Despite the Toronto Maple Leafs' recent surge pre-Olympic break, it still seems as though they will remain sellers at this season's trade deadline. The Maple Leafs picked up six of a possible eight points during their most recent road trip, but this was not enough to steer general manager Brad Treliving in the other direction. According to Elliotte Friedman, the latest Maple Leafs-Oilers connection is shocking. Brandon Carlo is being linked to Oilers in latest trade rumours During 32 Thoughts The Podcast Friedman noted that the Oilers may inquire about the right-handed defenceman. "I'm curious to see how the Oilers react to Jarry saying that, and number two, I'm also curious to see how, like, if the fact that the goalie actually comes out and says it, is okay. It's not a coach saying this anymore; it's the goalie we just went out and got who said it. How does that resonate in their room? Do they get mad, or do they say, wait a sec, this isn't a coach, this is our peer. This is one of the guys we went out and got. It's interesting too because I heard some talk that they might be interested in a guy like Brandon Carlo." This came from when Tristan Jarry called out the Oilers for their lacklustre play on Saturday against the Minnesota Wild. They had given up multiple grade A chances, and the defence did not provide support ahead of him. "It's tough, I think the chances that we're giving up, some of the shots, they're tough. I think it's a lot of Grade As and a lot of breakdowns, so I think it's tough to think about your game at this point. I think it's a whole team game." Carlo might just be what With the Oilers desperately needing help on their defensive core, Brandon Carlo could be a player the Oilers target. With the Maple Leafs in the position they are, they could very well listen to trades that lean towards a retool. Carlo in Toronto hasn't worked out the way many expected it to, and it may be time to look towards the future and gain some assets coming back your way. The Oilers should be looking to bring in a defensive style of defenseman similar to Mattias Ekholm. Carlo plays a defensive style of hockey that fits their needs perfectly. Brandon Carlo has been linked to trade talks since last summer. The Maple Leafs reportedly attempted to trade Carlo to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for JJ Peterka, before he was dealt to the Utah Mammoth. The Leafs then moved to a Carlo-for-Bowen Byram-type deal. Carlo, this season has shown signs of progression, but hasn't been the stable force we have been accustomed to in Boston. The Maple Leafs could likely get a return close to what they had paid for him during last season's trade deadline, but it will be interesting to see what develops moving forward.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were dealt some unfortunate injury news as Morgan Rielly was forced to miss their last two contest before the Olympic break with an upper-body injury. The cause of the injury was not confirmed, Craig Berube deemed the injury lingering and did not release a timetable. Following the Maple Leafs Tuesday night 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers, Craig Berube mentioned that the break will be good for players to get some rest, but also give them a chance to be ready to go straight away. "There are a lot of banged-up guys, like there is with all the teams; it will be good for Knies and Morgan, and among other guys." This could imply, and I could predict, that Rielly will be back to full health post-break. Morgan Rielly's season in a nutshell Rielly has had an underwhelming season to say the least. He has received criticism for his defensive play and for simply not being the player he once was. Rielly's numbers have proven this. Through 54 games, he has totalled a -17, which will be one of his worst since arriving in the NHL. His offensive production has been solid, but it does not make up for his liability on the defensive side of the puck. Many expected Rielly to have a bounce-back season after a rough season last year, but this hasn't been the case. Rielly has tended to bring down others around him. Brandon Carlo has had a shaky Maple Leafs career due to his partnership with Rielly. During Tuesday night's game, when Carlo was alongside Jake McCabe, he was solid. There are two defenceman that a play a similar style that will complement one another. The break will certainly be nice for the Maple Leafs to get healthy, especially Morgan Rielly. The Leafs will need Rielly moving forward to be a force on all ends of the ice, as they sit six points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wildcard spot. If Rielly can get healthy and play the way many know he can, the Leafs will be in good shape as this season is nearing an end.

The Olympic break is upon us, which means that the NHL roster freeze took place on February 4th at 3:00 pm. The Toronto Maple Leafs expectedly stayed quiet and didn't make a singular move that would impact the team moving forward. Toronto's attention will now shift towards the NHL trade deadline that is set to take place on March 6th. The Maple Leafs were not expected to make a deal by Wednesday, despite rumours picking up regarding Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and many others. Teams will be able to make roster moves and trades on February 22nd. This leaves teams with two weeks before the trade deadline to make any necessary deals and determine the route they will take. Looking at where the Maple Leafs sit, it is hard to see what direction they take. This recent stretch of hockey shows the Leafs want a chance at the playoffs, but do they have enough to get there? Where the Maple Leafs currently sit The Toronto Maple Leafs do not have enough to be a true Stanley Cup contender. They have often been outplayed, and if it wasn't for Auston Matthews and William Nylander, it would be tough to see where this team sits. At this point, they are too far ahead to tank, but also too far from the playoffs to make a giant splash. Artemi Panarin was the most recent domino to fall, as he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday afternoon. With Panarin off the board, the Maple Leafs will have to be creative when it comes to acquiring assets to make their team better. Brad Treliving will also have the option to become a seller to retool the lineup for next season. The Leafs still have a chance to qualify for the postseason, but with what we have seen throughout the season, it would be hard to imagine them putting up a fight. They have been one of the worst defensive teams all season, and without good goaltending, they are unlikely to win. The Maple Leafs will certainly listen to calls regarding their UFA's, but with the team currently on a three-game win streak and five points out of the final wild card, it would be hard to imagine the Leafs making any moves without a great package coming their way.

Since William Nylander's return from injury, the Maple Leafs have played much stronger and better brand hockey. The Leafs have won their last three straight games, as Nylander has made a huge impact in each contest. Over the past three games, Nylander has tallied four points, including one goal against the Calgary Flames. Nylander has been very noticeable and has carried the play and been the driving force for the Leafs offence on a nightly basis. How Nylander affects the Maple Leafs game Nylander has affected all ends of the ice, even if he hasn't been noticeable in all three. When Nylander is on the ice, the Maple Leafs spend less time in their own zone. This is due to Nylander having the ability to carry the puck into the offensive zone while being able to generate offensive pressure, which leads to more time away from their net. When Nylander was absent, the Leafs had a hard time scoring, and instead of having someone driving the play, they had the play come to them, which would allow their opponents to dictate the style of hockey that night. The Leafs' past three games have given up a combined six goals, which is much lower than the rate we were seeing without Nylander. With Nylander back in the lineup, it allows Craig Berube to mix and spread out the lineup. The Leafs top-nine with Nylander is far more dangerous than without him. Each line has a threat that will scare their opponents, making them harder to play against. Knies is now able to add some depth scoring alongside Nicholas Robertson on the third line, and the second line is now able to be an offensive force with more star power up front. Matias Maccelli and William Nylander have been able to build chemistry, which has carried the Leafs offence over this most recent stretch. The top line with Auston Matthews will always grab the attention of other teams; teams will now have to look beyond that line, which could create mismatches that lead to more offence and zone time. Moving forward for the Nylander and the Leafs William Nylander has played a critical role since returning from injury. If the Maple Leafs want any chance of qualifying for the playoffs, they will need Nylander to play his best hockey for the remainder of the season. Nylander and the Maple Leafs are heading towards the Olympic break, where we will see three Leafs players in action, including Nylander for Team Sweden.

The Toronto Maple Leafs head into Edmonton for a crucial game ahead of the Olympic break. The Maple Leafs were riding the momentum into Oil Country, having won their past two contests. Every game coming down the stretch is equally important if the Leafs want to get back within a playoff spot. The urgency was evident on both sides, with each team battling for critical points. The Maple Leafs head into the Olympic break riding a three-game win streak with a 5-2 win on Tuesday night. This late push from the Maple Leafs felt different; they finally felt engaged and had the desire to win. During their 5-2 win, they showed fight with little to no backing down. The Leafs showed signs of the team that won the Atlantic Division just one season ago. This was also a huge win for Anthony Stolarz, who earned his first win since mid-November. This is a game that the Maple Leafs can look back on and build momentum post-Olympic break. The Leafs need to earn points any chance they can and battle night in and night out, which was displayed on Tuesday night. The Leafs are still well outside of a playoff spot; however, if they can string together a few more victories, they may be able to overcome the problem they put themselves in. Conservative start on both sides The first period was a lot of back-and-forth hockey, with both teams playing low-event hockey, not trying to be the first team to make a mistake. For the getgo it was clear it would be a hard-fought game, with high-action hockey on both ends. Anthony Stolarz got the start for the Maple Leafs, which left fans feeling nervous as he hasn't played well all season long, especially since returning from his injury. However, tonight seemed to be different. Stolarz was strong from the start, making a lot of key saves to keep the Leafs in the game early. The Maple Leafs had a good team period to begin the game; they matched the pace of the Oilers and pushed the pace at times throughout the period. The second period saw a lot of the same as the first. The play then started to open up as Matias Maccelli opened the scoring to give the Maple Leafs a 1-0 lead. This lead did not last as long as the Maple Leafs hoped for, as Jake Walman ripped one past Anthony Stolarz to tie the game at 1's. The Leafs then got the response they needed. Matthew Knies got the lead back nine seconds later, on what was a weird scenario. Connor Ingram had a bad giveaway, which led to a great pass to Nicolas Roy, and a great move from Knies to put the puck in the back of the net. The rest of the second period was tight checking with big saves on either end, to keep it a 2-1 lead in favour of the Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs kicking it into gear as urgency arises Heading into the third period, the Maple Leafs were expecting a push from the Edmonton Oilers, which happened. Just a few minutes into the third, Kasperi Kapanen put one past Stolarz to tie the game at 2. Following the goal, the Maple Leafs had the chance to pounce on the Oilers as they earned a five-on-three for nearly two minutes, luckily the Leafs took advantage of this opportunity. During the early stages of the five-on-three, John Tavares tipped one past Connor Ingram from a great feed from John Tavares. After this goal, the Maple Leafs needed to keep the momentum going, looking to add to their lead, which they did. Just 30 seconds later, Matias Maccelli ripped one past Ingram from a cross-ice feed from Max Domi. The Maple Leafs suddenly gained a two-goal lead with just over half the period remaining. Anthony Stolarz held off the push from the Oilers, who were desperately trying to get back in the game. Stolarz was able to hold the game to a two-goal lead, with a 10 bell save on Leon Draisaitl. Bobby McMann later iced the game, shooting it into the empty cage. This game carried a playoff-like atmosphere, with both teams pushing to head into the Olympic break with momentum they could build off. Both teams played well the entirety of the game, but the Maple Leafs were able to pull away and earn a much-needed two points. The Leafs won't be in action until the end of February when they faceoff against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Leafs will now sit five points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wild card spot. The break will serve as a much-needed reset for the team, as the Maple Leafs will need to play their best hockey of the season over the final month and a half if they want a chance to qualify for the postseason.

Craig Berube and the Toronto Maple Leafs are not in a position where they envisioned heading into this season. The Leafs sit at the bottom of the Atlantic Division and are eight points back of the final wild card spot. Craig Berube will need to change his coaching ways and figure out new ways to win, as their original plan has very clearly not worked. Players no longer responding to Berube Berube's message seems to gone in one ear and out the other. Years two to four are known as the hardest time to coach a team, because players hear the same repetitive message and don't feel a reason to listen to them anymore. This is why there are so many coach turnarounds, because teams play worse when they stop listening to their coaches and believe they know the system when they don't. This happens all around the NHL. This occurred with Jim Montgomery and the Boston Bruins recently. A few years after having the best record in NHL history, Montgomery was fired. The Bruins players weren't able to play the way Montgomery wanted, and stopped listening to the coaches, which led to the firing. Berube needs to be able to find a new way to deliver his message. The way Berube coaches works and it's proven. He's a Stanley Cup Champion with the St. Louis Blues, and led the Maple Leafs to their first divisional title in over two decades. The difference from this year to last is how the players understand his message. Last year, the Leafs got solid goaltending throughout the year, which helped, but there was a much bigger emphasis on the details and how to play the right way. Those mental mistakes show up way more consistently and have cost the Leafs the majority of the season. The Maple Leafs lineup faults When looking at the Maple Leafs lineup, they have a ton of skilled goal scorers that may not necessarily fit within Berube's mould. Because of this, Berube will need to change his ways and look for new ways to win. He needs to find ways to work around these players and find them serviceable roles within their lineup. As of right now, players such as Easton Cowan, Max Domi, Matias Maccelli, and Nicholas Robertson are not able to differentiate themselves, which makes it easier for opponents to game plan. If each player can play a role that is different from the others, it could make things a lot harder and help them win games. If they can learn how to play on all sides of the puck, while keeping their offensive touch, the Maple Leafs will see far greater improvements within their lineup, without the need to go out and buy. Craig Berube will need to get creative moving forward, as they are running out of time to get back in the playoff race. The Leafs schedule post-Olympic break to the trade deadline will prove to be crucial, and it will be time for Craig Berube to show his worth and desire to get the Leafs back into a playoff spot and avoid a disastrous season.

Despite the Maple Leafs recent fall in the standings, the chance that everyone on the Maple Leafs will become available is not true. Even though they are transitioning to becoming sellers and plan on beginning a retool, there will still be a handful of players who will remain with the Maple Leafs heading into next season. These players will be untouchable for several reasons, either because of their value, contracts, or role within the team. The Maple Leafs building blocks Auston Matthews is the first obvious choice, as a player who will remain untouchable. Just over this past week, the Maple Leafs and Matthews have fully committed to each other, and will not come up in trade talks moving forward. Matthews has become the face of the franchise since the beginning of his career. He is the leader of the team and has been one of the best players this franchise has ever seen. The Scottsdale native is signed with the Maple Leafs through 2028 and remains one of the best goal scorers in the NHL. There is no scenario before the 2028 season where the Maple Leafs consider moving on from their captain. Everything that happens is still built around Auston Matthews. William Nylander is another player who will not be available come the trade deadline. He firmly remains with Auston Matthews as one of the building blocks of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Nylander has become the driving force of the offence this season and has consistently elevated his game in high-pressure moments. With Nylander's long-term deal in place until 2031-32, it would be highly unlikely the Maple Leafs would entertain any movement with the Swedish forward. Nylander will play a big role in the Leafs lineup, and is a player they say is part of the solution rather than the problem. Matthews and Nylander will be untouchable players for a long time, even past this campaign if things don't go the right way. The depth pieces that they will build around Matthew Knies is another player the Leafs will not want to move on from. Reportedly, last season, the Maple Leafs almost traded him in exchange for Mikko Rantanen, but Brad Treliving was not comfortable making the move. Knies, this past summer, signed a seven-year extension, furthering their commitment long-term. Knies has gotten better each season he has been in the NHL. While his numbers have improved this season, he has been dealing with a lingering lower-body injury that has limited him to some extent this season. Knies is one of the few players who are able to play both a fast, strong, physical type of game, while having a scoring touch. At his age and value to the Maple Leafs, he represents the type of player they want to build around, rather than gaining assets for his services. Joseph Woll has emerged as the starting netminder in Toronto. Woll has developed with the Maple Leafs into a star goaltender. Despite injuries and inconsistency around him, the Leafs still view Woll as a long-term solution in net. Woll is on a cheap contract for the next two seasons following this one, leaving him as the clear option in net moving forward. If Stolarz continues his recent play, he can very well be on the way out of Toronto, moving towards the deadline. Woll fills a crucial gap in the Maple Leafs lineup and will do that for many years to come. Beyond this list of names, the Maple Leafs will be answering phone calls about everyone, moving more towards the future. Becoming a seller is the best thing for the Maple Leafs right now, and they will need to gain draft capital and good young assets moving forward. The Leafs may not want to call it a full rebuild, but the reality is clear: only a small core is truly safe.

The Chicago Blackhawks have the chance to acquire a superstar from Vancouver to finally take the shot at improving their roster. Recent reports from Frank Seravalli have Elias Pettersson on the trading block, as he has not lived up to his contract. Pettersson has six years remaining at $11.6 million per season. This could prove to be huge for the Blackhawks if able to acquire the Swedish forward. A risk, they should be willing to take Taking on Pettersson is a massive chance that the Blackhawks should be willing to take. Although the past few seasons have not gone the way many expected, a change of scenery could be what Pettersson needs. He is a proven forward who has faced a ton of pressure and backlash. If put in the right situation, we could see Pettersson become the player he once was. This is a trade that makes sense on both sides. With the Canucks entering a rebuild, it may be time to move on from their once-was superstar. The Blackhawks are nearing the end of their rebuild and are looking for a few more missing pieces. If the Hawks were able to bring in Pettersson, I could see him slotted on the wing next to Connor Bedard or alongside Frank Nazar. Both are young players with a ton of speed and skill, which could be complemented by Pettersson. In Bedard's early career with the Blackhawks, the management staff has been unable to find someone to elevate his game. He is often the driving force of the line, with little to no help around him. The good and the bad with Pettersson The downside of acquiring Pettersson is his recent play and the question of whether a change of scenery and players is enough to turn things around. He obviously has a lot of skill and talent that can propel any team, but his price tag can seem overwhelming. He is nowhere near the player he once was, who earned him that contract. But there is a glimmer of hope that Pettersson can rediscover his game, and if he can do so in Chicago, that would be a massive step forward toward contending for the playoffs. As the Pettersson rumours continue to progress, it will be interesting to see if the Blackhawks emerge as a top contender to acquire the Swedish native.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a disappointing season to say the least, and with where they sit in the Atlantic Division, it may be time transition into sellers and retool for next season. NHL insiders James Mirtle and Chris Johnston of The Athletic report that the Maple Leafs could potentially acquire a first-round pick for Bobby McMann. Bobby McMann has put together a strong season with the Maple Leafs, emerging as a reliable forward who can contribute in all situations and slot in anywhere in the lineup. He is on pace to achieve the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career, which shows his versatility in all areas of the ice. What makes McMann especially valuable for teams contending for a Stanley Cup is his affordable, expiring contract. The Alberta native carries a cap hit of just $1.35 million. That price point makes him easily affordable, and as interest grows, it strengthens Toronto’s position. The more teams that enter the mix, the more leverage the Maple Leafs will have to demand a premium return for McMann. The reasoning behind Bobby McMann's price The reasoning behind McMann’s rising price as the trade deadline approaches is simple. The trade market is shaping up to be weak, with fewer players becoming available. A lot of teams are sitting around four or five points of a wild card or divisional spot; this will make fewer teams willing to sell and instead will opt to give their teams a chance to make the playoffs coming down the stretch. This will work in the Maple Leafs’ favour. As Toronto’s playoff odds continue to fade, the Leafs must agree on looking to retool rather than win. The Maple Leafs priority should be to gain assets while acquiring younger players alongside draft picks. Bobby McMann could be the first domino to fall, especially with the price the insiders have predicted. Bobby McMann will get a lot of interest from other teams as the Leafs look to begin selling. McMann has been a very good player for the Maple Leafs and has developed into a player who can contribute, but it may be time for the Maple Leafs to go in a different direction and find new players who can help the Leafs reach the next level they very clearly have been missing

The Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 shootout win over the Vancouver Canucks snapped a six-game losing streak, the longest it has been since 2019. The Maple Leafs remain well outside a playoff spot, but from the sounds of it, they are not giving up and will look to remain in the hunt coming down the stretch. Recent reports show the Leafs will become sellers ahead of the March 6 trade deadline. But if the Leafs can string together some wins, it may prove to be a difficult decision for the Leafs management staff. Auston Matthews postgame Auston Matthews said following the Leafs' win, “I could have said that a couple games ago, but obviously, this one feels good.” The Leafs' captain felt the team performed well in Seattle but was unable to get the win. “We played well in Seattle, and it didn't come out our way, but I thought it was good that we just stuck with it.” Auston Matthews is committed to staying with the Maple Leafs long-term and very clearly wants to win here and be a part of the solution rather than the problem. Matthews mindset switch is clear within this quote. I feel that you can get a feeling that the team heading into this game felt down on themselves and weren't sure how they can get out of this mess. When Matthews touches upon this game feeling good, it gets the players to switch their mindsets back into the good rather than the bad. Over this past stretch, where the Maple Leafs didn't play their best, all they were thinking about was how to fix their mistakes, which led them to play more slowly and cautiously. This win should make the team play more freely and attack the other teams instead of sitting back and holding on. Craig Berube's thoughts Craig Berube added post-game “It’s a good feeling in there right now after losing six in a row.” “It's tough, but they worked their way out of it tonight... They weren't going to be denied.” This quote alone shows that the team wants to win, and dig themselves out of this hole. There were many times throughout the Canucks game, where it seemed as the Leafs simply don't have it anymore and it's time to move on from this era, but the players and coaches don't want that, they want to do anything in their power to win. Berube has been hard on the Maple Leafs all season and has not been shy about this. He has constantly called out star players, the leadership team, and goalies to be better. He expects a high standard of hockey because of the talent and potential this team has shown. Berube, during the intermission, must have had a different approach which changed the way the Leafs play the game. This changed their mindset and the way they attacked the Canucks to come back and take the game in a shootout. Leading to the quote, they weren't going to be denied. They found a way to win and switch the way they thought about the game. Joseph Woll on the Leafs mindset “I think from here on out, we need every game pretty badly," Woll said . "So it's going to be a playoff mindset... I think we really showed it”. This was a quote said by Joseph Woll following the game. Woll was excellent during Saturday night's contest. He stopped 39 of 41 shots, which gave the Leafs the best opportunity for them to win. The Leafs moving forward need to provide more support past Woll, however Saturday night's win is a game where they can build off of this and gain some momentum moving down the stretch. The Maple Leafs need to take it one day at a time moving forward; they can't get ahead of themselves, or else they will slip even further. As Woll said, they have to be in playoff survival mode, or else they won't be able to swim with the sharks. This game could either mark the day the Leafs begin playing good hockey, or it could be the end of a wasted era.