‘We got guys who want to be here’: Blue Jackets’ Fantilli looks back on Marchenko trade
Marchenko’s trade request was granted ahead of the 2026-27 season, as he was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Latest news and updates about the Maple Leafs
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 .
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.
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.
The Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the San Jose Sharks on Monday night. Gavin McKenna and Macklin Celebrini trained together during the offseason. On Tuesday, McKenna and Celebrini got to face off for the first time, while the top two picks of the 2026 NHL Draft also got to share the rink. Mason Marchment opened the […] The post Maple Leafs’ Gavin McKenna wants to deliver in ‘big moments’ alongside Toronto stars appeared first on ClutchPoints .
The Toronto Maple Leafs needed a win, and they got one Monday night, beating the San Jose Sharks 3–1. It wasn’t a perfect performance, and the team still has defensive…
The Toronto Maple Leafs snap a five-game skid with a 3-1 win over the San Jose Sharks on Oct. 20, 2026, highlighted by a dominant power play that now ranks fifth in the NHL at 28.6%. Rookie forward Gavin McKenna scores his first career game-winner 4:56 into the third period, emphasizing his desire to be a big‑moment player. McKenna, who posted 10 points in his first 10 NHL games, rebounded from a benching controversy in the recent 5-4 OT loss to Buffalo, showing maturity and confidence alongside stars like Auston Matthews. The win moves the Leafs to a 4-4-2 record and bolsters a top‑ranked penalty kill as they chase Eastern Conference relevance.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were hoping to bounce back after a 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday (Oct. 17), and were looking to respond against a San…
Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka is eager to strengthen his blue line but has no plans to include forward Easton Cowan in any trade. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman told Kyle Bukauskas on 32 Thoughts that insiders view Cowan as a rising "A" asset, making him untouchable unless a Norris‑trophy‑caliber defenseman becomes available. While the Leafs may consider moving top‑six blueliners like Oliver Ekman‑Larsson, Jake McCabe or Morgan Rielly, the organization isn’t looking to trade Cowan despite pressure surrounding Auston Matthews’ contract. Chayka remains active on the trade market, but Cowan stays off the table.
Auston Matthews praised goalie Sergei Bobrovsky after the Maple Leafs beat the San Jose Sharks 3-1 on Oct. 20, 2026. Bobrovsky made 30 saves on 31 shots, earning his first home win, while the Leafs finally clinched a game after trailing early. Matthews highlighted the team's cohesive penalty kill—21 straight kills—and noted his own contribution with a goal and two assists. The Leafs head to Columbus for a back‑to‑back on Tuesday.
Gavin McKenna embraces Toronto's spotlight after delivering a crucial third-period goal.
The Maple Leafs snap a three‑game skid with a 3‑1 win over the San Jose Sharks on October 20, 2026. Auston Matthews rebounds from a first‑period turnover to post a three‑point night, tying the game on the power play before Gavin McKenna nets a sensational third‑period PP winner, earning kudos as the league’s top U‑25 performer. Nick Paul adds an empty‑net goal, while Sergei Bobrovsky outduels Sharks’ rookie Yaroslav Askarov. The article highlights four takeaways, emphasizing McKenna’s breakout impact and the team’s emotional push.
Not a lot of players can brush off being benched and also score one of their team's biggest goals of the season in less than a week. But not a lot of players are like Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna.
Quietly, the San Jose Sharks were 4-0-0 against the Maple Leafs in the Macklin Celebrini era despite missing the playoffs in both seasons. Inside those games, Matthews and Celebrini went head-to-head three times (Matthews missed one of the games due to injury), and Celebrini decidedly won those minutes in the run of play. Tonight, it […] The post Game Review: Special teams and Bobrovsky shine as Maple Leafs snap three-game losing streak vs. SJ appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
The San Jose Sharks fall 3-1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 20, 2026, after a disciplined but short‑lived effort in Toronto. Both teams match each other on special teams, yet the Leafs secure the win, leaving the Sharks to ponder missed opportunities. The loss highlights the Sharks' inability to sustain momentum despite a promising start.
After a 3-1 win over San Jose, Jim Hiller discussed Auston Matthews’ response to an early mistake, Gavin McKenna delivering in a big moment, Easton Cowan’s matchup assignment, and another strong night for the penalty kill. Hiller on the biggest key to pulling out the win: I thought we stuck with it. We had some […] The post Jim Hiller on snapping the losing streak vs. San Jose: “We had to be gutsy to win that game… Good win for our team” appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Matthew Knies, the 24‑year‑old forward who was set to debut with Toronto, was dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a deadline trade that sent Kirill Marchenko to the Leafs. Columbus inserted Knies on the top line with Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson, and he opened his tenure with a three‑point night – two goals and an assist – matching Artemi Panarin’s franchise record for a debut. After a brief spark, Knies has gone scoreless for five games as the Jackets slump to 3‑4‑0 and seventh in the Metropolitan. The article examines his early impact, current struggles with consistency and physicality, and what Columbus hopes he’ll become this season.
Sergei Bobrovsky delivers his best start of the season as the Toronto Maple Leafs snap a three‑game losing streak, beating the San Jose Sharks 3‑1 on Oct. 20, 2026. Auston Matthews records a goal and two assists, reaching 16 points in ten games, while Gavin McKenna adds a third‑period power‑play goal. Bobrovsky stops 30 of 31 shots, and Toronto’s penalty kill remains elite, with only one power‑play goal allowed and 21 consecutive kills. The win sets up a road clash with the Columbus Blue Jackets the next night, featuring a matchup between Kirill Marchenko and former teammate Matthew Knies.
The San Jose Sharks kick off their Canadian road swing in Toronto, facing the Maple Leafs on Oct. 19, 2026. The matchup spotlights 2026’s top draft picks—first overall Gavin McKenna, who tallies five points in nine games, versus second overall Ivar Stenberg, also off to a strong start. The post breaks down line combinations, provides a live game thread, and offers watch options for fans.
The New York Islanders suffer another injury blow, losing forwards Cal Ritchie and Matias Maccelli for multiple weeks. Ritchie, injured early in a 3‑1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 19, will miss 4–6 weeks after a lower‑body issue from a hit by Nick Blankenburg. Maccelli, who has tallied six points in eight games, is sidelined for 2–4 weeks after a left‑leg injury while changing direction behind the net. Both joins top‑line center Mat Barzal, already out with a lingering knee problem, deepening the Isles’ early‑season roster concerns.
So far in the 2026-27 season, the same storyline seems to follow the Toronto Maple Leafs every year: overreliance on Auston Matthews and William Nylander to carry the scoring. Whether…