It was the 2015 NHL Draft, and the Toronto Maple Leafs had the fourth overall pick. The first three picks were Connor McDavid to Edmonton, Jack Eichel to Buffalo, and Dylan Strome to Arizona. Mark Hunter had narrowed down the pick to Noah Hanifin, Ivan Provorov, and Mitch Marner. The Leafs ended up choosing Marner. The Marner selection would be a pick that many fans will remember forever, in both good and bad ways. Marner's time in Toronto was filled with mixed emotions. He brought a lot of good to the Leafs on the ice; he produced a 100-point season, brought a lot of highlight reel plays, but also brought a ton of disappointing moments, and some of the decisions made along the way will end up haunting the Maple Leafs for a very long time. Marner had a lot of generational talent, the kind that makes you a fan favourite. He was high skilled winger who could do anything with the puck at any moment. The early stages of Marner's career After Mitch Marner was drafted, they sent him back down to the London Knights of the OHL for the 2015-16 season. The Knights were loaded that season with stars like Christian Dvorak and Matthew Tkachuk. Mitch Marner continued his development and was looking to become a true NHL superstar. Looking back at this now, this proved to be the last time the Maple Leafs and Marner truly had a good relationship. Marner later made his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs on October 12th, 2016, alongside Auston Matthews and William Nylander. This trio was going to be the face of the Maple Leafs; they were destined to bring the Stanley Cup back home to Toronto. Marner later scored his first career goal against the Boston Bruins during the Maple Leafs' home opener. Marner's first NHL campaign went well, to say the least; he produced 61 points in 77 games. The Maple Leafs later punched a ticket to the playoffs for the first time since their monumental breakthrough in Game 7 of 2013 against the Boston Bruins. The Leafs and Marner put up a good fight against the Washington Capitals, but ultimately lost. The future was looking bright for Marner and the rest of the Maple Leafs core. Controversy with Mike Babcock The controversy with Marner had already begun during his first season. Mike Babcock had Marner list the hardest-working players on the team from first to last. While that is not acceptable by any standards for a coach to make their players do this. Why did Babcock do this? Could there be more backstory that was never released or ever talked about? That is something we will never know. Expectations in Toronto had shifted during 2018-19 from growth to results. With John Tavares added to the core, anything short of a deeper run felt like a disappointment. Toronto put itself in position again, building a 3–2 series lead over Boston with home ice advantage during Game 6. Instead, the Leafs failed under pressure, allowing the Bruins back into the series and suffering a blowout Game 7 loss. Two straight postseason exits to the same opponent reinforced the concern that talent alone wasn’t enough and that this group still hadn’t learned how to win when it mattered most. Marner making it hard on the Maple Leafs This is where things began to take a turn for the worse for Mitch Marner's situation in Toronto. When Marner's entry-level contract ended, Marner's agent, Darren Ferris, demanded top dollar and felt that he deserved the same treatment as Auston Matthews. While yes, Marner led the team in scoring, Matthews provides more value to the Leafs organization than Mitch Marner. Marner's contract came with a lot of stress and difficulty on both sides. Marner threatened to leave and go play in Switzerland unless a contract was reached. Instead of trying to find ways to get a deal done, he was planning on leaving and finding other places to play. Heading into Marner's next season, he was under a lot of pressure to perform and lead the way for the Leafs offensively. The Maple Leafs truly struggled this season, and if it wasn't for Covid-19 there was a great chance the Leafs could have missed the playoffs. The bubble was the worst Maple Leafs playoff loss to date. The Columbus Blue Jackets dominated the entire series and won in a deciding Game 5. In five games, Marner did not score a goal. For a player who threatened to travel to the other side of the world earlier this season, this was straight up disappointing. Disappointing playoff success This would continue for many years down the road. Since the 2019-20 playoffs, Marner scored a total of eight goals. He was never able to take control of a game and be a true x-factor when it mattered. Maple Leafs fans had the right to be upset with Marner. He was always great in the regular season, but it seemed he could never find ways to score and be effective in the playoffs. During last season's playoff run, there is a viral clip of Marner screaming at teammates to "wake up," while Marner did not have a drop of sweat. This clip was Marner's tenure in a nutshell. Never able to accept responsibility and was never able to take over games when the Leafs needed it most. During his last season with the Maple Leafs, Marner was already thinking of his next team and where he could see himself. He admitted to speaking with players at the Four Nations, as well as Ryan Reaves and Max Pacioretty, about playing in Vegas and helping him look for properties in certain areas. The Maple Leafs attempted to move Marner in exchange for Mikko Rantanen, which ultimately got shut down due to Marner's no-movement clause. Marner restricted the Maple Leafs from making any moves, handcuffing them and doing whatever he best feels fit. How will it be during his return? Leafs fans should not be happy to see Marner, and need to side more on booing him. Marner did what was best for him, not the Maple Leafs. Many should celebrate the fact that he is gone, and not for what he did for the Leafs organization. This past era was one of the most disappointing in sports history, and it can be attributed to Marner. I feel fans will be split on either booing and cheering, and fans that truly care about the Leafs will boo Marner.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have qualified for the postseason for the last nine seasons. This season may tell a different story as the Leafs currently sit three points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wild-card spot. NHL insider Nick Kypreos, during the Real Kyper & Bourne show , questioned whether captain Auston Matthews would stay with the Maple Leafs when his contract ends. Matthews is in the second year of his four-year deal that runs through 2028. This should worry Maple Leafs fans, as without Auston Matthews in the future, the Maple Leafs will more than likely have to begin a rebuild, something Leafs fans haven't seen in nearly a decade. Making the playoffs over the next few seasons will be a deciding factor for Matthews. Matthews is in the heart of his career, and does not want to waste his prime sitting on a non-playoff-contending roster. Although the Maple Leafs have qualified for each of the last nine seasons, they don't have anything to show for it. The furthest they have made it was during the 2024-25 campaign, as they lost to the eventual Stanley Cup winners, the Florida Panthers, in the second round, lasting seven games. If Matthews leaves, where would he be traded to? Nick Kypreos mentioned that a potential fit, if Matthews decides to leave, is the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings will need a first-line centre when Anze Kopitar retires and has a similar cup window as the Maple Leafs. If the Leafs decide to move on from Matthews, he will be able to choose his next destination. He has a full no-movement clause until the expiration of his contract. The Leafs will likely want to move Matthews to the West Coast, as they then won't meet in the playoffs or play each other often. The Leafs' clock is ticking Auston Matthews' prime is beginning to slip away. The Maple Leafs have a time window to take a shot at the Stanley Cup if they want a chance to win with Matthews. They have achieved little to no playoff success in his time with the Maple Leafs, which could lead to Matthews wanting a new change of scenery. Many fans should be worried about the fact that it is even being considered. The Leafs will need to start taking chances and find ways to support Matthews to get this team over the edge. While I do believe that if the Leafs make the playoffs this season or go on a deep run over the next two seasons, these conversations will be shut down right away. Matthews is a generational talent who has been loyal to the Maple Leafs since the beginning of his career. He has been the only player to consistently find ways to put the team first, which is why he is the leader. Mitch Marner and William Nylander have and did not do this in their time in Toronto. Nylander sat out until the very last minute at the end of his entry-level contract, while Marner threatened to play out in Switzerland if a deal hadn't been reached. Matthews means a lot to the Maple Leafs organization, and I simply can't see him just moving on to another team any time soon.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have received great news on the injury front, as Anthony Stolarz has returned from injury and will get the start on Friday night versus the Vegas Golden Knights. This will mark the first time Stolarz has played since November 11th after leaving a game against the Boston Bruins with an upper-body injury. Stolarz returns to the Leafs lineup, following a conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies early this week, where he did not play in any games. Stolarz admitted to dealing with a nerve injury, which made his return to the lineup much longer than many expected. Stolarz's injury troubles Towards the end of last week, Stolarz mentioned he was close to returning, just needing a few more practices to get back into the swing of things. Before his injury, Stolarz had struggled, rocking a save percentage of .884 and a goals against of 3.51 with a record of 6-5-1 in 13 contests. Having Stolarz back between the pipes could be the boost the Maple Leafs need to get back in the playoff picture. Opportunity to take back over the net This is a huge opportunity for Stolarz to take back over as the number one netminder. Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby have been strong for the Leafs, but with Woll's recent struggles, it leaves a chance for Stolarz to take it back. If Stolarz is able to have a good string of games, it will not only help the Maple Leafs but it will also create internal competition that will push all three goalies to play their best hockey, as on any given night, one could lose their job. If Stolarz can play to the level we saw during last season, he will be in charge of the net for the remainder of the season. Moving forward for the Maple Leafs The Maple Leafs currently sit three points out of the final wild card spot, with 32 games remaining. It will be crucial that Stolarz remains healthy for the remainder of the season, which can be led to why it took so long for Stolarz to return to action following his nerve injury. Stolarz will look to steal the show tonight, as the Leafs host Mitch Marner for the first time since his departure to the Vegas Golden Knights this summer. Last season was Stolarz's true breakout campaign. He had a league-best .926 save percentage, and carried the Maple Leafs past the Ottawa Senators before going down with a concussion in the second-round against the Florida Panthers. It will be interesting to see what the Maple Leafs do moving forward, as they have three NHL-capable goalies moving forward.

The Chicago Blackhawks will keep Oliver Moore as a center over the next stretch of games. Moore has thrived in his new center role. With Frank Nazar and Andre Burakovsky back in the lineup, Moore will look to center the third line alongside Ryan Donato and Nick Lardis. Blashill comments on Moore's game Jeff Blashill has mentioned that Oliver Moore's game has improved since the change to center. Blashill mentioned, “Now, is it because of that, or is it because he’s gotten more comfortable? I can’t answer that. But I do know that he looks like a guy who potentially is better at center than at wing.” Bigger responsibility moving off the wing At center, Moore can take on more responsibility and play a bigger role in all three zones. Moore's speed allows him to pressure defenders, which has helped him gain awareness of when the right time to press is or when to dial it back and try to play a tighter style of hockey. Rather than playing at the wing, Moore can play more to his strengths, especially during transition, where he can use speed to control zone entries and gain more scoring chances. Moore has developed into one of the Blackhawks' top prospects and has a lot of potential to become a solid top-six forward in the coming years. In Moore's rookie campaign, he has produced five goals and nine assists in 37 games. Moore has had a time on ice of 13:06, which has reflected his play. Moore, as this season continues, will look to earn more ice time while playing in more situations. Moving forward, the focus remains on consistency and learning. But with each game at center, Oliver Moore is making a stronger case that this position may be where his NHL future truly lies.

The Toronto Maple Leafs' latest injury update has fans feeling uneasy as Oliver Ekman-Larsson was injured within the first few minutes of Wednesday night's overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Ekman-Larsson suffered a lower-body injury, and concern has escalated beyond the Leafs as Ekman-Larsson is set to represent Team Sweden at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan. Ekman-Larsson expected to miss time Ekman-Larsson is projected to miss some time, according to Chris Johnson of The Athletic. Team Sweden will have to begin searching for a replacement depending on the severity of the injury. Ekman-Larsson's timeline is still unclear. Craig Berube mentioned that he will know more regarding the injury tomorrow. Team Sweden is dealing with injuries at the worst time possible. William Nylander is another player who will remain out without a timeline, as well as Victor Hedman, Erik Karlsson, Gabe Landeskog, and Joel Eriksson Ek. They will have tough decisions to make if these players are not ready in time. For the Maple Leafs sake, they are hoping Nylander and OEL are ready to play and could return to the lineup as soon as possible. What the Maple Leafs need moving forward Ekman-Larsson has had an unexpected stellar season with the Maple Leafs. He currently sits fifth in team scoring, producing eight goals and 23 assists while honing a +8. The Swede will leave a massive hole in the Maple Leafs lineup, leaving Brad Treliving facing the question if it is time to acquire a player to fill the gaps as the Maple Leafs are in the most important time of their season, sitting just one point out of the final wild card spot. If Treliving decides to wait to pull the trigger on a defenceman, the Leafs will need some of their players to step up and play a larger role. Morgan Rielly is a player who stands above the rest. He has not had a great season with the Maple Leafs, and this seems like the perfect time to play some of the best hockey of his career. He will need to take care of the puck on both ends of the ice and play more reliable hockey in the defensive end.

As soon as it seems the injury bug has shied away from the Maple Leafs, it has seemed to get worse, as Brandon Carlo is the latest player to join the Maple Leafs injury list. During the Maple Leafs 2-1 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday, Carlo tweaked something, according to Chris Johnson of The Athletic. No timeline on Carlo The cause of the injury has yet to be confirmed, and there is no initial timeline on when we could see Carlo return to the Leafs' lineup. Until Craig Berube provides an update, many believe Carlo will be labelled as day-to-day. Carlo has dealt with injuries for the majority of the season, missing a long period of time after undergoing foot surgery back in December. Carlo's injury troubles this season began back in November. Massive hole on the Leafs' blue line Carlo has played a massive role in the Leafs' defence core as Chris Tanev has been out of the lineup for the majority of the season. This most recent injury development has left a massive hole in the Leafs' blueline. Carlo has been used as the Maple Leafs' shutdown defenceman, playing heavy minutes against other teams' best players. Carlo has also played well and has been effective on the Leafs' penalty kill, which has been very good as of late. Carlo was also tasked with trying to help find Morgan Rielly's game. Adding Carlo alongside Rielly gives him more defensive help and a chance to play a more offensive brand of hockey. If Carlo is required to miss time, we could see Dakota Mermis rejoin the Maple Leafs lineup along with Philippe Myers. This will make Leafs fans and management uneasy, as Myers has had a rocky season with the Leafs, while Mermis has not been in the lineup since his injury back in December versus the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Maple Leafs will continue their five-game homestand on Friday night when Mitch Marner returns to Toronto for the first time since leaving the organization this past summer. The Leafs will head into one of the most important stretches of the season without Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Brandon Carlo.

The New York Rangers have informed Artemi Panarin that they are not considering re-signing him past this season and will look for a trade before the March 6th trade deadline. This has sparked a major conversation within the NHL bout which team is going win the Panarin sweepstakes? Could the Blackhawks attempt to reunite Panarin in Chicago? Many believe they should, and here is why. Panarin's first tenure with the Blackhawks Panarin's first stint with the Blackhawks went better than many had expected. In his rookie season, Panarin nearly produced a point-per-game season, notching 77 points in 80 games. The "Breadman's" second season saw similar success, producing 74 points in a full 82-game season. Many Blackhawks fans saw Panarin as the next face of the franchise, becoming a building block on a stacked squad. This, however, did not last much longer, as he was later dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he played a pivotal role in their rebuild. Panarin then later left Columbus and signed a massive deal with the Rangers. After the previous seven seasons and little to no success during the past two seasons, the Rangers have decided to move on from their superstar forward. A reunion in Chicago can become more likely than many expect. While a trade at the deadline would seem unlikely at this point, the Blackhawks will have a chance to sign him in free agency. The only way Kyle Davidson makes this kind of deal is if the trade comes with an extension. The Blackhawks have the resources and cap space to make this deal a reality. The Blackhawks have the resources and cap space to make this deal a reality. Panarin would add some much-needed firepower to a young Blackhawk team. This would make them instantly a deeper, more competitive team. Chicago may not turn into a playoff team this season, as they currently sit in last place in the NHL with just under half of their season remaining. Heading into next season with the right moves can make them a team vying for a playoff spot. If Panarin signs with the Hawks long-term, he would help them reach the cap floor for next season as well. Adding talent, to a talented forward core Panarin would add some much-needed firepower to a young Blackhawk team. Connor Bedard would be a player who sees the biggest impact. Throughout the early part of his young career, Bedard has had little help and has still produced great numbers for a player his age. He was on pace for an over-100-point season, but a shoulder injury slowed down his production. Bedard with Panarin would become a far more dynamic player who could be recognized as a top-three player in the years to come. Panarin would add veteran leadership to a very young Blackhawks team. He would be able to mentor their young forwards, such as Oliver Moore, Nick Lardis, and Frank Nazar. What Panarin adds could help bring playoff hockey back in Chicago for years to come. It will be interesting to see the direction the Rangers may go as we get closer to the trade deadline. He would be the missing piece to a rebuilding Blackhawks team looking to take strides in their development.

The Toronto Maple Leafs need to bounce back following a brutal loss to the Minnesota Wild, 6-3, in Toronto. The Maple Leafs need to come together and find ways to better and build off of what was a previous successful road trip and put Monday's game in the past. Luckily for the Maple Leafs, they still only remain one point behind the Buffalo Sabres, as they lost a tight game with the Carolina Hurricanes for the final wild-card spot. The Maple Leafs need to find ways to bounce back as they are in a critical time in the schedule. The Maple Leafs were beat up and down the ice and had no jump from the beginning. The Wild got out to a hot start and never looked back. Heading into the second period, the Maple Leafs looked as if they still had some hope, only trailing by one goal after John Tavares scored a power-play goal. The second period saw the Wild strike twice in just over two minutes. The Wild continued to control the play for the rest of the period. The third period saw the Maple Leafs show a little bit of life, with them scoring two goals and pushing with the net empty. Marcus Foligno stole the show on Monday night in Toronto by capping off his hat trick with an empty net goal. Starting the game on time The Toronto Maple Leafs have played strong hockey as of late, collecting points in 12 of their last 14 games. The Leafs need to stick to Craig Berube's designed game plan and play full 60-minute games. The Maple Leafs have often fallen behind the 8-ball this season and would need to come back; while the Leafs have been able to do this, it is not a sustainable way to win, especially when you are attempting to get back in the playoff circle. The Leafs moving forward need to get off to better starts and try to take control of the game from the get-go instead of fighting their way back. Over the last stretch of Maple Leafs hockey, they have often gotten off to a rough start, often trailing games within the opening minutes of the contest. The Leafs need to learn how to be able to get offensive pressure from the beginning of the matchup and have their opponents on their heels. Craig Berube can do this by double-shifting the Matthews line for the first 5-10 minutes to build momentum and generate some early offence. Defence core needing to be better The Maple Leafs will also need their defensive core to be more connected. They have played better as of late after getting off to a slow start to begin the season; last night seemed to be the Leafs going back to their old ways. The Leafs often left Joseph Woll out to dry and gave him no support in their own zone. There were multiple times throughout the game that the Leafs just left the middle of the ice wide open and had terrible gap control, leaving open attacks for the Wild. If we could see the blueline transition into what we saw last season, then the Maple Leafs will have a good chance to make the playoffs and have a lot better, more competitive hockey games. The Maple Leafs' defence core has been very inconsistent this season. They started the season terribly, being the worst team in the NHL. They have recently improved, but the stats may tend to prove otherwise. The Leafs currently sit 31st in the defensive zone, spending 42.9% in their own zone. They also have a goals against average of 3.33, which is towards the bottom of the NHL. This is a huge drop-off from last season, when they had a goals against average of 2.99. This stat alone covers the Maple Leafs' struggles from this season to last. They need to be able to spend more time in their opponents' zone and play more structured hockey so that they aren't giving up north of 3 goals every game. A big reason for the Maple Leafs' defensive struggles is injuries. Chris Tanev, who has missed nearly the entire season, plays a crucial role on the blueline. Missing Brandon Carlo and Jake McCabe at times this season has led to some defensive liabilities, but as they start to get back to full health, we need to see more consistent efforts. These are all minor mistakes that the Maple Leafs have been making all season long, but if they can get back to their ways and find some more consistency, then they will be just fine. The Maple Leafs will continue their homestand with a matchup against the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are among the teams looking to bring back their former star, Nazem Kadri, according to Darren Dreger. A reunion with their former first-round-pick could be what the Leafs need to push them over the edge. Reports on the Kadri trade Darren Dreger also mentioned during Tuesday's edition of That's Hockey that the Flames are listening to offers on Kadri but are in no rush to move him. The initial teams that have seemed interested are the Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings, and possibly the Dallas Stars. Dreger also noted that he has spoken with Kadri's camp about a potential trade. For the Maple Leafs, adding a player of the likes of Kadri could be huge to save this season. Kadri could slide in perfectly as the Leafs' second-line centre to replace an aging John Tavares alongside Matthew Knies and Matias Maccelli. He fits in Craig Berube's mould; he is tough to play against, plays direct, is a physical player, and adds some scoring touch to the top-six. With the Flames this season, Kadri has produced 34 points, including nine goals in 49 games played. He isn't the type of player who will score you 80+ points; however, he is a versatile centre who can play in all areas of the ice. Maple Leafs miss out on players already this season The Maple Leafs have missed out on players already this season, and can't afford to make the same mistake. During the beginning stages of the season, they weren't able to complete a trade for Mason Marchment, followed by Yegor Chinakov, and most recently, Rasmus Andersson and Kiefer Sherwood. This deal may be hard for the Maple Leafs to pull off, but one that they need to try and complete. Kadri currently has three years left on his $49 million deal with an aav of $7 million. The Maple Leafs will not be able to make this trade unless they have Dakota Joshua, Matias Maccelli, or Max Domi going the other way. The Maple Leafs will also need the Flames to retain some of their cap space, as they will likely want to make a few deals closer to the trade deadline as well. There is no saying on what the Flames are currently asking for, as it seems both Kadri and general manager Craig Conroy are in no rush to make this trade happen. With the Flames currently sitting towards the bottom of the Western Conference, and the Leafs trying to make a splash to get back into the playoff race we could see a deal happen between the two teams in the near future.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be in a situation that many NHL teams will never face. The Maple Leafs have too many goalies. With Anthony Stolarz returning to action soon, the Leafs will have three netminders on the NHL roster. Dennis Hildeby should be the one to move to the Toronto Marlies, but the chances of Hildeby sliding past waivers are slim to none. The question then arises: What do the Maple Leafs do about their goaltending situation? Anthony Stolarz is a name that has circulated trade rumours as of late. According to Nick Kypreos, Stolarz has been added to his most recent trade board and is someone whom he believes the Maple Leafs may seriously consider moving. These trade rumours come with great reason, as Hideby and Joseph Woll have been playing strong hockey this season, and before Stolarz's injury, he struggled mightily. In 13 contests, Stolarz has won six games, a save percentage of .884 and a goals against of 3.51. A significant drop-off from last season's success. The Maple Leafs may be able to get a good return for Stolarz as the netminder market is very slim. Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes are a team that is seeking a capable goaltender. Although the Hurricanes currently lead the Metro Division, it is not because of their goaltending. Pyotr Kochetkov is done for the remainder of the season, Frederik Andersen is having an off year, but the slow regression after a hot start from Brandon Bussi is leaving the Hurricanes unsure. Stolarz could be the perfect fit down in Raleigh. He can help push the Hurricanes over the edge and provide some much-needed insurance in the crease. The Hurricanes currently have the cap space and assets to acquire Stolarz. The Maple Leafs could attempt to acquire a right-handed defenceman such as Sean Walker or Jalen Chatfield. With Chris Tanev likely out for the rest of the season, the Maple Leafs will need defensive depth on the right side. Eric Tulsky and the Hurricanes will remain a team in the mix if Stolarz becomes available on the trade market. New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils could be a team in the mix for Stolarz. While the Devils do not have the cap space currently, a good package heading the Maple Leafs' way will open up the space both teams need. Jacob Markstrom has been having a down year with his save percentage falling under .890. While the Devils have been having a terrible season, to say the least, acquiring a netminder could be the key to their problems. Jake Allen is no longer a starting goalie and won't be able to take over the reins anytime soon. With Stolarz being from New Jersey, this could entice Stolarz to want to be on the move. The Maple Leafs could target a right-handed defenceman as a return. Dougie Hamilton is a name that will be on the move relatively soon. Hamilton has expressed his interest to general manager Tom Fitzgerald, his desire to be moved, while the Devils are shopping him out of town. Hamilton hasn't had the best season with the Devils, but it could be summed up to his situation in New Jersey. The reason for the Maple Leafs to bite on this kind of deal would be the same as the reason for the Hurricanes: the Leafs will need a right-handed defenceman, and Hamilton can provide offence from the backend. Philadelphia Flyers The Flyers are the final team that could be firmly in on Stolarz. Dan Vladar has had a strong season with the Flyers this season, but has recently been placed on injury reserve. The Flyers remain in the playoff hunt, only sitting three points out of the final wild card spot. If the Flyers are serious about making the postseason this year, they will need to acquire a netminder in Vladar's absence. Sam Ersson has looked like an AHL starter at best this season and won't be able to carry the load in the starting goalie's absence. The Flyers are also a team that is very familiar with Stolarz, as they drafted him in the second round in 2012. Stolarz also spent his first two seasons in the NHL with the Flyers. The Maple Leafs could have a few players that they could target to bring back in return. Right-handed defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen could be a potential return as he has surfaced in trade rumours as of late. Ristolainen can provide depth on the right side and be on a shutdown pair that is capable of playing heavy minutes five on five and on the penalty kill. Bobby Brink is another player the Maple Leafs could target. Brink would fit well in the Maple Leafs middle-six as he is a guy who fits Craig Berube's mould. He is fast, physical, and a hard-working forward. Following this season, Brink is set to become an RFA, so the Maple Leafs would still have his rights and would be able to bring him back for next season. Unclear future for Stolarz It is unclear what the Maple Leafs will do with their current goaltending situation moving forward. Brad Treliving has found a trading piece and could use Stolarz to improve their roster. Hildeby has played his way onto the Maple Leafs lineup and deserves to stay as a tandem with Joseph Woll. Each of these teams has the cap space and the assets to make a deal with the Maple Leafs. It will all come down to whether the Leafs are willing to part ways with their starting goalie.