Are the Leafs trending in the right direction?
The Leaf Report: A show about the Toronto Maple LeafsShow Notes
The Maple Leafs ended their first road trip of the season with a record of 1-1-1. The guys discuss the struggles of goalie Anthony Stolarz and defenseman Morgan Rielly in the loss to Utah, how the defensive pairings look without Chris Tanev, they critique the play of Kirill Marchenko, William Nylander and Auston Matthews, how the team is using Gavin McKenna, the outstanding penalty kill, the middling powerplay and if there are any pieces available to acquire a number one defenceman?
Hosts: Jonas Siegel & James Mirtle Producer: Jeff Domet Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from The Leaf Report: A show about the Toronto Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews has been the difference maker that the Maple Leafs need to have success. Easton Cowan has taken the leap as a player that the team can count on, and Gavin McKenna is settling in after his benching earlier this season from head coach Jim Hiller. Jonas Siegel and guest co-host Chris Johnston discuss the Maple Leafs highs and lows as the season reaches the 11 game mark.
The Maple Leafs are 2-2-1 to start the season. Jonas and James look back on the shootout loss in Vegas and the comeback win over the Predators in Toronto. They discuss the goaltending tandem of Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz, the top 6 which continues to get tweaked by head coach Jim Hiller, Gavin McKenna getting that monkey off his back, the more dependable third line this year from last and a work in progress fourth line which welcomes the just recalled Miles Wood ahead of games vs the Avalanche and Mammoth on Saturday and Tuesday.
Easton Cowan leads the Leafs in scoring after two games. Jonas and James discuss his progression and the improvement on the Leafs third line with Nick Paul and Colton Sissons and the penalty kill from last season. The guys talk about the early season struggles of Tavares, Nylander and McKenna, blueline newcomer Darryn Raddysh and dynamic power forward Kirill Marchenko.
The Maple Leafs acquired star winger Kirill Marchenko from the Blue Jackets on Monday afternoon, and immediately signed him to a 75 million, 6 year extension which will kick in next season. Jonas and James react to this shocking deal on the eve of the season, if Marchenko plays on the Matthews or Tavares line and why the Leafs seemed to give up on fan favourite Matthew Knies.
With training camp coming to an end, and the Maple Leafs enjoying some down time at Auston Matthews house in Arizona, Jonas and James discuss Gavin McKenna skating on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander, Jack Roslovic playing right wing with Auston Matthews, Morgan Rielly paired with Darren Raddysh on the number one defensive unit and Zack MacEwen replacing Steven Lorentz on the roster ahead of the Leafs opening night game vs the Montreal Canadiens.