Leafs Morning Take

SiriusXM NHL Network Radio host Steve Kouleas joined Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill to break down Toronto’s impressive 4-0 shutout win over New Jersey. Despite missing key pieces like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Chris Tanev, the Leafs bought in and delivered one of their most complete efforts of the season — and Kouleas weighs in on who stood out most.Kouleas also digs into Toronto’s ongoing zone-exit issues, why they’ve looked improved of late, and what he’s seeing from the Leafs’ power play, which has gone 4-for-10 since the firing of Marc Savard. The numbers look good, but Kouleas explains why he’s not fully sold just yet.Plus, a deep dive on Matthew Knies — his fight with Nico Hischier, why Kouleas sees a Wendel Clark–style throwback, and just how important Knies is to this team moving forward.The conversation wraps with what the Leafs need to do to climb back into a playoff spot, whether Kouleas believes they can pull it off, and his No. 1 Leafs-related New Year’s resolution. 🎙️🏒#LeafsForever #LeafsMorningTake🚨 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+.👍🏼Uber Eats: https://www.ubereats.com/ca👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/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 final game of 2025 as the Maple Leafs host Sheldon Keefe’s New Jersey Devils in a matchup loaded with real standings implications. The Leafs enter the night 2-0-1 since firing Marc Savard, coming off a weekend where they banked 3 of a possible 4 points — but injuries are piling up again. Chris Tanev and Dakota Joshua are sidelined, Auston Matthews is a game-time decision, and the guys break down how Toronto can manage yet another stretch of adversity, what’s actually changed, and what still hasn’t.Plus, with Canada’s Olympic roster set to be announced on New Year’s Eve at Noon ET, free-agent NHL head coach Pete DeBoer stops by the show. DeBoer, who has been linked to the Leafs job should Craig Berube be shown the door, weighs in on the Olympic reveal, the coaching landscape around the league, and the growing buzz in Toronto.#LeafsForever #LeafsMorningTake🚨 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+.👍🏼Uber Eats: https://www.ubereats.com/ca👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!

Pete DeBoer joins Nick Alberga & David Pagnotta to break down how coaches manage messaging when injuries start to pile up, as the Leafs deal with key absences — Dakota Joshua and Chris Tanev are out, Auston Matthews is a game-time decision, and William Nylander won’t play. DeBoer also shares his thoughts on how injuries are covered and discussed around the NHL.The conversation then turns to Elliotte Friedman’s weekend report, with DeBoer explaining why he felt it was important to reach out — through a mutual friend — to Craig Berube to shut down speculation linking him to the Toronto job. DeBoer opens up about what he’s looking for in his next NHL opportunity.To wrap it up, DeBoer previews the upcoming Olympics, where he’ll serve as an assistant coach for Canada in Milan. He dives into roster construction, internal player debates, and how the slower ice and smaller dimensions of the Milan Olympic rink could shape Team Canada’s approach.#LeafsForever #LeafsMorningTake🚨 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+.👍🏼Uber Eats: https://www.ubereats.com/ca👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!

Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill recap a productive weekend for the Maple Leafs, who picked up 3 of a possible 4 points with a wild 7-5 win over Ottawa at Scotiabank Arena before falling 3-2 in overtime in Detroit.Toronto is now 2-0-1 since the firing of Marc Savard, and the boys dig into what’s changed early on. That includes a breakdown of Steve Sullivan’s promotion from the AHL’s Marlies, as he steps in to take over Savard’s role behind the bench.Plus, with the power play starting to show real signs of life, Nick and Jay discuss whether this recent stretch is a sign of things finally trending in the right direction — or just a brief spark.#LeafsForever #LeafsMorningTake🚨 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+.👍🏼Uber Eats: https://www.ubereats.com/ca👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!

Nick Alberga, Jay Rosehill, and Zack Phillips come together for a TLN Christmas Special 🎄🎧The boys kick things off with some holiday traditions before diving headfirst into all things Maple Leafs. Where does this team go after firing Marc Savard? Does it actually fix anything — or is it just window dressing? Will the league’s worst power play finally wake up? And the big one: do the Leafs even make the playoffs?The conversation turns to Craig Berube and his future behind the bench. Does he survive until the trade deadline? Does he make it to the summer? Plus, the guys tackle Auston Matthews’ continued struggles and debate whether heavy lifting — real, franchise-altering change — is needed to finally alter the Leafs’ trajectory.

Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill break down a major shakeup in Toronto, as the Maple Leafs fire assistant coach Marc Savard following a power play that’s sunk to a league-worst 12-for-90. The boys share their thoughts on what went wrong, why the move was made, and whether it can spark any sort of turnaround.They also preview Toronto’s matinee matchup on home ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins — the Leafs’ final game before a three-day holiday break. Toronto enters on a three-game skid, while Pittsburgh has dropped eight of its last nine, setting the stage for a desperate showdown at Scotiabank Arena.Plus, Kevin McGran of The Toronto Star stops by to discuss his new book, Auston Matthews: A Life in Hockey, and weigh in on the very latest surrounding the Maple Leafs.#LeafsForever #LeafsMorningTake🚨 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+.👍🏼Uber Eats: https://www.ubereats.com/ca👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!

Kevin McGran of The Toronto Star joins Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill to break down the Maple Leafs’ decision to fire assistant coach Marc Savard — and the bigger question: will it actually fix anything? With Toronto sitting at an ugly 12-for-90 on the power play, the conversation zeroes in on just how damaging the Leafs’ PP has been, how much better this team could be with even league-average results, and what’s been missing from the group all season long.McGran also weighs in on William Nylander’s recent bout with confidence, noting how uncharacteristically dejected the usually calm and cool winger looked following the loss in Dallas. The boys discuss Craig Berube’s future behind the bench, before Kevin delivers a sobering prediction for the rest of the season — he doesn’t believe the Leafs will snap out of it, and thinks they’ll ultimately miss the playoffs.To wrap things up, Kevin promotes his new book Auston Matthews: A Life in Hockey, which sparks a conversation about Matthews’ struggles this season and McGran’s thoughts on what might be going on with the Leafs’ superstar.#LeafsForever #LeafsMorningTake🚨 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+.👍🏼Uber Eats: https://www.ubereats.com/ca👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!

Nick Alberga & Zack Phillips break down a brutal weekend for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who dropped both games of their back-to-back — a 5-3 loss in Nashville followed by a 5-1 defeat in Dallas. It completes a disastrous 0-3-0 road trip and raises serious questions about where this team is headed. Is this the end of the line for Craig Berube behind the bench? Could a coaching change be imminent? To help navigate the noise and separate fact from speculation, NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period joins the show to weigh in on Berube’s future, the Leafs’ options, and what could come next for Toronto.#LeafsForever #LeafsMorningTake🚨 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+.👍🏼Uber Eats: https://www.ubereats.com/ca👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!

NHL Insider David Pagnotta joined Nick Alberga & Zack Phillips to break down the growing tension in Toronto. The boys discuss whether a coaching change is imminent, what Pagnotta expects the Maple Leafs to do if things don’t improve, and what Pete DeBoer could be looking for as he sizes up his next opportunity behind an NHL bench.Pagnotta also dives into Brad Treliving’s aggressive mindset on the trade market, whether the Leafs could revisit trade conversations involving Morgan Rielly, and the bigger question hanging over it all — just how secure is Treliving’s job if this season continues to go sideways?#LeafsForever #LeafsMorningTake🚨 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+.👍🏼Uber Eats: https://www.ubereats.com/ca👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!