Leafs Hour: End of the Hiller Honeymoon Phase

Doug MacLean, former NHL president, general manager and head coach joins Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne in-studio (0:28) to discuss his new book 'Game Day', building relationships, balancing the competition between the general managers and agreeing to making a trade to help the team, player empowerment when he was in the league vs. today's game, and his transition into working in sports media. Then, the guys talk about Brady Tkachuk's reception in his return to face his former team in Ottawa. Afterwards, Nick, Justin and Sam McKee continue the conversation on the Senators' win, Tim Stützle's statement game, and Linus Ullmark's injury.

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee get set for the Toronto Maple Leafs' matchup against the New York Rangers. They discuss Jake McCabe returning to practice after taking a high stick to the eye, Auston Matthews' early-season resurgence, and whether Brady Tkachuk's welcome back to Ottawa was harsher than John Tavares' reception on Long Island. Then, MSG Rangers analyst Dave Maloney stops by (31:08) to reflect on the life and legacy of former Ranger Ron Duguay before discussing what the Leafs can expect against New York, Dylan Garand's hot run in relief of the injured Igor Shesterkin, Adam Fox's return to his Norris-level form, and Alexis Lafrenière's strong start.

Sportsnet and ESPN NHL analyst Ray Ferraro joins Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne for his new biweekly appearance (5:08)! They discuss Brady Tkachuk's much-anticipated return to Ottawa, the Senators players hosting him for a pre-game dinner, Dylan Larkin expanding his trade list, the situation in Winnipeg with Connor Hellebuyck's suspension set to end, whether Devon Levi is the long-term answer for the Oilers in net, and whether the Bruins' hot start is sustainable. Later, Nick and Justin regroup with Sam McKee to listen to Tkachuk's pre-game availability, revisit what led to the trade, and share what they expect from the game.

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee begin the show recapping the Maple Leafs' 6-2 win over the Blue Jackets in Columbus, Matthew Knies and Kirill Marchenko facing off their former teams for the first time, why there's a culture problem in Rick Bowness' locker room, Easton Cowan logging his first three-point game, an early evaluation of the Jim Hiller Leafs, and Jake McCabe's injury. Then, former Leafs general manager Gord Stellick joins the guys (30:13) to chat about Auston Matthews' performance so far this season, running Cowan and Gavin McKenna full-time on the top six lines, why not developing a defenseman has hurt the team long-term, Nick Paul slotting in for the injured John Tavares, strong penalty kill early, Sergei Bobrovsky's starts, and how many boxes has Hiller checked off as the first-time head coach.

CEO of Clear Sight Analytics and former NHL goaltender Steve Valliquette (4:00) joins Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne to chat about Calgary Flames' goaltender Devin Cooley revealing his unique way to stay focus, if it's the right idea to give away personal strategies, options in net for the New York Rangers in the trade market, Connor Hellebuyck potential landing spot in Utah, Sergei Bobrovsky's start with the Maple Leafs, and the early numbers on how goals are getting past netminders at the start of the season. Then on Grill Marks, Vally asks the panel which goaltenders are playing in the most difficult and easiest environments and who's given up the most goals above their glove. To wrap up, Nick, Justin and Sam McKee discuss Brady Tkachuk's comments about donating thrown jerseys on the ice when he returns to Ottawa and the attendance down for Senators games.