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Toronto Sun
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Matthew Knies believes the post-Mitch Marner Leafs can succeed
Matthew Knies believes the post-Mitch Marner Leafs can succeed Get the latest from Lance Hornby straight to your inbox Sign Up Photo by Lon Horwedel / AP photo Article content He'll miss Mitch Marner, for sure, but Matthew Knies does like the new guys. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account or Sign in without password View more offers Article content The sting of losing his star linemate, who helped Knies to a breakout season and, by extension, to his own new six-year deal, was offset by a couple of new faces joining the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Article content tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Matthew Knies believes the post-Mitch Marner Leafs can succeed Back to video Article content Toronto gained centre Nicolas Roy in the sign-and-trade of Marner to Vegas and added physical winger Michael Pezzetta from Montreal. This, one day after acquiring creative winger Matias Maccelli in a trade. And there could be more new blood, as general manager Brad Treliving joked about having 'loose change' this summer, or a prospect such as Easton Cowan might make the team at training camp. But for now, the engine of the first line is gone, leaving Auston Matthews at centre and Knies on the left. 'I'm not excited to see one of our captains and veteran players on another team,' Knies conceded on a Zoom call. 'Mitch taught me a lot. But that's the business of the game. Your Midday Sun Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Article content Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content 'We've made great moves, some great additions and I think we'll be stronger as a team. I have faith in Tree and (coach) Craig Berube to create a winning team. Craig was a huge influence. He loved the north–south game, the physicality. And that's where my game is, get around the net, make it hard on their defence and goalie. 'He taught me the little things and gave me the healthy criticism I need.' Knies signed for six years at a $7.75 million US AAV, quashing both restricted free agency and the chance of a rival's offer sheet. 'In my trajectory as a player, this was the sweet spot for both of us,' Knies said. 'I wanted to get it done before free agency and help (Treliving) out as much as possible. A (shorter) bridge deal wasn't in my head, I wanted longer term.' Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Treliving was relieved to have 'a big piece' settled ahead of July 1. 'These RFA files can go well into the summer. I commend Matty, his representatives and (assistant GM) Brandon Pridham. We all dug in on this for what seemed like months and came to a good conclusion. 'We think he's just scratching the surface of what he's capable of.' Knies, who had 29 goals and 29 assists in his second full season said John Tavares' decision to come back with a hometown discount a few days ago made a major impression. Knies stayed at then team captain Tavares' house when he broke in a couple of years ago. 'That means a lot that he believes in the program and wants to stay,' Knies said. 'I've learned a ton from that guy and look forward to four more years soaking up all that knowledge. Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content 'We have a great group of unbelievable players, we're continually making the playoffs and making pushes. That was a huge part of (wanting to return). The culture and the city, I just love it all.' Knies planned to celebrate his new deal with friends and family during Fourth of July week in his home country, but said he'll go right into training for 2025-26. 'I don't think I have to get any heavier,' said the 227-pounder. 'There is a lot of room in the skating aspect to be better and faster, turning a bit of that weight into muscle and becoming quicker and faster, more prepared, get stronger in the smaller areas (of the ice).' Lhornby@ X: @sunhornby Article content Share this article in your social network Read Next
Toronto Sun
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
The highs and lows of Canada Day free agency for Maple Leafs
All NHL teams have been tempted to take a big swing at UFAs on July 1 with a chance to add to their rosters. Sometimes it doesn't work. Get the latest from Lance Hornby straight to your inbox Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz calmly flags down an airborne puck in front of him against the New York Rangers Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in New York. Photo by Adam Hunger / AP Photo Make that a lower-case 'f' in what's usually Free Agent Frenzy on Canada Day. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Given some of the biggest decisions were settled before noon on July 1, there's not a lot of thunder expected from teams such as the Maple Leafs. But Toronto has never shied away from significant UFA moves in the past, some with the desired boost , others that were busts. A look at how the Leafs have fared in early July through recent years: HITS 2024 – G Anthony Stolarz. From a back-up role in Florida to the NHL's regular seasoin save percentage leader at .926. 2018 – C John Tavares His almost point-a-game production in regular season, went a long way to mitigating the seven-year, $77 million price tag Leafs had to out-bid everyone and bring him home. Now they keep him at a discount. 2016 — F Matt Martin. His job, as coach Mike Babcock described it, 'keep the flies away' from young stars. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 2009 – F Colton Orr Added some needed muscle for a few years after Tie Domi retired. 2006 — D Hal Gill/D Pavel Kubina Not blockbusters, but incoming GM John Ferguson went a long way to propping up the blueline. 1998 — RW Steve Thomas Happy homecoming helped Leafs to the 1999 Cup semifinal. 1998– G Curtis Joseph Sweet deal that began with chance meeting in an ice cream parlour with president Ken Dryden. Signed a second time in 2008. MISSES 2021 – G Petr Mrazek His three-year contract ended in a salary dump. 2021 – RW Nick Ritchie Had a shot on he first line, much more was expected before Leafs demoted and eventually traded him. 2017 – C Patrick Marleau Established player and great mentor for the young Leafs, but three years at $18.75 million came back to haunt their accountants,. 2013– F David Clarkson GM Dave Nonis misjudged Clarkson's impact, but not before awarding seven years at $36.75 million.. 2009 – D Mike Komisarek Tried too hard to make an immediate impact. 2008 – D Jeff Finger A four-year, $14 million mistake for Cliff Fletcher in his second incarnation as GM. 2007 — LW Jason Blake Was not the answer for Mats Sundin on the first line. Lhornby@ X: @sunhornby Toronto Blue Jays World Sunshine Girls Toronto Maple Leafs World
National Post
27-06-2025
- Sport
- National Post
What can we expect the Toronto Maple Leafs to do this offseason?
WATCH BELOW: On the latest episode of Inside The Leafs, Postmedia's Rob Wong speaks with Toronto Sun Maple Leafs writers Terry Koshan and Lance Hornby about the offseason challenges ahead for the Maple Leafs, what their priorities should be in free agency and if GM Brad Treliving could potentially swing a big trade.
Toronto Sun
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Trading first-round picks yet to reverse the Maple Leafs' Stanley Cup curse
There have been 10 Toronto drafts in recent years where the top selection was traded. We look at the deals and their aftermath. Get the latest from Lance Hornby straight to your inbox The Boston Bruins selected Tyler Seguin second overall in the 2010 NHL draft with the Toronto Maple Leafs' pick. Postmedia files They're forever known as 'the ones that got away' from the Maple Leafs. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account There have been 10 drafts between 1991-2022 in which Toronto traded its first-round pick in search of help in regular season, playoffs or both, though it has yet to help end a 58-year Stanley Cup jinx. Barring a reverse mortgage by Friday night, the Leafs again will sit out the opening round, its selection at 25th owned by the Chicago Blackhawks from 2023's acquisition of defenceman Jake McCabe. Neither do the Leafs currently possess a first through 2027. Per the chart below, they've had motive for trading the pick — and a few more in subsequent rounds. Such moves always carry a risk the traded choice ends up raising the Cup as happened again last week. In other cases, the pick turned out a bust for the swap partner and Toronto came out ahead. Here are the yearly draft details, including the player Leafs eventually chose first. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. FIRST PICK DEPARTED: 25th to Chicago, which selected 6-foot-4 defenceman Sam Rinzel. After leaving the University of Minnesota to join the Hawks last season, he had five assists in nine NHL games. TRADE DETAILS: Leafs sent goalie Petr Mrazek and this pick to the Hawks for a second-rounder. GM Kyle Dubas was trying to undo an excessive three-year Mrazek contract, while the Hawks had cap room, a rebuild mindset and didn't mind finishing low enough to win the Connor Bedard lottery in 2023. NEXT LEAF UP: Toronto chose WHL centre Fraser Minten at 38th overall. He excelled in his first training camp, made the team and played a total of 19 games for Toronto, but was traded for defenceman Brandon Carlo at the past March deadline. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. FIRST PICK DEPARTED: 25th, Columbus selected defenceman Corson Ceulemans. The 6-foot-2 Alberta Jr. League prospect spent two years at the University of Wisconsin and has since played 80 games in the AHL for the Cleveland Monsters. TRADE DETAILS: A three-way deal that involved the San Jose Sharks and also gave the Leafs temporary possession of Stefan Noesen, now an effective forward with New Jersey. But the excitement of landing the son of 1990s playoff hero Mike Foligno didn't last long. Nick was injured after the deadline deal and played just four of seven playoff games against Montreal before signing with Boston the following season. NEXT LEAF UP: The Foligno episode and the lost pick faded from memory when Matthew Knies was chosen 57th and jumped from the University of Minnesota within two years to become a first-line Leafs left winger. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. FIRST PICK DEPARTED; 22nd, Los Angles selected defenceman Tobias Bjornfot. You might have caught Bjornfot raising the Cup late in the Panthers' celebration on Tuesday. The Swede played 100-plus games for the Kings, but slipped through both L.A. and the Vegas Golden Knights, being claimed by the Panthers just as playoffs started. TRADE DETAILS: Dubas tried to get ahead of other teams' deadline deals by obtaining Cup-champion defenceman Jake Muzzin from the Kings at midseason, though the price included this pick and second-rounders Sean Durzi and Carl Grundstrom. A neck-related injury ended Muzzin's playing days prematurely, but he remains on the Leafs' development staff. NEXT LEAF UP: Enigmatic Nick Robertson was taken 53rd overall and has 59 points in 169 regular-season and playoff games to date. But the RFA's future in Toronto is unclear. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. FIRST PICK DEPARTED: Second overall, Boston selected forward Tyler Seguin. Whether it was losing their Seguin ticket or Taylor Hall, who went first overall to Edmonton, the Leafs had some buyers' remorse about the deal to land Phil Kessel. They'd struggle another few years to make the playoffs, while local lad Seguin won a Cup with the Bruins his first year and is coming up on 1,000 NHL games. TRADE DETAILS: Kessel led the Leafs in scoring the next six years, but was ill-suited for the Toronto spotlight and a challenge for his coaches before being traded and winning two Cups with Pittsburgh. Toronto also sent its 2011 first-rounder to Boston in this deal, who turned into solid defenceman Dougie Hamilton. Leafs later recovered two top selections, though forward Tyler Biggs and defenceman Stu Percy didn't blossom. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. NEXT LEAF UP: WHL forward Brad Ross was chosen 43rd, splitting his time with the Marlies and ECHL Orlando. His notoriety included a 20-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. 2007 FIRST PICK DEPARTED: Lars Eller, selected 13th overall by St. Louis. This ageless winger just came off another strong season in Washington, having spent almost his entire career in the Leafs' face with Montreal, Pittsburgh and the Caps, where he and Alex Ovechkin shared the 2018 Cup. TRADE DETAILS: GM John Ferguson had attempted to upgrade goaltending and toughness, acquiring Vesa Toskala and Mark Bell from San Jose, which flipped this pick to the Blues. NEXT LEAF UP: Undersized Oshawa General forward Dale Mitchell went 74th, didn't get past the Marlies, though had a prolific career in Denmark. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. FIRST PICK DEPARTED: 24th overall, winger Kris Chucko selected by the Calgary Flames. The B.C. native, via the University of Minnesota, played two NHL games before concussions cut short his career. TRADE DETAILS: GM/coach Pat Quinn went on a deadline trading spree that included future Hall of Famers Brian Leetch for this pick and forward Ron Francis. Leetch enjoyed his brief Leafs time and considered re-signing, but after the lockout year chose to play in Boston. NEXT LEAF UP: After their longest wait to date to make their first selection at a draft, the Leafs took WHL goalie Justin Pogge 90th. A couple of years later, in the belief they were set in net with Pogge and Andrew Raycroft, they dealt '05 first pick Tuukka Rask to Boston. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. FIRST PICK DEPARTED: Boston selected defenceman Mark Stuart 21st overall. The 6-foot-2 product of Colorado College put in close to 700 NHL games with the B's, then came to Canada via the Atlanta Thrashers transfer to Winnipeg. TRADE DETAILS: Quinn coveted physical former first-overall forward Owen Nolan from the Sharks, but had to give up this pick, plus popular Leafs centre Alyn McCauley and young Brad Boyes. Boston dealt with the Sharks to move into the first round. NEXT LEAF UP: Massachusetts high schooler John Doherty didn't get on the NHL radar at 57th and the Leafs missed out on the draft's strong second round that year, which included Patrice Bergeron to Boston at 45th. 1997 FIRST PICK DEPARTED: Fourth overall, goalie Roberto Luongo, selected by the New York Islanders. His Hall of Fame career was later built in great seasons with Vancouver and Florida. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. TRADE DETAILS: Higher-ups in Leafs ownership wanted GM Cliff Fletcher to bring back Wendel Clark after trading the one-time captain for Mats Sundin three years earlier. The expensive reunion also cost Toronto defenceman Kenny Jonsson, later an Isles' captain. NEXT LEAF UP: Boston College centre Jeff Farkas played eight games for Toronto, catching on with Atlanta for a bit before early retirement due to a spinal injury. 1996 FIRST PICK DEPARTED: It was 15th overall, centre Dainius Zubrus, selected by Philadelphia. The Flyers launched Zubrus to nearly 1,400 NHL games, the most of any first-rounder taken that year. TRADE DETAILS: Toronto received rugged blueliner Dmitry Yushkevich and was quite happy with his long service, especially in the Quinn years. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. NEXT LEAF UP: Lanky defenceman Marek Posmyk went 36th, the first time Toronto led a draft with a Czech. He was later part of the Darcy Tucker trade with Tampa Bay, where Posmyk played all his 19 NHL games. Read More 1991 PICK DEPARTED: Defenceman Scott Niedermayer selected third overall by New Jersey. For a while it looked like the Devils might get the highly coveted Eric Lindros with Toronto's ticket. Niedermayer made the Hall of Fame and won a couple of Cups. TRADE DETAILS: The year before, Leafs GM Floyd Smith dealt the pick to the Devils to solidify the defence with veteran Tom Kurvers, but had to make more trades to ensure Toronto didn't finish last in '91. NEXT LEAF UP: Centre Yanic Perreault, 47th overall, was later involved in another Leafs draft mishap. To re-acquire him in 2007, Toronto sent a second rounder to Phoenix, which eventually became Nashville's Norris Trophy-winning Roman Josi. lhornby@ X: @sunhornby Toronto Blue Jays Sunshine Girls Relationships Sunshine Girls Canada
Toronto Sun
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Alex Mogilny finally elected to Hockey Hall of Fame as part of Class of 2025
Russian NHL star's long wait for enshrinement is over after more than 15 years. Get the latest from Lance Hornby straight to your inbox Alexander Mogilny of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates during a game in 2003. Getty Images Alex Mogilny's long wait to enter the Hocky Hall of Fame has ended, while three big-name first-time eligible players skipped the line. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account After more than 15 years, the Russian winger Mogilny was nominated and received the necessary 75% vote of 18-person selection committee on Tuesday. The member of international hockey's Triple Gold club waited by his phone summer after summer while other contemporaries were called and critics complained. A trio of top NHLers who'd waited the minimum three years were among the six players picked. Three-time Stanley Cup winner Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks joined Zdeno Chara, both dominant defencemen in their day. Both are Norris Trophy winners, Chara, also a Cup winner with Boston and record holder of games played by a blueliner. 'Jumbo' Joe Thornton, who ranks sixth in overall games played, didn't win a Cup, but he, Keith and Mogilny also excelled on the IIHF stage as gold-medal winners. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Two female players were named: Canadian Olympian and now-TV commentator Jennifer Botterhill, who was considered a favourite this year, and American Brianna Decker. They both were vital to growing the women's game in its early years of high-level competition. Read More In the builders' wing, Daniele Sauvageau, the Quebec-born Canadian executive and former coach, who was behind the bench of the 2022 Winter Olympic champs, joined Boston University legend Jack Parker. Goalies Carey Price and Tuukka Rask were not chosen in his first year, nor were forwards Ryan Getzlaf, Dustin Brown and Jason Spezza. lhornby@ Toronto Blue Jays Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA NHL Relationships
