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NHL rumors: Pierre LeBrun names Blue Jackets forward as trade candidate

The Columbus Blue Jackets have struggled to start the 2026-27 season, winning just three of eight games and sitting dead last in the Eastern Conference in the early going. And while Kirill Marchenko has thrived with the Maple Leafs, recording 11 points in 11 games in Toronto, Matthew Knies has managed just four points in […] The post NHL rumors: Pierre LeBrun names Blue Jackets forward as trade candidate appeared first on ClutchPoints .

Leafs’ Jake McCabe doesn’t fault Blue Jackets’ Kent Johnson for errant high-stick: ‘It’s an accident’

Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe says he feels fine after leaving the Oct. 22 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets with an upper‑body injury caused by a high‑stick from Kent Johnson, who received a four‑minute double‑minor. The Leafs were up 5‑1 when McCabe exited, and he missed the rest of the contest but expects to return for Thursday’s matchup with the New York Rangers. McCabe notes Johnson’s stick was an accident, thanks the team medical staff, and praises rookie defenseman Marshall Rifai for stepping up amid other Leafs injuries.

Former head coach Dean Evason on Kirill Marchenko: ‘When he’s at his best, he gets after it’

Former NHL coach Dean Evason praises Toronto’s early‑season resurgence, noting the Leafs sit 5‑4‑2 after back‑to‑back wins over San Jose and Columbus and now boast the league’s top penalty kill (97.4%) and a 27.5% power play. He highlights recent additions—Colton Sissons, Brandon Duhaime, Vinni Lettieri, Jack Roslovic—and lauds Kirill Marchenko, who posts 11 points in 11 games and adds a new threat on the power play. Evason says Marchenko’s biggest flaw is waiting for the puck, but when “at his best he gets after it.” Confident the Leafs can clinch a playoff spot in the competitive Atlantic, Evason sees a different, winning feeling in Toronto.

Maple Leafs finally met the moment in Kirill Marchenko’s return to Columbus

The Toronto Maple Leafs finally rose to the occasion on Oct. 22, 2026, defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets in a game that carried extra weight after the recent blockbuster trade that sent Matthew Knies to Columbus and brought Kirill Marchenko to Toronto. Marchenko’s first return to his old arena sparked strong emotions from both clubs, and the Leafs honored the moment with a convincing win, showing they can back a new teammate in high‑stakes matchups. The victory, highlighted by coach Craig Berube’s decision to start Anthony Stolarz, signals a shift in Toronto’s approach to emotionally charged regular‑season games.

Dean Evason praises Leafs’ supporting cast, shares honest take on Marchenko: Leafs Morning Take

The Leafs dominate Columbus 6-2, turning a shaky start into a statement win. Auston Matthews adds a goal and an assist, reaching eight goals and 18 points in 11 games, while Easton Cowan nets his first career shorthored goal and posts a three‑point night. Defense steps up despite Jake McCabe exiting after a facial stick injury; Troy Stecher logs 26:25 of ice time and Morgan Rielly is solid. Toronto’s special teams shine, going 6‑for‑6 on the power play and improving the league‑best kill to 37‑for‑38. Dean Evason joins the podcast to praise the supporting cast, dissect Kirill Marchenko’s return, and weigh the recent Matthew Knies trade, highlighting the team’s depth and future outlook.

Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller raves about Easton Cowan: ‘He’s exceeded my expectations’

Coach Jim Hiller praises 21‑year‑old winger Easton Cowan after the Maple Leafs' 6‑2 win over Columbus on Oct. 21, 2026. Cowan netted his first shorthanded goal and tallied three points, becoming a regular penalty killer and aiming for a 76‑point season. Hiller highlights Cowan’s physical and mental growth, saying he’s exceeded expectations and will be a key part of Toronto’s core alongside Gavin McKenna. The Leafs next host the New York Rangers Thursday.

Maple Leafs' Jake McCabe Injured Vs. Blue Jackets

Defenceman Jake McCabe exits the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Oct. 21 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets after a high‑stick from Kent Johnson cracks his visor. The hit, a late first‑period incident, draws a four‑minute double minor on the Blue Jackets, but McCabe does not return for the second period. Already missing Chris Tanev, Toronto now faces a significant blueline setback; McCabe has logged over 20 minutes per game in his first 10 outings without a point and is on a $4.1 M AAV five‑year deal. The team hopes he’ll be cleared before Thursday’s home game against the New York Rangers.

5 takeaways from Leafs-Blue Jackets: Marchenko outduels Knies, Matthews, Cowan lead commanding win

The Maple Leafs dominate the Blue Jackets 6-2 on Tuesday, delivering their best performance of the young season. Auston Matthews celebrates his 700th game, adds a goal and an assist and sits second in league scoring (7‑2‑18). Kirill Marchenko, despite boos, scores the opening goal and outplays Matthew Knies in their head‑to‑head matchup. Easton Cowan records a goal and two assists, putting him on a 76‑point pace, while rookie Marshall Rifai nets his first NHL goal. Goaltender Anthony Stolarz makes 35 saves as Toronto’s offense erupts in the second period.

Blue Jackets’ Rick Bowness drops unreal reaction to blowout Maple Leafs loss

The Columbus Blue Jackets took on the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night. Columbus had a bit of motivation, as this was Kirill Marchenko’s first game against the Blue Jackets following his trade to the Maple Leafs before the season started. Despite the motivation, Rick Bowness watched his team come out quite flat. The Maple […] The post Blue Jackets’ Rick Bowness drops unreal reaction to blowout Maple Leafs loss appeared first on ClutchPoints .

Game Review: Maple Leafs’ rush offense roars to life, Easton Cowan shines, Morgan Rielly turns back the clock in blowout win over Columbus

The Toronto Maple Leafs finally unleash a dominant rush attack in a 7‑2 blowout of the Columbus Blue Jackets, snapping a puzzling early‑season trend of low offensive zone possession. Rookie Easton Cowan sparks the surge with a goal and two assists, while veteran Morgan Rielly delivers a classic two‑way performance, logging over 25 minutes and steering the power play. The review highlights the team's speed, skill, and finishing flair that now translates into a +5 goal differential after just 10 games.

Instant Reaction: Easton Cowan puts on a show as Maple Leafs’ offence comes alive in Columbus

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.

Maple Leafs’ Jake McCabe ruled out vs. Blue Jackets due to injury

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.

Auston Matthews joins exclusive Maple Leafs club during Blue Jackets clash

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 .

Adam Fantilli Rips Ex-Teammate Kirill Marchenko As Blue Jackets Face Maple Leafs

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.