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Find the latest hockey news, analysis, and updates from around the league. Nicholas Hockey Report delivers timely coverage, game breakdowns, and stories that matter to fans who want more than just the score.

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Maple Leafs Make Lineup Changes Ahead of Game with the Panthers
The Maple Leafs will look to keep the momentum going vs. the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. The Maple Leafs beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-2 on Saturday night. For the Leafs, it was their first regulation win since November 5th. It was a game where the Leafs finally looked dominant and controlled the pace of the game. Leafs vs. Panthers The Florida Panthers are looking to turn the tide and snap their two-game losing streak. They have lost three of their last four games. O

Nicholas Giannone
Dec 2, 20253 min read


Maple Leafs Avoid Injury Scare on the Blueline
The Toronto Maple Leafs received welcome news as Oliver Ekman-Larsson participated fully in practice today, avoiding what could have been another significant injury on an already battered blueline. Ekman-Larsson left Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period with an upper-body injury and did not return, raising immediate concerns about his status. One Toronto Maple Leafs Injury Not to Worry About Before exiting the game , the veteran defender deliv

Nicholas Giannone
Dec 2, 20252 min read


Physical Defenseman Returns to Maple Leafs Lineup
Simon Benoit rejoined the team during Monday’s practice in Florida, missing only Saturday’s 7-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 27-year-old Laval native has contributed two assists, 55 hits, and 34 blocked shots in 23 games this season. He averages around 18 minutes of ice time per game and is widely recognized for his role as a shutdown defenseman on the Leafs’ blueline. The start of the season has not been easy for Benoit. He has admitted to struggling in his performa

Nicholas Giannone
Dec 1, 20251 min read


Maple Leafs Defenceman Injured Against the Penguins
During the Toronto Maple Leafs’ dominant 7–2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson exited the game in the third period due to an upper-body injury. The veteran blueliner had been having one of his best performances of the season, scoring in the first period and adding an assist before being forced out of action. His goal extended his point streak to a career-best nine games, a run that now stands tied for the second-longest by a defenseman in Maple

Nicholas Giannone
Dec 1, 20252 min read


Lightning Back on Top: Tampa Bay Continues Dominant Start to the Season
The Tampa Bay Lightning have surged to the top of the Atlantic Division in the early stages of the 2025–26 season. With a win this afternoon over the New York Rangers, Tampa improved to 16-7-2, giving them 34 points and solidifying their status as one of the league’s hottest teams. After last year’s disappointing first-round exit to the Florida Panthers, the Lightning entered this season with something to prove, and so far, they’ve looked like a team determined to reclaim the

Nicholas Giannone
Nov 29, 20252 min read


Could trading Morgan Rielly be key to saving Maple Leafs' season?
Morgan Rielly, much like the Maple Leafs as a whole, has had an up-and-down start to the season. Offensively, he’s been one of Toronto’s most reliable producers on the back end, posting 3 goals and 14 assists for 17 points in 22 games. At this pace, he’s tracking toward his best offensive season since 2018-19. However, the defensive side of his game has been a different story. Rielly has looked a step behind at times, making costly reads and showing lapses in coverage that ha

Nicholas Giannone
Nov 29, 20255 min read


Inside the William Nylander and Craig Berube Dynamic for the Toronto Maple Leafs
According to Elliotte Friedman, William Nylander and Craig Berube share a genuine mutual respect. They’re often seen laughing and talking during practices, showing that their relationship is far from tense. But beneath that levity lies a more intense layer. This season, the two have argued more than in years past, not in a destructive way, but in a competitive, push-each-other-to-be-better way. Nylander has had an outstanding start to the season, being Toronto’s most product

Nicholas Giannone
Nov 29, 20253 min read


Leafs star forward out of the lineup against the Capitals
The Maple Leafs are facing an uphill battle tonight as they face the Washington Capitals without superstar William Nylander. Nylander has been the Leafs' most productive forward to start the 2025-26 campaign with 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points. The Maple Leafs are trying to build momentum after a win against the Blue Jackets on Wednesday night. Max Domi will also be a healthy scratch in tonight's contest. Matias Macceli and Dakota Joshua will slot back into the lineup

Nicholas Giannone
Nov 28, 20252 min read


Toronto Maple Leafs Star Out of the Lineup Against the Washington Capitals
William Nylander will not dress, as he is injured. For the game tonight against the Capitals, due to illness. Nylander is out. Max Domi will also be out of the lineup tonight as a healthy scratch. Nylander is listed day-to-day, and the Maple Leafs are hoping that he will be back against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Nylander has been one of the rare bright spots for the Maple Leafs this season. In the early 2025-26 season, Nylander has tallied 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points

Nicholas Giannone
Nov 28, 20252 min read


Should the Maple Leafs target 2-time Stanley Cup champion to fix offence?
The Nashville Predators continue to struggle early this season, and general manager Barry Trotz hasn’t been shy about saying they need more from their roster and that everything is on the table. One name that has quickly become the centre of speculation is Steven Stamkos, who could be an intriguing option for a team looking to shake things up. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs have battled major inconsistencies in their secondary scoring, relying heavily on William Nylander

Nicholas Giannone
Nov 28, 20252 min read


Rising Star Easton Cowan Helping Push the Toronto Maple Leafs Depth Scoring
Easton Cowan has firmly earned his place in the Maple Leafs’ lineup after scoring a crucial late goal in Toronto’s 2-1 overtime win against the Blue Jackets. Moments after, Columbus took the lead in the third period. Cowan answered with a sharp-angle finish off a setup from John Tavares , capping off a night where he consistently generated offence and pushed the pace. Despite several close chances in recent games, he hadn’t been able to convert until that game. With this bre

Nicholas Giannone
Nov 28, 20253 min read


William Nylander Takes Maintenance Day, But Leafs’ Lineup Takes Shape Ahead of Capitals Matchup
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander was given a maintenance day on Thursday, so he didn’t take part in practice. However, Craig Berube made it clear there’s nothing to worry about; Nylander will suit up Friday night against the Washington Capitals. Nylander is coming off another massive moment for the Leafs, scoring the overtime winner in Wednesday’s 2–1 victory over the Blue Jackets. The 29-year-old has been one of the NHL’s top offensive players this season, sittin

Nicholas Giannone
Nov 27, 20252 min read


Sammy Blais Claimed by Montreal: What This Means for the Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost forward Sammy Blais, who was claimed off waivers by the Montreal Canadiens. Blais, a versatile forward known for his physicality, net-front presence, and penalty-killing ability, had been providing depth and toughness for the Maple Leafs. His departure leaves a noticeable gap in the bottom-six, both offensively and defensively. Impact on Depth and Line Combinations Blais’ style made him a valuable piece for Toronto. Standing 6-foot-3 and over

Nicholas Giannone
Nov 27, 20252 min read


3 teams that could trade for Leafs' Matias Maccelli
If you’re a young, rebuilding club with speed up front and a need for secondary scoring beyond your core group, Matias Maccelli could be the perfect fit. Before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs, Maccelli posted 57 points in 82 games in 2023-24, proving he can be a gifted playmaker and a reliable secondary winger when given the right opportunity. Even if his start to 2025-26 with Toronto has been rough 9 points in 21 games so far. His underlying ability and prior production mak

Nicholas Giannone
Nov 26, 20252 min read


Maple Leafs should trade for former 2nd-overall pick to turn season around
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to spiral, falling to the bottom of the Eastern Conference after a disappointing 5–2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. This season was always going to be a test for Toronto as they adjusted to life without Mitch Marner, who departed for the Vegas Golden Knights over the summer, but the transition has been far rockier than expected. The Leafs hoped that new faces in the lineup would help soften the blow of losing one of their most dynamic playmak

Nicholas Giannone
Nov 26, 20254 min read


Is Craig Berube ruining Auston Matthews for the Leafs?
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube prefers a hard-hitting, physical, defensive style of play. Since the departure of Sheldon Keefe, Auston Matthews has been asked to play a heavier style of hockey, a shift that has reshaped both his role and the overall identity of the Leafs. Under Berube, Matthews is expected to drive play in all three zones, win board battles, and take on heavier matchups against opposing top lines. While he is still Toronto’s most dangerous offens

Nicholas Giannone
Nov 26, 20253 min read


Maple Leafs hit hard by another injury as key defenseman exits lineup
The timing of McCabe’s injury could not be worse for a Maple Leafs team already struggling to maintain stability on the blue line. Toronto’s defensive identity this season has relied on its ability to suppress chances, win battles below the goal line, and maintain structure in front of their goaltenders. McCabe has been at the center of that effort, playing heavy minutes against top opposition while providing the kind of physical presence and accountability the Leafs have his

Nicholas Giannone
Nov 26, 20252 min read


Maple Leafs forward deserves a spot on Team Canada’s Olympic roster
John Tavares deserves serious consideration for Team Canada’s Olympic roster, and his play this season has made that clearer than ever. The Toronto native is off to one of the strongest starts of his later-career years, producing 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points in 21 games with the Maple Leafs. Beyond the raw numbers, Tavares continues to drive play, anchor his line, and provide the type of leadership and two-way reliability that Olympic teams rely on in high-pressure m

Nicholas Giannone
Nov 26, 20253 min read


Key forward returning to Maple Leafs lineup at right time
The Toronto Maple Leafs finally have some good news on the injury front, as forward Scott Laughton returns to the lineup after missing six games with an upper-body injury sustained against the Boston Bruins on November 8. It’s a much-needed boost for a lineup still juggling key absences and looking to build momentum after a gutsy 3–2 win over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night. Toronto now shifts its focus to a meeting with the Columbus Blue Jackets, a game it hopes can hel

Nicholas Giannone
Nov 26, 20253 min read


Why William Nylander could be the Leafs' true franchise player
When people talk about the “face of the franchise," they’re usually talking about more than just who scores the most goals. They mean the player whose identity defines the team, the one fans associate with the logo before anyone else. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, that title has belonged to Auston Matthews for most of the last decade. But over the last few seasons, William Nylander has built such a strong case that it’s fair to ask if the Leafs now have more than one franchise

Nicholas Giannone
Nov 26, 20253 min read
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