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James Mirtle

@mirtle.bsky.social

Senior Writer, @TheAthletic.com. Covering the NHL since 2004. Leaf Report podcast & Red Light newsletter. Kamloops kid in Toronto πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦

17,181 Followers  |  294 Following  |  783 Posts  |  Joined: 24.07.2023
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Posts by James Mirtle (@mirtle.bsky.social)

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

04.03.2026 00:17 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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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...

03.03.2026 17:19 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 0
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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...

03.03.2026 13:01 β€” πŸ‘ 12    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 2

Only 12!

03.03.2026 13:01 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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...

03.03.2026 13:01 β€” πŸ‘ 12    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 2

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.

03.03.2026 00:08 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 1
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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...

01.03.2026 15:10 β€” πŸ‘ 31    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 10    πŸ“Œ 5
Preview
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...

01.03.2026 15:10 β€” πŸ‘ 31    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 10    πŸ“Œ 5
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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...

28.02.2026 16:37 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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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...

27.02.2026 23:45 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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...

27.02.2026 16:40 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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...

27.02.2026 16:40 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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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...

27.02.2026 14:04 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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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...

26.02.2026 13:20 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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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...

26.02.2026 13:27 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
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...

26.02.2026 13:20 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

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.

26.02.2026 03:14 β€” πŸ‘ 38    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 1
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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...

24.02.2026 19:33 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Not if you count goalies IMO.

24.02.2026 14:56 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Leaf Report: Auston Matthews is an Olympic Champion The 12 year wait for the NHL to participate at the Winter Olympics was worth it. The Milan games was a tournament for the ages with Jonas and James looking back on the two week event, theyΒ critiqu...

Special edition Olympics podcast is up

pod.fo/e/395367

23.02.2026 18:33 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I think it's fair to ask why they almost lost to the Czechs and Finns and why they had the fifth best goalie in the tournament, among other things.

Canada remains the best team. Did they play to that potential throughout the event? Why not?

23.02.2026 18:35 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
The Leaf Report: Auston Matthews is an Olympic Champion The 12 year wait for the NHL to participate at the Winter Olympics was worth it. The Milan games was a tournament for the ages with Jonas and James looking back on the two week event, theyΒ critiqu...

Special edition Olympics podcast is up

pod.fo/e/395367

23.02.2026 18:33 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ€”

23.02.2026 17:17 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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What lessons can Canada’s men’s hockey program take from silver-lined Olympics? There's a lot more to consider regarding Canada's total experience at these Games than just Sunday's gold medal game loss.

What lessons can Team Canada take from a silver-lined Olympics? Today's column @theathletic.com ‡️

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

23.02.2026 13:30 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 1

It has nothing to do with who won.

23.02.2026 17:16 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
What lessons can Canada’s men’s hockey program take from silver-lined Olympics? There's a lot more to consider regarding Canada's total experience at these Games than just Sunday's gold medal game loss.

What lessons can Team Canada take from a silver-lined Olympics? Today's column @theathletic.com ‡️

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

23.02.2026 13:30 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 1

πŸ€·πŸΌβ€β™‚οΈ

22.02.2026 14:47 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Connor Hellebuyck's save percentage up to .957 for the tournament.

22.02.2026 14:33 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 1

Is tomorrow's gold medal game bigger than the other NHL Olympics? Is more on the line than 1998, 2002, 2010? πŸ€”

22.02.2026 00:22 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 18    πŸ“Œ 0
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NHL-attended Olympics. Canada and U.S. will add to this tomorrow.

21.02.2026 22:10 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0