Maple Leafs News & Analysis

Nick Paul second line: with John Tavares out after the birth of his son, Jim Hiller moves Paul up between Cowan and Nylander for Colorado.

Gavin McKenna third line opinion: why the move with Nick Paul and Colton Sissons suits the rookie, and why Hiller should keep it through game 10.

Nick Paul injury update: day-to-day, no practice, uncertain for Sept. 29. What it does to Toronto's centre depth, the cap sheet and the 13th-forward decision.

Nine Maple Leafs debuts are possible on opening night against Montreal. What John Chayka's roster overhaul actually targeted, and where it could go wrong.

A Shane Wright trade is still on the table and the Leafs have the hole for it. Why the fit is real, the price is not payable, and December is the moment.

Maple Leafs bottom six scored three on Montreal's top group in a 4-3 OT loss. Sissons, Rybinski and the Cowan line made the better case.

Easton Cowan was Jim Hiller's day one standout at Leafs camp. The Cowan-Paul-Sissons matchup line is the real signal about his 2026-27 role.

Nick Paul Maple Leafs coverage has been mild for a $3.15M third-line centre from Mississauga. He is exactly the position Chayka needed to fill, and the trade cost was fair.

An opinion grading the Maple Leafs free agency reshape — Chayka's disciplined July 1 of five signings and two trades earns an A-minus for solving the right problems without a panic overpay.

The Maple Leafs trade for Nick Paul lands a Mississauga-born centre on a $3.15M cap hit for three years, solving Toronto's long-standing third-line centre hole. Hildeby and two picks went to Tampa.