Leafs Morning Take

Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill are joined by former Maple Leaf and TSN Hockey analyst Mike Johnson for a wide-ranging conversation on all things Toronto.To start, MJ weighs in on Anthony Stolarz’s latest injury and what it could mean for both his trade value and the Leafs’ short- and long-term outlook. From there, he discusses Artur Akhtyamov getting set to make his first NHL start on Long Island, before diving into the idea of tanking and whether finishing in the bottom five is a viable strategy.The conversation then shifts to Toronto’s front-office search, with MJ offering thoughts on candidates like Sunny Mehta and Ron Francis, while stressing the importance of a dual structure featuring both a president of hockey operations and a GM.MJ also reflects on his own future, admitting he’s thought about a move into management, but reiterating his passion for his current role in media. Looking ahead, he outlines what the Leafs’ top priorities should be this summer and weighs the idea of a rebuild versus a retool — leaning rebuild, with a few important caveats.To wrap, MJ shares his perspective on whether Toronto remains a desirable destination across the hockey world, and highlights one key on-ice adjustment he believes is crucial: improving the team’s ability to advance the puck up the ice.🚨 Subscribe to Leafs Nation on Youtube!🚨➡️ / @theleafsnation401SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS!!👍🏼Powered by @bet365. Whatever the moment, it's Never Ordinary at bet365. Download the App today and use promo code NATION. http://www.bet365.ca/Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. 19+.👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/👍🏼Sunwing: https://www.sunwing.ca/en/Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!

Nick Alberga & David Pagnotta tee up Toronto’s home date with Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, a game that could potentially mark Ovechkin’s final visit to Scotiabank Arena.Pagnotta also provides the latest intel on the Maple Leafs’ ongoing GM search, with names continuing to surface and the process beginning to take shape.Plus, Don Granato stops by ahead of coaching Team USA at the upcoming Men’s World Championship. He discusses the opportunity, potential American Leafs on the radar, and what’s next for him at the NHL level.🚨 Subscribe to Leafs Nation on Youtube!🚨➡️  / @theleafsnation401  SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS!!👍🏼Powered by @bet365: http://www.bet365.ca/ Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. 19+. 👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/👍🏼Sunwing: https://www.sunwing.ca/en/Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us! Visit www.nationgear.ca for merch and more.

Nick Alberga & David Pagnotta are joined by Don Granato, who’s set to coach Team USA at the upcoming Men’s World Championship.Granato kicks things off by detailing how the opportunity came together and what the experience means to him. From there, he dives into the player selection process and the role scouts play in building out the roster.Naturally, the conversation shifts to the Toronto Maple Leafs, with Granato weighing in on several American players on the team — including goaltenders Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz, who are expected to be firmly on Team USA’s radar.He also shares insight into what recruitment looks like at the international level, before offering his perspective on whether Toronto is still viewed as a premier destination across the hockey world.To wrap things up, Granato discusses what would intrigue him about a potential opportunity with the Leafs and reveals the one thing he’d change about the team’s on-ice identity — pushing for a more exciting, up-tempo brand of hockey.🚨 Subscribe to Leafs Nation on Youtube!🚨➡️ / @theleafsnation401SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS!!👍🏼Powered by @bet365. Whatever the moment, it's Never Ordinary at bet365. Download the App today and use promo code NATION. http://www.bet365.ca/Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. 19+.👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/👍🏼Sunwing: https://www.sunwing.ca/en/Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!

Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill react to bet365 releasing betting odds for the next Toronto Maple Leafs GM, with Sunny Mehta emerging as the early clubhouse favourite at +225. The boys break down what makes Mehta a serious contender and what his potential hire could mean for the direction of the organization.Additionally, they dive into the latest from Leafs practice as Toronto gears up to host Washington on Wednesday night. Plus, they revisit Nick Kypreos’ reporting on the rumoured trade deadline asking price for Matthew Knies, and debate whether the Leafs made the right call holding onto the promising winger.Also, Bruce Boudreau drops by once again to weigh in on all the madness.🚨 Subscribe to Leafs Nation on Youtube!🚨➡️  / @theleafsnation401  SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS!!👍🏼Powered by @bet365: http://www.bet365.ca/ Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. 19+. 👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/👍🏼Sunwing: https://www.sunwing.ca/en/Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us! Visit www.nationgear.ca for merch and more.

Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill are joined by longtime NHL bench boss and noted Leafs fan Bruce Boudreau to break down the chaos surrounding the organization.Boudreau doesn’t hold back—starting with his thoughts on Keith Pelley’s reported micromanaging and just how unusual it must’ve been having him in the room during trade deadline discussions. He also weighs in on Pelley’s recent press conference… and let’s just say, he wasn’t a fan.From there, Boudreau offers up the advice he’d give Pelley if the Leafs president picked up the phone today looking for answers on how to fix things. When it comes to potential leadership candidates, he doesn’t see an obvious choice—but does float George McPhee’s name, noting their history together in Washington, while acknowledging a move from Vegas feels unlikely.The conversation then shifts to Mike Gillis’ candidacy and the likelihood that any new executive would bring in familiar faces. Behind the bench, Boudreau shares why he doesn’t believe Manny Malhotra is the solution, before wrapping with candid thoughts on Craig Berube’s future—and whether he may already be coaching for his next opportunity.🚨 Subscribe to Leafs Nation on Youtube!🚨➡️ / @theleafsnation401SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS!!👍🏼Powered by @bet365. Whatever the moment, it's Never Ordinary at bet365. Download the App today and use promo code NATION. http://www.bet365.ca/Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. 19+.👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/👍🏼Sunwing: https://www.sunwing.ca/en/Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!

Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill break down a wild one in Los Angeles, where the Toronto Maple Leafs dropped a chaotic 7–6 overtime decision to the Los Angeles Kings. Off the ice, the coaching and front office carousel continues to spin. The New York Islanders scooped up Peter DeBoer—a name heavily linked to Toronto all season—while Elliotte Friedman connected Sunny Mehta to the Leafs’ growing list of GM candidates. Meanwhile, Friedman added that the timing doesn’t appear right between Toronto and Doug Armstrong.Plus, Craig Button stops by to weigh in on the Leafs’ late-season outlook, the front office search, and everything in between.🚨 Subscribe to Leafs Nation on Youtube!🚨➡️  / @theleafsnation401  SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS!!👍🏼Powered by @bet365: http://www.bet365.ca/ Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. 19+. 👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/👍🏼Sunwing: https://www.sunwing.ca/en/Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us! Visit www.nationgear.ca for merch and more.