PRIVATE POLICY

Morgan Rielly has been through many ups and downs as a Toronto Maple Leaf. He is the longest tenured player on the roster and has been with the organization since being drafted fifth overall in the 2012 NHL Draft. For much of Rielly's early career with the Maple Leafs, the team often sat towards the bottom of the NHL. He was always looked upon as a leader in the locker room; many players respect him and see him as a key part of their success over the past decade. This season took a turn for the worse as the Maple Leafs and Rielly struggled from the very beginning of the year. The Vancouver native struggled consistently in their own end, producing a -18 plus and minus, and only registered 36 points in 78 games, which is his lowest point total since the shortened 2020-21 campaign. With four years remaining on his contract, the idea of moving Morgan Rielly has never seemed better, but with his full no-movement clause, it simply lies in Rielly's hands. Morgan Rielly's comments on what it means to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs The Maple Leafs hosted their season-ending locker room cleanout on Thursday, and many of the players spoke to the media, including Rielly , and he touched upon what it has meant to wear the blue and white and what his future may entail. “I’ve always wanted to stay, I still wanna stay. I love playing here, I love being a Leaf." This statement implies Rielly has no intentions of leaving the Maple Leafs, and hasn't been approached about a move in the future, he told reporters. “It’s a challenging thing to answer when those conversations haven’t happened yet, but, you know, after a year like this, after any year, but especially one like this, as an athlete, you have to be prepared for that. You know, it’s not the first time that it’s crossed my mind." Big offseason ahead for the Maple Leafs Heading into the offseason, it may be difficult to see what direction the organization goes. Without a general manager in place, he will ultimately be the deciding factor on whether to open the conversation with Rielly regarding his future. With how this past season went, many believe it is time for a new era in Maple Leafs hockey, and it may be beneficial for both sides to get a fresh start. Rielly later touched on how he felt the Maple Leafs season went wrong and why there was a lack of consistency. “We had a good road trip going into the Olympic break and then we came back and we weren’t able to continue it. I think that there were other points during the season where we just weren’t able to be consistent enough to keep things going in that direction…I think whenever you have a year like this, there’s a number of things that need to be improved. I think the consistency was one of those things.” The veteran defenceman's season with the Maple Leafs may have come to an end, but he is still looking to be a Maple Leaf for the future. Time will tell whether Rielly has played his final game with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Craig Berube had an interesting postgame media availability as the Toronto Maple Leafs closed out their season with a 3-1 lead of the hands of the Ottawa Senators. The Maple Leafs head coach touched on many players and their season as a whole, but Easton Cowan stood out in particular with what the Maple Leafs staff see what's best fit for him moving forward. Firstly, Berube touched upon his AHL eligibility and sending him down to the Marlies for their playoff run beginning this weekend against the Laval Rocket. Craig Berube talks about Easton Cowan's development with Maple Leafs He then later discussed his progression from Game 1 to 82 and how he matured and grew as a player in all facets of the game. "It is definitely a benefit for him to play in the playoffs, right? You can look at the league and dissect it any way you want, but it is a good league. It is a good experience for him. Good future ahead of him. He has a great IQ. He has ice water in his veins. He is a worker. There is a lot of upside there." Craig Berube summed it all up perfectly towards the end of the media availability, speaking on what the next steps could look like for Cowan's future. "I think he made strides this year, for sure. I thought he hit a wall before the Olympic break. That is normal for a young kid like that in his first year in the NHL, with the schedule and how it was condensed. The next level is learning how to finish at this level. Keep working on the details of the game, the defensive side of the game, doing all of the right things, and managing the game. When young kids come in, it’s all about scoring, and that is normal. They want to produce. They did it in junior or college. They’re scorers or playmakers. And he is going to be a scorer or a playmaker at this level. How high? I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see, but he has to learn to score goals at this level." Easton Cowan had an impressive season all around. The Maple Leafs went on a string of games in the middle of the season and post-Olympic break, where they opted for a veteran presence lineup, which took away from Cowan's development. When the Maple Leafs understood their fate and decided to become sellers, that is when we truly saw Cowan's game develop. The London Knights product played vital minutes in the final stretch of the season and saw his reach the next level. He was no longer the small, skilled kid, but rather a player who has a lot of heart and is willing to do anything to see his team win.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are making a goaltending move ahead of their season finale against the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. Toronto Marlies netminder Dennis Hildeby has been recalled, while rookie goalie Artur Akhtyamov has been assigned back to the AHL, the Maple Leafs announced on Tuesday. This was an unexpected move by the Toronto Maple Leafs this late in the season. With only one game remaining and Joseph Woll expected to get the start, it leaves many fans wondering why make the goaltending change. Depending on who the Marlies see as their Game 1 starting netminder for the playoffs, they could use Hildeby to get reps alongside NHL talent to sharpen his game for the postseason. If Akhtyamov is the playoffs starting netminder, they could be giving him the rest he deserves heading into the playoffs. Dennis Hildeby's time with the Maple Leafs Hildeby has appeared in 19 games for the Maple Leafs this season, posting a .912 save percentage and a goals against average of 2.90, with a record of 5-6-4. For most of the early portion of the season, many viewed Hildeby as the saviour of the Maple Leafs' season, consistently keeping them in games they had no business winning. The Maple Leafs extended Hildeby to a three-year, $841K average annual value contract in September, locking up their goaltending depth for the future. With the Marlies, Hildbey has posted a 9-8-5 record, while posting a 2.70 goals against average and 0.896 save percentage. Artur Akhtyamov solid play with the Toronto Marlies Artur Akhtyamov appeared in three contests for the Maple Leafs this season, coming in relief of Anthony Stolarz's season-ending lower-body injury, while his first taste in the NHL came back in December against the Edmonton Oilers. Akhtyamov made his first NHL start against the New York Islanders last Thursday and posted a .877 save percentage and a goals against average of 5.24. The former fourth-round pick is yet to pick up his first career NHL win. His time with the Toronto Marlies has been successful to say the least, as he has recorded a 20-12-4 record along with a save percentage of .903 and a goals against average of 2.90. He was also named an AHL All-Star this season for the first time in his career. With one game remaining on their schedule in the 2025-26 season, this move seems meaningless as they are expected to start Joseph Woll against the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. The Marlies have two games remaining before starting their Calder Cup run against the Laval Rocket.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have given several prospects with the Toronto Marlies a chance in the NHL over the past couple of games. Artur Akhtyamov, Ryan Tverberg, William Villeneuve, Jacob Quillan, and Luke Haymes have all made their NHL debuts and impressed during this recent stretch. Each of them have taken on meaningful roles in the lineup, logging tough minutes against top competition. Craig Berube and Matthew Knies speak on rookies' impact in the Leafs lineup “It’s good energy. All of those guys are eager to play, and all of them have earned it with their play with the Marlies. Watching them practice, these guys are really good players that I think have a lot of potential to help our team in the coming years,”  Matthew Knies said on Monday pregame. Both head coach Craig Berube and star forward Matthew Knies have spoken about their performances and what they could mean for the Maple Leafs’ future. "They do some good things. They’re not bad. It’s a lot for them. It’s a lot for the young goalie coming into the NHL, too. Now, you’re facing NHL shooters, and you’ve really got to do a good job of being composed in net and tracking the puck. There are mistakes, but they’re working and trying. I thought William Villeneuve had another good game. I was happy with Villeneuve’s game tonight," Berube said on Monday postgame. Moving towards Game 82 on Wednesday These prospects getting their chance in the Maple Leafs lineup are trying to make a name for themselves and leave a good impression on the management staff heading into training camp next season. The four skaters have contributed three points since being up with the Maple Leafs. While many do not believe that these players will be with the Maple Leafs full-time, it helps develop them further and gives them a taste of what it takes to play at the highest level. The Maple Leafs close out their season on Wednesday for the final edition of the Battle of Ontario, which gives these players their last opportunity to make a lasting impact heading into next season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs got some good news on Monday night. Thanks to the Los Angeles Kings clinching the playoffs, the conditional third-round pick that they received in return for center Scott Laughton at the trade deadline, is now a second-round pick. Maple Leafs get draft pick upgraded thanks to Kings Monday night saw a lot happen for the conditional third to become a second. For the Maple Leafs to acquire the second-rounder, the San Jose Sharks needed to beat the Nashville Predators in regulation, which they did 3-2, and the Kings needed to beat the Seattle Kraken, which ended 5-3. Many Maple Leafs fans were hoping for a Seattle Kraken win so the Maple Leafs could widen the gap in the bottom five of the NHL and give themselves the best odds of keeping their first-round pick, which is top-five protected. The Maple Leafs blew a 5-3 lead in the third period on Monday against the Dallas Stars, keeping them within the bottom five of the NHL. The only down side of this happening is that the upgrade isn't that big of a deal. Now, the draft pick that they own is the Sabres' 2026 second-round pick, and with Buffalo firmly in the top five of the overall league standings in the final week of the regular season, that pick will be around 59th to 64th overall. Not a nightmare scenario anymore, but it's certainly not a major upgrade. The Maple Leafs currently hold picks in the second, third, and fourth rounds, along with two selections in the fifth and one in the sixth. They will need to use these opportunities and uncover solid prospects in the later stages of the draft. Toronto has done a good job identifying value in recent years, but with a depleted prospect pool, every pick moving forward will be very important to the organization’s future.

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ryan Tverberg is set to make his NHL debut on Monday against the Dallas Stars. Tverberg has a solid season with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL, registering 14 goals and 32 assists in 61 games. The Maple Leafs selected Tverberg in the seventh round of the 2020 NHL Draft. Tverberg is expected to play on the team's fourth line alongside prospect Jacob Quillian and veteran winger Calle Jarnkrok. Hometown player Ryan Tverberg to make NHL debut Craig Berube spoke on Tverberg following the morning skate and the value he can add to this depleted Maple Leafs lineup. “He’s got speed, he’s a tenacious player,” “His speed and tenacity is what drives him more than anything.” The 24-year-old added to this, speaking on what it means to him to wear the Maple Leaf and make his NHL debut. “Growing up here, especially watching them my whole life, it’s going to mean a lot, a lot of hard work. Had to go through some injuries. A lot of hardships but, in the end, it will feel pretty good tonight," Tverberg said Monday. Tverberg also mentioned the hardships he had gone through to get his chance in the NHL. Just a lot of hard work, I had to go through some injuries and a lot of just a lot of hardships, but in the end, I still feel pretty good." Ryan Tverberg took the long road to the NHL Tverberg, who is a Richmond Hill native, spent his minor hockey days playing for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens of the Greater Toronto Hockey League. He then later joined the Jr. Canadiens in the Ontario Junior Hockey League, before committing to the University of Connecticut. Tverberg had a standout rookie season with the Marlies before a disappointing sophomore year, but has had a bounce-back season this year, earning his opportunity in the NHL. Ryan Tverberg is not expected to be a regular NHL player with the Maple Leafs next season, but getting the chance to play at the highest level will be huge for his development moving forward. If he can play well over the next two contests, it will help him make a good impression ahead of next season's training camp.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have fallen to 28th in the NHL standings, far below where many expected them to be when the season began in October. If they remain in that spot, they will retain their first-round pick, which was top-five protected in the Brandon Carlo trade just one season ago. The Maple Leafs need to embrace the tank for their future With the final games of the season underway, the Maple Leafs may opt to play younger, less experienced players to embrace the tank while developing their youth for next season. The Leafs will have to maintain their position in the standings or even drop lower to have the best chance of keeping their first-round pick. With the way the Maple Leafs have been playing as of late, currently riding a five-game losing streak, while being outscored 26-12, the chances the losing streak continues seem very high. The Maple Leafs are set to face off against the Dallas Stars on Monday. The Stars sit third in the NHL with 108 points, but have key injuries in all facets of their lineup, with star forward Roope Hintz and defenceman Miro Heiskanen out of the Stars' lineup on Monday. While many see these injuries as hurting the Stars' chances to win on Monday, the Florida Panthers, with 12 injuries to their roster on Saturday, dominated the Maple Leafs on the way to a 6-2 victory. Following their contest on Monday, they will head to Ottawa for the final edition of the Battle of Ontario to wrap up their campaign. Maple Leafs are lacking a top end talent If the Toronto Maple Leafs are able to retain their first-round pick in the upcoming draft, it could provide a significant boost to the organization’s long-term plans. A selection within the top five provides the opportunity to add a prospect that you want to build your team around. The Maple Leafs lack a true top-tier prospect to build around, making this pick even more valuable. While the 2026 NHL Draft is expected to be deep, many analysts believe it does not feature the same level of generational talent seen in previous years. A pick within the top five and the opportunity to select players such as Keaton Verhoeff, Carson Carels, Caleb Malhotra, or Chase Reid will go a long way for the current state of this organization. Many do not believe that they will trade this pick, but this all will depend on who they have in the general manager position. The next couple of games against the Stars and Senators will prove to be important for the future of the Maple Leafs.

The Toronto Marlies have assigned Miroslav Holinka to their roster following the end of his junior hockey career in the WHL with the Edmonton Oil Kings. The Maple Leafs prospect was loaned to the Marlies on Saturday following the end of the Oil Kings season. Holinka will likely represent the Marlies for the remainder of their season and play a key role in their success heading into the playoffs. The Maple Leafs drafted Holinka in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Draft, and since coming over from Czechia, his game has improved tremendously since arriving in North America over the past two seasons. Holinka's strong showing in the WHL with the Edmonton Oil Kings This past season in the WHL, the Maple Leafs saw Holinka nearly double his points total, from 45 to 80, during the 2025-26 season. Holinka also learned how to put the puck in the back of the net, tallying 37 goals compared to 19 during the 2024-25 season. Holinka led the Oil Kings in goals and placed seventh overall in the WHL for the goal-scoring title. The 20-year-old's success continued through to the postseason as he led the Oil Kings with seven goals and four assists over seven contests against the Saskatoon Blades, proving he can play heavy minutes and perform when it matters most. Marlies add X-factor ahead of the postseason The Marlies have three games remaining on their schedule before the playoffs begin, where they will likely be in Toronto at the Coca-Cola Coliseum to start game one. Jacob Quillan, Ryan Tverberg, Luke Haymes, William Villeneuve, and Easton Cowan are set to join the Marlies for the postseason once the Maple Leafs regular season comes to an end. Holinka joining the Marlies for the final stretch of the season will be good for his already impressive development. He can begin to adjust to the pace, structure, and physicality it takes to play at the professional hockey level. If he can prove himself and thrive at the next level, it could get Maple Leafs management staff excited about what the next wave of Maple Leafs hockey could look like.

With the Toronto Maple Leafs 2025-26 season coming to an end, the question surrounding the team no longer is how many games they can win, but rather the evaluation around players they want on their roster heading into next season. Lack of opportunity in the Maple Leafs lineup William Villeneuve has been up with the Maple Leafs roster multiple times throughout the season, but still hasn't gotten his chance within the lineup. Villeneuve, a 2020 fourth-round pick 122nd overall, has quietly developed into one of the more reliable defensemen in the Maple Leafs’ system. With the Maple Leafs prospect pool winding down over the past few seasons, he has remained as a top-valued piece in their farm system. At 6-foot-2 and nearly 200 pounds, he has the physical tools teams look for on the blue line, combined with a strong hockey sense and puck-moving ability. This season, the Maple Leafs have seen the biggest progression in his all-around game with the Toronto Marlies, consistently being their best blueliner. Villeneuve has led all Marlies defenders in points with 29, which includes three goals, after a career season of 40 points just one season ago. What separates the Quebec native from the rest of the Marlies blueline is his ability to play in all three zones. He has become a reliable contributor in the defensive zone, while adding offensive production, which is not something you see from many prospects around the NHL. Maple Leafs must prioritize prospects over veterans The QMJHL Saint John's Ice Dogs product has been waiting all season to make his debut with the Maple Leafs, and head coach Craig Berube needs to deliver this instead of opting to play veterans, especially at this point of the season. Players such as Philippe Myers and Troy Stecher have no value in the Maple Leafs lineup; they are, quite frankly, taking time away from other players who have deserved their opportunity. Over the course of the next four games to close out this disastrous season, time will tell if they finally give their prospects a chance to prove themselves heading into next season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have nominated John Tavares for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy on Friday. The King Clancy Memorial Award is given to the player who represents leadership on and off the ice and has made a significant humanitarian contribution to the community. The award was first given out during the 1987-88 season and was given to Lanny McDonald. The winner of the award is decided by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. The nominee who finishes with the highest number of votes will receive a $25,000 donation to any charity of their choice. The winner will also have the opportunity to accept a grant of $20,000 from the NHL to their club. John Tavares second King Clancy Memorial nomination This will serve as the second time the Maple Leafs have nominated Tavares, with the first being during the 2021 COVID-19 season; however, Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators was awarded the trophy. If the Oakville native gets the honour of winning the award, it will be the second time in Maple Leafs history, as Curtis Joseph won the trophy during the 1999-2000 season. Tavares has helped the community for a very long time, as he launched The John Tavares Foundation back in 2020. The foundation is committed to ensuring children across Canada have the necessary support and tools to actively participate in their communities and explore their inner passions. They have collaborated with grassroots organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to help provide food, activities, and essential resources to underprivileged families throughout Canada. Tavares' leadership on the ice From the on-ice perspective, Tavares has had another solid season, paving the way for young and upcoming players such as Easton Cowan. He has provided leadership beyond what management could ask for. Throughout the season, the Maple Leafs have been without captain Auston Matthews and star forward William Nylander due to injury, with Tavares having to step up during their absences. Tavares currently leads the Maple Leafs with 30 goals and is second on the team with 69 points, just three behind Nylander. This season will mark the eighth time he has surpassed 30 goals during his 17-year career. Tavares is signed through the 2028-29 season, and left money on the table from other teams, taking a team-friendly $4.3 million average annual value deal. Tavares, in the summer, wanted to remain a Maple Leaf throughout the rest of his career and will continue to be a key contributor moving forward.

The Toronto Maple Leafs showcased new prospects in their 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday. Artur Akhtyamov and Luke Haymes each made their NHL debuts and didn't disappoint despite a lopsided contest. Artur Akhtyamov allowed five goals on Thursday, which doesn’t look great at first glance, but he turned in a solid performance, stopping 39 of 44 shots. Much of the game was spent in the Maple Leafs’ zone, with the Islanders controlling play and clearly dictating the pace. Toronto did not provide much support for their rookie netminder, and it showed throughout the night. Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube spoke postgame about Akhtyamov’s performance on Thursday. "He was good. In the first period, he saw a lot of action. We knew, coming into the first period, that they were going to come hard, and they did. I thought he really stood his ground and held us in there. He had a good game, I thought, overall." Craig Berube impressed with Maple Leafs rookies' debuts Luke Haymes had a successful NHL debut for many. He looked engaged in the play and was one of the very few bright spots in the Maple Leafs latest contest. Haymes is a relentless forward who never gives up on the play. This has been something the Maple Leafs core has been missing for many seasons, which has been on full display this year. The Maple Leafs signed the 22-year-old out of Dartmouth College in the NCAA, and he has been a standout player for the Toronto Marlies. Craig Berube weighed in on Haymes' performance postgame. "He was good, too. He had an opportunity to score and hit the post. He got an assist. I was happy with his play tonight, too. He handled himself well." With just three games remaining on the Toronto Maple Leafs schedule, it may be time to give some prospects an opportunity at the NHL level. William Villeneuve stands out at the top of that list, as he’s already with the team but was passed over in the lineup for Troy Stecher. The final stretch of the season should be intriguing, as fans hope to see a few young players get a chance in games that otherwise feel meaningless.

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Artur Akhtyamov will make his NHL start on Thursday, against the New York Islanders, head coach Craig Berube confirms postgame on Wednesday. Akhtyamov will replace injured netminder Anthony Stolarz on the roster after he sustained a lower-body injury during the Maple Leafs 4-0 loss on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals. Joseph Woll took over the net just a few minutes into the game, before Stolarz was ruled out of the contest during the first intermission. With just four games remaining, it is looking as if the best foot forward is to leave him out of the lineup for the remainder of the season. Craig Berube gives update on Anthony Stolarz postgame, Wednesday Craig Berube spoke to the media postgame and was not able to speak on the status of their starting goalie. "As of now, it’s lower body. He’s out. I don’t know right now about the rest of the season. He’ll get some imaging done. It was tough. I feel for Joe Woll having to go in there, too, but obviously, Anthony couldn’t go. It’s unfortunate. He has been hurt a few times this year. We will see where he is at." Artur Akhtyamov confirmed starter on Thursday against the Islanders Berube also touched upon Akhtyamov's game and why he is getting the start against the Islanders. "We just want to see him. I really liked him right from camp. He backed up a couple of times this year. He has a great personality. He has played well down there, and he is a competitor. He really has fast reflexes and is competitive as hell. I like the kid a lot." Ahktyamnov made his NHL debut on December 13th against the Edmonton Oilers, entering the game in relief of Dennis Hildeby and making five saves. Ahktyamnov has had a solid season with the Toronto Marlies, posting a .903 save percentage and a 2.90 goals-against average. This play earned him a three-year contract extension with an average annual value of $900 thousand in March. Ahktyamnov was also named to the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic. This move late in the season confirms the direction the Maple Leafs want to take heading into the season, looking for young forwards who may be able to play roles with the NHL club in the future. If he performs to the same level we have seen with the Marlies, he may be able to play his way into a role with the Maple Leafs, similarly to Hildeby this season.