Quick Shifts: Maple Leafs the trickiest team to crack?

A quick mix of the things we gleaned from the week of hockey, serious and less so, and rolling four lines deep. Is that a 900th goal puck in your pants or are you just happy to see me?

1. If, as William Nylander theorizes, the month-over-month turnaround of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be credited to the clubâ€s shaker on All Hallows†Eve in Philadelphia, maybe they simply spent October as a good hockey team in disguise.

The only team that pushed the champs to the brink of elimination last spring managed just three regulation wins in October, and only one against a playoff team (an Opening Night defeat of Montreal). The Leafs matched that monthly total before November was a week old, going 3-0 and outscoring opponents 14-8 since Oct. 31.

Why the swift turnaround?

“Ah, I dunno,†Nylander told reporters after practice Friday. “We had a great Halloween party in Philly.â€

With a couple free nights in the City of Brotherly Love, away from the noise and the doubts, the fellas Door Dashed last-minute costumes to their downtown hotel and made the most of a green light and a full moon. Nylander went as Darth Vader.

“It was exciting just to be able to go out on the road, hang out with the guys and kinda let loose,†Anthony Stolarz said.

Loose is also an adjective that has been applied to the Maple Leafs†on-ice performance through 14 games.

The veteran group, owners of the longest active playoff streak (nine seasons running), rates second overall in giveaways per 60 minutes. It has been leaky with rush chances and sloppy with defensive-zone coverage.

The Leafs have surrendered the opening goal in seven consecutive games for the first time since November 2019. This, after GM Brad Treliving suggested that some of the offence lost by Mitch Marner could be compensated by defensive improvement.

Toronto rates 28th in goals allowed (3.57) and team save percentage (.877). It finished 2024-25 eighth (2.79) and fourth (.907) in those categories, respectively, and brought back all eight of their top defencemen and all three of their best goalies. (Granted, Joseph Woll only recently returned after a leave.)

The Leafs†even-strength offence — an area that was supposed to dip with their leading scorerâ€s departure — has been prolific. They lead the league in 5-on-5 goals (39), and Nylander (20 points in 11 games) has jumped into the early Art Ross conversation despite missing three games to injury.

Surely, all those talented scorers are feasting on the power-play, too?

Nope. Not even a little.

Toronto is dead last in net power-play goals (plus-2) and 30th in conversion rate (a hideous 11.8 per cent).

The Leafs†lines change regularly; bodies pop in and out and all around the whiteboard. Coach Craig Berube has already read them the riot act, scratched (successfully) one of the promising new additions, and confessed he hasnâ€t “a clue†why they have been slow to push back at times. Stolarz memorably voiced frustration when things werenâ€t so swell.

And yet, the Maple Leafs enter Game 15 the way they always finish Game 82: in a playoff spot.

Are the 2025-26 Leafs actually good? Fatally flawed? Or, per tradition, simply easing into this regular-season thing? Are they destined to treat, or trick?

At this point, Nylanderâ€s theory is as good as any: Nothing like a good Halloween party to shake off the cobwebs.

2.Stroll over to Trevor Zegrasâ€s locker for a chat after a peppy morning skate at the Xfinity Mobile Arena and the smile never leaves his face.

“Itâ€s a blast. These guys are so much fun. Practice! Iâ€ve never had this much fun in practice, really,†the Flyers’ leading scorer beams.

We talkin†â€bout practice?!

“Because itâ€s like a really good mix of being really, really serious, but then, like, enjoying it too and having fun and keeping it light,†the bouncy 24-year-old says.

The former Duck stresses the importance of finding joy in a billion-dollar business.

“Huge!†he says. “Being able to laugh at yourself a little bit, you know? Like you said, itâ€s a business, and everyone takes it very, very serious — and we all take it very, very serious — but to be able to laugh at yourself every once in a while is a good change of pace.â€

Though he was traded away from the round-the-calendar warmth, for Zegras, life really is always sunny in Philadelphia. He feels better.

“A lot better,†he corrects. “I just feel more comfortable on the ice.â€

“Heâ€s home!†interjects Travis Konecny, eavesdropping from the adjacent stall.

“The Xfinity is home!†confirms the enthusiastic Zegras, sounding every bit like a pending RFA willing to re-sign.

So, what was the issue in Anaheim?

“From the aspect of, like, enjoyment, those guys were awesome. A f—–‘ great group. The game itself, I lost a little love with it. Maybe just because of the losing or whatnot. But I truly enjoyed my time there, and I truly enjoyed the guys and the people that I met.

“Sometimes you just need to change, I guess.â€

One major change Zegras has welcomed is the guy holding the whistle.

He and Konency — easy laughs, both — chuckle when the topic turns to Rick Tocchet.

“Heâ€s very unintentionally funny,†Zegras explains. “The stuff he says, we get a good kick out of it. He doesnâ€t even know whatâ€s funny, which is the best part.â€

But Tocchetâ€s serious credentials command respect.

“Heâ€s great. He played for so long, obviously played for the Flyers. So, heâ€s got a lot of credibility when he talks, the way he sees the game,†Zegras continues. “That credibility, and being able to buy into that credibility, is something we all appreciate.â€

Plenty say switching teams is difficult. For Zegras, who grew up with Cam York and already developed a tight friendship with Jamie Drysdale in Orange County, that couldnâ€t be farther from the truth.

The video-game coverboy is home, and his new family has welcomed him with open arms.

“The guys are unreal,†Zegras says, still smiling.

“They all feel like the same guy, which is amazing.â€

“Get out of my DMs and go to the rink to cheer for your team. THAT PLACE WAS LIBARY [sic] TONIGHT!!!â€Â â€” Nikita Zadorov, Boston Bruins defenceman, responding to online chirps from Islanders fans after cross-checking super rookie Matthew Schaefer

4.With Jacob Markstrom signing a two-year, $12-million extension, the Devils netminder joined Minnesotaâ€s Filip Gustavsson and Torontoâ€s Anthony Stolarz as potentially intriguing UFA goalies who wonâ€t even flirt with 2026â€s open market.

Only five potential UFA goalies have appeared in at least half of their teams†games this season: Coloradoâ€s Scott Wedgewood, Floridaâ€s Sergei Bobrovsky, Edmontonâ€s Stuart Skinner, Carolinaâ€s Frederik Andersen, and Detroitâ€s Cam Talbot.

Of that group, three will be 37 or older when the puck drops on the 2026-27 campaign.

And only one — 33-year-old journeyman Wedgewood — wields a save percentage above the league average. Wedgewood has never played more than 32 games in a single season.

Skinner is the best option under 30.

5.Matthew Knies woke up Thursday morning ranked sixth leaguewide in assists.

With 13 helpers in 14 games, Kniesâ€s assists per game (0.93) per game have more than doubled since last season (0.38 per game), his previous best.

“Iâ€m not necessarily surprised,†Knies tells me. “Iâ€m just making good plays, setting up guys in good opportunities. And I think our offence has been good. We bury pucks. But I think our main focus now is defence and keeping the puck out our net.â€

Thing is, when people discuss the 23-year-oldâ€s attributes, playmaking typically takes a back seat to physicality, forechecking, net-front scoring, and maybe even punching guys with hard lefts.

Is Knies an underappreciated setup man?

“Yeah, even going back to last year. You know, Iâ€m not real fond of between-the-legs passes,†says Berube, chuckling at Kniesâ€s memorable showtime move last April.

“But he does see the ice and has the capability of making plays. Heâ€s an underrated passer, for sure. But a lot of his assists come from first touches on a lot of pucks, like on the forecheck and in the offensive zone. Whether he muscles his way through somebody or strips them of the puck, he gets assists that way.

“Sometimes heâ€s at the net, and heâ€s getting those touches around the net — and thatâ€s where he makes his living. And a lot of times he doesnâ€t score the goal, but he gets a touch on it, and it goes to somebody. So, theyâ€re big assists. It’s not always a real nice play, right? Itâ€s a workman-type assist.â€

6.ÂRyan Reaves already has more goals and more fights (two of each) in his first 10 games as a Shark than he did in his entire final season as a Maple Leaf.

“Iâ€m trying to earn one more contract here to help this team a little bit more and get to 1,000 games,†Reaves said during this weekâ€s excellent appearance on Spittin†Chiclets.

Reaves, 38, has 922 games played. If he gets his silver stick, we canâ€t imagine another player in the future reaching that milestone with his very particular set of skills.

But the tough guy finds himself in a better mind frame and a more suitable environment to contribute.

“Itâ€s hard to describe. I just feel a little bit more myself here. In Toronto, itâ€s a little more corporate. You got people hovering over you all the time. You do an interview in Toronto, and theyâ€re running down saying, ‘Hey, donâ€t say this.†Itâ€s like, ‘Well, then you do the interview.†Here, they donâ€t come tell me what to do,†Reaves explained.Â

“I just feel like Iâ€m a little freer to be myself here. Everythingâ€s a bit more comfortable. When youâ€re comfortable, you play better. You have more fun. Thatâ€s just how it is.â€

7.ÂReaves was hired to stick up for San Joseâ€s young talent, namely Macklin Celebrini, and the veteran is blown away by the teenagerâ€s work ethic and 200-foot game.

“Itâ€s not all perimeter stuff. Itâ€s in front of the net. Itâ€s in corners. Itâ€s in games. Itâ€s in practices. To me, somebody saying that (Connor) Bedardâ€s better than him is a joke. He plays so much harder. He plays the right way. He plays in all three zones.

“Celebrini is going to be a serious problem in this league. He already is. But in the next two, three years, heâ€s going to be a serious, serious problem.â€

Reaves was asked if he sees former teammate Sidney Crosby as a comparable, résumé notwithstanding.

“His work ethic and his skill, for sure,†Reaves replied.

Celebrini sat next to Crosby at the worlds.

Then Crosbyâ€s trainer, Andy Oâ€Brien, invited Celebrini and fellow Shark Will Smith to train in Halifax with a group of veteran stars for a summer minicamp.

“Awesome. Fun to have him there,†says Crosby of the Olympic hopeful.

“His hunger, his passion for the game, how hard he works… Even last season, as the season went on, he got better and better, which is pretty normal for a rookie to gain confidence. But I felt like the worlds even was another step. And heâ€s started off this season pretty incredible, and heâ€s just continuing to build his game.â€

Captain Canada is aware of the buzz Celebrini and Bedard are stirring ahead of Milan.

“During the Olympic year, youâ€re always somewhat thinking about it. But the best way to approach that is just put all your efforts toward the team here and making sure that your game is where you want it to be. But, yeah, itâ€s always in the back everyoneâ€s mind,†Crosby says.

“Itâ€s pretty typical in Olympic years: You see guys trying to work to get on the team, and itâ€s so competitive. Itâ€s so close when you start to get down to final spots. So, everybody just wants to give themselves a chance to be in the conversation and hopefully make it.

“But thatâ€s more of a coaching, management decision, with combinations and roles and where they see the best fits. But itâ€s great to see a lot of guys that are hungry to get on the team and trying to prove themselves.â€

8.Focus is on the young Canucks, but Mark Scheifele, Nick Suzuki, and John Tavares — all of whom were passed over for 4 Nations — rank top-10 in NHL scoring.

Yes, Tavares is getting his flowers for his larger body of work, hitting 500 career goals.

“A big number,†Crosby says. “And heâ€s been so consistent his whole career and (with) his passion for the game and what he puts into it. But that’s a lot of goals.â€

But the Toronto native deserves consideration for a â€26 national team he desperately wants to make. Tavares rates second-overall in even-strength points (16) and heâ€s a beast in the face-off dot (57.5 per cent). The only stat not in his favour may be age (35), but heâ€s holding a torch for Italy.

“Obviously, you want to be a part of that, and itâ€s a really unique and special opportunity,†Tavares says.

“So, just go out there and do everything you can and play the way that I believe I can. Focus on that, helping the Leafs, helping the team, and hopefully it all works out.â€

9.Wednesdayâ€s Blues-Capitals match will forever be remembered as the night Alex Ovechkin landed the 900.

But itâ€s hard to fathom a better exhibit for Washington goalie Logan Thompsonâ€s Olympic case.

The top Canadian in save percentage* (.938) outshone the bottom Canadian in save percentage (.859) heads-up.

Thompson stopped 23 of 24 shots in a 6-1 win, while presumed Team Canada starter Jordan Binnington allowed four on 11 shots and got chased before the game was half over and continues his early struggles.

Thatâ€s a statement.

(*minimum eight games played)

He and tandem mate Arturs Silvos had something special going with the ol†Swayman-Ullmark rotation that promoted rest and relieved pressure.

A remarkable turnaround for Jarry, considering he got waived last winter amid the richest contract of his life. The list of recent goaltenders who signed their big ticket, then tumbled to the minors and have yet to climb back to No. 1 status is long: Cal Petersen, Ville Husso, Jack Campbell, Matt Murray….

Jarry came out bucking his narrative.

“Just mentally, you have to reset. Like, things happen. You donâ€t have a good season, or your confidence is a different level than you used to be, you have to get a good reset,†Kris Letang says of his teammate.

Fresh eyes, clear mind, clean slate.

“We have new coaches. A lot of people are new around the organization. You see it as a fresh start and try to prove yourself again,†Letang continues. “This is the thing. Itâ€s a hard league to be in. Thereâ€s always guys pushing (for your job).â€

Letang credits the ability of Jarry and Silovs to find “the timely save†as a major factor in the Penguins†surprisingly hot start.

Other factors are at play.

An energetic injection of youth (Ryan Shea, Ben Kindel). A contract-year Evgeni Malkin looking every ounce like a guy who shouldnâ€t retire. Crosby being Crosby and contending for a Rocket. And rookie coach Dan Muse slamming the gas right from camp.

“Heâ€s done a good job in asserting himself and the way he thinks the game should be played,†Erik Karlsson says. “And at the same time, looking at the personnel we have and what each individual can contribute with, and trying to maximize that from everyone. And so far, I think heâ€s done a great job getting the most out of everyone.â€

The power play is clicking, the passing is swift, and the dressing-room vibes are lively in Pittsburgh.

“Weâ€ve been going into every game probably with something to prove a little bit,†says Crosby, who leads with nine goals. “I feel like the expectations werenâ€t that high for us coming in. Weâ€ve competed hard. Weâ€ve given ourselves a chance pretty much every night that weâ€ve played (by) competing.â€

“Theyâ€re on fire,†Nylander acknowledges. “Theyâ€re clicking on all cylinders.â€

Just a wild rebuff to the doubters (present company included) who were convinced the Penguins are heading into a rebuild.

“People, they like to label things. A rebuild? Weâ€re the oldest team today. Weâ€re not rebuilding,†Letang tells me.

“You know, we have young assets that are pushing and playing really well for us, and theyâ€re going to be part of a bright future. But as of right now, like, you look at our age average (30.1), weâ€re (fifth)-highest in the league. Our main guys are the older guys, and theyâ€re still pushing hard.

“Itâ€s just a label. Itâ€s for people who like to label. I donâ€t really care what they say. I donâ€t think anybody else does in here.â€

11. Karlsson is buzzing so loud, youâ€d think he might mess around and grow out the flow again.

Last Tuesday, he skated a silly 31:42 and had five shots in Philadelphia. Last Saturday, 27 minutes in Winnipeg against the mighty Jets. On Monday in Toronto, the 35-year-old sniped a top-shelf beauty for his first of the season and hustled hard on the backcheck to break up multiple scoring chances.

Karlsson is already up to 11 assists and is a plus-6. Quite the flip from going dash-24 in 2024-25.

He ranks third among defencemen in points; anyone ahead of him is at least eight years younger.

How much is making Team Sweden a motivating factor?

“(The Olympics) is one of the most fun experiences Iâ€ve had in my career,†says the 2014 silver medallist.

“Iâ€ve got the chance to do it only once. Very fortunate for that. So, to be able to go back is obviously a big thing, and something that Iâ€m looking forward to. And hopefully get a chance to be there.â€

Still no response to the comedy bit from the New York Rangers, though, regarding their goalie using a player’s stick.

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