The US dominated Team Latvia 5-1 in the opening game of their Olympic run. For Team USA, it has seemed that anything short of an Olympic gold will be a failure, and for good reason. This is the best lineup they have seen in their history. Hockey in America has grown significantly and is finally at the stage to dominate on the Olympic stage. We have seen it most recently in the World Juniors, winning gold at three of the previous six tournaments. This will spark the question is Auston Matthews is ready to and the right choice to lead Team USA. The correct decision for Team USA? When looking at the USA lineup, Matthews is the perfect choice to wear the "C." Matthews has become the face of USA hockey since he was drafted into the NHL. Matthews is currently second among active American hockey players in both goals and points. What comes with being named captain is pressure. Matthews has faced a lot of criticism at times with the Maple Leafs, as Craig Berube and the media have called out their leadership group numerous times. Calming presence in first game against Latvia In the USA's opening game, Matthews looked calm, cool, and collected. Matthews led the team from the beginning and added a goal in the third period to put the game out of reach. If Matthews can continue this streak and play solid hockey for the remainder of the tournament, the USA will be in good shape heading into the gold medal game. Matthews' career has been shaped by his big moment failures. Too many times, when the Maple Leafs have a chance to move on in the playoffs or tie a game late in the third, Matthews is nowhere to be seen. The Olympics have provided him with a chance to change those narratives and build confidence heading back to Toronto. Overall, Matthews is the right choice to lead your team, but there are concerns with his past for sure. If he is able to have a good Olympics, we could see Matthews reach new heights as a leader and a player in the NHL with the Maple Leafs needing a strong finish coming down the stretch.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Maple Leafs have featured a lot of players who could be on the way out, as they are in desperate need of a shakeup. With the playoffs seemingly drifting further and further away, the Leafs will transition into sellers for the first time in a decade. With a very small group becoming untouchable, it leaves the rest of the team available for trade. One player the Leafs can't move on from, despite recent rumours about Simon Benoit. Reliability from the backend Simon Benoit has had a good tenure with the Maple Leafs. He has become a reliable defenceman who can play heavy minutes whenever needed. Toronto signed Benoit to a three-year extension in March 2024, carrying a $1.35 million cap hit through the 2026-27 season. This contract does not come along often, and with multiple years remaining, teams will need these players to contend for a Stanley Cup, which will be the goal heading into next season. The Maple Leafs will be tight against the cap, so moving out a cost-controlled defender with term doesn’t make much sense if they want to maintain flexibility. At this point in time, Benoit will not be able to get you a large return worth taking. This alone should provide enough for the Maple Leafs to keep his rights, and at the very least, ride out his contract. Lots of injuries come up throughout the season, and having cheap, reliable depth players is essential. Benoit's value with the Maple Leafs Benoit’s role on Toronto’s defence core has become more important than many realize. His point totals won't jump out at you, but he can play a physical brand of hockey, which fits within the Craig Berube mould, contributes to penalty killing, and brings size that is difficult to replace throughout the season. We saw this best during the 2024-25 playoffs as he was able to log long, hard minutes, playing just under 19 minutes per night. Moving on from Benoit would create another gap in an already thin defence group. Simon Benoit has appeared on trade boards because he’s had a big role, as well as general managers and analysts, who look for potential players who could be on the move. But in reality, the Maple Leafs are unlikely to move him before the deadline. His contract, role, depth, and value on the market all should point to him staying in Toronto.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have tough decisions to make ahead of the March 6th trade deadline. There has been major noise regarding Morgan Rielly and his future with the Maple Leafs. Brad Treliving has begun to face pressure to consider moves that at one point were unthinkable. It is reported that the Sharks have shown interest in the Maple Leafs star defenceman. Michael Amadio of Sportsnet has recently reported the Sharks' interest. Amadio believes that the Sharks can be a suitable team to acquire his rights, as they have the cap space and are part of the rebuild, where they need proven NHL players to lead the way. Rielly has spent his entire 13-year career with the Maple Leafs, but the past two seasons have led many to believe it is time for a change. Sharks general manager Mike Grier will have to work closely with Treliving to make this deal worthwhile on both ends. If Treliving expresses a willingness to move on from their star defenceman, it could open the door to many other teams. Where the Maple Leafs and Rielly sit Toronto began to show some life before the Olympic break. They won their last three games on the road and have looked like the team we have been waiting for all season. While the Leafs have tightened the gap to six points, it may not be enough for Brad Treliving to switch their plans to become sellers. What stood out with these wins was Morgan Rielly's injury. The Leafs veteran defenceman suffered an upper-body injury that seemed to be lingering, according to Craig Berube. Rielly's injury does not have a set timeline, but there is a strong chance he will be back after the break. Rielly is the longest tenured Maple Leaf, and it would not be easy to move on from him. He is a vital person in the locker room and provides leadership that fits within their culture. Rielly is signed through 2030 with a $7.5 million cap hit and carries a full no-movement clause until 2028. Any trade would require his thoughts, and there is no sign that he would be willing to waive. Morgan Rielly’s future in blue and white may be coming to an end. As the deadline approaches, it will be interesting to see what the future holds.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Leafs are going to be sellers for the first time in a decade. With their playoff odds slipping and uncertainty surrounding their post-Olympic stretch, general manager Brad Treliving may be forced to consider moving players who can return value instead of holding onto them. Different Leafs players have been able to boost their trade value, not only by their play but through contracts, production, and a potential fit that could attract contenders. Bobby McMann: Cheap, effective, and valuable Bobby McMann holds the highest trade value of any Leafs player who would be on the move at the trade deadline. McMann signed a two-year, $1.35M AAV contract that expires after this season. That low cap hit makes him extremely appealing to contenders looking for depth scoring without taking on a long-term big salary. The Alberta native has been able to produce all season long, no matter where he was slotted throughout the lineup. Toronto has been hit with injuries and has been wildly inconsistent this season, which has provided McMann the opportunity on the first line alongside Auston Matthews. Recent reports have signalled the Leafs could command assets, like a first-round pick, for him if they decide to trade him. McMann is a player many teams will inquire about, and if the Maple Leafs can get a deal they are satisfied with, we could easily see them making this trade as his value continues to rise. Matias Maccelli: Rising his value Matias Maccelli’s season has been uneven, but his recent play has upped his trade value within the market. Maccelli was acquired by the Leafs from Utah before the beginning of the season and carries a manageable $3.425 million cap hit with one year left on his deal before becoming a pending restricted free agent. While Maccelli struggled early and was even a healthy scratch for stretches, he’s started to show flashes of the offensive upside that made him a sought-after young forward. Recent games have seen him generate scoring chances and build chemistry with players like William Nylander and John Tavares, on the second line, which is the type of player teams will want for depth scoring at the deadline. The combination of talent and his manageable cap hit makes Maccelli appealing to teams looking for more than just a one-year rental. Nick Robertson: Someone the Leafs may explore Nick Robertson’s trade value is more up in the air than both McMann’s and Maccelli’s, but his play this season could have contenders inquiring about his availability. The 24-year-old avoided arbitration this summer by signing a one-year, $1.825 million deal with the Leafs, giving him a short-term deal that could attract contenders before the March 6th deadline. Nick Robertson's tenure in Toronto has been filled with mixed emotions. He has shown lots of potential and promise, but was never able to take the next step. Over the past few summers, there have been rumours involving Robertson requesting a trade, but nothing ever came to fruition. That being said, teams looking for a cheap, skilled forward who can jump into the middle-six may see value where Toronto hasn’t been able to fully unlock his game yet. Moving towards the future As the trade deadline sits right around the corner, it will be interesting to see who the Maple Leafs explore trading. Recent trade boards highlight multiple Leafs players, but these three have emerged among the rest that teams could look to acquire. With little to no assets, the Leafs could use this trade deadline to shift their focus to the future.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are heading towards retooling their roster for next season, as the first year without Mitch Marner has not gone the way many expected. Brad Treliving will need to get creative as the Maple Leafs do not have a lot of assets or cap space. Nick Kypreos reports on Darren Raddysh The Maple Leafs have four pending free agents, while Matias Maccelli and Nick Robertson are becoming restricted free agents. One player that the Maple Leafs could target is Darren Raddysh. NHL insider Nick Kypreos stated in the Toronto Star , “If there is a team that needs him more than Toronto, please let me know. He’s a right-handed shot with a bomb and would be a perfect upgrade for an ongoing issue on their power-play.” As Kypreos noted, the Maple Leafs could use Raddysh in a big way. With Chris Tanev out of the lineup and uncertainty on the right side, Raddysh could provide some much-needed help. Raddysh is also a Toronto native, which could help the Leafs management staff in persuading him to join the Leafs. This season, he has had the best season of his career, and it is not even close. In 49 games, he has registered 52 points, including 17 goals, which surpasses his point total of 37 from last season. Darren Raddysh potential new contract Raddysh has earned a huge raise, as he hasn't cracked an AAV of $1M in his five-year career. On the Real Kyper and Bourne podcast , they discussed a potential range for Raddysh, mentioning, “What’s he gonna cost?” Kypreos asked Justin Bourne. “He’s 29, so that helps you. I don’t know, $5M, $6M a year?” was Bourne’s response. “Ok. No problem. All day long,” said Kypreos. With the pending free agents coming off the books, this could very well be a contract the Maple Leafs could afford to pay. The Leafs will then need to discuss the possibility of moving Morgan Rielly, as they will need to make other moves to add to their forward core. The Maple Leafs should inquire about Darren Raddysh heading into the summer and the possibility of bringing him on board. Raddysh could make the Maple Leafs better in different categories, including the power play, which has struggled at times this season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have major decisions leading up to the March 6th trade deadline. Over the Olympic break, Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs management staff will think about their future and the route they want to take for the remainder of the season. The Maple Leafs should prioritize their players on expiring deals, as it would determine whether or not they are set for a retool or rebuild. Matias Maccelli is a player the Maple Leafs will need to think hard about. Maccelli is a pending restricted free agent and is set for a lower contract than the one he received. He has had two different types of seasons, and his most recent stretch is beginning to turn heads. Maccelli had a terrible start to the season, to say the least. Heading into November, Maccelli was a scratch for nine straight contests, becoming an instant trading block. A tale of two different seasons for Matias Maccelli In the second half of the season, Maccelli has turned into a completely different player. He has been able to build chemistry with William Nylander and John Tavares on the second line, instantly becoming the Maple Leafs most dangerous line. The Finnish forward has produced five points over his last seven games, including three goals over his past two games. If Nylander can stay healthy for the remainder of the season, this line will be the driving force for the Maple Leafs and can propel them back into a playoff spot. What the Maple Leafs need to do If the Maple Leafs are not willing to bring back and qualify an offer to Maccelli, they will need to trade his rights as soon as possible. Maccelli's value is the highest it will be with the Maple Leafs, which will work well with their retool. The Leafs do not have the assets for a successful retool, and Maccelli could be a beginning. Maccelli could be a valuable depth piece for a team looking to make a serious run at the Stanley Cup. His contract is manageable at $3.425M and would likely not cost more than a mid-round pick or a prospect. If the Leafs are looking to bring him back, it needs to be on a short-term contract. While Maccelli has played strongly as of late, he has not proven enough throughout the campaign to earn a larger deal. The trade deadline will be an interesting time for the Maple Leafs, as there will be a lot of hard decisions to be made. Maccelli's recent play and contract situation will make him stand above the rest.

The Olympic Games are well underway, with the hockey portion beginning on Wednesday. With the teams in the final stages of preparation, Team Sweden forward William Nylander was absent from their final practice as his status is now up in the air. Sam Hallam's injury update regarding Nylander William Nylander was injured leading up to the Olympic Games, but returned for the Maple Leafs final three games before travelling to Milan. Head Coach Sam Hallam spoke about Nylander's absence, mentioning, "It’s a maintenance thing.” “He’s done two full ice practices with us and felt after yesterday a bit sore after yesterday, so just give him an extra day. And then we’ll see for tomorrow if he’s ready to go. It’s going to be a pretty late decision." While Nylander has become a game-time decision in their opener against Team Italy, Hallam does not seem to be overly worried, saying “I’m not overly concerned at all. He’s been looking really sharp and good on the ice for two days.” “Felt that we give him today off. I mean, it’s short-term, but we’re still in the beginning of it and have bigger games coming up, so let’s keep our priorities and focus there.” Nylander's value to Team Sweden William Nylander will play a critical role in Team Sweden's chances of winning gold. If Nylander is not able to play in their first contest, we will see either Pontus Holmberg or Marcus Johansson in the lineup. When healthy for the Maple Leafs this season, Nylander has been strong, tallying 18 goals and 34 assists in 40 games. Since Nylander has been in the NHL, he has registered the second-most points among Swedish players with 664 points in 725 games. For Team Sweden to reach the podium, they will need Nylander at his best. Nylander adds a wealth of experience to Team Sweden. While this will be his first Olympics, he has represented Sweden on nine different occasions. The Maple Leafs star has the ability to lead the team and take over games when they need it most. If Nylander is not able to play against Italy, he will likely be in the lineup when they faceoff against Team Finland on Friday.

Auston Matthews has been named captain of Team USA's Olympic team. Matthews was captained during the 2025 Four Nations Face-Off. Matthew Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy will serve as the alternates. Bill Guerin released a statement regarding the choices, mentioning "Auston, Charlie and Matthew did a great job in leading our team a year ago at Four Nations, and it's great to have them back in those roles for the Olympics," U.S. "They all bring different leadership traits to the table, and I know all three are excited, as is our whole team, about representing our country as part of Team USA." Bill Geruin's reasoning to stick with Auston Matthews While Team USA lost to Canada last season, Bill Guerin reinforced his decision to stick with the team he feels can win the Olympics. Team USA, despite losing the gold medal, played well, as Jordan Binnington stole the show in overtime. The three leaders bring different styles of hockey and have shaped USA Hockey over the years. Auston Matthews has also reflected on this opportunity . "It's crazy to think about now we're here, and you get this opportunity, and it's just very special." "You're always extremely honoured to represent your country and wear the Team USA jersey, but obviously it means that much more when you're doing it at a setting like the Olympics." Auston Matthews USA experiences Auston Matthews is second among active American goal scorers with 427, while Patrick Kane sits with 500, 73 ahead of Matthews. Matthews understands what it takes to lead a team, especially with the pressure high. Being captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs is not an easy task, which can be compared to Team USA. Matthews is familiar with the IIHF stage as he has represented the red, white, and blue on six different occasions. The Americans will continue their preparation, as they are set to begin the preliminary round on Thursday. Time will tell if Matthews has the ability to spark some magic and take home Team USA's first gold medal since the 1980 Miracle on Ice.

Team USA and Auston Matthews have begun gearing up for the Olympics, with Men's hockey set to start on February 11th. Auston Matthews will look to lead the charge on the offensive side of the puck, as the USA looks to capture gold in Italy. During Team USA's practice on Sunday, Matthews featured on the top line alongside Jake Guentzel and Matt Boldy. Having Matthews in this position is no surprise. The Scottsdale native captained the Four Nations roster and was on the top line there as well. This is a line that will look to dominate, especially throughout the preliminary round. If they can build chemistry over the next stretch of practices, this could be Team USA's most dangerous line. Matthews can score at any moment in the game, while Matt Boldy plays a hard-checking, fast game with a scoring touch, and Jake Guentzel can generate offence and could be the playmaker for the trio. Auston Matthews's value to Team USA Team USA will need Matthews's leadership and talent to be the driving force behind the Americans. Matthews has had experience repping the red, white and blue. He played in the 2014 IIHF U18 Men's Championship, 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, 2015 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship, 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, 2016 IIHF Men's World Championship, and, most recently, the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. In 39 career games with Team USA, Matthews has registered 48 points. The Maple Leafs are hoping that if Matthews is able to play well at the Olympics, it will translate into the remaining stretch of the season. The Leafs sit six points outside the final wild card spot and will likely need to win around 20 games coming down the stretch. All hockey fans will have their eyes on the Olympic Games as this will mark the first time NHL players have been present since 2014.

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nick Moldenhauer has been on quiet the hot streak with the University of Michigan as of late. Moldenhauer has tallied three goals in their last two contests, including an overtime winner against Ohio State University. During last Saturday's overtime winner over Ohio State, Moldenhauer registered his first career NCAA multi-goal game. Moldenhauer also tied the game at 1 during Saturday's matchup against Michigan State, swinging the momentum in their direction. The Mississauga native has been a force with Michigan all season long and is beginning to develop into the player the Maple Leafs need. Nick Moldenhauer's development Moldenhauer is developing into a bottom-six, two-way center with scoring touch. Throughout this season, Moldenhauer has shown his ability to score, which is a big improvement from years prior. The Leafs prospect will have one more season in the NCAA before the Leafs have to make a decision. At this point, there is no question that the Leafs should slot him within the AHL and promote him to play with the NHL squad in the future. The Leafs have done a good job with their prospects in college, most recently Jacob Quillan. Quillan is looking to become a full-time player in the Leafs lineup next season, and has been the Marlies most consistent forward all season long. Maple Leafs depleted prospect pool For a team like the Maple Leafs, who have little to no prospects within its system, it is very important how they develop their talent. Every player within their organization matters, and the more players they are able to develop, the better moving forward. The Leafs do not have a first-round pick until 2028, unless they finish in the bottom five of the NHL, which seems highly unlikely at this point. It will only be a matter of time to see how Nick Moldenhauer progresses. He has been doing very well this season, and this could be an indication of how the next few seasons could go. The Leafs and Michigan are hoping that he continues to develop and will play a key role for both of their futures moving forward.