» “Fix The NHL” draft: Franchise tags, fun uniforms, 3-point games, and… relegation?
18/08/25 12:44 from Down Goes Brown
Today, four of us are going to fix the NHL. Or at least, we’re going to try. And then you’re going to tell us who did the best job. Oh, you don’t think the NHL needs any fixing? The league, as currently run, is just about perfect? Cool, ...

» Let's build the worst possible roster of contracts that's still somehow cap compliant
13/08/25 15:21 from Down Goes Brown
Six years ago, I wrote a post based on a premise that I thought was stupid, bordering on pointlessly absurd. If you know my work, that’s really saying something. A few days earlier, I’d tried to build a roster using the best players and ...

» Do Elias Pettersson and Jusse Saros have bad contracts? NHL Cap Court returns
07/08/25 13:58 from Down Goes Brown
Let’s do another round of Cap Court. You know the drill by now: Five players, five dicey contracts (from a team perspective), and five arguments over whether the deal is actually bad enough to be “bad”. Today, we’ll cover a perplexing go...

» A brief history of the Thornton Award, a fake trophy for best debut with a new team
30/07/25 14:44 from Down Goes Brown
It’s summer and nothing’s happening. Let’s make up another fake award. We did this last summer, when we introduced the Pollock Trophy for a season’s best trade. Prior to that, we’ve also done the Carson Trophy for best sophomore season, ...

» Getting a new CBA without a lockout is bad, actually: The Contrarian returns
25/07/25 14:19 from Down Goes Brown
It’s late-July, we’re two months away from games that matter, and NHL GMs have apparently taken the rest of the summer off . Let’s get Contrarian. This is the feature where you send in your most obvious takes, and I tell you that you’re ...

» The minor playoff rule change that altered NHL history, including 4 Cup winners
22/07/25 13:49 from Down Goes Brown
During the 1986 offseason, a very strange thing happened in the NHL: The league made a rule change that nobody got all that upset about. That was rare, even back then, because fans like to complain about things. But this change was so si...

» Help me become a better contrarian
19/07/25 17:43 from Down Goes Brown
Hey folks… Thinking of doing another edition of The Contrarian. You send in a statement that you think is obvious or inarguable, and I’ll try to come up with the contrarian view. We've done a few of these, and the ones that work best fin...

» The Crimsion Chin? SchaefDaddy? The Finnish Fettuccine? Nickname Court is in session
17/07/25 13:13 from Down Goes Brown
Hockey nicknames are terrible. We all know this. But some of us might be too young to know that it wasn’t always like this. There was a time when hockey nicknames ranged from decent to outright cool, back in a distant time before we just...

» 1980s Alberta vs. 2020s Florida: Which two-team dynasty was more impressive?
15/07/25 14:02 from Down Goes Brown
At the start of 2025, I worked with Eric Stephens on a post that asked the question: Which state has been the NHL’s best of the cap era, California or Florida ? It was a fun debate, and at the end we let you have your say in a reader sur...

» I'm looking for your submissions to Nickname Court
11/07/25 18:14 from Down Goes Brown
I'm thinking of trying a new mailbag-type feature over the summer that I would call Nickname Court. As we know, modern NHL nicknames are terrible, with most of them either just being a player's name with an -er or -y ending tacked on, or...

» Which team makes the best lineup with no repeated initials? Slow news summer returns
11/07/25 15:18 from Down Goes Brown
It’s summer and nothing is happening. Let’s play some weird roster games. This one comes from reader Darryl F., who tweeted it at me five years ago. Yes, the “weird ideas” list goes back that far. Much further, actually. Look, you probab...

» Let's get old: Five things I miss about how the NHL offseason used to work
08/07/25 14:45 from Down Goes Brown
It’s mid-July. It’s too hot, my neighbor isn’t keeping his lawn in shape, they don’t make smart summer movies anymore, and all these kids who are off school should be out doing something productive instead of staring at screens all day. ...

» NHL 2024-25 prediction contest results, where playing it safe (finally) paid off
04/07/25 17:29 from Down Goes Brown
July 1 has come and gone, marking one of the most important dates on the entire NHL calendar. Free agency? Extension? The start of the new league year? Yeah, I guess that stuff matters a bit. But I’m talking about the truly big stuff: Th...

» Should Leaf fans view Mitch Marner as a hero or villain? A debate with myself
30/06/25 22:51 from Down Goes Brown
It’s official. The Mitch Marner era is over in Toronto, with the Leafs executing a sign-and-trade deal that sends him to Vegas Golden Knights hours before Monday's midnight deadline. (add link) Leaf fans, how are we feeling about all of ...

» The NHL tried something new with how this year's draft worked. It got awkward
28/06/25 03:33 from Down Goes Brown
For decades, the NHL had a unique approach to their annual draft. While other leagues used a decentralized approach, with teams drafting from various war rooms around North America, the NHL brought everyone to one host city for a days-lo...

» Which team can build the most impressive starting lineup of cap era draft busts?
28/06/25 02:24 from Down Goes Brown
It’s draft weekend in the NHL. A time for renewal, and replenishment, and metaphors about fresh sheets of ice. Optimism, you might even say. This may be the one day of the year where every team and their fan base can legitimately feel li...

» Mitch Marner UFA power rankings: Who needs him, what's funniest and where does he land?
25/06/25 13:11 from Down Goes Brown
We’re less than a week away from free agency, and the big name is Mitch Marner. You may have heard about it. It’s been kind of a thing . And as you’d expect, several teams have emerged as potential destinations, while others are likely h...

» Longevity vs. peak: The Hockey Hall of Fame debate, and 5 players who define it
23/06/25 12:36 from Down Goes Brown
What kind of Hall-of-Fame fan are you? With the HHOF committee meeting tomorrow to pick the class of 2025, and a stellar crop of first-time candidates added to some impressive holdovers, it’s time to have the Hall debate. After all, half...

» What your favorite UFA is up to right now, some Canadian pride, and more: Grab Bag
20/06/25 14:56 from Down Goes Brown
We’re just days away from free agency. Do you know what your favorite pending UFA is up to right now? My spies have been busy finding out, and reported back with this list of what a dozen of the biggest names on our UFA board are focused...

» Who says no to these trades (involving things that cannot actually be traded)?
11/06/25 13:10 from Down Goes Brown
In the NHL, you can’t trade coaches. There was a time when you could, and it happened back in 1987, when Rangers’ GM Phil Esposito sent a first-round pick to Quebec for head coach Michel Bergeron in a surprise swap . It was a creative mo...

» The road to the Stanley Cup Final: Ranking the 14 playoff series that got us here
09/06/25 16:26 from Down Goes Brown
We’re two games into a Stanley Cup final that already seems like it could be headed for classic status. But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s take a moment to look back at the 14 other matchups that brought us here, with ou...

» I want your trade proposals (involving things that cannot be traded)
08/06/25 02:47 from Down Goes Brown
We all love a good “Who says no?” trade column. Readers send in their proposals, and writers figure out which ones makes sense, and which teams would or wouldn’t be interested. It’s a great gimmick, which is why you see it show up so oft...

» How the Maple Leafs set themselves up for the division title, and the question marks remaining ahead of the playoffs — Leafs Notebook
14/04/25 19:15 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
With two games remaining, the Maple Leafs are one point away from clinching first place in the Atlantic Division. The regular-season division title is a goal we’ve discussed for years in this space, and it has always been met with mixed ...

» Game in 10: Joseph Woll carries Leafs through slow start, new-look middle-six leads the way offensively in 4-1 win over Carolina
14/04/25 02:06 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
Despite a shaky start, the Maple Leafs grabbed the lead and locked this game down in the final two periods, pushing the team one step closer to an Atlantic Division title with a 4-1 win in Carolina. Put simply, this was just a really sol...

» Craig Berube on the challenge of picking a playoff starter in the Leafs’ net: “I don’t know if it is a challenge… It’s a good thing that we have two guys capable of doing the job”
14/04/25 01:15 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
Craig Berube addressed the media after the Maple Leafs’ 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, which improved the team’s record to 50-26-4. On the team’s performance after a slow start to the game:  We weathered the stor...

» Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Carolina Hurricanes – Game #80 Preview, Projected Lines & TV Broadcast Info
13/04/25 20:50 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
The Maple Leafs have an opportunity to clinch the Atlantic Division title with a result in Carolina plus a little help elsewhere, but it starts with earning at least a point in a tired situation vs. the best home team in the Eastern Conf...

» Power play connects for three goals, Toronto Marlies finally solve Cleveland in important victory for the playoff cause
13/04/25 16:55 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
“Our power play was outstanding, our PK was outstanding, and Dennis [Hildeby] made some really big saves in a timely fashion. I’m proud of them. We’ve got to drive back (to Toronto) and do the exact same thing.” – John Gruden...

» Craig Berube on the Leafs’ OT win over Montreal: “We helped our (five) defensemen out… We didn’t spend much time in our defensive zone, and there was nothing off the rush”
13/04/25 03:20 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
Craig Berube addressed the media after the Maple Leafs’ 1-0 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens, which improved the team’s record to 49-26-4 and increased their lead in the Atlantic Division to four points with three gam...

» Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens – Game #79 Preview, Projected Lines & TV Broadcast Info
12/04/25 21:15 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
The Maple Leafs will need to overcome playing a defenseman short as they hope to inch themselves two points closer to an Atlantic Division regular-season title when they close out the season series on HNIC against the Canadiens (7:00 p.m...

» Craig Berube on the final Leafs vs. Habs matchup of the season: “I know they played last night, but throw it out the window… It is not going to matter”
12/04/25 17:45 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
Ahead of Saturday’s game, head coach Craig Berube discussed managing a game with only five defensemen, William Nylander’s recent ice time, Simon Benoit elevating his game down the stretch, and the final Leafs vs. Habs rivalry...

» Maple Leafs in the driver’s seat in the Atlantic Division race, and the potential playoff lineup — MLHS Podcast Ep. 89
11/04/25 17:19 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
In the latest MLHS Podcast, Nick Ashbourne and Anthony Petrielli discuss the Maple Leafs’ trip through Florida, how they match up vs. the Panthers and Lightning stylistically, and the Leafs’ potential playoff lineup. Maple Le...

» Craig Berube on the Leafs playing with five defensemen vs. Montreal on Saturday: “Our forwards need to help our D…  Not spending extended shifts in the defensive zone and tiring the D out will be a big part of the game”
11/04/25 17:18 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
After Friday’s practice, head coach Craig Berube discussed the injury status of Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jake McCabe, Jani Hakanpaa, and Max Pacioretty, shifting Calle Jarnkrok back onto the Tavares-Nylander line, and the challenge ag...

» Jani Hakanpaa on his progress toward a potential playoff return with the Maple Leafs: “We’ve been making some good improvements and slowly working our way toward playing again… Hopefully, we’ll get there”
11/04/25 16:52 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
After Friday’s practice, Jani Hakanpaa discussed his progress toward potentially suiting up again for NHL game action and the experience of spending most of the 2024-25 season rehabbing/ practicing instead of playing games. How are...

» Game in 10: Matthew Knies puts on statement performance in Maple Leafs’ huge win over Tampa
10/04/25 05:15 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
In one of the biggest regular-season games in recent memory for this core, the Toronto Maple Leafs won a tight 4-3 overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Looking to rebound after a dreadful effort last night against the Florida ...

» Anthony Petrielli joins Sportsnet’s Leafs Talk to break down the Maple Leafs’ big OT win over Tampa
10/04/25 02:54 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
MLHS’ Anthony Petrielli joins JD Bunkis on Sportsnet’s post-game Leafs Talk show to digest the Maple Leafs’ 4-3 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The post Anthony Petrielli joins Sportsnet’s Leafs Talk to break down the Maple Le...

» Jon Cooper on the Lightning going 0-3-1 vs. the Leafs this season: “If they win the division, they deserve to because they swept us this year”
10/04/25 02:30 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper discussed his team’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs, who swept the 2024-25 regular-season series against Tampa.  On the message to the team after the 2-0 deficit inside the first three minutes:...

» Craig Berube on Matthew Knies’ hat trick in a big OT win over Tampa: “His competitiveness is really, really high-end… He skates through people all night”
10/04/25 02:26 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
Craig Berube addressed the media after the Maple Leafs’ 4-3 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, which improved the team’s record to 48-26-4 and increased their lead in the Atlantic Division to three points with four ga...

» Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning – Game #78 Preview, Projected Lines & TV Broadcast Info
09/04/25 22:17 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
The Maple Leafs are looking to complete the season-series sweep against the Tampa Bay Lightning (two points behind, same games played) in a big four-point game that will go a long way in deciding the coming-down-to-the-wire Atlantic Divi...

» Jon Cooper on the Lightning losing the first three games of the season series to the Leafs: “When you drive your car, do you look in the rear-view mirror the whole time, or do you look out the windshield?”
09/04/25 19:50 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
Ahead of the final game of the Leafs vs. Lightning season series, head coaches Craig Berube and Jon Cooper discussed a big game in the division standings. Craig Berube on his team’s ability to respond to bad games this season: R...

» Game in 10: Maple Leafs’ stars fall flat in lacklustre loss to Panthers
09/04/25 02:47 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
The Maple Leafs entered this game 8-1-1 in their past 10, so you can excuse a loss. The issue is how they lost. They were outshot 37-18 and out-attempted 63-31. This wasn’t even close to a fully healthy Panthers team, either. The top lin...

» Paul Maurice after the Panthers’ 3-1 win over the Leafs: “We needed to win a game… It wasn’t a particularly heavy game, but we did what we needed to do to win”
09/04/25 02:46 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice discussed his team’s 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs, which ended their five-game losing slide and closed out the season series vs. Toronto at 3-1-0 in favour of Florida. On his team’s performanc...

» Craig Berube on the Leafs’ disappointing effort in Florida: “They wanted it more than us… We have to be more competitive than that”
09/04/25 02:08 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
Craig Berube addressed the media after the Maple Leafs’ 3-1 loss to the Florida Panthers, which dropped the team’s record to 47-26-4. On the difference in the game: They wanted it more than us. It starts in the faceoff circle...

» Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Florida Panthers – Game #77 Preview, Projected Lines & TV Broadcast Info
08/04/25 21:57 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
The Maple Leafs hope to move four clear of the Lightning at the top of the Atlantic — and open an insurmountable eight-point lead over the Panthers, with a game in hand — as they close out the regular-season series against a ...

» Craig Berube on Mitch Marner closing in on 100 points: “It’s like a guy scoring 50 goals… It means a lot to the individual, our team, and the organization”
08/04/25 18:00 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
Ahead of Tuesday’s game in Florida, head coach Craig Berube discussed the final game of the regular season against the Panthers and Mitch Marner’s pursuit of the 100-point milestone. Morning Skate Lines – Apr. 8 Lines a...

» Paul Maurice on Anthony Stolarz’s time in Florida before signing with the Leafs: “We would’ve loved to have kept him… We loved the guy”
08/04/25 17:44 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
Ahead of the final Maple Leafs vs. Panthers game of the regular season, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice discussed his expectations for the game, the status of his injured players, and his experience coaching now-Leafs goalie Anthony Sto...

» The Rielly-Carlo pairing rounding into form, Matthew Knies elevating, and bottom-six tinkering — Leafs Notebook
07/04/25 16:40 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
Another week of piling up wins has the Maple Leafs comfortably in the driver’s seat at the top of the Atlantic Division. However, this is the week we find out if they can retain it, as they have a big Florida trip and play out their fina...

» Craig Berube on whether Jani Hakanpaa could be a playoff option for the Leafs: “Well, that is still the question… Hopefully, he can get to the point where he’s capable of helping us if we need him”
07/04/25 16:39 from Toronto Maple Leafs Hot Stove
After Monday’s practice, head coach Craig Berube discussed Jake McCabe and David Kampf’s status for the Florida road trip, Jani Hakanpaa’s progress toward a return, the division race, and Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gr...

» Maple Leafs Momentum: Tavares Shines Amid Stolarz Setback
18/12/24 15:58 from Centre of Leafs Nation
Join us in this episode of “Maple Leafs Momentum” as we dive deep into the thrilling world of the Toronto Maple Leafs! With the team currently sitting atop the Atlantic Division, we celebrate the clutch performances of captai...

» Maple Leafs Talk: Overcoming Injuries and Hot Starts with Mike Commito
03/12/24 22:00 from Centre of Leafs Nation
In this episode, we welcome Mike Commito, the esteemed author of the Hockey 365 series published by Dundurn Press. Join us as we dive into a lively discussion about the Toronto Maple Leafs and their promising start to the season despite ...

» Maple Leafs on Fire: Thriving Without Matthews
27/11/24 16:00 from Centre of Leafs Nation
The Toronto Maple Leafs are surging with a stellar 7-2-1 record in their last 10 games, including an impressive 7-1 run without Auston Matthews in the lineup. Join us as we break down the exceptional goaltending led by Joseph Woll, who e...