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New York Times
01-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Maple Leafs addition Nicolas Roy says he's ready for ‘pressure of the moment'
TORONTO — When Nicolas Roy walks into the Maple Leafs dressing room for the first time, he'll be able to talk about an experience few members of the team have enjoyed: a Stanley Cup win. That victory came with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. Roy was one of nine Golden Knights forwards to play all 22 of the team's playoff games en route to winning the Cup. The 28-year-old centre could bring what he learned on and off the ice through that run to the Leafs this season. Advertisement And if he does, it could make the Leafs' trade for him in exchange for Mitch Marner in a sign-and-trade that much more crucial. 'The pressure of the moment, that's really what I enjoy,' Roy told reporters during his first media availability as a Leaf. 'I really like to play in those big moments. I think that's what we play for as hockey players. So obviously I'm bringing the Stanley Cup experience that I've got with me, but I've got a lot of experience in the playoffs as well.' The 6-foot-4, 201-pound centre's addition is meaningful in what he brings on the ice. Roy seems like a player who could quickly earn the trust of Leafs coach Craig Berube, who demands defensive support and effort. Roy is known for defensive stability, an innate ability to get pucks out of tricky areas in his own zone, and can provide some sneaky offence, too. Roy has put up between 13 and 15 goals in each of his last four seasons. Still, it's off the ice where Roy hopes to bring exactly what the Leafs lack: experience in a deep, Stanley Cup-winning playoff run. 'Every time you win with a team, you know what it takes,' Roy said of his Stanley Cup win. 'There's always going to be ups and downs.' On a Leafs team known for perpetual early playoff exits, Roy's fit on paper is excellent. He has 369 games of NHL regular season experience — but it's his 79 playoff games that bolster his resume. Among Leafs likely to be on next year's full-time roster, only Calle Järnkrok and Brandon Carlo have more playoff experience. Roy has two more years on his five-year contract with a $3 million AAV. He will likely fill a bottom-six role up the middle of the ice or on the wing if necessary. He can also kill penalties. In 2022-23 when the Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup, Roy had the fourth-highest penalty kill ATOI among forwards. Advertisement General manager Brad Treliving said he expects Roy's role with the Leafs to be similar to his role in Las Vegas. 'He's a guy that can match up,' Treliving said. 'One thing he probably doesn't get enough credit for is there's some sneaky skill with him. He's got good hands, he can play in tight, kill penalties, gives you a right shot option on the faceoff circle. (Roy) can play against good players, can play with good players. So there's versatility to the player. We think he can be an important player for us.' It's a role Roy sounds happy to fill. He's done it before, after all, and he's seen what happens when every player is accepting of, and willing to put their best foot forward in that role. 'Everybody's got to accept their role, whatever it is,' Roy said when asked what was critical for a team to win a Stanley Cup. 'Obviously, you've got your skilled players. You've got the guys that are going to play eight to 10 minutes and you've got to be willing to play those physical minutes.' If Roy doesn't end up playing centre, his face-off numbers could be a reason for the change. He won just 47.7 percent of his face-offs last season. That number isn't an outlier, either: he has never won more than 50 percent of his face-offs in a full NHL season and has a career 47.7 face-off win percentage over his 369 NHL games, too. Does that mean Roy won't line up in the middle of the ice for Toronto? Not necessarily. Pontus Holmberg isn't coming back. Max Domi has struggled at centre through his two seasons in Toronto. And while Scott Laughton was ostensibly acquired at last year's trade deadline to fill the third-line centre role, his audition in the position under Berube was short. Laughton was quicky moved to the wing for the playoffs. Enter Roy, who is likely at this point to be given the opportunity to centre an energetic and defensively-minded third line to start the season. Advertisement Any change feels like it will be welcomed by Roy, who comes across as coachable. 'Wherever you are in the lineup, or even if you're not in the lineup, you've got to be ready to jump in when you're getting asked,' Roy added of what he learned in Vegas. 'So I think I would say it's probably the biggest thing. Be there for your teammates and be ready to play any roles you're asked to play.' Roy said he is excited to come to Toronto because he wants 'to be part of a team that's winning.' 'Obviously watching just the playoffs last year, I think the (Florida) Panthers are their biggest challenge. I think this group's ready to win right now and that's why I want to be a part of the team like that,' Roy said. Getting more energy and experience out of a team that collapsed in Games 5 and 7 of the second round against the Panthers will be crucial for Berube. The Leafs head coach sounded bewildered at his team's mentality in those games. In Roy, the Leafs appear to be adding a no-nonsense player. His experience could be one part of the culture change Treliving is after. Whether that experience ends up benefitting the Leafs remains to be seen. But, for now, Roy sounds up for the challenge ahead of him. The Amos, Que., native admitted to growing up a Leafs fan until he was 12 or so. As an ardent Mats Sundin fan, he only followed the Leafs until Sundin signed as a free agent with the Vancouver Canucks in his final season. At that point? 'I switched to Montreal,' he said with a grin. 'But I guess we don't have to think about that part.'
New York Times
01-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Why Steven Lorentz returned to Maple Leafs: ‘To wear the Leaf with pride'
Steven Lorentz had just finished a round of golf and had rosy cheeks to prove it. He could not hide a grin that grew wider with every sentence as he addressed his new reality. The fourth-line winger with a seemingly unlimited supply of passion is returning to provide three more years of just that, and said he's exactly where he wants to be. The pending unrestricted free agent signed a three-year extension with the Maple Leafs on Monday with an AAV of $1.35 million. Advertisement 'There was no doubt in my mind I'd be back in Toronto again,' he said, not long after he made a point of telling reporters how good it was to hear from them. The energetic, hard-checking product of nearby Kitchener, Ont., said he wanted to continue his winding professional hockey journey close to home. Lorentz, 29, signed his extension the day before offers from other franchises could have officially come rolling in. 'I take a lot of pride in being a Leafs fan and now a player,' Lorentz said. 'That definitely had a lot to do with it.' On a one-year deal last year, Lorentz was a reliable fourth-line player. In his fifth NHL season, Lorentz scored eight goals and matched his career high of 19 points in 80 games. The look of the Leafs' fourth line remains to be seen, but it's unlikely Lorentz will see much of a change in his role next season. He can also be a trusted penalty killer for coach Craig Berube. 'Being able to wear the Leaf with pride, being able to play at home with friends and family and trying to bring a (Stanley Cup) to a city that's been longing for it for so long and that deserves it,' he said. Lorentz said he wanted the security of a longer-term deal. You could make the case that a three-year contract is slightly long for a depth forward, but if Lorentz can hold up his end of the bargain by bringing consistent energy on the ice and positivity off it, the deal could age just fine. The Leafs are getting three more years of a 6-foot-4 winger who can hit and grind down the opposition before the top six takes the ice. The Leafs likely had to offer a little more term than expected to keep Lorentz around. After a season that heavily featured questions about the difficulties of playing in the Toronto market, keeping personalities like Lorentz around can be seen as a win for the organization. Advertisement 'That's, honestly, that's what I wanted more than anything: just the longevity. I would love to play my whole career here in Toronto,' Lorentz said. That tracks with who Lorentz showed himself to be during his first season in Toronto. There's no pretence with Lorentz. He is the first player to pump his teammates' tires. He might also be first to defend them on the ice, too. Lorentz plays hard as a prototypical fourth-liner — and does so with the evident joy of someone wearing the logo they grew up idolizing. 'I don't think I'll ever forget skating out for Game 1 of playoffs,' Lorentz said. 'It's a great barn to play in, but playoffs is an electric atmosphere. Coming out and seeing all the white towels and the speakers are blasting music, it was just chills. And I remember looking at (Scott Laughton) on the bench, just a couple local boys who were like, 'Holy you know what, this is sick.'' The announcement of Lorentz's re-signing came almost immediately after reports emerged of Mitch Marner's sign-and-trade deal with the Vegas Golden Knights. Marner, a pending UFA as well, is also a product of the Greater Toronto Area. Yet it's no secret that Marner's relationship with the Leafs had grown contentious and that he would not be re-signing. The pressure that comes with being a fourth-line player is obviously different than the pressure faced by a top-line star. And Marner and Lorentz are very different players facing vastly different decisions. Lorentz was selected 182 picks behind Marner in the 2015 draft. Still, it was difficult on Monday not to view Lorentz's comments and Marner's departure through a similar lens. Lorentz wished his former teammate well. 'Whatever team (Marner) is playing for next season, they're getting a great teammate, ultimate competitor and even better guy off the ice,' Lorentz said. As for the pressure that comes with playing for a team that hasn't won a Stanley Cup since 1967? 'I didn't want to go anywhere else and I'm just so proud and happy to be able to get it done,' Lorentz said. 'I'm already looking forward to next year.'
Edmonton Journal
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Maple Leafs make intriguing move with trade for Matias Maccelli
Article content The Leafs must be hopeful that Maccelli, who turns 25 on Oct. 14, can find the playmaking touch he had two seasons ago in the Utah franchise's last year in Arizona. With the Coyotes in 2023-24, Maccelli scored 17 goals and had 40 assists for a career-high 57 points in 82 games. In 2024-25, Maccelli couldn't get into a rhythm and frequently was a healthy scratch as the season wound down, playing in just three of Utah's final 26 games. In 55 games, the native of Turku, Finland scored eight goals and recorded 10 assists. At 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, Maccelli doesn't necessarily fit what Leafs coach Craig Berube likes in his forwards. It's an intriguing move on the part of Toronto. Maccelli has one year remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $3.425 million US and he will be a restricted free agent next year. With Maccelli on the roster, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving now has approximately $10.1 million remaining under the cap to make further additions with National Hockey League free agency opening on Tuesday. There was the expectation on Monday that the Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights continued to work on a trade that would send Marner's rights to the Western Conference club.
Forbes
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Mitch Marner Set To Kick Off NHL Free-Agent Frenzy By Leaving Leafs
Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs will be the big prize in free agency. (Photo by Mike ...) The start of NHL free agency is at hand, and the biggest prize is Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Marner has been one of Toronto's 'Core Four' players for the last nine seasons, but it was deemed that he would be the player to go after the Maple Leafs were eliminated in the second round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Marner and the Maple Leafs have been regular-season winners since 2016-17 – Marner's rookie season – but they have gotten out of the first round just twice. As a result, general manager Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube have come to the conclusion that the era of the Core Four is over. Auston Matthews and William Nylander remain under contract, and it was expected that John Taveras would join Marner in free agency. However, he signed a team-friendly four-year, $17.5 million contract last week and will remain with the team after scoring 38 goals last season. Many expected Taveras to leave the Maple Leafs and end up with a deal that would have paid him at least $7 million per year Unless the Maple Leafs make a shocking trade involving Matthews or Nylander, Marner is the only member of that foursome who will end up with a new team. He is the best and most explosive free agent and he would make nearly every team better. However, the Vegas Golden Knights appear to have the best chance of reeling Marner in and pairing him with Jack Eichel on their top line. Free agency commences Tuesday at noon ET. Marner is coming off a career-best 102-point season and he has scored 97 points or more in three of the last four seasons. He will be able to take advantage of a salary cap that is increasing to $95.5 million and is likely to see a seven- or eight-year deal that approaches $15 million per season. Here's a look at six top unrestricted free agents that are about to hit the market: Defenseman Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers Aaron Ekblad (left) of the Florida Panthers receives the Stanley Cup from Dmitry Kulikov (No. 7) ... More after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. (Photo by) The 29-year-old right-shot defenseman played a key role in the team winning back-to-back championships and he has been one of the team's core players for 11 seasons. Ekblad had a salary cap hit of $7.5 million last season and would seem to be the kind of player that the Panthers have to bring back if they want to make a run at three straight Stanley Cups. However, the Panthers acquired another right-shot defenseman in Seth Jones at the trade deadline. Unless Ekblad is willing to accept a discount, it seems likely that he will play for another team next fall. Left wing Nikolaj Ehlers, Winnipeg Jets Nikolaj Ehlers #27 of the Winnipeg Jets scores against the Minnesota Wild. (Photo by Darcy ... More Finley/NHLI via Getty Images) Ehlers is clearly one of the Jets' best players and many expected the 29-year-old to sign an extension with the Presidents Trophy winners during the regular season. That did not happen, and he is about to hit the open market after scoring 24 goals and 63 points last season. That came one year after he netted 25 goals and 61 points in 2023-24. The Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets are likely to be in the market for this consistent scorer. He had a salary cap hit of $7.5 million last year, and a contract that pays him $7-8 million seems likely. Left wing Brad Marchand, Florida Panthers EDMONTON, CANADA - JUNE 06: Brad Marchand of the Florida Panthers celebrates after scoring on the ... More Edmonton Oilers during the second period in Game Two of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. (Photo by) The shocking trade deadline move of Marchand from the Boston Bruins to the Panthers could not have worked out better for the Stanley Cup champions. Marchand played with energy and passion throughout the playoffs and scored 10 goals and 10 assists in the postseason. He was arguably Sam Bennett's biggest competitor for the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Stanley Cup playoff Most Valuable Player. The Panthers want to keep the 37-year-old, but he has not signed yet. After making $6.1 million last year, Marchand could get a short-term deal (2 to 3 seasons) that approaches $7 million. The Maple Leafs, the Bruins and others are likely to compete with the Panthers for his services. Defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, Los Angeles Kings Gavrikov has shown significant improvement over the last few seasons, and when you combine his six years of NHL experience with his excellent size at 6-3 and 220 pounds, he is going to be very desirable in free agency. He is coming off a notable 30-point season in which he had a rating of plus-36. The left-shot defenseman had a salary cap hit of just under $5.9 million last season. It would not be a shock if his next deal approaches $8 million, and the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers are the most likely suitors. Defenseman Ivan Provorov, Columbus Blue Jackets It appeared the Blue Jackets were going to move Provorov at the trade deadline last March, but they decided to keep him as they made a push for the playoffs. The Blue Jackets would like to hang on to him, but so far Provorov and his representatives have held off signing a new deal. The 28-year-old scored 7 goals and 26 assists last year and is solid on both ends of the ice. The Utah Mammoth, Ottawa Senators and Rangers all are likely to have an interest in Provorov Right wing Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks Boeser is certain to find a new home in free agency because the Canucks made a decision to trade him prior to the deadline. However, they could not find a partner that was willing to give them a decent return for his services. Boeser is a scorer and he can put the puck in the net from the greasy areas and he also has a good shot. He scored 25 goals last season and hit his career high of 40 goals the season before. He had a salary cap hit of $6.65 million last season and he should get close to $8 million this season. The Senators, Bruins, Kings, San Jose Sharks and Minnesota Wild are likely to be the most interested teams in his services.
CTV News
07-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Maple Leafs hire former Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde as assistant
Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde, standing, watches during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez) TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired former Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde as an assistant on Craig Berube's staff, the NHL team announced Friday. The 52-year-old from Brasher Falls, N.Y., had a 89-86-23 record leading the Red Wings bench from the start of the 2022-23 season until he was fired midway through the 2024-25 campaign. He previously spent four seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning as an assistant coach, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. Lalonde was an assistant coach with the United States at the 2023 and 2024 world championships. Before joining the NHL, he held head-coaching roles with the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the ECHL's Toledo Walleye and the United States Hockey League's Green Bay Gamblers. Mike Van Ryn and Marc Savard are Toronto's other assistants. Associate coach Lane Lambert left the Maple Leafs a week ago to take over as Seattle's head coach. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025.
