Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

After ending their four game win streak to start 2025 with a four game losing streak, we can at least find some solace in the fact that last night's loss was much better than the previous three. They stepped up their game to try and beat their old Coach Keefe in his return to Toronto.

And they did! In very dramatic fashion, with two goals each from Matthews and Nylander, and Max Domi (300 assists) and Mitch Marner (700 points) each hitting personal milestones.

Recap: Maple Leafs break the streak, defeat Devils in overtime
Leafs win the season series against the Devils and ruin Keefes homecoming.
PPP LeafsAdam Selvig

The Maple Leafs aren't scoring as expected. Look at their talent. They should score more. Maple Leafs Hot Stove looks into this.

Why aren’t the Maple Leafs controlling the play enough at five-on-five? A deep dive into the lines, pairs, and systems
Ahead of last week’s game against the Vancouver Canucks, Max Pacioretty held an insightful media availability in which he touched on several topics surrounding the Maple Leafs’ current season. One of Pacioretty’s quotes stood out when discussing the quality of the team’s recent play: Pacioretty: “As a team, we would like to be playing better. […]
Maple Leafs HotstoveAnthony Petrielli

John Tavares was injured in practice and is ion IR, hopefully it's not for too long.

Maple Leafs place forward John Tavares on injured reserve
Veteran John Tavares was placed on injured reserve after leaving practice early on Wednesday with a leg injury.
Sportsnet.caSportsnet Staff

John Klingberg is looking for a comeback. Just not in Toronto, please.

Maple Leafs don’t need a second look at John Klingberg
Someone in the Leafs organization really wants to believe in a good co…
TheLeafsNationJon Steitzer

Good news for the b'ys as we get two Newfoundlanders ranked ahead of the NHL draft this year.

Two NL players find themselves ranked ahead of NHL draft
North River forward Jabez Seymour and St. John’s defenceman Carter Hynes are both showing up on this year’s rankings for the NHL draft
PNI Atlantic NewsNicholas Mercer

Dawson Mercer was the last player drafted off the rock.

Could the top teams look to move some of their best future players for success now?

Which top NHL prospects could be traded before the deadline? A guide to contenders’ plans
With the March 7 deadline approaching, keep an eye on these names to get bubbled up in trade rumors -- because they could be moved in a blockbuster.
ESPNRachel Doerrie

Marc-Edouard Vlasic is correct. Since the Norris is essentially the Bobby Orr trophy for most offensive defender, why not make one for defenders who mostly...defend?

Sharks’ Vlasic: ‘Outrageous’ that NHL doesn’t have defensive D-man award
Marc-Edouard Vlasic has a bone to pick with the NHL.The San Jose Sharks blue-liner strongly believes there should be an annual award to honor the league’s best defensive defenseman. Others, including this writer, agree.“I hope, down the road, they give out two trophies to defensemen,” Vlasic told San Jose Hockey Now’s Sheng Peng. “I think it’s absolutely absurd - they deserve it.“The Selke? Of course, give it to them, best defensive forward. But there’s none for defensemen, which is outrageous.“Defensemen are eligible for the Hart Trophy, but Chris Pronger in 2000 is the only blue-liner to win it since Bobby Orr’s retirement.Could a best defensive defenseman award be named after Rod Langway, who won back-to-back Norris Trophies in 1983-84 despite lackluster offense?“It doesn’t matter what they name it,” Vlasic said. “They have a Vezina and a Jennings, they have two for goalies. They have one for defensemen, two for goalies, and the rest are forwards. That makes no sense.“The 37-year-old would’ve been a strong candidate for such an award back in his heyday. He received down-ballot Norris Trophy votes four times between 2014-18, finishing as high as 11th despite never reaching 40 points.Vlasic’s defensive excellence earned him spots on victorious Canadian national teams at the 2014 Olympics and 2016 World Cup.“The only reason I’m pushing it is - I’m not pushing myself - even if I would have won 10 of them, or 12, I would have traded it in for one Cup,” he said. “Individual awards, I would trade any one in to help this team. Any player on any team would say the same thing.”
theScoreJosh Wegman

Will Connor McDavid face a possible suspension for elbowing?

Wild place Marcus Johansson on IR, Kirill Kaprizov on LTIR
The Wild announced Thursday that they have placed Johansson on injured reserve and will miss at least a week. The team also placed star Kirill Kaprizov on long-term injured reserve, retroactive to Dec. 23 and recalled forward Brendan Gaunce and Liam Öhgren from AHL Iowa.
Sportsnet.caSportsnet Staff

This was discussed on The Sheet with Jeff Marek yesterday, and Marek said the penalty for elbowing is two minutes. Elbowing is only called for head hits. So why would there be more? Change the rule book.

I see the by the book logic, but head hits are different. So, change the rules to include a 5 min major for head contact.

After the PWHL game in Quebec City sold out quickly, the question is will they get a team? Will they get one before an NHL team? Will Centre Videotron just be another Copps Coliseum - an NHL sized rink playing host to exhibition games and Major Junior forever?

I can't make a link card for CBC or MSN, so click here to read the story.

I worked at a hockey rink for 3 months last year. I needed some extra cash, and who doesn't want to drive a zamboni? I still do because I never made it that far before I quit after dealing with obnoxious, toxic, and entitled high level hockey parents and players. Rude, insulting, and seeing us rink rats as nothing more than peasants interfering with their future McDavids chances.

I am not shocked at this story.

Parent accused of assaulting 2 referees at Foxboro hockey rink
A parent is facing criminal charges after police say they assaulted two referees at a hockey rink in Foxboro earlier this month.
Yahoo NewsFrank O’Laughlin

Maddox Schultz already skipped a hockey grade once, but won't be doing it again to enter the WHL a year early. He's been pegged to be the #1 draft pick, but he won't be applying for exceptional status. WHL fans will have to wait one more year.

14-year-old Regina hockey phenom Maddox Schultz not applying for WHL exceptional status
“The best decision for me”: The 14-year-old Regina hockey phenom is considered by many as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WHL Draft.
Regina Leader PostTaylor Shire

Finally, the ECHL is expanding again with the Greensborough Gargoyles coming to play in October 2025. Primarily owned by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, who already own the Savannah Ghost Pirates and Jacksonville IceMen, they're committed to growing hockey in the south and this third team includes Spittin' Chiclets hosts Ray Whitney and Paul Bissonette in the ownership group.

Official Site of The ECHL | Introducing the Greensboro Gargoyles
The ECHL’s newest Member which begins play in October will be known as the Greensboro Gargoyles.
ECHLECHL

It's a pretty good logo and colour set. Can't wait for the jerseys.

Enjoy your day everyone!

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