzi. These lines can stack up against any team’s top two lines in the Eastern Conference. The third and fourth lines are where the Maple Leafs are weak and could use some help.
Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Domi, Knies, Timmins, Rielly & Woll
February 11, 2024 by The Old Prof
The Toronto Maple Leafs initially started the game well, scoring the first goal and maintaining control for almost the entire first period. However, the momentum shifted in the second period, with the Ottawa Senators dominating the game and taking the lead. A turning point was when Maple Leafs’ second goal from Max Domi was successfully challenged when it was correctly ruled that Noah Gregor was offside. After that, it seemed the game belonged to Ottawa.
Maple Leafs Drop Battle of Ontario Season Series vs. Senators
February 11, 2024 by Spencer Lazary
Two Canadian teams on Hockey Night in Canada is what makes hockey so special! The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators faced off for the final matchup of the Battle of Ontario, which saw the Senators take the season series for the first time in five seasons. Series throughout the season are always fun to watch, but typically, they don’t mean much. There is no rivalry for two teams like the Maple Leafs and Seattle Kraken, so the games tend to be slow and boring. However, when it comes to the Battle of Ontario, it means bragging rights within a province and on social media; these games are ones that fans of both teams look forward to. Unfortunately, the rivalry isn’t as intense as it was in the Mats Sundin/Daniel Alfredsson days. However, it is still fun because of the historical hatred that these two extremely passionate fan bases have for one another.Â
Rielly Takes Exception to Greig’s Empty Net Slap Shot – Reactions
February 11, 2024 by Jacob Billington
In the final installment of the Battle of Ontario for the 2023-24 season, the Ottawa Senators came out on top with a 5-3 victory. It was a pretty quiet game with some back-and-forth scoring for the majority of it, and one takeaway from the game was the lack of penalties called by the referees. Only two minor penalties were called, and the game was starting to get physical in the tail end of the third period.
After taking a few extra cross-checks the shift before, Ridly Greig had the opportunity to seal the game with an empty-net goal. As he hustled down the ice, he realized he was all alone and took a high-effort slap shot from the hash marks. Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly didn’t appreciate the extra, unnecessary effort put into the insurance marker and took exception and cross-checked Greig up high after the goal. Here is a look at Greig’s decision, Rielly’s reaction, and some online responses from former NHL players and media members.
Talk NHL DoPS Will Harshly Discipline Morgan Rielly Cross-Check
February 11, 2024 by Jim Parsons
For Toronto Maple Leafs fans who are concerned about how long Morgan Rielly might be out thanks to disciplinary action from the NHL Department of Player Safety, the rumors circulating on Sunday morning are not good. According to multiple reports, the NHL DoPS is taking extra time to deliberate and gather information before determining if Rielly will have a phone or in-person hearing. The latter could mean a suspension over five games.
NHL Rumors: Devils, Flames, Maple Leafs, Sabres, Oilers
February 11, 2024 by Jim Parsons
In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils had serious trade conversations about goaltender Jacob Markstrom. How far did things get and why were the talks stopped? Meanwhile, how many games with Morgan Rielly be suspended for after cross-checking Ridly Greig in the head? The Buffalo Sabres are reportedly looking for serious deadline help. Finally, the talk surrounding the Edmonton Oilers and Jake Guentzel doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
Maple Leafs Have 3 Strong Centre Options Before Deadline
February 11, 2024 by Peter Baracchini
As the Mar. 8th NHL Trade Deadline inches closer, there continues to be a lot of speculation as to what teams are going to do. Some have done their shopping in advance while others need to get a jump on things. Including Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving.Â
While they may standpat as they haven’t shown to be buyers, there’s still reason to suggest the Maple Leafs could make a big move. During the Maple Leafs game against the Dallas Stars, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman in his 32 Thoughts says that the Maple Leafs continue to circle around Calgary Flames defender Chris Tanev as a main target, but also adds that they could be looking for a centre as well.Â
3 Maple Leafs Prospects Who Could Get Traded This Year
February 11, 2024 by JP Gambatese
With the NHL trade deadline less than a month away, the Toronto Maple Leafs will likely make a couple of moves to try and make a deeper playoff run than they’re used to. With that in mind, they’re going to be looking to trade away future assets and draft picks to get some depth pieces. The Maple Leafs’ prospect pool isn’t particularly strong — we have them ranked at 23rd in the NHL — but they still have some quality pieces that should warrant some eyes from teams looking for young players.
Maple Leafs Should Deal Their 1st-Round Pick with Caution
February 10, 2024 by Spencer Lazary
The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves in a very tough situation this season. There are questions regarding where their season should go. If the team should see where the talent takes them and add some depth, or if they should go out and try and add key pieces to help win the Stanley Cup. Many in Leafs Nation are wondering what the Maple Leafs would be willing to trade if they had a deal in place. Would they be willing to part with their first-round pick?
NHL Rumors: Sabres, Capitals, Maple Leafs, Oilers, Canucks
February 10, 2024 by Jim Parsons
In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Buffalo Sabres are rumored to be shopping Casey Mittelstadt. Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals and Max Pacioretty might be on the same page when it comes to a trade deadline deal. The Toronto Maple Leafs are said to be interested in Russian scorer Maxim Tsyplakov. Finally, are the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers both eyeing the same defenseman out of the Nashville Predators organization?
More Maple Leafs Must Reads
Leafs News & Rumors: Kampf, Woll, Lajoie & Hildeby Â
February 10, 2024 by The Old Prof
Maple Leafs Will Be Unable to Truly Compete with the Core Four
February 10, 2024 by JP Gambatese
Maple Leafs Interested In Signing Maxim Tsyplakov
February 9, 2024 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
Maple Leafs Would Be Smart to Avoid Rasmus Ristolainen Trade
February 9, 2024 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Samsonov, Tavares, Benoit & Matthews
February 9, 2024 by The Old Prof
The Wayne Simmonds Story: From Scarborough to the NHL
February 9, 2024 by The Old Prof
Grading the Maple Leafs’ Top 7 Right-Wingers
February 9, 2024 by The Old Prof
Huge Present Problem !!! Defense on Power Play !!! Urgent need - press the shooters on the outside ! DO NOT LET THEM JUST WIND UP AND TAKE HIGH SPEED SLAP SHOTS all by themselves alone and drill shots to net, one after the other !!! Play them close ! Start with the one in the middle, as he gets many passes and gives
Many. Then you push them back to blue line &
Cause them to stumble their moves, which helps a pickoff, a breakaway, and a goal !