The Maple Leafs receive encouraging news as Craig Berube expects Anthony Stolarz to return to the Maple Leafs during their upcoming road trip. Stolarz has been out since November 11th with an upper-body injury. The Maple Leafs begin their four-game round trip on Sunday night as they face off against the red-hot Colorado Avalanche. It seems that Stolarz will be returning to game action soon, but the exact timeline has yet to be released. Early season struggles for Stolarz Berube mentioned, following the Maple Leafs' morning skate, that Stolarz has been coming along well. He also mentioned that he has been back on the ice over the past week, and he is close to returning to game action. Stolarz has had an up-and-down season with the Maple Leafs, as when he did play at the beginning of the season, his struggles were shown. In 13 contests, he has a .884 save percentage with a goals against average of 3.51. It will be interesting to see how the Maple Leafs treat Stolarz moving forward. Will they throw him into a ton of game action right away, or run a three-man tandem with Dennis Hildbey and Joseph Woll? Dennis Hildeby and Joseph Woll have been a solid tandem for the Maple Leafs as of late. Joseph Woll recorded his fourth career shutout on Saturday night in a 5-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Hildeby was solid on Thursday night in a 2-1 overtime win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Maple Leafs' goaltending duo have a save percentage of over .916, which is one of the best in the NHL. Stolarz will be an addition to the Maple Leafs tandem, however he will have to earn his way back in the lineup. The Leafs are in too close a playoff race to be giving Stolarz a chance; they need to ride the hot hands, which are Hildeby and Woll. Progression in the right direction The Maple Leafs head into a critical road trip where they will need to continue their hot streak. We will have to wait for a more formal update on Stolarz to have a set timeline for his return. Just having the New Jersey native rejoin the Maple Leafs is a big step in the right direction, and proof of really progression.

William Nylander looked as if he didn't miss a beat after returning from injury. Nylander missed the last six games with a lower-body injury. During his return, he led the Maple Leafs with a three-point performance in a dominating 5-0 win over the Canucks. Nylander was the driving force for the Maple Leafs on Saturday night. With Nylander's strong performance, he extends the Maple Leafs point streak to nine games. Offense runs through Nylander William Nylander has been the Maple Leafs' best forward for the majority of this season. Other than a slow December, Nylander has produced on a nightly basis, and tonight just reassured how important he is to the Maple Leafs' lineup. Nylander was involved early and remained a factor throughout the game, generating offence and creating chances whenever he had the puck. For a player coming off an absence, it was an encouraging sign to see him immediately produce at a high level. Nylander is the Maple Leafs leading scorer with 44 points in 34 games played. Many Leafs fans were skeptical about where Nylander would fit within the Leafs' lineup, as the team looked to have found a groove, but he was the driving force of the second line alongside John Tavares and Matias Maccelli. The trio combined for five points, including three goals. The offence went through Nylander during their dominating win. His ability to carry the puck through the neutral zone and create offence on his own makes him difficult to defend, especially when he’s confident. A key piece returning at the right time The Maple Leafs will look to rely on Nylander to carry a heavy load of the offence now that he is back in the lineup. Even though the Maple Leafs have been playing well as of late, they remain one point out of the final Wild Card spot. Nylander’s performance against the Canucks was a reminder of his value. When he’s available and confident, he’s one of Toronto’s most reliable offensive weapons. If this level of play continues, his return could provide a much-needed boost as the season moves forward.

Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs staff will need to act quickly if they want to bring in a serious defenceman. Dougie Hamilton will be on his way out to New Jersey in the near future. Hamilton and the Devils are not on good terms as of late, and Hamilton wants to be traded. On Saturday, he practiced on the fourth pairing and will be a healthy scratch against the Winnipeg Jets for their afternoon matchup on Sunday. Almost dealt this summer to the Sharks Hamilton was reportedly going to be traded to the San Jose Sharks in the summer, but Hamilton blocked that trade from going through. It has been a very tense dynamic in New Jersey as of late. Hamilton is not happy, and neither is the management staff. It doesn't help that the Devils have played some of the worst hockey in years. The Devils currently sit 13th in the Eastern Conference and are six points out of the final Wild Card spot. The Devils have a plethora of depth defenseman, so it seems they will put in the lineup over Hamilton for the time being. Need to make a push soon The Maple Leafs will have to act quickly; Hamilton has a trade list of 10 teams, while we do not know who is on the list, Hamilton is a Toronto native and could be open to returning home. If Hamilton is willing to move to Toronto, the Leafs will need to start working on a deal with Tom Fitzgerald. The Leafs could also see a price drop in Hamilton's value with this most recent news and his large contract if there is no retention on the Devils' side. Hamilton is a player who would improve their blueline. With Chris Tanev out of the lineup for the remainder of the season, the Leafs will need to find players to fill that gap. The Leafs d-core has been playing better as of late, but adding Hamilton to anyone's defensive group will see an improvement. This season, Hamilton has produced five goals and five assists in just under 22 minutes of ice time. These numbers can contribute to the dynamic of his situation, as this is not the Hamilton many fans are accustomed to seeing. Hamilton has been an effective offensive defenceman over the past six seasons with the Devils and Hurricanes. While Hamilton produces offence, he is not a liability on the defensive side of the puck; he can play crucial minutes and can play against other teams' top lines. Potential trade chips from the Maple Leafs A move to Toronto will not be easy, as Brad Treliving will need to be really creative and careful, as the Maple Leafs' assets are running low. They do not have a first-round pick until 2028, and can't afford to trade Ben Danford. The Leafs will likely need to give up roster players such as Max Domi, Matias Maccelli, Dakota Joshua, who is out long-term, or even superstar defenceman Morgan Rielly. Moving Rielly could be an option that works out in both players' favour, two players who have struggled this past season and changes in scenery could be what they need to revive their careers. Hamilton is in year five of his seven-year contract, so this trade would not only be for the present but for the future.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are heading into a difficult offseason with a long list of UFAs and RFAs to sort through, but Bobby McMann’s contract situation stands above the rest. McMann has quietly put together a strong season, earning trust throughout the lineup and becoming a reliable contributor at five-on-five. Bobby McMann's development McMann has shown this season that he can drive the play and generate offence. He has scored timely goals throughout the season and been a physical force within the top six. That versatility has made him a perfect fit under Craig Berube, but it has also significantly raised his market value. For a team already tight against the cap, McMann may have played himself into a price range the Leafs simply can’t afford. McMann's tenure with the Maple Leafs began in the 2020-21 season, during which he developed for two seasons before making the NHL roster. McMann has had great spurts with the Maple Leafs, but not at the rate we have seen this season. McMann scored 20 goals last season, but this season he could crack 30 goals for the first time in his career. At times this season, McMann has been the best Maple Leafs forward. During December, he scored the most goals of anyone on the team. McMann has become a player that many have loved and wonder where we would be without him. Found a home on the top line The Alberta native has found a home on the first line alongside Auston Matthews and Max Domi. The trio has found great chemistry and has seemingly revitalized Auston Matthews. McMann has seen such great success this season because he fits well into Craig Berube's system, and he is receiving elevated minutes. McMann is a fast, heavy player; he is never scared to get into the corners and battle for a missing puck, which is something you need on your top six. Berube and the Maple Leafs coaching staff trust McMann and want to see him on the ice in big minutes against other teams' top players. The Maple Leafs will need Bobby McMann now, and in the future, and it may have seemed as though McMann has priced himself out of Toronto, especially if he can reach 30 goals. We could see McMann ask for north of $3M per season, and that may not be something the Maple Leafs can afford at this point, including with the other contracts that they need to make decisions on. It will be very interesting to see how the Maple Leafs proceed, but it's undeniable that he is a very important piece to the puzzle.

The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Nick Moldenhauer 95th overall back in the 2022 NHL Draft. Throughout his time at the University of Michigan, the Maple Leafs have seen signs of development; he has never been a flashy forward, but rather a hard-working, detail-oriented player that every team wants on their roster. Moldenhauer has seen the most progression in his junior year at Michigan, and with his senior year coming next, we could see a lot more signs of development. A more complete collegiate player In Michigan's most recent game against Notre Dame, we saw a player who plays with speed, skill, and lots of hockey sense. He was consistently involved in the play, creating offence, winning battles, and showing the type of all-around game that the Leafs' development staff will be pleased to see. While he isn't the type of player to always show up on the scoresheet, he is a responsible two-way player with some scoring touch. This season at Michigan, Moldenhauer has produced four goals and 11 assists for 15 points. Offensive production Moldenhauer picked up a goal and an assist in their most recent game against Notre Dame, leading the way for the Wolverines. He was strong along the boards, supported the puck well in all three zones, and made smart decisions under pressure. He may not always be a standout player, but he is someone who does the little plays well, limits opposition scoring chances, keeps plays alive, and will help carry some of the offence. The Maple Leafs will look to continue to see strides in Moldenhauer's game. During their most recent win, he was looking to generate offence instead of just being a passenger; he was driving the net effectively and looking to make plays with his linemates, something the Leafs haven't seen from him yet. If Moldenhauer continues to develop, I could see him becoming an effective two-way bottom-six centre. He is someone that you want in your lineup and can play crucial minutes in a tight game. If last night's win against Notre Dame was any indication of the player Moldenhauer would become he has a bight future with the Maple Leafs.

Since the beginning of Auston Matthews' career, he has been known for one thing, and that is goal scoring. Ever since his debut in Ottawa, where he scored four goals, everyone knew he had a special scoring touch and would easily establish himself as one of the lethal scores in the NHL. Matthews did not disappoint, winning multiple Rocket Richard Trophies, a Hart Trophy, the Calder Memorial Trophy, multiple 60-goal seasons, and a new franchise record. Matthews has always had the scoring touch, but since Craig Berube took over the Maple Leafs bench, we have seen a new dynamic form in Matthews game. A far more complete player Under Craig Berube, Matthews has been asked to be a more complete player. Since day one of the Berube era, the Maple Leafs were forced to play a more balanced style of hockey, the kind that will win you playoff series. The Leafs have played a heavier and more defensive style of hockey. The Leafs were now winning tight, checking low-event hockey games. Many of the Maple Leafs players saw declines in offensive numbers, but as a result, the Leafs won their first Atlantic Division title in decades. There was a very clear change, stars like Matthews, Nylander, and Tavares were playing a different style of hockey, pounce on your opportunities but know when to defend and shut your opponents down. While Matthews has become a more complete player, many believe that he is not the player he used to be. Fans will refer to Matthews now as a "third-line checking forward." While this would be fine if the Maple Leafs were seeing success like they did last season, they have not. In the early stages of the season, the Leafs were playing some of the worst hockey we have seen in the Matthews era. Losing games and being well outside of a playoff spot. This narrative has switched quickly as the Maple Leafs are one of the hottest teams in the NHL as of late, and they can owe their successes to Auston Matthews. The scoring touch is coming back Over this past stretch of Maple Leafs hockey, Matthews has dominated. Over his past six games, Matthews has produced 11 points, including seven goals. Matthews has done all of this while playing a strong defensive game. The Leafs, as of late, have limited their opponents' chances while driving the play. This structure has taken time for Matthews to learn. After eight seasons of playing a different style of hockey, it is understandable for this to take some time. Now that Matthews has figured out how to balance defence and offence, we could see a far more well-rounded, dangerous Auston Matthews. What the Leafs need out of him moving forward The Maple Leafs don't need Matthews to score a million goals to win games. The Leafs need their former first overall pick to be more balanced and score at a high rate while being reliable defensively. They need Matthews to control the ice in all three zones, especially when the game matters most. This evolution suggests Matthews is trending toward exactly that. The goals will always be there. What’s being built now is something bigger. And if this version of Auston Matthews continues to grow, the best hockey of his career may still be ahead of him.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have gotten a number of key contributions from their depth this season. Bobby McMann, Nicholas Robertson, Easton Cowan, and Scott Laughton have all been spectacular for the Maple Leafs this season, but the one person nobody has been talking about is Nicolas Roy. Roy has played a crucial role for the Maple Leafs this season, playing critical minutes on the team's third line. A deal that changed the NHL The Maple Leafs acquired Nic Roy during the offseason last year in a trade that sent Roy to Toronto in exchange for Mitch Marner's rights. The Maple Leafs knew that their time with Marner was up, and the Golden Knights were the top team to get Marner in free agency. The Golden Knights had been talking to Marner when he was still a member of the Maple Leafs, and for Vegas to get away with this sent Roy the Maple Leafs way. How important Roy is to the Maple Leafs success Roy has had a strong campaign with the Maple Leafs; while he won't show up on the scoresheet, he provides a strong center with defensive structure and a bit of playmaking ability. The Quebec native has led the Maple Leafs' penalty kill to third best in the NHL, a far improvement from years past, and is very effective in the faceoff circle. Over this past stretch of Maple Leafs hockey, we have seen a third line thrive with Nic Roy, Easton Cowan, and Nick Robertson. This trio has generated offence and has played in all types of situations. The Maple Leafs went through a rough stretch with their newly acquired players, where it seemed like nobody was going to fit, except for Roy. He isn't a name that will stick out, but someone extremely important to their lineup. This season, Roy has tallied four goals and 13 assists in 40 games. He produces some depth scoring, but more importantly, structure. Since the first day of the season, Roy has gained the trust of the coaching staff, and the Maple Leafs are beyond happy with how he has played this season. Many people won't think of Roy at the end of games, but he always plays a crucial part in a team's success.

The Toronto Maple Leafs need to make quick decisions before it's too late. The Leafs have had a rocky season to date, but have begun to catch fire and show us why they won the Atlantic Division just one season ago. Brad Treliving doesn't want to throw in the white towel, despite being on the outside of the playoffs, and wants to bolster their roster to try and go on a deep playoff run. If the Maple Leafs want to improve their roster, they need to do so before it's too late. Leafs need to make quick decision Kiefer Sherwood is a player who looks to be on the move at some point this season. Many teams have expressed interest in the American winger. Sherwood is in the final year of his $3 Million Deal with an AAV of $ 1.5 Million. Sherwood has had a strong season with the Canucks, posting 17 goals and six assists for 23 points in 43 games. Sherwood is on pace for a career season, surpassing his career-high of 40 points last season. The Ohio native is looking to get a big pay raise, whether that would be where he gets traded to or where he chooses in free agency. The Kiefer Sherwood sweepstakes Lots of teams have shown interest to this point. He would be a good, cheap rental that every team can afford. What will persuade teams from pulling the trigger is the price the Canucks may ask. Every day a team doesn't make the move, they risk Sherwood's price skyrocketing. The New York Rangers are the latest team to join in the Sherwood sweepstakes. Sherwood has also been linked to the Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and Montreal Canadiens. The Maple Leafs need to pull the trigger, as he would fit perfectly within Craig Berube's system. He would fit on the Maple Leafs top six alongside Auston Matthews and Bobby McMann, or John Tavares and William Nylander. Sherwood can be the missing piece within their top six that they have desperately needed all season long. The Maple Leafs need to make a decision quickly, as time could be running out to make a splash.

The Toronto Maple Leafs came back late and defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in overtime. Scott Laughton scored a late tying goal against his former team to power the Maple Leafs to the win. Easton Cowan ripped one past Vladar in the overtime frame to win the game for the Maple Leafs. A late comeback win means a lot to a Maple Leafs team that is sitting just on the outside looking into the playoff race. A win like this not only keeps momentum, but it builds momentum. Stellar game all around The Maple Leafs have recorded points in their last eight games. The Maple Leafs stuck with it the entire night, when offence didn't come easily. Scott Laughton will be the standout player from tonight's game. He scored the game-tying goal and went 19-20 in the faceoff circle, including a few big wins in overtime. Dennis Hildeby had a strong night for the Maple Leafs as well, with a lot of big-time saves in the extra frame and late in the net. He has become a player that the coaching staff and players trust and want in the net. Easton Cowan and John Tavares had a great play in overtime to win the game. The extra frame was full of excitement and will go down as one of the best all season long. Hildeby stopped Trevor Zegras on a breakaway, Cowan was stopped on a breakaway, and there were multiple odd-man rushes. After a rush play from the Flyers and a great save from Morgan Rielly and Hildeby, Tavares and Cowan bolted up the ice for a two-on-one, and a nice pass from Tavares to Cowan ended the game. Building momentum moving forward The Maple Leafs played a complete game and didn't quit in what could have been a frustrating game for the Maple Leafs. The Leafs will look to build on this game as they host the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. The Maple Leafs have done a great job as of late, grinding for points while being without their top scorer, William Nylander.

The Toronto Maple Leafs had a busy offseason with the departure of a superstar and depth forwards. The Maple Leafs had a lot of decisions to make. They attempted to bring in a plethora of depth forwards; some have worked out, while others may not. However, the Maple Leafs made one mistake, and that was not re-signing a player who left for a divisional rival. The Maple Leafs did not re-sign Pontus Holmberg, which may end up costing them. When Brad Treliving did not sign Holmberg back, the Tampa Bay Lightning jumped on a perfect opportunity. While Holmberg will not wow you with his scoring ability, he is the type of player every team wants in their bottom six. He is a hard-working forward who is not scared to go into the dirty areas, uses his speed efectively and can play critical minutes on the penalty kill. When the Maple Leafs did not re-sign the Swedish forward, it came as a surprise, as he had developed into a reliable forward over the past four seasons. Last season, he had a career high of 19 points playing in 68 games. This season with the Lightning, he is looking to smash that number. In 35 games, he has notched 13 points. This offseason, Holmberg signed a $1.55M AAV deal with the Lightning, which will prove to be great value over the course of the next two seasons. Pontus Holmberg was recently selected to play at the 2026 Olympic Games for Team Sweden. Holmberg will be joining 10 other Lightning players in achieving this accomplishment. While that came as a surprise, it is a tribute to the type of player Holmberg is. It will be interesting to see how Holmberg plays while being in the spotlight. Holmberg has really excelled with a team that saw his value and is using him properly. The Maple Leafs had taken Holmberg in and out of the lineup rather than just giving him a proper chance to prove himself. Yes, the Maple Leafs had a lot of depth last season and would often rotate out players like Holmberg and Nick Robertson, but they should have given him more of a chance. It is undeniable that the Maple Leafs have missed Holmberg this season. He is the type of player that every team wants in their lineup, and unfortunately for the Maple Leafs, they let him slip right through their hands. Holmberg has thrived in Jon Cooper's system in Tampa, and it may come back to haunt the Maple Leafs down the road.