James Mirtle

NHL’s odd trade deadline showcases league’s changing of the guard It was a relatively dull deadline, but the playoffs should be anything but, with so many new teams trying to topple the old standbys.

On the NHL's changing of the guard, at the trade deadline and soon the playoffs

www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

The most cursed outcome?

The Leafs finish fifth last with a horrible run of play the rest of the way, lose the lottery, and drop to the sixth pick.

Which also looks quite possible. Fifth last ends up with a very high chance of picking 6th or 7th.

The Leafs have two regulation wins in their last 20 games.

They're playing at a 38-point pace since Jan. 12. At that rate, they'd end the year around 73-74 points, which would be fourth last a year ago.

They'd have to go 4-13-1 or worse the rest of the way. It looks possible.

The Leafs longest losing streak ever is 11 games during the Horachek year in 2014-15.

Just in case anyone was wondering.

Ranking the 20 biggest NHL trade deadline deals. Plus: Winners and losers Welcome to Red Light, The Athletic's hockey newsletter.

I ranked the top 20 trades of the NHL deadline here.

Kadri back to Colorado goes No. 1. What would you put second? ⤵️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

Hamilton

NHL’s odd trade deadline showcases league’s changing of the guard It was a relatively dull deadline, but the playoffs should be anything but, with so many new teams trying to topple the old standbys.

On the NHL's changing of the guard, at the trade deadline and soon the playoffs

www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

The Leaf Report: Middling trade deadline for the Leafs magnifies a season failure With the 2026 trade deadline in the rearview mirror, Jonas and James analyze the Maple Leafs three transactions, sending Nicolas Roy to Colorado for a 1st and 5th round pick, Bobby McMann returning...

New podcast on the trade deadline and where the Leafs are at. Thanks for listening

pod.fo/e/39f959

Ranking the 20 biggest NHL trade deadline deals. Plus: Winners and losers Welcome to Red Light, The Athletic's hockey newsletter.

I ranked the top 20 trades of the NHL deadline here.

Kadri back to Colorado goes No. 1. What would you put second? ⤵️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...

John Carlson dealt to Anaheim in late night shocker.

Conditons on the pick going to Washington: If Anaheim fails to qualify for the playoffs, then it has option to transfer 2027 first-round pick instead of 2026.

The 2027 first round pick the Leafs acquired from the Avs in the Roy deal is top 10 protected. The 2026 fifth round pick is the latest one Colorado has.

Those are the only conditions on the picks.

NHL trade grades: Mammoth make smart bet on MacKenzie Weegar, boosting blue line

Utah uses its deep asset pool to solidify the blue line by adding MacKenzie Weegar

Trade grades with @mirtle.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Well they can do it. And deserve criticism for not.

Is this a make or break trade deadline for the Maple Leafs?

A new podcast with special guest Chris Johnston

open.spotify.com/episode/6Zrj...

The only thing left to cheer for in Toronto? Embracing the Maple Leafs tank As a slog of a season continues, the Leafs' best bet, for themselves and the fans, is to lean into losing more ground in the standings.

On the case for the Maple Leafs to embrace the tank, even after trading their pick

www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Only 12!

The only thing left to cheer for in Toronto? Embracing the Maple Leafs tank As a slog of a season continues, the Leafs' best bet, for themselves and the fans, is to lean into losing more ground in the standings.

On the case for the Maple Leafs to embrace the tank, even after trading their pick

www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Full press box with scouts or execs from 13 teams at Leafs-Flyers tonight in Toronto.

The trade deadline and Bobby McMann/Scott Laughton sweepstakes heat up.

Should the Toronto Maple Leafs just tear it all down? With just two regulation wins in their last 15 games, the Leafs look like a team that has given up. Are they fixable?

Should the Maple Leafs just tear it all down at this point?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

Should the Toronto Maple Leafs just tear it all down? With just two regulation wins in their last 15 games, the Leafs look like a team that has given up. Are they fixable?

Should the Maple Leafs just tear it all down at this point?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

Ranking the NHL’s 10 biggest trade deadline buyers and sellers Who are the most likely buyers and sellers? And let's take a deeper look at which players might be on the trade block over the next week.

Who will the 10 biggest buyers and 10 biggest sellers be at the NHL trade deadline? Where do the Leafs fit in? www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

NHL 2025-26 Stanley Cup playoff chances and projected standings Welcome to our 2025-26 NHL projections where you will find each team’s projected point total and chances of winning the Stanley Cup.

Leafs top 5 pick chances = 6%
Pick 6-10 range = 24%
Pick 11-16 range = 60%

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Ranking the NHL’s 10 biggest trade deadline buyers and sellers Who are the most likely buyers and sellers? And let's take a deeper look at which players might be on the trade block over the next week.

Ranking the NHL’s 10 biggest trade deadline buyers and 10 biggest sellers

www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

Ranking the NHL’s 10 biggest trade deadline buyers and sellers Who are the most likely buyers and sellers? And let's take a deeper look at which players might be on the trade block over the next week.

Ranking the NHL’s 10 biggest trade deadline buyers and 10 biggest sellers

www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

NHL mailbag, Part 2: Should Schaefer change Islanders’ plans? Who gets Atlantic berths? Plus: Can the Wild or Stars catch the Avalanche in the Central? Should goalie contact be an automatic penalty in the blue paint?

Taking your questions in the latest mailbag on the Islanders and Rangers at the deadline, history being made in the Atlantic Division, the Avs' slide and more

www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

NHL mailbag, Part 1: Dissecting Olympics stats limitations and the 3-on-3 OT debate Plus whether Macklin Celebrini's Olympic play might get people invested in his Hart chances, and which players put themselves on the radar.

Today's mailbag gets into your questions on:

- the rise of Slafkovsky
- fixes for 3-on-3
- the Olympic format
- Celebrini for Hart
- Olympic standouts

www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

Submit your hockey questions for James Mirtle’s next mailbag There’s certainly a lot going on in the hockey world right now. The medal rounds are about to begin for the men at the Olympics, first with qualifying games on Tuesday and then the quarterfinals...

If you have Leafs-related questions, get them in here

www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

NHL mailbag, Part 1: Dissecting Olympics stats limitations and the 3-on-3 OT debate Plus whether Macklin Celebrini's Olympic play might get people invested in his Hart chances, and which players put themselves on the radar.

Today's mailbag gets into your questions on:

- the rise of Slafkovsky
- fixes for 3-on-3
- the Olympic format
- Celebrini for Hart
- Olympic standouts

www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

The team currently in the second wild card spot in the East is on pace for 99 points.

With this loss, the Leafs will need to go 18-6-0 or equivalent to get there.

That's not happening.

NHL trade grades: Avalanche pay a premium to get Brett Kulak from Penguins Brett Kulak is a good fit for the Avalanche but giving up Sam Girard and a draft pick is a steep price.

Grading the Penguins-Avalanche trade @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...