> ## 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. # Wednesday's FTB: Hot knife through butter last night - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/wednesdays-ftb-hot-knife-through-butter-last-night/ - Published: 2026-10-21T10:01:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-21T10:01:00.000Z - Description: Tagging issues are a new way to worry the Leafs can't do arithmetic. - Author: Cathy Squires - Tags: From The Branches Yesterday on Jeff Marek's podcast, they discussed the Leafs and tagging room. This was the issue that caused the Marchenko trade to get more complicated. The guest Steve Werier gave the quick explanation of how this is calculated now. It used to be so complex, only the NHL office could do it. The more recent CBA changes simplified it so it's essentially the same as offseason cap space. Tagging room is the space on next-year's cap, but it is limited by this year's cap ceiling plus 10%. I took a minute to rough calculate this, without going through the fine tuning of prorating qualifying offers for pending RFAs, so I got a number very close to the limit as Werier said. What this means is that *right now* the Leafs effectively have to act like they have no LTIR room – they have $3.5 million or so – if they are adding a player. They need to be dollar in-dollar out because the tagging room doesn't use LTIR space. The Leafs actually do have space next year with a projected roster and no one on LTIR. But they are effectively restrained by the tagging rules. Right now, I need to emphasize. Because this is not a problem that can't be fixed. First off, it does not apply to anyone who is an expiring UFA. Second there is some obvious ways to gain tagging room now. The first place to look is AHLers on one-way contracts signed into next season. The Leafs have a couple on low salaries, and they could in a pinch move one of these players out and gain a little room. Small change, though. The more obvious candidates are Miles Wood and Dakota Joshua. The podcast above features a conversation about how odd it was that the Leafs took Miles Wood. Well, there's a reason for that, Columbus really wanted him gone. So the sacrifice was Emil Andrae. Wood is signed for $2.5 million for two more years. He's also currently hurt, so finding someone willing to take him is on hold. They did already try, per reports. Joshua is on a conditioning stint with the Marlies, and his $3.25 million next year would bring the tagging room in line with the actual LTIR room available right now and would help open the door to a move that brought in a player of higher value than the one(s) going out. The other interesting question is Max Domi. Is he recovering? Or maybe that's not even sure yet. But if he is done playing, then that's the most obvious contract to move, but it would cost something to do. Trading Zack MacEwen gets the team $875,000 in tagging room, and is as uninspiring an idea as moving out Cole McWard. Wood seems like the smart place to start. He's not unplayable in the NHL, but he isn't worth his salary, not even with cap inflation. The fact he cleared waivers proves that. But if I were to guess, I'd say they will find a new team for him. The podcast also discussed – well, implied – that John Chayka didn't know all this was a problem, and that's unknowable. But it's reasonable that getting the Marchenko deal done was worth the hassle faced now. --- > Forward Auston Matthews is skating in the 700th game of his NHL career. > > He becomes the 17th player in Toronto Maple Leafs history to play 700 games with the franchise. [https://t.co/j0Qw6QqX8V](https://t.co/j0Qw6QqX8V?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) [October 20, 2026](https://x.com/LeafsPR/status/2112685111116210676?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) It was the Cowan/Nylander/Matthews/Marchenko/Roslovic show and also the PK show last night, as the Leafs obliterated Columbus with special teams. The Blue Jackets came on in the third in a very classic score effects way, but did not get much quality going offensively. Final score was 6-2 Leafs. The bad news is Jake McCabe took a stick to the face and did not return to a game that was well won by the Leafs. First NHL shorty for Cowboy: > EASTON COWAN WITH THE SHORTY!!! 🤠 [pic.twitter.com/CGgKr9067p](https://t.co/CGgKr9067p?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) [October 21, 2026](https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/2112701721558327380?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) First NHL goal: > MARSHALL RIFAI HAS HIS FIRST NHL GOAL 🙌 [pic.twitter.com/hvlGD59BBL](https://t.co/hvlGD59BBL?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) [October 21, 2026](https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/2112721105375158741?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) There was a lot of PKing by the Leafs, and they did very well. The power play kept the boat afloat at first, but eventually they were just the better team, third-period push by the Blue Jackets and all. That's all for today, we get one whole day before the next game as the Leafs come home to face the Rangers tomorrow.