Welcome to the yearly wrap up of the top read articles over the last year!
We did it! We finally made it to number one.
The most-read article this year was penned by TLN editor Jon Steitzer who on Aug. 30 wrote about some of the latest rumours surrounding the Leafs.
Elliotte Freidman had wrote a 31 thoughts piece looking at some rumours surrounding Andersen and Nylander.
RUMOURS: A landing spot for Andersen and the asking price for Nylander

Here’s some of what Steitzer wrote:
Speaking of moving on from Andersen, here’s a potential landing spot. Now obviously the Leafs would love to get back their 13th overall pick, and would probably need to take one of the Canes goaltenders for doing so (preferably Mrazek because he’s better), but there are a lot of interesting roster players on the Canes that Leafs should be interested in as well, but I’d assume Pesce and Hamilton are off limits, obviously.
Nylander being worth a legitimate top four right handed defenseman has shades of Hall for Larsson all over it, and in that situation it’s pretty easy to pass on the idea of trading Nylander, even if you aren’t …

Read More

Author: Zach Laing / The Leafs Nation

Welcome to the yearly wrap up of the top read articles over the last year!
It was back in February when there was lots of smoke around Joe Thornton and the Toronto Maple Leafs. And a few days after the trade deadline, Elliotte Friedman had some thoughts on Jumbo and the Leafs.
TLN editor Jon Steitzer wrote about it in a piece that was the 2nd more read article this year.
Elliotte Friedman on future Leaf Joe Thornton and more

Here’s some of what Steitzer wrote:
So let’s start there with Elliotte Friedman’s thought(s) on Joe Thornton coming to Toronto…
If Thornton is not sold on the Sharks, and he’s willing to seek out new life (boldly go where no one has gone before), my prediction is Toronto will be a factor. I can’t confirm this, but I believe the Maple Leafs considered adding him now.
Elliotte goes on to discuss how optically it didn’t make sense for Dubas at the deadline, but next season could make more sense…
Thornton’s made it clear he will make his salary fit. He’s a left-hand shot who could feed Auston Matthews/John Tavares from …

Read More

Author: Zach Laing / The Leafs Nation

Welcome to the yearly wrap up of the top read articles over the last year!
We’re back after a small Christmas break and today we’re looking at some “trade requests.”
Last December, Elliotte Freidman reported Jeremy Bracco, Dmytro Timashov and Ben Harpur asked for the Leafs to gauge interest on them on the trade market.
TLN writer Mike Stephens broke it down, and it was the third most-read article this year.
Friedman: Bracco, Timashov and Harpur Have Asked Leafs Management to “See What’s Out There”

Here’s some of what Stephens wrote:
For Bracco and Harpur, this is relatively understandable.
Bracco finished second in the entire AHL last season in points and has established himself as arguably the most gifted passer in the Leafs organization. He had one of the most prolific offensive seasons for a 22-year-old in AHL history in 2018-19 and became a dominant force on a terrific power play. And yet, as the Maple Leafs have continued to experience horrific injury luck this season, Bracco’s name has been passed over for a promotion time and time again — save for a brief emergency recall that ultimately only netted him a day or so of …

Read More

Author: Zach Laing / The Leafs Nation

Welcome to the yearly wrap up of the top read articles over the last year!
There were tons of rumours that the Leafs have been linked to over the years, but somehow PK Subban has always been in that conversation.
And on Sept. 4, TLN Editor Jon Steitzer took a look at one proposal that could make sense.
It was the fourth most-read article this year.
My (horrible?) idea for a P.K. Subban to the Leafs trade proposal

The proposed deal was this: PK Subban and the Canucks 2020 first for Frederik Andersen, Andreas Johnsson and Travis Dermott. Here’s some of what Steitzer wrote:
So as much as this deal is about acquiring Subban, it’s equally about the Leafs picking up another 1st round pick, giving them even more flexibility at the draft, or enabling them to restock for the future.
From the Devils perspective they get a decent defenseman, a decent forward, both of who can play significant minutes for them, and a goaltender that they can test out for the year and potentially flip at the trade deadline if their season goes as expected and they don’t want Andersen back for another year. This might be …

Read More

Author: Zach Laing / The Leafs Nation

Welcome to the yearly wrap up of the top read articles over the last year!
It didn’t take long after the Leafs were eliminated in the return to play for the focus to shift onto the offseason.
And with that, talk of Freddie Andersen being traded resurfaced.
On August 13th, TLN writer Brian Reid took a look at five potential trade targets for Andersen. It was the fifth most-read article this year.
Five Potential Trade Partners for Frederik Andersen

As no-brainers for potential trade destinations, Reid listed Chicago and the Minnesota Wild. Two possibilities were the Carolina Hurricanes and the Calgary Flames, while a galaxy brain option was the San Jose Sharks.
Here’s some of what he wrote:
With the Leafs also potentially moving on from one (or both) of Andreas Johnsson and Kasperi Kapanen this offseason, Kevin Lebanc is an intriguing option to fill a top nine wing role. Lebanc signed a cheap, one year, $1 million extension last summer to help the Sharks and it ended up costing him as the Sharks didn’t really put the savings to good use and Lebanc’s production dropped from 56 points in 2018/2019 to 33 points this past season. The Sharks would …

Read More

Author: Zach Laing / The Leafs Nation

Welcome to the yearly wrap up of the top read articles over the last year!
When TSN reveals a new Trade Bait Board, all eyes are on it.
And on Sept. 1, TSN’s dropped their first of the offseason and two Leafs made the list — Andreas Johnsson and Frederik Andersen.
TLN editor Jon Steitzer wrote about it and it was the sixth most-read article of the year.
Two Leafs make their way onto the TSN Trade Bait Board

Here’s what Steitzer wrote:

17. Andreas Johnsson
This really does come as much of a surprise, as the Leafs have capable wingers willing to work for cheap in the form of Robertson, Barabanov, and Korshkov. Replacing Johnsson and Kapanen with cheap entry level deal players that at the very least will be able to cover off the underwhelming 2019-20 seasons of Kapanen and Johnsson and at best match their 2018-19 career best years, seems like a no brainer.
Johnsson probably isn’t going to land the Leafs a mid-1st round pick, but there’s a good chance that he could be part of a worthwhile package for an area of need for the Leafs.
19. Frederik Andersen
I really feels like we’ …

Read More

Author: Zach Laing / The Leafs Nation