2026-27 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion | Official: Sundin & Chayka to lead front office

[dappleganger]

I think it smoke and mirrors thanks to excellent goaltending.

And if Bennett doesn't knock out that goaltending with a rabbit punch where would this team be...

 

[Joe S.]

I agree but I also think this is a better constructed team forward wise at least and Matthews was playing hurt most of last year.

I agree but even when Matthews was in the lineup he seemed completely disengaged. The team as a whole seemed to not give a shit.

 

[Joe S.]

And if Bennett doesn't knock out that goaltending with a rabbit punch where would this team be...

The what if game is too painful. There are so many what ifs in this era.

 

[cw]

The Leafs could. Would "save" about $1.2 in cap space. Assuming he isn't claimed which at this point I don't think is likely. Reports haven't been great on his three games with the Marlies.

That would solve their cap issue. I think he'd clear with that contract.
I did not see those Marlies games
Aside from 3 GP, his only Marlies stats with a number not 0 was shots: 5

 

[YYZ]

That would solve their cap issue. I think he'd clear with that contract.
I did not see those Marlies games
Aside from 3 GP, his only Marlies stats with a number not 0 was shots: 5

He hasn't played an NHL game since April. So that may be a factor.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Joshua completed his 3rd and probably last conditioning game with the Marlies
They probably have to add him to the roster which with all their injuries, many on IR, puts them slightly over the cap
Either someone goes on LTIR or someone has to return to the Marlies (or they pull off a trade which is very doubtful with their cap space)

Groulx's probably an easy immediate waive. He lost his 3rd line spot to Lettieri, and his 4th line spot to MacEwen.

 

[lamajama]

Any info leaking out about Domi? I can't see a spot for him anywhere other than Robidas Island for the rest of his contrct.

 

[YYZ]

Groulx's probably an easy immediate waive. He lost his 3rd line spot to Lettieri, and his 4th line spot to MacEwen.

It's not quite enough room to activate Joshua off LTIR. I don't think so anyway. Cap space and LTIR is voodoo.

 

[cw]

Groulx's probably an easy immediate waive. He lost his 3rd line spot to Lettieri, and his 4th line spot to MacEwen.

He will have to clear waivers. Lettieri won't so that might be a consideration if they fear losing him. (not sure or doubt they have to worry about that)
Lettieri's ice time on McKenna's line was pretty bad
He got a few PP shifts but he was sitting a lot between shifts, etc
At least he got a few shifts with some skill. Much of his career was 4th liners as linemates and under 10 mins/game.
Same thing happened with Steeves ... who was probably better as a 4th liner with his hitting
It isn't a harsh criticism because Marchenko, Nylander, Roslovic & Cowan are clearly ahead of him in the top 6, McKenna does have defensive liabilities and the 4th line has come on. At 31, the clock is running out on him clinging to have any NHL career. So close but no cigar.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

He will have to clear waivers. Lettieri won't so that might be a consideration if they fear losing him. (not sure or doubt they have to worry about that)

Groulx probably will end up on waivers at some point this season anyway so I doubt that will matter much. He should clear, and if he doesn't it clears up a contract spot so wouldn't exactly be the end of the world.

 

[cw]

Groulx probably will end up on waivers at some point this season anyway so I doubt that will matter much. He should clear, and if he doesn't it clears up a contract spot so wouldn't exactly be the end of the world.

I thought Groulx might make a better 4th liner. A little more size. Not as much of a scorer but some ability to score. Decent speed. Maybe compared to Joshua, a better bang for the buck at this stage of Joshua's injury riddled career. If a team snatched him, like you say, the contract space might be more helpful.

They're so cap constricted this season and next, 3/4 liners and 5/6 dmen might consume a lot of our discussions ...

 

[herman]

The Leafs could. Would "save" about $1.2 in cap space. Assuming he isn't claimed which at this point I don't think is likely. Reports haven't been great on his three games with the Marlies.

He’s taking part in a 4th game today so his LTIR conditioning stint got an extension (2 games).

https://twitter.com/x/status/2114391607776612811

I think this suggestion makes the most sense to open up more tagging room in next year’s projected cap by parlaying this season’s LTIR room. Might also add an additional contract (Cade Webber?) to make it more worth their while and free up another SPC slot.

I would hate this, but Ristolainen is 5.1M expiring at the end of this season and Joshua has a fan in former coach Rick Tocchet. Flyers have a glut of RD and are thin at forward due to injuries.

 

[Arn]

I know it's early in the season and alot can change, but for me this really cements what a terrible coach Berube was. Not specifically about strategy, but he clearly killed culture of this team. There was no vibe, no comradery, nothing. He neutered the team.

Obviously I care if they win, but if they’re not going to win I want them to be at least watchable.

Even in the very early Shanahan years when they weren’t good they were watchable cos they had a plan. They also had some fun players etc and could do fun things.

Last year (especially, but also the year before when they were winning more) they were actually nigh on unwatchable.

This year they’re fun and very watchable and there’s lots of fun strands to follow.

It’s similar to the Jays a few years ago when they decided to be all serious and put away their home run jacket and “be more serious about winning” but they became crap and watching them was a chore. Then they decided to loosen up a bit and suddenly are in a World Series.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2114434342353252793

It’s very funny to me that the Leafs are now doing what Treliving said he wanted to do.

No one seems to be pointing any fingers at the Arizona pre-Opening Day field trip either.

“Everyone is able to be themselves,” Paul said of the new-look Leafs. “We don’t have any stupid hierarchy where you can’t go to dinner with someone. I just think everyone in here, it’s like, you put names in the hat, and you put dinner tables together and just pick guys out. That’s what good teams have: just a bunch of good people. Because then you want to play for everyone.”

Omg the dinner crew was really an issue? I was just joshing…

 

[ZBBM]

I do think Berube and Treliving got the Leafs the closest to a championship calibre team in the Matthews era in 2025, but it was short lived.

I'm not saying Berube should have stayed, but let's not forget this. Whether this was because of them or in spite of them is another debate.