The Maple Leafs at the Halfway Mark, Plus Samsonov's Return
And, the latest news and rumors surrounding the organization...
Welcome to the THW Toronto Maple Leafs Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Maple Leafs writers.
What is the latest buzz surrounding the Maple Leafs this week? Coaching talk, players struggles, and Samsonov’s return highlight the news and rumors report.
Also, we take a look at where the team is at midseason.
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…
Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Holmberg, Marner, Samsonov & Keefe
January 15, 2024 by The Old Prof
The Toronto Maple Leafs suffered a tough 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday. Adding to the disappointment that the team surrendered another lead to a team closely trailing them. The match seemed to be set up for a win, but the Maple Leafs just couldn’t pull it off.Â
The Red Wings limped into Scotiabank Arena late, having spent most of the day held up in the airport. However, the Maple Leafs didn’t take control of the game when they had a chance, and it came back to bite them. While Toronto played a solid third period, a mistake cost them, and Andrew Copp took advantage to score the tiebreaking goal with 1:40 left in the third. That was the killer.Â
Maple Leafs’ 2023-24 Midseason Reflections
January 15, 2024 by Spencer Lazary
The Toronto Maple Leafs have now played half of their 2023–24 season. Their record is 21-12-8 for 50 points, and they currently sit third in the Atlantic Division and 11th in the league.
The Maple Leafs have been very good at times but also very confusing. The team isn’t bad by any means; they are an elite team in the NHL. However, they aren’t necessarily playing like that. They struggle in different areas, such as defence or killing penalties, which have cost them leads and games. The Maple Leafs look to be on the road to making the playoffs, which means in the next 41 games, they need to fix the issues that have been ailing them. For now, though, we will reflect on stories that have happened so far in the 2023-24 season for Toronto.
Maple Leafs Strategically Sign Kieffer Bellows
January 14, 2024 by The Old Prof
Obviously, during his 2016 draft year, Kieffer Bellows was seen as a promising forward. The New York Islanders thought highly enough of him to choose him in the first round (19th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. But, since Bellows turned professional, he’s taken a bit of a pilgrimage around the American Hockey League (AHL) and the NHL.