When you talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs history, you’re diving into over a century of hockey, 13 Stanley Cups, Hall of Famers, dynasties, droughts, legends, and heartbreak. Legendary defencemen like Tim Horton , Borje Salming , King Clancy , and Red Kelly helped define eras. They shaped the identity of the franchise. So the question we ask today is, does Morgan Rielly belong among them? Our short answer is yes. But how can we come to such a definite decision. The timing

From the moment current head coach Craig Berube took over behind the bench, the Toronto Maple Leafs knew they were committing to a different style. It wasn’t just about new faces or trades. As we would soon find out, it was about a system rooted in structure, forechecking intensity and accountability at every level. Now, early in the 2025-26 season, that systemic shift is beginning to show. It shows how Toronto is playing, who’s getting ice time, and how the team’s identity

William Nylander is no longer just a top scorer for the Toronto Maple Leafs . His advanced metrics firmly place him among the NHL’s elite forwards. They show why he is the force behind the Maple Leafs offence heading into the 2025–26 season. His blend of shot creation, skating ability, and high-danger scoring makes him indispensable to Toronto’s game plan and future success. Elite Shooting & Scoring Profile In the 2024–25 season, Nylander scored 45 goals, second in the league

The Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending picture remains one of the club’s most compelling storylines as we progress through the early stages of the 2025-26 campaign. With Joseph Woll currently being out of the crease due to family or personal reasons , the situation has some uncertainty. Anthony Stolarz is carrying the bulk of starts, and backup options are still finding their footing. The absence of Woll looms large. Woll’s presence isn’t simply nice to have, it represents Toro

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2025–26 season begins with both a sense of continuity, anchored by captain Auston Matthews, and a clear transition underway. Coming off a strong 52-26-4 finish (108 points) in 2024–25, when Toronto led the Atlantic Division in goals for (267) and ranked eighth in goals against (229), expectations remain high. However, this summer brought one of the most significant roster shake-ups in recent memory, highlighted by the departure of Mitch Marner and th

The New York Islanders, long known for their rugged, defense-first identity, now find themselves at a critical juncture. The 2024-25 season saw them finish 35–35–12 and land 82 points. Their goals-for total was 224 (27th in the league), and goals-against came in at 257 (20th). As the roster balances veteran players entering later stages of their careers and a youth wave rising fast, the big question looms: Can this core still contend in a Metro Division bursting with speed an

The Patrick Kane storyline for the Detroit Red Wings has taken a troubling turn. The veteran winger signed a one-year deal worth $3 million this summer and came into 2025-26 as a key piece of Detroit’s bid to end its nine-season playoff drought. He got off to a solid start, credited with five points (two goals, three assists, and a minus-2 rating) across five games. Then, on Oct. 19, Detroit confirmed Kane would miss the upcoming game versus the Edmonton Oilers due to an uppe

The New York Islanders are showing clear signs this season of transforming from a defense-first squad into a legitimately-dangerous offensive unit. Under head coach Patrick Roy and general manager Mathieu Darche, the team’s scoring pace is up, timed with key additions and a refreshed structure that gives the offense more freedom while retaining structure. Offensive Metrics Back It Up The Islanders averaged just 2.71 goals per game in 2024-25, tied for 27th in the NHL. Early t

The Detroit Red Wings’ Oct. 25, 2025, win over the St. Louis Blues was far more than just another division victory; it was a microcosm of what Detroit’s rebuild under Steve Yzerman is aiming to become: resilience, depth, and true belief. Trailing 4-0, the Red Wings exploded for six unanswered goals to stun the Blues 6-4 at Little Caesars Arena, marking just their third loss in the first nine games (6-3-0). A Game of Two Halves and Hope The Blues came out of the gate strong, s

When the Islanders traded Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens in June 2025, many believed Montreal clearly got the better end of the deal. Dobson, just 25 years old, came off a 39-point (10 goals, 29 assists) season in 71 games, with over 23 minutes of ice time on average. But fast-forward to October, and New York’s return, especially forward Emil Heineman, looks like it might be the move that pays dividends. From Exchanged Asset to Early Contributor Heineman entered the 20

Dylan Larkin entered the 2025-26 season with something to prove. After compiling 30 goals and 40 assists for 70 points in 82 games in 2024-25, his minus-16 rating and a team still finding its identity suggested more was needed. But through the first six games of the 2025-26 campaign, he is off to one of the hottest starts of his career, and his performance is emerging as a catalyst for Detroit’s early success. He is paving the way for the rest of the lineup, as well as stars

After years of steady rebuilding and patient roster development, the Detroit Red Wings have finally found their stride to open the 2025–26 season. With a 5-1-0 record through six games, Detroit sits near the top of the Atlantic Division standings, and this time, it doesn’t feel like an early-season fluke. From improved special teams to balanced scoring and sturdy goaltending, the Red Wings are showing signs of a team ready to contend. Finding Ways to Win The Red Wings’ fast s

Matthew Schaefer, the New York Islanders’ 18-year-old defenseman and first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, has made an immediate impact in the early part of the 2025–26 season. Despite being one of the youngest players in the NHL, Schaefer has quickly established himself as a key contributor to the Islanders’ blue line. His poise, skating ability, and hockey IQ have allowed him to transition seamlessly from junior hockey to the professional level, giving the Islanders’ de

Detroit made headlines this offseason by trading for veteran goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Petr Mrazek and two draft picks. The move signalled that the Red Wings wanted stability in net. But early returns this season suggest the competition in the crease might already be tilting in favor of Cam Talbot. Talbot’s early 2025-26 numbers are very strong: 2-0-0, a 2.11 goals-against average (GAA), and a .925 save percentage (SV%). In two starts, he’s

In the season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the New York Islanders were already trailing late when tempers flared in the final seconds. With just 14.2 seconds remaining in the third period, forward Jonathan Drouin and Connor Dewar clashed in front of the Penguins’ net. What began as stick exchanges and shoves escalated when Drouin raised his stick and delivered a high cross-check, connecting with Dewar’s head. The hit came after the whistle in a scrum, drawing immed

The Detroit Red Wings’ 2025–26 preseason didn’t just feel different; it looked different. With fresh faces, internal battles, and systems taking shape, the Red Wings entered the exhibition slate under head coach Todd McLellan with more expectation than in recent years. The results? A mix of strong outings, standout performances, and glimpses of a team ready to compete. Preseason Recap Detroit opened its preseason on Sept. 23 at Little Caesars Arena with a tight 3–2 victory ov

For years, the New York Islanders were known more for their defensive structure and elite goaltending than their ability to draft and develop star talent. Former general manager Lou Lamoriello often traded picks to add veterans, which thinned out the pipeline; however, with newly hired GM Mathieu Darche, the Islanders have a new way of doing things. Darche traded Noah Dobson early in the offseason to the Montreal Canadiens and signed talented forward Jonathan Drouin. Through

For the New York Islanders, everything runs through Mathew Barzal. The electric playmaker has been the face of the franchise for years, the player capable of changing the tempo of a game with a single shift. But in 2024–25, Islanders fans got a glimpse of life without him, and it wasn’t pretty. Barzal was limited to just 30 games due to injury last season, a blow that left a noticeable hole in the Isles’ lineup. Without him, the team struggled to generate consistent offense,

For years, the New York Islanders have carried an identity that’s as clear as the waters of Long Island Sound: defense first, grind it out, and make life miserable for opponents. They were never built to win 6-5 track meets. Instead, they thrived in the trenches, in the 2-1 nail-biters where every blocked shot and battle along the boards mattered. But hockey has changed. The NHL is faster, flashier, and more offense-driven than ever. Teams like the Florida Panthers and Edmont

Special teams can make or break a season, and they were the great separator for the Detroit Red Wings in the 2024–25 campaign. For years, Detroit lacked a true edge on special teams, often falling behind in crucial moments. But last season changed everything. The power play became elite, finishing fourth in the NHL . The power play transformed the Red Wings from a fringe playoff contender into a team that could control momentum, tilt the ice, and win the tight games that had