The 2026 Winter Olympics are over and Team Canada lost in the gold medal game in both the men's and women's hockey tournaments. Now we must come back to reality and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Auston Matthews is coming home with a gold medal after captaining his team to victory. You might be shocked to hear the media made it about the Leafs.

- TSN
After being asked how capturing gold can help his confidence heading into the final stretch of the season with the Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews jokes that he’s just “trying to live in the moment, man”, while USA teammate Jack Hughes says no matter what anyone says now, Matthews is a winner.
TSN

The "harsh message" was "c'mon", more or less.

Auston Matthews’ USA teammates have a harsh message for Toronto Maple Leafs media
This is a fair point the Hughes brothers made.
Yahoo SportsBilly Heyen

Here's a recap of the game.

Game Review: Better team loses Olympic gold medal game in three-on-three contest
Entering this gold medal matchup, it looked like Team USA owned the deeper forward group and a more talented defense, but when the chips were down, Team Canada absolutely dominated, doing everything but scoring more than once. Ultimately, this is the story of the 2026 Olympic gold medal game. If the two sides played this […]
Maple Leafs HotstoveAnthony Petrielli

As well as Team Canada's leadership after.

Team Canada on gold medal loss | NHL.com
Team Canada coach Jon Cooper discusses the loss to Team USA and captain Sidney Crosby discusses the decision not to play while he deals with an injury
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McDavid was named tournament MVP, with him, Hellebuyck, and Quinn Hughes named the three best players at their positions. The tournament all-star team included the same three, along with Makar, Celebrini, and Slafkovsky.

McDavid, Hellebuyck, Quinn Hughes lead Olympic all-star team | NHL.com
Oilers captain named tournament MVP for Canada; Jets goalie, Wild defenseman named best at positions, win gold with U.S
NHL logoJon Lane

This article talks about what the tournament might've changed for the rest of the regular season. I remember Cathy feeling all-in on reclaiming the lost stardom of Kevin Fiala. Maybe Matthews winning a gold medal will do something, too.

Which players will carry Olympic momentum to rest of regular season?
Martin Necas and Juraj Slafkovsky generated immense momentum at the Olympics as they had back to their NHL squads.
Daily FaceoffKyle Morton

Here were the Leafs after practice on Sunday afternoon.

Maple Leafs Full Media Availability | Practice | February 22, 2026 | Toronto Maple Leafs
Head Coach and players address the media following Sunday’s practice.
Toronto Maple Leafs logo

Jaromir Jagr might finally be hanging up the skates at the age of 54 (11 years from normal retirement).

Jaromir Jagr talks retirement in 38th professional season
The storied hockey career of Jaromir Jagr might be coming to an end.
Sportsnet.caAssociated Press

This is a feature by TSN for Black History Month, telling more of the story of Herb Carnegie.

- TSN
Herb Carnegie is known as one of the greatest hockey players never to play in the NHL. It was widely alleged the Conn Smythe, owner of the Maple Leafs, said he would take Carnegie tomorrow if someone could turn him white. He was just 18 at the time. Jermain Franklin has more as TSN celebrates Black History Month.
TSN

I thought this was quite the quote.

Trade Buzz: Coleman activated from IR, ‘I’m a Flame until I’m told I’m not’ | NHL.com
Tuch ‘focused on being a Buffalo Sabre’; Blue Jackets don’t plan on adding rentals
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