Raptors: Assist-turnover ratio proves how pro-ready Scottie Barnes is

Raptors: Assist-turnover ratio proves how pro-ready Scottie Barnes is

The Toronto Raptors wasted no time getting Scottie Barnes acclimated to the professional game, choosing to let the rookie get as many reps as possible before they open the season against Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizards. For a player who came into the league a touch raw as a shooter, that’s a wise strategy […]
Raptors: Assist-turnover ratio proves how pro-ready Scottie Barnes is – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Toronto Raptors: 3 most memorable home openers in franchise history

Toronto Raptors: 3 most memorable home openers in franchise history

The Toronto Raptors begin their 27th NBA season when they host the Washington Wizards at Scotiabank Arena on October 20 for what will be one of the most memorable home-openers in Raptors franchise history. This Raptors home opener has extra significance. Exactly 600 days will have elapsed since the last NBA regular-season game in Toronto, […]
Toronto Raptors: 3 most memorable home openers in franchise history – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Brian Swane / Raptors HQ

Will the Toronto Raptors regret waiving Ishmail Wainright?

Will the Toronto Raptors regret waiving Ishmail Wainright?

The Toronto Raptors had two open roster spots left before they solidified their opening day configuration, meaning that three non-guaranteed players Ishmail Wainright, Isaac Bonga, and Sam Dekker were vying for those two openings. Nick Nurse took his time coming to a decision, but his move was not what the Ugandan national team player wanted […]
Will the Toronto Raptors regret waiving Ishmail Wainright? – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 stars from week one of the season (October 12-16)

Week one is officially in the books for the Toronto Maple Leafs after a long wait for the start of the regular season. Toronto started their first week playing none other than Canadian teams after playing them for the entirety of last year, so I’m just happy they got past this week so they can start playing some American teams for the first time since 2020.
They opened their season on Wednesday when they welcomed the Montreal Canadiens to town and took care of business picking up a close 2-1 win to open the year 1-0-0. We didn’t have to wait long for another Maple Leafs game as they took a plane and flew to Ottawa to play the second half of a back-to-back the next day. We all know what happened in that game, a very slow start and a three-goal period for Ottawa ultimately resulted in a 3-2 win for the Senators as the Maple Leafs pick up their first loss of the season.
Fast forward to Saturday night and they’re playing, you guessed it, the Ottawa Senators, yet again. This time Toronto actually started on time and they pounced early with two goals in …

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Author: Joseph Zita / The Leafs Nation

Raptors: 3 things Fred VanVleet must do to become an All-Star in 2021

Raptors: 3 things Fred VanVleet must do to become an All-Star in 2021

The Toronto Raptors underwent a seismic facelift in the offseason, as they officially turned the page on Kyle Lowry and are moving on with Fred VanVleet as the top dog in the backcourt. As hard as that may be to believe, is there a chance that this leads to some All-Star recognition for No. 23? […]
Raptors: 3 things Fred VanVleet must do to become an All-Star in 2021 – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Kahfeel Buchanan / Raptors HQ

The TLN Three Stars: Maple Leafs finally start on time in 3-1 over Ottawa

After two shaky games where the Toronto Maple Leafs continued their habit of getting completely outplayed by their opponents during the first ten minutes, the script was reversed with two early L
eafs goals being all that was needed in a 3-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators. It was without a doubt the best team performance from the boys in blue and white thus far into the young season, and despite Ottawa nearly tying the game late in the second period before an offside review overturned what would have been the game tying goal, Toronto controlled play and dominated their provincial rivals through most of the contest.
3rd Star: Jack Campbell
With an emergency backup goalie riding the bench after an injury to Petr Mrázek earlier in the week, Jack Campbell continued to show that last year was no fluke. Appearing in all three Leafs games so far this season, Campbell has posted a 0.968 save percentage and looked downright dominant while doing so. While Frederik Andersen had his moments of brilliance while with the team, Jack Campbell is showing the kind of consistency the Maple Leafs haven’t had since the days of Ed Belfour. Campbell has shown that he’ …

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Author: Filipe Dimas / The Leafs Nation

Toronto Raptors: Making a roster case for all 3 non-guaranteed players

Toronto Raptors: Making a roster case for all 3 non-guaranteed players

The Toronto Raptors are on the verge of finally setting their 15-man roster after finishing up their postseason grind against the Washington Wizards. After waiving Freddie Gillespie and Reggie Perry, Nick Nurse must select two of either Isaac Bonga, Ishmail Wainright, or Sam Dekker to secure the final roster spots. All three of these players […]
Toronto Raptors: Making a roster case for all 3 non-guaranteed players – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Toronto Raptors: Is Justin Champagnie earning a role in the rotation?

Toronto Raptors: Is Justin Champagnie earning a role in the rotation?

The Toronto Raptors are looking for anyone that is willing to step and assert themselves in what looks likes a very fluid rotation, and they aren’t excluding undrafted free agent Justin Champagnie from that mission. The Raptors might’ve used their three selections in the 2021 NBA Draft on some studs with potential on both ends […]
Toronto Raptors: Is Justin Champagnie earning a role in the rotation? – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

A Look at a Leaf: William Nylander vs. the Canadiens (October 13)

Well, here’s to a new Toronto Maple Leafs season and a new series I had formulated in my head, in which I will focus on and breakdown one player’s performance for (hopefully) a majority of Leafs games.
Some of these will be longer than others, some might not even be about a good performance, but I’m looking forward to it and to this upcoming season. Fans are back, we’re getting an 82-game schedule as long as everything goes smoothly, so things are looking up this. The Leafs opened their season against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday with a 2-1 win and there was a good amount to breakdown. Specifically, who better to start this season with than William Nylander, who I think is poised to have yet another breakout season this year.
Nylander is always one of the most-talked Leafs and for good reason. He is coming into this season looking to build on a successful campaign last year that saw him net 42 points in 51 games. To be fair, the Leafs all faced a terrible, terrible fate in the playoffs at the hands of the Canadiens, but out of all the Maple Leafs in that series, …

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Author: Matthew Rodrigopulle / The Leafs Nation

Marlies finalize roster as excitement builds for opening day

Toronto Marlies hockey is back.
Training camp is finally over, and now it’s time to get down to business. And that starts with a back-to-back at home against the Manitoba Moose on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

The Marlies have announced the hockey club’s 2021-22 opening day roster.
Details: https://t.co/fPPs9UrLMz #ForeverStartsHere pic.twitter.com/vk2h3Nv4Oc
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) October 15, 2021

The Marlies are looking forward to a new season with some different faces. One positive is getting to play in front of fans again. Some players haven’t done that since the pandemic began in March of 2020.
“I’m just grateful to be able to play hockey for a living.” Said Marlies captain, Rich Clune about playing in front of fans. “Obviously, being from Toronto, it means a little bit more playing here. A lot of family and friends in the stands, but anytime I can get into a game I’m excited.“
Toronto is going to be a challenging team to play against this season. They have returning players like Nicholas Robertson, Joseph Duszak, Joey Anderson, and Kristians Rubins. But they also have newcomers like Alex Biega, Carl Dahlstrom Josh Ho-Sang, Mikhail …

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Author: Nick Barden / The Leafs Nation