Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images Boston Bruins defenceman Charlie McAvoy has been suspended for six games after slashing Buffalo Sabres left winger Zach Benson in game six during the first round of the 2026 NHL Playoffs between the Sabres and Bruins. McAvoy Will Serve the Suspension During the 2026-27 Season As the Bruins have been eliminated from the postseason, McAvoy will serve his suspension at the start of the 2026–27 NHL regular season. The incident occurred late in the game, with the Sabres holding a commanding 4–1 lead en route to eliminating Boston. In the dying moments of the third period, as the puck was moving up the ice, Benson tripped McAvoy into the boards. While the play wasn’t ideal from Benson and a slew foot is considered one of the dirtiest plays in hockey, McAvoy lost his cool and responded by charging at him, raising his stick over his head in what appeared to be an attempt to injure. The sequence ultimately led to both teams converging in a heated scrum. The NHL Department of Player Safety Statement Regarding the Incident The NHL Department of Player Safety explained that the decision was influenced by the fact that both the game and the series were already decided at that point. “It is important to note that players are not excused from illegal acts just because of a prior foul by an opponent. It is also important to note that McAvoy travels some distance to purposefully track down an opponent and seek retribution by using his stick as a weapon,” the NHL DoPS said on Tuesday. For McAvoy, this has become his second suspension, and he has been fined once during the ninth season of his career. McAvoy played a massive role in getting the Bruins back to the postseason after finishing at the bottom of the Atlantic Division just one season ago. The Long Beach native produced 61 points in 69 games this season, being a factor on all ends of the ice with a plus-minus rating of +13. The Bruins will miss McAvoy to begin the 2026-27 campaign. McAvoy has not spoken publicly regarding the incident, and many will have to wait until next season to discuss the events that transpired.

Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images | James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to be a busy team this offseason, and with a new front office led by John Chayka and Mats Sundin, there will be no shortage of speculation surrounding the roster. With the Maple Leafs missing the postseason for the first time in a decade, many can expect major changes heading the organization’s way. One player who has been the subject of trade rumours is Matthew Knies. Heading into the trade deadline last season, Knies was being targeted by teams such as the Chicago Blackhawks and Montreal Canadiens, as former general manager Brad Treliving reportedly was listening to offers on the young forward. Knies should become a player in the Maple Leafs lineup that is untouchable, who will remain a key part of the Maple Leafs’ future, adding a mix of skill, physicality, and skating ability that is extremely difficult to come by. John Chayka Understands Matthew Knies ‘ Importance John Chayka appears to understand exactly what the Maple Leafs have in Knies. In a recent article by Luke Fox of Sportsnet, Chayka spoke about the importance Knies currently plays for the Maple Leafs, as well as in the future. “Knies is a really unique player. I think his blend of size and skating and skill is really, really hard to find. I’m not aware of what happened at the deadline or what previous regimes thought. I think Mats and I are going to go through and evaluate the roster and make some decisions.” John Chayka said to Luke Fox. Chris Johnston of TSN reported that several teams made pitches, with one team offering up six pieces in a possible Knies deal. “I had someone say to me who works for an NHL team, if we were trading right now, we’d give up more for Matthew Knies than for Auston Matthews,” said Johnston. John Chayka Has Done Evaluations on the Maple Leafs Since taking over as general manager, Chayka has understood the importance of evaluating which players fit into the organization’s long-term vision. Knies can play in the top six, contribute on the power play, win puck battles, and continue to develop into a cornerstone winger. For a team looking to get younger and more dynamic, Knies represents the kind of player they need more of. Unless another team is willing to send a package the Maple Leafs front office can’t say no to, then Maple Leafs fans will have the privilege of having Knies part of the organization for the long-term. Under Chayka and Sundin, he should be viewed as a foundational piece of the next era in Toronto.

Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images | David Kirouac-Imagn Images Toronto Maple Leafs 2024 first-round pick, Ben Danford, is set for a big summer ahead of himself, as he has his eyes set on making the NHL next season, following his game seven loss with the Hamilton Bulldogs in the Eastern Conference Finals. Danford had a solid season in the Ontario Hockey League, as he just jumped to the AHL with the Toronto Marlies for the remainder of their playoff run. Danford produced three goals and 17 assists over his 45 games, while also posting a plus-minus rating of minus-two, during his split with the Bulldogs and Generals. During the Bulldogs playoff run, Danford contributed one goal and two assists in 13 games. Back in December, Danord earned the honour to represent Team Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championships, where he played a key role on the backend, shutting down other countries' top players. In seven appearances with Canada, he recorded one assist. Canada went on to win a bronze medal during the tournament. Ben Danford speaks to Mark Masters regarding his future with the Maple Leafs Ben Danford spoke with TSN's Mark Masters ahead of his debut with the Marlies, discussing what his future holds and where he believes he can be playing next season. “Overall, I was happy with my year. I thought I got better defensively, which is something that I take a lot of pride in. When it comes to offence, maybe my numbers weren’t there, but at times I feel like I could get some more confidence. I need to have a big summer, going into pro next year, and just work on all aspects of my game." Danford said. The Maple Leafs blue line is lacking in all areas of the ice, and as they head towards a retool this summer, head coach Craig Berube and general manager John Chayka need to begin having conversations surrounding the 20-year-old. Many of the Maple Leafs' defensive core are getting up there in age, which can open the door to opportunity, as Danford learns from the veterans. “When I look at defence, obviously, it’s defending and shutting down other teams’ top line, but when it comes to my style of play, I take a lot of pride in breaking out pucks with that first pass. I thought I was pretty consistent throughout the year at being able to absorb contact, be able to scan and make plays with clean exits.” Massive summer ahead as Danford eyes the NHL “That’s going to come with a big summer. I feel like with my ability to skate, my ability to break out pucks, and my brain when it comes to good defensive play, I feel like I have that going for me. This summer’s going to be important for my development. Obviously, you’re going up against men when you go pro, and the NHL is just another level, so I got to put on weight, put on muscle, and get faster this summer.” Danford added. Danford believes he can get to the next level of his game; however, this summer will be massive towards his growth, while determining if he is truly ready for the next level. The right-handed defenceman is easily the Maple Leafs best prospect, and getting it right with him will be valuable towards the team's future.

Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images The Toronto Maple Leafs had their worst season in a decade during the 2025-26 season. Over the course of the beginning of the offseason, there has already been a lot of turnover in the Maple Leafs front office, with John Chayka and Mats Sundin taking over for Brad Treliving. Heading into the summer, the Maple Leafs have a lot of work to get back to the level of hockey fans are accustomed to seeing. In Chayka's second day as general manager, the Maple Leafs landed the first overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, scheduled for June 26th. Over the course of the past few days, Auston Matthews' future has been in jeopardy, as many are not sure if he will remain on the team for opening day in the 2026-27 season. John Chayka speaks on TSN's OverDrive John Chayka was a guest on TSN's show OverDrive, where former Maple Leaf Jeff O'Neil, Bryan Hayes, and Jamie McLennan asked the new general manager about where he sees the Maple Leafs going from here, Auston Matthews' situation with the Maple Leafs, and the opportunity of drafting first overall. Chayka opened speaking on Matthews' future and where the two parties currently stand. "I think Auston has invested his entire career, and what the next decade of his career looks like, I think it's important that he feels a connectivity, an alignment. He has a similar vision and passion that we do, and so we'll have those conversations and get together and share notes. And honestly, I want to be a good listener." "He's the captain, it's his room. He's been through the ups and downs of this market. Obviously, Mats has a unique perspective to share as well, and I'm sure there'll be some good back and forth in that regard. But I totally understand the perspective of you only have so many years as a player, and it goes by quick. And you want to make sure that you feel fully aligned and gauged in what's going on, and I have no problem having those conversations, sharing our thoughts, learning, seeing if there's a shared, common vision, and charting a path forward." Chayka added. Matthews has played a massive role in the Maple Leafs organization since being drafted in 2016. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to don the Maple Leaf. However, over the past two seasons, he hasn't been the player many have expected, taking a massive step backwards in his game. With the Matthews' still being in the prime of his career, it is understandable for him to be unsure of where the Maple Leafs are heading, and if that is a path he is willing to take. Chayka and Matthews are set to meet in Arizona over the coming days to understand where the future stands. John Chayka understands his reputation Chayka later discussed his reputation and his relationship with other general managers around the NHL, and how he feels it shouldn't affect who the Maple Leafs are able to make deals with. We made quite a few in Arizona as we were trying to move that team around and get it into a competitive position. I think the main theme is that whenever you're trying to make a deal or create a transaction, there's two sides to the equation, and you're trying to understand what they're trying to accomplish. You're trying to accomplish something for your club as well." Chayka said. "By no means am I looking to make friends or anything like that, I'm trying to do the best thing in the interest of the Toronto Maple Leafs, that's my loyalties, and that's where that lies. For Edward Rogers and Keith Pelley and the whole staff, that's my focus. But at the same time, I think in order to get transactions done consistently, you have to be honest and forthright and direct in your dealings. And like I said, historically I've been able to do that." Getting the opportunity to draft first overall Chayka then ended of the interview speaking on what it means to be given the honour of drafting first overall, and how that can impact the Maple Leafs organization moving forward. "The first overall pick is an organizational pick. It's an important one to get right, and we'll dig in, and I'll be a part of that process. But I would say, honestly, my part is a part of it. At the end of the day, though, it will be on my record, and I own that. But at the same time, that's why you have to have a good staff and empower them to do a good job." Chayka later added. The next few months should be interesting for the Maple Leafs as there seems to be a lot of turnover on the way. Maple Leafs fans should feel encouraged with the job Chayka has done just one week in. The next important step for Chayka and Mats Sundin is execution, on both their promises to Auston Matthews and the fan base.

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images The Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche have dominated the postseason in 2026. They each remain undefeated as we have hit the midpoint of the second round. Domination From the Very Beginning of the Playoffs The Hurricanes dominated the first round, destroying the Ottawa Senators from start to finish. For many who watched the games, it was clear the teams were far more uneven than the scores suggested. The Colorado Avalanche, on the other hand, played a much tighter series against the Los Angeles Kings before blowing them out in LA during game four, 5-1. The second round has seen much of the same for both teams. The Avalanche have proved this postseason that they can win any type of hockey game, including a 9-6 win over the Minnesota Wild in Game 1. Game two proved to be much of the same for the Avs as they took game two with a final score of 5-2. The Carolina Hurricanes have looked like the team to beat to begin the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They have jumped out to a 3-0 lead over the Philadelphia Flyers, and don’t seem to be looking back anytime soon. With the Canes’ win on Thursday, they became the 13th team to begin the NHL Playoffs with a 7-0 record. Eight of the first twelve teams went on to win the Stanley Cup. The Hurricanes are firing on all cylinders at the right time, netminder Frederik Andersen looks like he can’t be beat, their offense is scoring at will, while teams have a tough time getting past their blue line. The Hurricanes Jump into the Record Book The Avalanche have a chance to join the Hurricanes in the record book on Saturday. The Avalanche remain the favorites to win the Stanley Cup; however, the Hurricanes are making a case to be the favorites if the two meet in the Stanley Cup Finals. While their records so far are great, they will have to keep this up if they reach the Conference Finals, as the games will continue to get tougher.

Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Toronto Maple Leafs CEO Keith Pelley cost Brad Treliving his job with the Maple Leafs over the course of last season, and he simply can't make the same mistakes with John Chayka and Mats Sundin next season. According to The Athletic, Keith Pelley made an appearance in the Maple Leafs war room during last season's trade deadline. Pelley reportedly came into the room with trade return suggestions that were likely created by artificial intelligence. Heading into the trade deadline, Pelley was obviously concerned with the job former general manager Brad Treliving had done, and didn't feel he was the right person to lead the group moving forward. So instead of firing Treliving earlier, he decided to take matters into his own hands and run the trade deadline on his own. The use of AI in Keith Pelley's suggested trades Pelley attempted to help scouts find players and returns he thought were worthy of the deals they were making. Other NHL general managers found that Treliving was extremely difficult to work with, as they felt none of their trade discussions would get anywhere, likely due to the fact that Pelley was pushing for deals that were unrealistic and based on AI. Reports have suggested that Pelley remains hands-off with the Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC, and the Toronto Argos, but with the Maple Leafs, it tends to be a whole different story. For someone who doesn't have any experience in hockey, this seems like a terrible idea. Pelley needs to trust his management staff These kinds of actions caught the staff members off guard, as he came to the room with outlined trades the team should make. At some point, Pelley is going to need to trust his management group if he is not willing to hire a President of Hockey Operations. These kinds of maneuvers ultimately cost Brad Treliving his position as general manager. Do I believe Treliving is still the right person for the job, no; however, not having faith in the people you put in place is not a good feeling for anyone involved in the organization, including players. Moving forward, if Pelley wants the Maple Leafs to achieve any success, he needs to back off and let John Chayka and Mats Sundin do their jobs. No team in all of sports can be successful if this is the direction they want to take. Chayka and Sundin are placed in this position for a reason, just as Treliving was. If you want to be a part of the picture, then you need a different position within the organization and MLSE.

Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka is set to meet with head coach Craig Berube in the coming days, according to an NHL insider, Pierre LeBrun, on TSN's show OverDrive. What the Maple Leafs are planning to do with Craig Berube is yet to be determined, as the meeting in the coming days will likely touch upon where the two are at, and if Berube will remain as the Maple Leafs head coach next season. John Chayka likely to keep Craig Berube next season One line from Pierre LeBrun should stand out to Maple Leafs fans: "If I had to handicap it, I think John Chayka will be comfortable keeping Craig Berube as their head coach." This should concern Maple Leafs fans, as it looks like John Chayka will try to keep Berube behind the Leafs bench. The feeling around the Maple Leafs organization from management is that this past season was a blip and not a true representation of what this team truly is. If that is the case, Berube will remain as head coach, simply due to the fact that in his first season with the team, they won the Atlantic Division for the first time since 1999-2000, and when on there furthest playoff run in the Auston Matthews, going to the second round game seven. John Chayka has commented on his thoughts regarding Craig Berube since being with the Maple Leafs, and has already mentioned that he is willing to keep him behind the bench, answering a question during their initial press conference, "yes, of course." Chayka later added, "It's hard to find great coaches. He's a great coach. I was lucky enough to work with Rick Tocchet in Arizona. Obviously, there's a deep friendship there, and I think they share notes and ideas on things, so I'm not starting from zero, and I think Craig's a really, really good coach." It could be for the better to move on from Berube Many are not sure that keeping Berube could be in the best interest of the Maple Leafs at this point. Berube has a history of not playing younger talent and relying on their veterans to carry the majority of the load. Easton Cowan viewed this firsthand, as the coaching staff throughout the early and mid parts of the season opted for a more veteran lineup to get them through their hardships. With the Maple Leafs getting the first overall pick, and likely selecting Gavin McKenna, he may hinder from a coach like Berube if not given a fair opportunity to develop and be the player he is supposed to become. What is for certain is that if Berube and the Maple Leafs struggle out of the gates, he will be on the way out of Toronto. The Maple Leafs can't afford to keep waiting for this team to be what they are supposed to be; action will need to happen. There will be a much clearer picture of what the future holds for Berube following their meeting in the coming days.

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images The Toronto Maple Leafs are entering one of the most important off-seasons in franchise history. After missing the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade, newly hired general manager John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin understand the organization needs to take necessary steps forward to get back to what this team once was. While the conversations remain about Auston Matthews and the first overall pick, the Maple Leafs need to begin considering players they should target this summer, and one that sticks out is Patrick Kane. The Detroit Red Wings took a gamble in 2023 When the Detroit Red Wings signed Kane back in November of 2023, there were major concerns surrounding whether he could still be an elite NHL player following hip resurfacing surgery. Many were not sure whether the future Hall of Famer could play to the level we once saw in Chicago. Just a few seasons ago, that narrative had flipped. While he is not the player we saw with the Blackhawks, he continued to play a key role in the Red Wings' top-six, being one of their best forwards over this span. He remains one of the most skilled, intelligent players in the NHL and provides the Wings with the leadership needed to get to the next level. With the team not working out as many anticipated in Detroit, Kane may become available for teams to acquire this summer in free agency, and the Toronto Maple Leafs need to be ready to make a splash when called upon. For the Maple Leafs, Kane provides the type of skill that they have been missing. The offensive power the Maple Leafs missed during the 2025-26 season Toronto’s offence completely fell apart at different points throughout the 2025-26 season. Auston Matthews struggled mightily to generate offensive chances, and William Nylander was forced to carry too much of the offensive load. The team lacked a true playmaker to play in the top six alongside Auston Matthews to get him performing at the level he is capable of. Kane may not be the player he once was, but offensively, he still plays the game at an elite level. His vision and patience with the puck would immediately help Toronto’s power play and top six. If Patrick Kane becomes available on July 1st, there will be no secret that he will become a player many are vying for. If the Maple Leafs are serious about getting back into playoff contention, they need more than just internal improvement. They need proven players who can elevate the skill level of the roster. Patrick Kane may not be the superstar he once was, but he still can make a major impact for a team searching for offensive power.

Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images | Bob Frid-Imagn Images Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll will join Team USA for the 2026 IIHF World Hockey Championships. The USA announced their preliminary roster on Thursday, Woll will be alongside Devin Cooley and Drew Commesso to round out the netminders. Joseph Woll had a shaky season with the Maple Leafs in 2025-26, posting a .899 for a 15-6-7 record, appearing in 39 games. Woll also posted a career worst 3.34 goals against, but much of that can be accounted for by the Maple Leafs defensive struggles throughout the entirety of the regular season. Joseph Woll reflecting on a tough season in Toronto When Woll was asked about joining the USA at the World Championships, he was noncommittal as he wanted to focus on the Maple Leafs and reflect on what is seen as a down year for the 27-year-old. Woll can use the IIHF World Hockey Championships to help regain his top form, which the Maple Leafs are going to need if they want a chance of qualifying for the postseason in 2026-27. The Missouri native was undoubtedly the Maple Leafs' number one goalie, and he will look to continue that way as he has proven to be successful at the highest level. “I think it was a bit of up and down. I felt like I had some stretches where I was feeling good about my game, and some stretches where things weren’t necessarily going my way. At the end of the day, I felt, if I look at the season as a whole, I feel like maybe I’ve had some stuff left on the table." Woll said at the Maple Leafs ' end-of-season media availability. "I know what I’m capable of, what I’ve shown here before, and I don’t think I properly lived up to what I’m capable of." Woll later added. Joseph Woll joining other Maple Leafs at the World Championships Woll is set to join Maple Leafs teammates Morgan Rielly, John Tavares, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson for the tournament. Notable names that Team USA announced today include Matthew Tkachuk, Ryan Leonard, and Justin Faulk. Matthew Knies will not be joining the team, which will come as a shock to some. Woll does have some prior experience representing the USA, as he was part of the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship gold medal roster. The championships are set to begin on May 15th in Switzerland, where the USA will look to defend its title.

Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images The top three defencemen in the NHL from this past season were named on Thursday, for a chance at winning the historic Norris Trophy. Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres, and Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets all remain in the running for the award. Players Nominated for the Norris Trophy Dahlin is receiving his first Norris Trophy nomination, helping the Sabres end their 14-year playoff drought while winning the Atlantic Division. The Sabres captain notched a career high in production this season, recording 74 points—including 19 goals—in 77 games, while averaging more than 24 minutes of ice time. Despite a leave of absence in mid-November, Dahlin returned and dominated the NHL. Over the past several seasons, the Sabres have relied heavily on him, and his game reached another level this year. Dahlin was also nominated for the Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey on and off the ice. Makar, on the other hand, is nominated for the award for the sixth time in his career, having won the Norris three times over that span. He has established himself as the best defenceman of his generation, earning a nomination in every season of his NHL career except one. With this latest nod, Makar joins elite company alongside Bobby Orr with six straight nominations. The Calgary native produced 79 points, including 20 goals, to help the Avalanche win the Presidents’ Trophy. He has also been a force in the postseason, helping the Avs to six straight wins to begin their Stanley Cup run. Zach Werenski is the final nomination for the Norris Trophy, having been put in this position for the second consecutive season. Werenski carried the Blue Jackets throughout the second half of the season, nearly leading them to a playoff berth. Werenski led his time in points, as a defenceman, and finished second among all NHL defenders behind Evan Bouchard, with 81 goals, including 22 goals in 75 contests. The Michigan native completed all this, with the Jackets not having a forward within the top 50 of NHL scoring, with Kirill Marchenko finishing 57th. The Norris Trophy is voted on by members of the PHWA, with the NHL Awards being set for June 25th, in Las Vegas.