In case you missed it, and it’s entirely possible during the middle of a beautiful Thursday night in Toronto, the Maple Leafs traded Ryan Reaves to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenceman Henry Thrun.
It’s a clever acquisition for the Leafs, adding a 24-year-old left-shot defenceman in Thrun, who could reasonably compete for, but isn’t guaranteed a place in the lineup this fall. He carries a $1-million cap hit for the 2024-25 season, and is slated to become a restricted free agent. Toronto did well to recoup some depth in exchange for Reaves, who was phased out of the lineup last season and his $1.35 million cap hit was considered onerous to the vast majority of teams. San Jose is expected to have some steady internal improvement from its very young core, while still being amid a promising rebuilding and can incur Reaves’ cap hit for one year without real detriment to its short-term goals.
This trade should be considered a win for the Maple Leafs, but it’s also important to be realistic about Thrun’s output. Thrun posted two goals and 12 points in 60 games for a Sharks team that finished dead last in the NHL by nine points. Simon Benoit has a clear advantage ahead of Thrun heading into training camp for the team’s third-pair spot on the left side, especially after his game took a clear leap after the 4 Nations Face-Off break. And really, here’s the important part: Thrun’s defensive metrics were awful last year, but how much of this is a function of being on a Sharks team that could stomach another year angling for a top pick?
There were 229 defencemen who played greater than 400 minutes at 5-on-5 and Thrun posted the fifth-worst Corsi (42.10%), the ninth-worst expected goals against per 60 (3.36) and fourth-worst expected goals share (38.66%) so it’s worth proceeding with some caution, even if this trade favours the Leafs. He was primarily paired with Cody Ceci last season as the 150th-most used pair in the NHL at 5-on-5. Thrun is still a young player who will benefit from a far superior lineup that’s positioned — at least theoretically, with the Florida Panthers in a different tier — to win immediately. Even if Thrun’s a true NHL No. 7-8 defenceman, he has more immediate value to the Leafs than Reaves, who did not appear in any games after March 2.
Reaves was well-liked by his teammates and he provided some requisite toughness at times for the Maple Leafs, but ultimately, he still graded out as one of the worst players in the league, both by conventional metrics and the charts. Toronto recoups some cap space in a 1-for-1 trade as well, which continues to be of paramount importance as general manager Brad Treliving remains in pursuit of a top-six forward. After the Reaves-Thrun trade, the Maple Leafs are operating with $5.33 million in cap space via PuckPedia. And this trade is essentially about the Leafs clearing cap space. Reaves has played 912 career games, and it’ll afford him a chance of approaching the 1,000-game milestone with a young Sharks team that is certainly still building towards a very bright future.
For further analysis on the trade, The Leafs Nation’s Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill provided an instant reaction to the deal Thursday evening:
Maple Leafs grade: B
Sharks grade: C+
All stats from NHL.com and Natural Stat Trick
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When Auston Matthews was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2016, it was a development that was expected to change the franchise’s fortunes. Matthews lived up to the preposterous hype and emerged as one of the best goal-scorers on the planet, winning the Hart Trophy in 2022, while capturing three Rocket Richard Trophies.
Matthews took over the Maple Leafs’ captaincy for the 2024-25 season, where the team was eliminated in seven games against the Florida Panthers. He’s lived up to the hype, but it’s worth revisiting where Matthews stands among the 2016 class, nine years removed from walking up to the podium.
Matthews is the headliner of a deep group
Toronto made the correct decision with the first overall pick and Matthews is the clear headliner of the class. Matthews leads all players with 401 goals and 727 points, and he’s made the greatest individual impact thus far. There are several great players in this cohort, including Matthew Tkachuk, while Charlie McAvoy and Adam Fox are truly elite defencemen. Clayton Keller and Tage Thompson are bona fide star forwards, while Brandon Hagel’s elite two-way impact and improved scoring touch is helping him ascend through the class rankings. Make no mistake about it though, Matthews’ individual output far exceeds anyone else in the class. There is one challenger to his 1A status, however.
Matthew Tkachuk is the lone real challenger to Matthews’ best in class status
It depends on what you value, but Matthew Tkachuk is the lone player in the class that can raise a claim for the No. 1 status. Tkachuk has won back-to-back Stanley Cups, while the Florida Panthers are well-positioned to three-peat next year. The 27-year-old has played the most games out of player in the class, with 642 contests under his belt, while Matthews ranks second with 629 games. Tkachuk has been a finalist for the Hart Trophy, he is arguably one of the most clutch players in the NHL as he raises his game during the postseason, If you’re evaluating for talent alone, then Matthews is the clear winner, but Tkachuk’s superior postseason resume at least invites an argument.
How Matthews stacks up
Matthews ranks first in goals and points, while ranking second in games played and assists. He’s the most gifted individual player in the class and he’s far superior to Patrik Laine, who many scouts positioned as a true challenger for the top pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. There is a real degree of separation between Matthews, Tkachuk and the rest of the group at this point of their careers.
Conclusion
It’s a compelling exercise and Tkachuk’s superior postseason resume is compelling but Matthews is a franchise-defining player for the Maple Leafs, and he’s the unquestioned face of the organization after Mitch Marner was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights. Tkachuk can show off his two rings and counting, and Matthews will need at least one Stanley Cup to vault him into the all-time discussions. Matthews is the best player in the class, while firmly in the prime of his career.
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Utah Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong is hopeful that Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matias Maccelli can find his game again because he feels the forward is a good person.
The two teams connected on a trade on June 30th that sent the forward to Toronto and a conditional third-round pick going the other way. The conditions on the pick are that it improves to a second if Maccelli reaches 51 points and the Leafs reach the playoffs in the 2025-26 season.
While Armstrong may want to see Maccelli rebound to get that future second-round pick, he is also rooting for Maccelli the person to succeed because he feels the 24-year-old is a good man. He appeared on Leafs Morning Take with Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill on Monday to discuss how the trade came together.
“I’ve always viewed being at GM with your players as a partnership. I’ve always had pretty good relationships with the players,” he said. “ When there’s not a fit for us in our club, we’re gonna do what’s best for our club. But at the same time, if we can help the player out and move him to a good place for him, too, and that’s what happened in this particular deal. It’s a good deal for Utah, it’s a great deal for the Leafs, and it’s gonna be good for the player. He is gonna go in and he’s gonna play around some high-end skilled players and it’s gonna benefit the Leafs and it’s gonna benefit him.”
Armstrong said that part of why Maccelli fell out of favour with the Mammoth was due to a combination of factors. Utah’s young crop of players which includes Logan Cooley, Dylan Gunther, and Barrett Hayton, were eating up more ice time while Maccelli was never able to find his footing after a slow start to the season. The growing internal competition is a sign that the Mammoth are on the rise and looking to take the next step, hence why they had to sacrifice a promising young player in Maccelli to clear room for others. But that doesn’t mean Armstrong isn’t going to miss what the forward brought to the fold.
“ He’s a high-end playmaker. That’s what he is. He’s an opportunist, he creates a lot of odd-man rushes you’re gonna love,” he said. “ He’s got some sweet play makings, and he is getting a lot of no-look stuff going on. When he is on, he can light it up. He’s certainly a dynamic player at times. I think he’ll have to find his synergy with the players around him, but I think he’ll do that. I think he’ll be a good fit for Toronto.”
GM Brad Treliving have been busy making some moves throughout the offseason beyond the Maccelli trade, including the sign-and-trade of Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights and Ryan Reaves to the San Jose Sharks for Henry Thrun. There is still some business to attend to, with the big one being the acquisition of a top-six forward.
At the time of filing, that trade has yet to materialize, and it’s unclear if it will by the time training camp rolls around in about two months from now. While it seems that nothing of note is going on in the hockey world, Armstrong said that GMs like himself and Treliving still have a lot to do over the summer.
“ It is pretty busy. It’s not like people would think that you’re at the cottage in the Muskoka somewhere with your feet up on the dock and when your dog’s sitting beside you,” he said. “The phone’s ringing, you’re hiring people. Staffs nowadays, they’re huge in the National Hockey League, so you’re rehiring. You’re constantly having strategy to make sure you get the best staff known to mankind around you. And people are leaving and coming. The world of NHL analytics are getting fine-tuned, everything’s getting better. You better be vested in the summer to get better as an organization; the NHL doesn’t sleep, it’s 24/7.”
You can watch the full interview with Armstrong down below:
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NHL dot com has released their top 10 forwards under-25 and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies has cracked the list, landing at number 8.
Knies, 22, just signed a six-year extension to stay with the Maple Leafs after setting career highs in goals (29) and assists (29) for 58 points in 78 games last season. He was second on the team in hits by forwards and third overall, with 182 in 78 games. He was also third on the team in even strength goal. He had another successful playoff run, as well, with five goals and eight points in 13 games against the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers.
Rounding out the top three were Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle, New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes, and Minnesota Wild forward Matthew Boldy, who finished first, second, and third on the list, respectively. Knies placed ahead of Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis, who finished ninth, and Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov, who finished tenth.
With the offseason departure of Mitch Marner for the Vegas Golden Knights, Knies is going to have a massive opportunity to further cement himself as part of the core. His style of play lines up with the type of play the Maple Leafs are looking to implement into their game and day-to-day culture, and considering he’s almost sniffing the 60-point mark only two years into his career, the Leafs could have a real unicorn type of player on their hands here. The type of player reminiscent of those such as Tom Wilson, Matthew Tkachuk, essentially any power forward that can produce offence at an elite level.
Knies is on the hook with the Maple Leafs for $7.75 million annually until after the 2030-31 season.
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NHL Insider Frank Seravalli reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs are still in the mix to sign free agent forward Jack Roslovic.
On the latest episode of Bleacher Report’s Insider Notebook released on Friday, Seravalli was asked by a fan in the chat if he had anything new to share on the Leafs or Roslovic. He responded by mentioning the Leafs continue to keep tabs on the former Carolina Hurricane.
“It’s interesting that you said Leafs or Roslovic,” he said. “I was wondering if you mean the Leafs and Roslovic because I think the Toronto Maple Leafs are still very much in contention to get Jack Roslovic.”
Seravalli’s report is the latest that connects the Leafs to Roslovic, which first emerged after free agent frenzy opened when Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman made the initial report on July 6th. He followed up a month later stating that at least five other teams are keeping an eye on Roslovic, while noting that the Leafs are trying to free up some cap space. As far as how close a potential deal is to being completed, Seravalli mentioned that nothing appears to be imminent but the Leafs remain in contact with Roslovic’s camp.
“The Toronto Maple Leafs were one of the teams that were engaged and in conversation with Roslovic,” he said. Some people had suggested, ‘Hey, this is a done deal with Roslovic and they’re going to announce it at some point in the future.’ But every side that’s connected to Jack Roslovic and the Leafs have said, ‘No, no, no. No deal is done here.’ It’s just something they are certainly keeping tabs on.”
The fact that there have been multiple insiders sharing that there is a connection between the Leafs and Roslovic suggests that there is at least some interest from the two parties to get a contract signed. Some may argue that Toronto should focus its efforts elsewhere and aim higher than him, but the Leafs could see the strong connection that Roslovic has with Auston Matthews and theorize that the two would bring out the best in each other offensively.
Another way to view it is that Brad Treliving and Craig Berube want to prioritize internal competition and this is done by shoring up the depth. There is no denying that this area has improved up front this offseason since Mitch Marner’s departure has opened up cap space for the Leafs to reallocate elsewhere. Having the likes of Roslovic, Matias Maccelli, and Max Domi compete to secure top-six minutes could help improve everyone around them.
Roslovic is coming off a 39-point season (22 goals and 17 assists), which had him sixth on the Hurricanes in scoring while adding four points (a goal and three assists) in nine playoff games.
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Ben Danford will be the Toronto Maple Leafs’ lone representative at the 2025 NHLPA Rookie Showcase that will take place at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex on September 3rd.
He will get to share the ice with the likes of Matthew Schaefer, Sam Dickinson, Zayne Parekh, David Reinbacher, and Tij Iginla, among many other high-profile prospects invited to the event.
This is another feather in Danford’s cap for what has been an eventful offseason so far. He was among the standouts at the 2025 Rookie Development Camp and was invited to Hockey Canada’s summer camp in preparation for a potential spot on the 2026 World Juniors roster.
Danford has said he is trying to model his game after Leafs defenceman Chris Tanev, which will surely get some fans excited given how well the latter did on the defensive side of things in his first year with the team.
“I’ve already got to see him this summer. He’s been phenomenal, I’ve looked up to him for quite a few years now,” he said to reporters on July 4. “I feel like that’s someone that I can really learn off of, and someone that hopefully I am even close to what he is in the NHL someday. He’s just that rock Solid. D-man that can contribute offence as well.”
Danford was selected 31st overall in the 2024 NHL draft from the OHL’s Oshawa Generals. At 6-foot-2 and 194 lb., the 19-year-old is known as a true defensive defender who brings leadership skills with him as well. Danford was named captain of the Generals and went on to record five goals and 25 points in 61 OHL games during the regular season. He followed that up with two goals and five points in 21 playoff games before losing to Easton Cowan and the London Knights in the OHL final for the second consecutive season.
He has been working hard this summer in preparation for his final OHL season, and it makes sense given he has a shot at making Canada’s roster at the World Juniors. His invitation to the 2025 NHLPA Rookie Showcase is proof that those in hockey are taking notice of his progress.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs made a savvy move in the offseason when they acquired Matias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth in exchange for a conditional third-round pick on June 30th.
The Finnish forward is coming off a down year where he could only muster up eight goals and 18 points in 55 games played, missing some time due to injury and then being a frequent healthy scratch down the stretch. Part of what led to his scratches was just how loaded the Mammoth were last season up front, while another was a loss in confidence that greatly hindered his play. Utah had no choice but to accept a marginal return for a player who will be an RFA at the conclusion of the 2025-26 because Maccelli had reportedly requested a trade.
What this means is that the Leafs are taking a risk in bringing in the 24-year-old, but they are making a bet that the previous campaign was a mere blip on the radar and not the start of a downward trend. That’s because the two prior years saw him put up 49 points and 57 points respectively, the latter of which resulted in Maccelli finishing third on the team in scoring behind Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz. And to be frank, the winger is eager to get the fresh start and prove he is still the player he was when the Arizona Coyotes still existed.
“It comes down to ice time and opportunity with the points,” Maccelli said to reporters on July 7th. “It wasn’t my best year, but I still know that I’m a better player than I was in Arizona. I’ve got it still in me, so now I’ve got to show people again.”
The Goal: Secure a place in the top six
It is clear that Maccelli is not going to be an exact Mitch Marner replacement, but he can certainly bring the playmaking ability that made the now Vegas Golden Knight so effective offensively. Maccelli is an opportunist who likes to create a lot of odd-man rushes and feed his teammates who are in the prime areas. This is a dynamic player when he is on his game and can find his footing alongside a sniper and power forward.
His offensive abilities will give him a good chance to crack the top-six, but he will also need to ensure that his play in the defensive end is also strong because head coach Craig Berube values players who pay attention to both sides of the puck. Maccelli won’t be physical, but he can be effective in his own zone by positioning and instincts. Taking the baseline and improving upon it will go a long way to rounding out his game and improving his chances of being an everyday player again.
Above all else, the Leafs need to find a way to help Maccelli get his confidence back. He certainly could work well alongside Auston Matthews for the same reasons Max Domi worked well in that spot in 2023-24. Even if Maccelli doesn’t get that elusive spot on the top line, there is still a world where he can thrive alongside the likes of John Tavares and William Nylander, but it’s all about finding the chemistry and getting into a groove as soon as possible. Berube has always been straightforward with his players and I would imagine that is something Maccelli will appreciate, especially if there is a moment where he needs to play in the bottom-six for a bit.
The expectation: Bounce back to at least 40 points or more
Regardless of where he ends up in the Leafs’ lineup, there are more than enough quality players around Maccelli that he can rebound closer to the numbers he put up with the Coyotes. Make no mistake, his play will be an x-factor in how things unfold for the team from an offensive standpoint because him getting a bounce back could do wonders in helping fill the void left behind by Marner. So long as he can regain his swagger and get into a rhythm with his new linemates, nothing suggests he can’t get there.
There should be plenty of motivation on Maccelli’s side to get back to the level he was at the two seasons before the most recent one. Beyond just proving to himself he still has what it takes, he is entering a contract year while joining a team that is looking to contend for the Stanley Cup. Making the most of his chance alongside Matthews and Matthew Knies would certainly go a long way in reaching his goals, but securing that spot in the top six will do wonders for him and the team offensively speaking.
The conditions on that third-round pick are that it becomes a 2029 second-rounder if Toronto makes the playoffs this year and Maccelli gets at least 51 points through the 2025-26 season. I would imagine that the Leafs would be more than happy to pay that price, assuming it comes to fruition, as the acquisition of Maccelli could impact the team both now and down the line. He will certainly have to prove he never lost his touch, but the chances are good that he can regain his swagger.
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Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander actively took part in the NHL European Player Media Tour with the new season on the horizon. Nylander caught up with David Pagnotta and Dennis Berstein of The Fourth Period, where he reflected on a number of topics, including Toronto’s pressure-packed hockey market.
Nylander previously disputed the notion that Mitch Marner was already preparing to leave the Maple Leafs during the 2024-25 season, stating that he asked his teammate what his plans were during the season. With the Marner saga in the background, at least for now, Nylander turned his attention to one of his current running mates, John Tavares. Tavares signed a four-year extension worth $4.38 million annually during the offseason, a deal that was considered to be a major win for the Maple Leafs, and Nylander couldn’t be happier about it.
“He’s been an incredible leader for me and I’ve learned a lot from him, both on and off the ice,” Nylander said about Tavares. “He took an unbelievable deal for the team. Wanted to stay. Showed his commitment to want to win a Cup in Toronto. Everyone on the team appreciates that a lot and that shows leadership for sure.”
After the Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Florida Panthers, some of the popular discourse focused on the idea that Toronto is a uniquely difficult market to play in, in large part due to the volume of media and a passionate fan base. Nylander has rarely paid attention to external criticism, and provided some more insight on how to thrive in Toronto.
“I think people forget that we as players also want to win. I think we have our goal to want to go all the way. I’ve been playing there for a while. I don’t really think about what other people say or what their opinion is of how we’re playing. Inside the locker room, we know what we need to do to get there. It’s not an easy battle, so you got to appreciate the grind it takes to get there for when you eventually get to that point.”
Nylander, Tavares, and Auston Matthews are now the centrepieces of the franchise, and though the team could regress during the regular season, the Stanley Cup remains the team’s lone goal. And one Stanley Cup victory would change the trajectory and tenor of the discourse surrounding the Maple Leafs’ greatest stars. It’s a new season ahead for the Maple Leafs, with Nylander at the forefront.
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The NHL announced start time changes for several games across the 2025-26 league calendar, including seven Toronto Maple Leafs games.
The following Maple Leafs games have been amended as such:
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Buffalo Sabres, October 24, new start time: 7:30 PM
Calgary Flames @ Toronto Maple Leafs, October 28, new start time: 6:15 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Florida Panthers, December 2, new start time: 7:30 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Carolina Hurricanes, December 4, new start time: 7:30 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Detroit Red Wings, December 28, new start time: 7:00 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Utah Mammoth, January 13, 2026, new start time: 8:00 PM
Colorado Avalanche @ Toronto Maple Leafs, January 25, 2026, new start time: 1:30 PM
No reason was immediately provided by the NHL for the changes.
Toronto will begin its season against the Montreal Canadiens on October 8, and close the season on the road against the Ottawa Senators on April 15. There is an Olympic break from February 4-25, although several Maple Leafs players are expected to participate this year, including Auston Matthews and William Nylander. There will be fewer breaks overall during the season, and it’ll be compelling to see how the Leafs lean into their depth to get through the rigours of the 82-game campaign.
It will be a busy start to the year, as the Maple Leafs play six of their first seven games at home, including a five-game home stand from October 13-21, against the Detroit Red Wings (Oct. 13) Nashville Predators (Oct. 14) New York Rangers (Oct. 16) Seattle Kraken (Oct. 18) and New Jersey Devils (Oct. 21).
READ NEXT: What you need to know about the Maple Leafs’ 2025-26 schedule
The most anticipated game of the year, and perhaps of the NHL calendar overall takes place on January 23, 2026 when Mitch Marner and the Vegas Golden Knights square off against the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Nylander rejected the notion that Marner was thinking about leaving prior to the end of the 2024-25 season, but the new Golden Knights winger is expected to receive a hostile reception from the Leafs’ fan base.
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