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Articles by Pat Lorusso
Jim Hiller’s Explanation Doesn’t Fully Answer the Gavin McKenna Question
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost 5-4 in overtime to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night, but that wasn’t the story everyone was talking about afterward. The story was Gavin McKenna. More specifically, why the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft spent the final 32:54 of the game glued to the bench while the Leafs blew a 4-2 lead. McKenna finished with just 6:36 of ice time across nine shifts, a season low, and never saw the ice in the third period or overtime.
Canadiens Spoil Maple Leafs’ Season Opener Despite William Nylander’s Two Goals
The Toronto Maple Leafs opened the 2026-27 season with a 3-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena. William Nylander scored both Toronto goals, but the Canadiens received goals from Josh Anderson, Zachary Bolduc and Alexandre Carrier to spoil opening night. Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobes made 25 saves, while Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 21 shots in his first game with the Maple Leafs.
Did the Maple Leafs Just Upgrade Their Top Line?
The Maple Leafs made a franchise-altering move Monday, acquiring Kirill Marchenko, Elvis Merzlikins and Miles Wood from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, Emil Andrae and a second-round pick. As part of the deal, Toronto signed Marchenko to a six-year, $75 million extension carrying a $12.5 million cap hit. Let’s be honest. Most fans are going to judge this trade based on one question: Did the Leafs just get a better player than Matthew Knies?
What Have We Learned From The Maple Leafs’ Preseason So Far?
It’s always dangerous to put too much stock into preseason hockey, but after a shortened exhibition season, there are already a few encouraging signs for the Maple Leafs. The obvious headline has been Gavin McKenna. Every time the 18-year-old touches the puck, there seems to be a buzz around the rink.
Pat Lorusso's Mo Space
Fundraising for cause areas including: Testicular cancer Testicular cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in young men, and rates have doubled in the last 50 years. The Movember Foundation is working to halve the number of deaths from testicular cancer by 2030. Seeing that I am a Testicular Cancer survivor it is important to do my part to help others that are going through the same as myself.
Inside the Leafs with Mike Wilson & Rick Vaive of Squid and the Ultimate Leafs Fan Podcast: Marner, McCabe, and More
In this special episode, we sit down with Mike Wilson and Rick Vaive, hosts of the Squid and the Ultimate Leafs Fan Podcast, to dive deep into the Leafs’ season so far. We cover everything from Mitch Marner’s play and Jake McCabe’s role to the challenges and opportunities the Leafs face as they aim for greatness. Mike and Rick share insights from their decades-long connection to Leafs Nation, offering takes and stories that every fan will appreciate.
The Toronto Maple Leafs Outlast the Florida Panthers in a High-Scoring Affair
The Toronto Maple Leafs edged out a thrilling 6-4 victory over the Florida Panthers last night. The game was a seesaw battle, with the Maple Leafs overcoming a third-period comeback attempt by the Panthers. This win is a significant one for the Maple Leafs, as the Panthers are considered to be one of their biggest rivals in the Eastern Conference. It also highlights the team’s recent offensive surge and their improved penalty kill, which has been a point of weakness throughout this season.
Post-Game Analysis: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Buffalo Sabres
In a thrilling matchup tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs faced off against the Buffalo Sabres in what turned out to be an electrifying display of skill and determination. As the final buzzer sounded, it was the Maple Leafs who emerged victorious, securing a commanding 3-0 win over the Sabres. Dominant Performance by the Maple Leafs from the opening faceoff, the Maple Leafs asserted their dominance on the ice, controlling the pace of the game and dictating play in all three zones.
Centre of Leafs Nation: Interview with Ben Dowsett
In this week’s podcast we have Ben Dowsett, Freelance writer for ESPN/538. Mostly NBA and lifelong Maple Leafs fan. We discuss issues with the officiating in the NHL, how the NHL deals with its biggest market and so much more! Like this: Like Loading... Related
NHL Trade Deadline: Grading GM Kyle Dubas, Leafs acquire Mark Giordano & Colin Blackwell!
In this week’s podcast, we look at the Maple Leafs’ additions at the NHL Deadline, we grade GM Kyle Dubas’ performance and so much more! Like this: Like Loading... Related
Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews, Erik Källgren & NHL Trade Deadline
In our latest podcast, we discuss the Auston Matthews suspension, Erik Källgren, the NHL Trade Deadline and so much more! Like this: Like Loading... Related
Searching for a Silver Lining for the Maple Leafs
Let’s get some difficult truths out of the way before I comment on any silver linings that may exist with the Maple Leafs’ play since the calendar turned to 2022. Let’s start with the biggest horrible truth, the goaltending. Goaltending has been ranked within the bottom 5 of the league for a while now, with the Maple Leafs coughing up at 3 or more goals in their last 6 games, not a winning recipe obviously.
Maple Leafs-Drive for Vaive for Auston Matthews & Roster Shake Up!
In our latest podcast, we debate the defense and goaltending to see which has been the biggest factor on the other, we also discuss the “Drive for Vaive” and the torrent scoring pace of Auston Matthews, today’s roster shake up and so much more! Like this: Like Loading... Related
Toronto Maple Leafs: Fan Therapy
In our latest podcast we discuss the Michael Bunting, Auston Mathews and Mitch Marner line, the Maple Leafs most recent goaltending issues and so much more! Like this: Like Loading... Related
Centre of Leafs Nation: Interview with Steve Kouleas
In this week’s podcast we have Co-host of the Kool Button Hockey Podcast & Host of the Power Play on SXM NHL Network Radio Steve Kouleas on our show. We discuss the changing landscape of sports media and how new technology is impacting the industry to his thoughts on the Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews and so much more! Like this: Like Loading... Related
Nick Ritchie is desert bound
One of the Maple Leafs bigger offseason acquisitions is now desert bound. As GM Dubas has traded Nick Ritchie & a conditional pick (third round pick in 2023 or second pick in 2025) to the Arizona Coyotes for forward Ryan Dzingel and Ilya Lyubushkin. Nick Ritchie since arriving to the Maple Leafs struggled to find his place. Coach Keefe tried to coach up Ritchie, and when that didn’t work he was given opportunities in the Maple Leafs bottom six and he still didn’t fit there either.
Maple Leafs Player Profile: Timothy Liljegren
Who is Timothy Liljegren? This question still lingers over the 22 year old defenseman taken in the June 2017 draft by the Maple Leafs. To be honest, he is much like a lot of young defensemen his age, he is a work in progress. He was considered a sure thing draft prospect back in 2017, but then he contracted mono that year and his stock fell because he missed a large portion of games recovering from the illness. I personally was excited when he landed to the Maple Leafs late in the first round.
Centre of Leafs Nation: Interview with Jack Han
In this week’s podcast, We had the pleasure of interviewing Jack Han. Jack worked for the Leafs/Marlies for three years. We ask him about his time in the Leafs Organization, his thoughts on the Maple Leafs play/systems and so much more! Like this: Like Loading... Related
Toronto Maple Leafs: Mid Season Report Cards
In this latest podcast, we give the Maple Leafs our mid-season grades. Who passes and who fails, plus so much more! Like this: Like Loading... Related
Toronto Maple Leafs: Trade Deadline Targets
March 21st’s NHL Trade Deadline takes on an even more important significance for the Maple Leafs. The last two playoffs exits have ramped up the heat on management and players to get this offseason right and finally win a round or better yet four in these upcoming playoffs. As we all know, the common dominator in all successful cup winning teams is defense. So that is where if I were GM Kyle Dubas, I would focus most of my assets and cap space on improving.
Interview with Spencer Hyman from the Hyman Family Foundation
In this episode of the Centre Of Leafs Nation podcast, we interview Spencer Hyman regarding the Hyman Family Foundation, this summer’s Zach Hyman Celebrity Golf Classic and so much more! Like this: Like Loading... Related
Toronto Maple Leafs Hit The Skids
After starting the 17-0 with the a lead, the Toronto Maple Leafs have coughed up the lead in the five games. We discuss the reasons for the recent skid, and what could be the solutions as the page turns to the trade deadline and playoffs. Like this: Like Loading... Related
Take aways from the first five games of 2022 for the Maple Leafs
In our first podcast of 2022, we discuss the take aways from the first five games of the new year for the Maple Leafs and the excellent play of William Nylander and so much more! Like this: Like Loading... Related
Toronto Maple Leafs working on tightening up the defence
In this episode of the podcast, we discuss the Maple Leafs need to tighten up defensively, what can be done to fix it. We look at the play of the defensive units and where Holl fits in on a Maple Leafs team looking to make gains in the standings and so much more. Like this: Like Loading... Related
Toronto Maple Leafs Rumble in Winnipeg
In this week’s podcast, we discuss Jason Spezza’s suspension, the NHL losing the narrative and control over player safety, and so much more! Like this: Like Loading... Related
Toronto Maple Leafs- Quarter Season Retrospective
In this episode we look back at the last 20 games for the Maple Leafs. We will discuss the good, the bad and what might be in store as we look to the next quarter of the 2021-2022 season. Like this: Like Loading... Related
Toronto Maple Leafs find their stride and go streaking once again!
In this podcast we look at the week that was for the Toronto Maple Leafs. We discuss their improved power play, Mitch Marner’s resurgence, Nylander getting benched, the reacquiring of Kyle Clifford and so much more! Like this: Like Loading... Related
Centre of Leafs Nation Podcast: Interview with Sportsnet’s Anthony Stewart
In our latest podcast, We interview former NHLer and SportsNet Hockey Analyst Anthony Stewart.
Interview with Mark Fraser
In our latest podcast, We have the pleasure of welcoming our special guest and former Maple Leaf, Mark Fraser. We discussed the discrimination and injustices that plague the game of hockey today and society at large. We also cover various topics of trying to identify the problem, solutions and much more!” Click here to have a listen to our interview with Mark Fraser. Like this: Like Loading...
Babcock firing alone won’t fix Leafs
In 2015, upon signing an eight-year contract to coach the Maple Leafs, Mike Babcock prophesied “There’s pain coming.” Just over halfway into the term, sans playoff round victory in all that time, those words ring true with the coach’s dismissal. Babcock was summarily relieved of his duties on Wednesday afternoon, less than 24 hours after his now former team went down to its fifth consecutive regulation defeat, and sixth loss in a row overall.
William Nylander: Rising Above the Critics
Last season’s contract dispute has continued to dog William Nylander into this new season, as there is a continued vocal portion of Leafs Nation that has yet to move on. It doesn’t matter that Nylander started the year on a five-game point streak, or how a majority of his advanced analytics placed him tops on the team in a majority the categories.
Leafs 5, Senators 4 - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Morgan Rielly’s goal at 9:12 of the third period in the Leafs’ 5-4 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday in the latest chapter of the ‘Battle of Ontario.’ The see-saw affair had three lead changes, prompting Mike Babcock to say “that was entertaining (although not for the coaches!)” The Good Zack Hyman had points on both the Leafs’ first and last goals, which were scored on two-on-ones. In the first period, Mitch Marner converted a pass from Zach Hyman to open the scoring.
Leafs 0, Islanders 4 - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
The Leafs’ five-game winning streak came to a crashing halt on Saturday night with a 4-0 loss on home ice to the New York Islanders. Much of the storyline preceding the game was the appearance of John Tavares for the first time against his former team. Tavares co-led the Leafs with five shots on goal, and won 15 of 19 faceoffs (79%), but still saw his six-game point streak come to an end.
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