> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Thursday's FTB: Not sure if the Leafs are good, but they ain't boring anymore - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/thursdays-ftb-not-sure-if-the-leafs-are-good-but-they-aint-boring-anymore/ - Published: 2026-09-24T10:00:26.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-24T10:00:25.000Z - Description: Now training camp gets boring, though. - Author: Cathy Squires - Tags: From The Branches With the preseason games in the bag, it's time for the only other thing left to do in training camp if you're not actually on the team: Make up stories about who should be on waivers, speculate about who is going to be traded even though no one is likely to be moved and, well, there isn't even a will he or won't he game to play with any prospects. Waivers have been going on for a few days now, so to review... waivers are not a way a team tries to "get rid" of players. Particularly at this time of the year when every single person on an NHL contract starts the season on the NHL roster and they either get loaned or waived for the purposes of assignment to the AHL/ECHL. That's why the term loaned is used. Because it's what it being done. Traditionally, the Leafs leave the top-end Marlies at main camp until the end of preseason and let the ECHL/lesser AHL players play the AHL preseason games. However, that concept dates from a time when there were games right at the end of camp. Yesterday, in the first really big waivers list, they (interestingly) waived Dakota Mermis and Cole McWard. I think they might have some fear Mermis wouldn't clear later on if someone had an injury in their NHL roster. > Waivers today:[https://t.co/so7qgeJuNv](https://t.co/so7qgeJuNv?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > Everyone on waivers yesterday cleared. > > Players expected to be waived prior to opening rosters: [https://t.co/QZYUvdZbPh](https://t.co/QZYUvdZbPh?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [pic.twitter.com/XflOSXN9rh](https://t.co/XflOSXN9rh?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > β€” PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) [September 23, 2026](https://x.com/PuckPedia/status/2102824357714133459?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) As for who else needs waivers, it is my very great pleasure to say that I never have to compile a list of those players ever again. If you want to find out who on the Leafs needs waivers and is likely to be waived, you can just go here: [https://puckpedia.com/nhl-waiver-watch#toronto-maple-leafs](https://puckpedia.com/nhl-waiver-watch?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com#toronto-maple-leafs) I should note that William Villeneuve, who is recovering from surgery, is on that list, and I believe he will sit on SOIR until he is fit to be sent to the Marlies. This won't have any cap implications for the Leafs, but he will need to clear waivers when he goes down. I do not see any players likely to be claimed unless someone really wants a guy to fight and takes Michael Pezzetta. Remember, claiming someone on waivers means you intend to play them in the NHL. If there is any risk in Mermis being claimed then there is a greater risk for any defender with real NHL experience, but it's not large. Cap-compliant NHL rosters, limited to 23 players who are not on some form of IR, are due Monday at 5 pm, so the rosters will get cleared before then, with waivers on Saturday and Sunday being the big events. As for the third group at camp that we've barely heard anything about, the Leafs moved them off to their team camps yesterday: > The following players have been assigned to the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL): > > Matt Hellickson > Adam Kydd > Joe Miller > Max Smolinski > > β€” Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) [September 23, 2026](https://x.com/LeafsPR/status/2102884615346163799?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) As well, Alexander Bilecki, Tyler Hopkins and Harry Nansi have been returned to their OHL teams. --- In last night's game, we got our first look at the Rielly - Raddysh pair, and the question will be can they handle top lines defensively. Maybe. There was some team effort lack of coverage here, but a more mobile defender than Raddysh might have saved this play: > TIM STÜTZLE, HOW DO YOU DO?! πŸ’₯ [pic.twitter.com/8tvypmK1iG](https://t.co/8tvypmK1iG?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > β€” NHL (@NHL) [September 23, 2026](https://x.com/NHL/status/2102901431820788024?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Offensively, they were very exciting, and Rielly looked fantastic. So did Auston Matthews. By the second period, everyone was realizing who Gavin McKenna really is (smart, fast, fearless) and also getting to like Jack Roslovic. JT got some red light therapy setting up McCabe: > πŸ”΅ Cabers gets us goin' 🚨 [pic.twitter.com/F582wyFhbM](https://t.co/F582wyFhbM?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > β€” Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) [September 23, 2026](https://x.com/MapleLeafs/status/2102901942720852155?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) More red light with JT at the net: > Gavin McKenna picks up his first preseason assist as John Tavares gives the Leafs their first lead of the night 🫑 [pic.twitter.com/22CE98KwaZ](https://t.co/22CE98KwaZ?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > β€” Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) [September 23, 2026](https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/2102907303909351547?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) New guy! > πŸ”΅ Roslovic's first (preseason) as a Bud! [pic.twitter.com/4iCjRlwc4m](https://t.co/4iCjRlwc4m?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > β€” Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) [September 24, 2026](https://x.com/MapleLeafs/status/2102914360003764285?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) McKenna drew the penalty to get that PP. With Nick Paul not on the ice after the first, the lines got blended quite a bit. Cowan played with Matthews, then with the third line again, while McKenna moved up for some top line fun. Zack MacEwen got some time with good players and showed off his speed and positioning: > πŸ”΅ Zack Attack! [pic.twitter.com/HvAq1IH6Vd](https://t.co/HvAq1IH6Vd?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > β€” Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) [September 24, 2026](https://x.com/MapleLeafs/status/2102920748079919177?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Morgan Rielly got on the board on an offensive setup from Darren Raddysh. These two are fun. > Oh my days, Morgan 🎯 [pic.twitter.com/2CdS40SZeY](https://t.co/2CdS40SZeY?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > β€” Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) [September 24, 2026](https://x.com/MapleLeafs/status/2102922267550429683?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Let's remember that this is a mostly AHL Sens team they were playing, but it's still fun, and a good sign that these guys can skate, do smart things and have fun. Oh, like this: > VINTAGE MATTHEWS. [pic.twitter.com/zDCMoLvTMz](https://t.co/zDCMoLvTMz?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > β€” Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) [September 24, 2026](https://x.com/MapleLeafs/status/2102928854771994971?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Knies played about half the game on the third line with Sissons in at C and Paul out of the game. McKenna had more time on the Matthews line than Cowan, but Cowan got to do PK (very well) for the first time. At the end of the game Michael Pezzetta who thinks making an impression involves imprinting his elbow on a guy without the puck laid a stupid hit on the young near-rookie on the Sens. Ya know, the thing we all don't want happening to Mckenna. > Michael Pezzetta gets an interference call for this hit on Carter Yakemchuk [pic.twitter.com/vjFYwLkMBP](https://t.co/vjFYwLkMBP?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > β€” Omar (@TicTacTOmar) [September 24, 2026](https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/2102934788915277842?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) And while all that was going on and the Leafs won by, er, a lot (6-1)! The other game with more of the NHL Sens lost to the Marlies + Leafs fourth line 4-2. A lot of encouraging signs in the game that counted. No word at close of game on Nick Paul.