Maple Leafs Hotstove
Providing Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Marlies news, opinion and analysis since 2008, MLHS is one of the largest, most authoritative independent hockey sites online.
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Game Review: Maple Leafs let a dominant second period go to waste in another frustrating divisional loss
The Maple Leafs were plagued with many problems last season, but when it came to their results, their biggest issue was their inability to win within their division. They posted a winning record against two of the other three divisions and were .500 against the third. While it is early — and the Leafs’ overall […] The post Game Review: Maple Leafs let a dominant second period go to waste in another frustrating divisional loss appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Jim Hiller on the Leafs scoring twice for the third straight game in a loss to Ottawa: “I don’t love making excuses, but somebody said we had six or seven posts or crossbars”
After a 3-2 loss to the Senators, head coach Jim Hiller discussed the struggles on the late 6-on-5, the difficulty generating a push in the final minutes, and the Tavares line’s performance. What did you see as the difference tonight? Hiller: Well, I think we needed to finish some of the chances we had. We […] The post Jim Hiller on the Leafs scoring twice for the third straight game in a loss to Ottawa: “I don’t love making excuses, but somebody said we had six or seven posts or crossbars” ...
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators – Game #3 Projected Lines, Preview & TV Info
There is plenty to get up for as the Maple Leafs host the Senators on Saturday Night Hockey (7:00 p.m. EST, Sportsnet): It’s the first Saturday night at home of the 2026-27 season for a much-changed team still looking to break out offensively after four total goals in their first two games. Rivalry game, to […] The post Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators – Game #3 Projected Lines, Preview & TV Info appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Toronto Marlies battle early rust offensively, fall to opening night defeat in Rochester
The Toronto Marlies’ inability to convert offensively after dominating the opening frame ultimately cost them game one of the new season. The Marlies then took too many penalties in the second period, and the Rochester Americans built a decisive lead. First Period The Marlies drew three consecutive penalties inside the opening 12 minutes but didn’t […] The post Toronto Marlies battle early rust offensively, fall to opening night defeat in Rochester appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Daniel Alfredsson on interacting with Leafs fans in Toronto: “I thought I would be more incognito in the city, but some of them still remember my face… I love it… They’re great”
Ahead of Saturday’s game against the Senators, Daniel Alfredsson discussed facing his former team as a Maple Leafs associate coach, the reception from Toronto fans, Mats Sundin’s role in bringing him to the organization, and what drives his passion for coaching. How did it feel to receive such a big cheer from the Toronto crowd […] The post Daniel Alfredsson on interacting with Leafs fans in Toronto: “I thought I would be more incognito in the city, but some of them still remember my face… I...
Jim Hiller on Kirill Marchenko’s first few games as a Leaf: “Lots of chances, came close, and didn’t strike, but that’ll happen here soon”
Ahead of Saturday’s game against the Senators, head coach Jim Hiller discussed Daniel Alfredsson’s passion for coaching, his role in running the power play, the emotions of facing Ottawa, and Kirill Marchenko’s adjustment to his new team. How has it been inserting Kirill Marchenko into your group when he joined after training camp and preseason […] The post Jim Hiller on Kirill Marchenko’s first few games as a Leaf: “Lots of chances, came close, and didn’t strike, but that’ll happen here soo...
John Chayka on the Leafs’ blue line: “People forget we lost Chris Tanev last season… For my money, one of the best–if not the best–defensive defensemen in the game”
GM John Chayka joined Real Kyper & Bourne to discuss the Maple Leafs’ 1-1-0 start, the role of data in player evaluation, the Kirill Marchenko trade, his confidence in the defense corps, and the development of Gavin McKenna and Easton Cowan. After a busy week, a huge trade, and the opening few games, have you […] The post John Chayka on the Leafs’ blue line: “People forget we lost Chris Tanev last season… For my money, one of the best–if not the best–defensive defensemen in the game” appeare...
The Toronto Marlies’ 2026-27 season is set to kick off in Rochester: Preview & Projected Lineup
Fifteen weeks after clinching the second championship in franchise history, the Toronto Marlies are back in action with their sights set on a repeat. Unlike after their 2018 championship, much of the roster remains intact. In many ways, it looks stronger thanks to several solid additions, most recently Miles Wood. I covered the rest of […] The post The Toronto Marlies’ 2026-27 season is set to kick off in Rochester: Preview & Projected Lineup appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
John Chayka on the Maple Leafs’ start to the season: “It’s early, but we’ve been able to defend much more effectively than we have in the last few years”
John Chayka joined TSN OverDrive to discuss the Kirill Marchenko trade, the many changes he has made since taking over as Maple Leafs GM, expectations for Gavin McKenna, the defense corps, and managing the goaltenders’ workload. With two veteran goaltenders who are familiar with each other, did you have a specific number of games in […] The post John Chayka on the Maple Leafs’ start to the season: “It’s early, but we’ve been able to defend much more effectively than we have in the last few y...
A New Season, New Features: Introducing MLHS’s Leafs & Marlies Tools
In addition to a site redesign, we’ve rolled out a new collection of interactive tools on MLHS to make it easier to follow the Maple Leafs and Toronto Marlies this season, from roster details and player statistics to daily line combinations, game lineup archives, and our new Stat of the Day feature. Stat of the […] The post A New Season, New Features: Introducing MLHS’s Leafs & Marlies Tools appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Jim Hiller on Daniel Alfredsson’s first game against the Senators from behind the Leafs’ bench: “It’s going to be a big night, let’s be honest”
After Friday’s practice, Jim Hiller discussed the Tavares line’s play, keeping Easton Cowan’s line together, Kirill Marchenko’s first practice, the power play’s need to shoot more, and the chemistry between Morgan Rielly and Darren Raddysh. Where are you at with the Tavares line moving into the next game? What do you want to see for […] The post Jim Hiller on Daniel Alfredsson’s first game against the Senators from behind the Leafs’ bench: “It’s going to be a big night, let’s be honest” appe...
“Probably the easiest thing you could do is flip Nylander and Sissons” — Anthony Petrielli talks the Maple Leafs’ middle-six forward mix on SN590
Anthony Petrielli joined Sportsnet 590 to discuss Easton Cowan’s strong start, potential tweaks to the Leafs’ forward lines, the early chemistry between Auston Matthews and Kirill Marchenko, and the situation on the blue line. Petrielli on Easton Cowan’s strong start to the season: I’m not surprised at all. Everyone would be forgiven for not watching […] The post “Probably the easiest thing you could do is flip Nylander and Sissons” — Anthony Petrielli talks the Maple Leafs’ middle-six forwa...
Game Review: Anthony Stolarz, Easton Cowan & the third line lead the way in Maple Leafs’ first win of 2026-27
The Toronto Maple Leafs have their first win of the 2026-27 season, and it’s a regulation win at that. It has been a whirlwind few days with the Kirill Marchenko trade and the quick turnaround to the season opener. They didn’t get the result they wanted in that game, but it was nice that they […] The post Game Review: Anthony Stolarz, Easton Cowan & the third line lead the way in Maple Leafs’ first win of 2026-27 appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Jim Hiller on Easton Cowan’s big night vs. NYI: “I just like his trajectory and how mentally he really wants it… Exciting young player”
After the Maple Leafs’ first win of the season (2-1 over NYI), head coach Jim Hiller discussed the bottom six’s contributions, Easton Cowan’s strong start to the year, Anthony Stolarz’s great performance, and the second unit’s power-play goal. Did your team play a more connected game tonight? Hiller: At times, for sure. At times, and […] The post Jim Hiller on Easton Cowan’s big night vs. NYI: “I just like his trajectory and how mentally he really wants it… Exciting young player” appeared fi...
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New York Islanders – Game #2 Projected Lines, Preview & TV Info
Can the Maple Leafs clean up some of the sloppy execution from game one in a tired situation against NYI in the Islanders’ season opener? (7:30 p.m. EST, Amazon Prime) Game Day Quotes Islanders head coach Pete DeBoer on what he saw from a much-changed Leafs team that was still finding its chemistry vs. Montreal: […] The post Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New York Islanders – Game #2 Projected Lines, Preview & TV Info appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Pete DeBoer on Leafs head coach Jim Hiller: “His teams have an identity… When you played [LA], you knew exactly what they’re trying to do, which is the biggest testament to a well-coached team”
Ahead of the matchup against the Maple Leafs, Islanders head coach Pete DeBoer discussed his impressions of a much-changed Toronto team, Gavin McKenna, Jim Hiller’s coaching style, Matias Maccelli facing his former club, and much more. What are you feeling on the first day of the new season? DeBoer: Excitement. Butterflies. It never gets old, […] The post Pete DeBoer on Leafs head coach Jim Hiller: “His teams have an identity… When you played [LA], you knew exactly what they’re trying to do,...
Jim Hiller on the chemistry of the Rielly-Raddysh pairing: “It’ll take time… Everybody will get better together”
Ahead of the Leafs vs. Islanders game, head coach Jim Hiller discussed the areas his team needs to clean up after their season-opening loss to Montreal, Darren Raddysh’s adjustment to Toronto, the Rielly-Raddysh pairing, early impressions of Kirill Marchenko, and lineup changes for the second game of the back-to-back. After a night’s sleep and a […] The post Jim Hiller on the chemistry of the Rielly-Raddysh pairing: “It’ll take time… Everybody will get better together” appeared first on Mapl...
Game Review: Early-season sloppiness sinks Maple Leafs despite two Nylander goals, encouraging start for the Marchenko-Matthews line
The high of the Marchenko trade –> the Marchenko-Matthews line flying out of the gates from the opening puck drop –> William Nylander following up in their wake, walking Nick Suzuki, and ripping it past Jakub Dobes in the first minute of this game is something Leafs fans will want captured in a vial and […] The post Game Review: Early-season sloppiness sinks Maple Leafs despite two Nylander goals, encouraging start for the Marchenko-Matthews line appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Jim Hiller on the Leafs’ season-opening loss to Montreal: “We looked a little bit like a new team”
After the Maple Leafs’ 3-2 loss to Montreal, head coach Jim Hiller discussed Kirill Marchenko’s Leafs debut alongside Auston Matthews, Gavin McKenna’s NHL debut, and the challenge of building cohesion with so many new faces in the lineup. How would you assess the team’s performance? Hiller: I thought we played pretty well, to be honest […] The post Jim Hiller on the Leafs’ season-opening loss to Montreal: “We looked a little bit like a new team” appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens – Game #1 Projected Lines, Preview & TV Info
Kirill Marchenko is IN for a season opener between the Maple Leafs and Canadiens that is jam-packed with intrigue: Gavin McKenna’s NHL debut, Marchenko’s Leafs debut, Sergei Bobrovsky’s Leafs debut, Darren Raddysh’s Leafs debut, on top of the many other new faces in the Toronto lineup. (7:00 p.m.EST, Sportsnet) Can the Buds gel quickly enough […] The post Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens – Game #1 Projected Lines, Preview & TV Info appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Jim Hiller on the addition of Kirill Marchenko: “He’s one of those guys who seems to accelerate with the puck”
Ahead of the Maple Leafs’ season opener against the Montreal Canadiens, head coach Jim Hiller discussed the Kirill Marchenko trade, Gavin McKenna’s NHL debut, and his first game behind the Leafs’ bench as head coach. Opening Statement on the Kirill Marchenko trade Hiller: Okay, just quickly before I start—and you’ll ask me plenty of questions, […] The post Jim Hiller on the addition of Kirill Marchenko: “He’s one of those guys who seems to accelerate with the puck” appeared first on Maple Le...
The Morning After the Marchenko Blockbuster: Chayka’s Big Bet on a Higher Ceiling
A day after the Maple Leafs traded Matthew Knies for Kirill Marchenko, the sting of losing a likable, talented, and unique player who loved Toronto is still real. But as a new season begins, so is the excitement of watching a Leafs team that may have just raised its ceiling. Scattered thoughts, in note form: […] The post The Morning After the Marchenko Blockbuster: Chayka’s Big Bet on a Higher Ceiling appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
John Chayka on the Leafs’ acquisition of Kirill Marchenko: “Very few players can single-handedly dictate the outcomes of games… We believe Kirill is one of those players for us”
GM John Chayka explains the logic behind the Kirill Marchenko trade, discusses Matthew Knies’ reaction to the move, and outlines the plan for Miles Wood and Elvis Merzlikins. What inspired this trade? Why make this move, and why now? Chayka: First off, thank you to Matthew Knies and Steven Lorentz. They’re good Leafs, good men. […] The post John Chayka on the Leafs’ acquisition of Kirill Marchenko: “Very few players can single-handedly dictate the outcomes of games… We believe Kirill is one ...
The Leafs’ Big Bet on Kirill Marchenko — MLHS Podcast Ep. 125
In an emergency episode of the MLHS Podcast, Nick Ashbourne and Anthony Petrielli react to the Maple Leafs’ blockbuster trade for Kirill Marchenko. Episode Topics First reactions to a shocking trade on the eve of the new season (1:00) Framing the Leafs’ trading of Matthew Knies for a different winger (5:00) The factors that have made […] The post The Leafs’ Big Bet on Kirill Marchenko — MLHS Podcast Ep. 125 appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
How Kirill Marchenko changes the Maple Leafs’ near and long-term outlook
On the eve of the new NHL season, the Maple Leafs acquired Kirill Marchenko from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a blockbuster trade and signed him to a contract extension. Some Leafs fans may be less familiar with Marchenko because he has played in a smaller, more anonymous market, but he is a tantalizing talent. […] The post How Kirill Marchenko changes the Maple Leafs’ near and long-term outlook appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
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