The Toronto Maple Leafs avenge their recent blockbuster trade with Columbus, beating the Blue Jackets 5-2 on Oct. 21, 2026. Kirill Marchenko scores the opener, but the Leafs explode in the second period: William Nylander, Auston Matthews (his 8th of the season) and a shorthanded goal by rookie Easton Cowan—who adds two assists to reach 10 points in 11 games—give Toronto a 4‑0 run. Columbus fights back, flashing a near‑goal before the first intermission, but Anthony Stolarz rebounds, stopping 35 of 37 shots. Morgan Rielly tallies three assists and Troy Stecher logs the most ice time among Leafs defensemen. Toronto heads home to face the Rangers Thursday.
Defenceman Jake McCabe exits Toronto’s Oct. 21 win over Columbus after a high‑stick from Kent Johnson forces him to the dressing room. McCabe, who logged six shifts and no points in 11 games, is ruled out for the remainder of the game; his regular partner Chris Tanev also sits week‑to‑week with an upper‑body issue. The Leafs, up 5‑1 entering the third, shuffle depth by promoting Marshall Rifai and extending Oliver Ekman‑Larsson and Troy Stecher’s minutes. Coach Jim Hiller is set to update reporters, and the lineup for Thursday’s home clash with the New York Rangers remains uncertain.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are off to an okay start in 2026-27. Toronto currently owns a record of 4-4-2 and are taking on the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. For captain Auston Matthews, this is a milestone contest. Matthews is skating in his 700th career game. So far this season, he has played extremely well. […]
The post Auston Matthews joins exclusive Maple Leafs club during Blue Jackets clash appeared first on ClutchPoints .
The Chicago Bulls will begin the 2026-27 season on Wednesday, October 21, on the road against the Toronto Raptors. Of all the storylines, Noa Essengue’s path forward isn’t getting the spotlight. However, the Bulls see real value in Essengue, as evidenced by exercising a team option on him and Matas Buzelis on Tuesday. OFFICIAL: We have exercised […]
The post Bulls’ Noa Essengue contract decision shows they’re not quitting on him appeared first on ClutchPoints .
The Pistons and Raptors share a similar identity and framework, but Kawhi Leonard’s proven leadership and playoff experience could give Toronto the edge.
Toronto has an intriguing pair of two-ways.
The post Bittle and Smith provide Raptors with formidable back-end depth first appeared on Raptors Republic .
The Raps bring back some of their youth
The post Raptors exercise team option for Collin Murray-Boyles, Ja’Kobe Walker first appeared on Raptors Republic .
The Raptors have secured another season for two of their young rotation players. Toronto exercised its 2027-28 team options on forward Collin Murray-Boyles and wing Ja’Kobe Walter, the team announced Tuesday, via Blake Murphy of Sportsnet. Murray-Boyles’ third-year option is worth approximately $6.97 million, while Walter’s fourth-year option comes in at $5.87 million. Both are […]
The post Raptors pick up options on Collin Murray-Boyles, Ja’Kobe Walter appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Adam Fantilli and teammate Mathieu Olivier openly trash ex‑colleague Kirill Marchenko as the Blue Jackets host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 20, 2026. Fantilli says he’s relieved to trade a player who “didn’t want to be here,” calling the departure upsetting but necessary. Olivier echoes the sentiment, “We don’t want guys who want to go elsewhere.” Marchenko, now with Toronto, boasts 10 points in 10 games and a recent hat‑trick, while former Jackets forward Matthew Knies starts strong for Columbus but has cooled off recently.
Sam Quinn cited the Raptors as the one team the Heat should avoid in the playoffs. The concerns should be mutual.
The Toronto Raptors exercised rookie‑scale team options on forward Collin Murray‑Boyles and wing Ja’Kobe Walter for the 2027‑28 season. Murray‑Boyles, the 9th overall pick in 2025, secures a $6.97 M third‑year deal and will face a $8.87 M fourth‑year decision by Nov. 1, 2027. Walter, the 19th pick in 2024, locks in a $5.87 M fourth‑year option and becomes eligible for a rookie extension next July. Both players posted solid rookie numbers—Murray‑Boyles averaged 8.5 points, 5 rebounds and made All‑Rookie second team, while Walter improved to 44.6% shooting and 40.9% from three—positioning them as key pieces alongside Kawhi Leonard in Toronto’s rising Eastern Conference squad.
Alijah Martin could add a new dimension to Toronto’s backcourt and provide some urgently needed scoring punch — something Jamal Shead hasn’t quite filled yet.
The Raptors are still trying to build something unique.
The post No pressure, no diamonds for Raptors defense first appeared on Raptors Republic .
Bulls The Bulls won’t have to convince Caleb Wilson to embrace the moment when he makes his NBA debut Wednesday against the Raptors. The No. 4 overall pick sounds plenty comfortable with what’s ahead. “I want to learn how to play better defense, and I want to really have fun. That’s pretty much it,” Wilson […]
The post NBA Notes: Bulls, Caleb Wilson, Hawks, Aaron Wiggins, Pistons appeared first on Hoops Wire .
Marchenko’s trade request was granted ahead of the 2026-27 season, as he was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Three weeks after the trade to Columbus, Matthew Knies discussed the shock of his trade from Toronto, settling into life in Columbus, and facing Auston Matthews and his former Maple Leafs teammates for the first time. The smile says a lot. Have you had this day circled? What are your feelings on the morning of […]
The post Matthew Knies reflects on his trade from the Maple Leafs: “I wish I could’ve experienced my time there a little bit longer” appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Not every Raptor will be untouchable. Here are four names to watch on the trade market.
The post Four Raptors who could be trade candidates ahead of the 2026-27 season first appeared on Raptors Republic .
It was a date that Matthew Knies and others had circled on the calendar. October 20, 2026. It’s the one and only trip to Columbus for the Toronto Maple Leafs…
For the first time this year, San Jose's Yaroslav Askarov allowed fewer than three goals in a game. That's considered a baby step for a 24-year-old who ranks outside the top-40 with a 3.67 GAA and a .865 save percentage — and it might silence talks that the Sharks need to trade for a goalie.
After ten games of the 2026-27 season, the Toronto Maple Leafs lead the NHL with a 96.9% penalty‑kill success rate (30‑of‑31) and sit fifth on the power‑play chart, thanks to new depth forwards like Nick Paul and Colton Sissons. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is performing 4.5 goals above expectation, while Auston Matthews tops the league in miles skated and has logged seven goals, 16 points. Jack Roslovic ranks second in high‑danger shots (16) and contributes three goals, six points. Defensive duo Oliver Ekman‑Larsen and Troy Stecher post a +1 goal differential and dominate possession when on the ice.
Vancouver Canucks place Aatu Räty on waivers and trade him to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Jacob Quillan and Brandon Buhr after he sees limited ice time in the 2026‑27 season. Former teammates Max Sasson and Linus Karlsson, who grew up with Räty from the AHL Calder Cup win in 2025 to their NHL debuts, share heartfelt reflections on losing a close friend. They recall sharing rides, countless off‑ice conversations, and memorable moments like their first game together, emphasizing how Räty’s departure feels personal despite the potential career boost.
Interestingly, all of them played for the Raps in the 2023-2024 season
The post Here are the notable former Raptors who got waived first appeared on Raptors Republic .
Stephen Curry is cleared for the Warriors’ season opener against the Lakers, but Golden State starts shorthanded as Brandin Podziemski (questionable, back soreness) and Charles Bassey (knee tendinitis) are day‑to‑day, with Kristaps Porzingis out sick and Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody still recovering. In New Orleans, Dejounte Murray expects to play after a toe injury, while the Sixers list Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons and Adem Bona as questionable for their opener. The Cavs’ Sam Merrill and Nae’Qwan Tomlin grapple with elbow and back issues, respectively, and the Nets have rookie Joshua Jefferson ready but Tyler Bilodeau sidelined with a shoulder injury. The Raptors are nearly fully healthy, with Alijah Martin cleared and Nate Bittle back in practice.
Auston Matthews and Gavin McKenna led the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Monday, earning some glowing praise from head coach Jim Hiller post-game. Matthews shook off a first-period turnover to record a goal and two assists, while McKenna notched the game-winning goal during a third-period power play….
In this edition of The Hockey News Morning Skate, Eric Cruikshank and Michael Traikos break down Matvei Michkov's two-goal effort in a win for the Philadelphia Flyers, Gavin McKenna's bounce-back effort in a win for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and more.