Leafs Morning Take

SiriusXM NHL host Steve Kouleas stopped by for a brutally honest conversation about the current state of the Toronto Maple Leafs. In short, Kouleas believes the Leafs’ Stanley Cup window is officially closed — and that the organization should seriously consider a rebuild. He explained why he doesn’t see Toronto as a legitimate contender right now, what they can learn from the surprising playoff run of the Montreal Canadiens, and why patience may be the only path forward.Additionally, Kouleas weighed in on Mitch Marner’s playoff resurgence in Vegas, the Leafs’ ongoing coaching search, and why Jay Woodcroft could make sense if the organization is truly pivoting toward a reset. He also questioned why a coach like Bruce Cassidy would want the job in Toronto right now. In one of the more memorable moments of the interview, Kouleas joked that the team the Leafs eventually win with is probably made up of “12 or 13-year-old kids playing major peewee right now.”Plus, he shares his thoughts on what Toronto should do with the No. 1 overall pick.🚨 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+.👍🏼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 Vegas’ convincing 4-2 win over Colorado in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final, including what the Golden Knights did to take early control of the series. They also preview Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, as Montreal visits Carolina. Speaking of which, the guys then dive into a nightmare scenario for Maple Leafs fans: a potential Vegas-Montreal Stanley Cup Final. Who would Toronto fans even cheer for in that situation? Plus, they discuss the latest buzz surrounding the Leafs and continue to analyze the organization’s evolving offseason plans.Additionally, former NHLer & ESPN NHL analyst Ray Ferraro stops by to discuss the conference finals & Toronto’s outlook moving forward.🚨 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+.👍🏼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 are joined by former NHLer and current ESPN analyst Ray Ferraro. To begin, Ray weighs in on Mitch Marner's dominant postseason run, what’s changed in his game during these playoffs with Vegas, and the Golden Knights’ Game 1 victory over Colorado in the Western Conference Final.After some Conference Final chatter, the conversation shifts to the Maple Leafs and their ongoing coaching search. Ferraro admits he’s not exactly sure which direction Toronto is leaning, but notes that Jay Woodcroft would make plenty of sense behind the bench.Later on, Ray delivers a blunt reality check for Leafs Nation when discussing the No. 1 overall pick and Toronto’s offseason outlook. He questions whether the current core is truly close to contending and wonders what meaningful assets the organization even has available to improve the roster via trade. In Ferraro’s eyes, a rebuild may make more sense than sacrificing future assets just to remain a fringe playoff team.🚨 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+.👍🏼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 are joined by former NHLer and Morning Cuppa Hockey co-host Colby Cohen. To kick things off, Colby breaks down Toronto’s blue line and explains why he believes the Leafs need more puck movers on the back end — comparing their situation to what Philadelphia Flyers have built defensively. He also stresses the importance of properly slotting players like Jake McCabe alongside the right partner, while admitting he didn’t love the way Toronto deployed its defence corps this past season.The conversation then shifts to reports that the Leafs are willing to discuss anyone except Auston Matthews. Colby weighs in on whether Toronto can realistically address its needs on the trade market without moving one of the organization’s core pieces, suggesting it may be difficult unless names like William Nylander or Matthew Knies are involved.Later, the guys dive into Toronto’s ongoing coaching search. Colby shares his thoughts on David Carle and why he believes there’s only a slim chance the Leafs can lure him away from Denver, emphasizing that money isn’t the driving factor. With that in mind, he identifies Jay Woodcroft as a coaching candidate who really stands out to him for Toronto.To wrap things up, Colby discusses Gavin McKenna and his tremendous season at Penn State, plus whether he would take him first overall. While hesitant to make a definitive statement without seeing more of the other top prospects, Cohen notes that McKenna is “still a boy, not a man,” making his long-term upside even more enticing.🚨 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+.👍🏼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 dissect Vancouver's decision to move on from Adam Foote, and whether it effectively takes Manny Malhotra off the board for the Leafs' vacant head coaching position. Plus, they break down Jay Woodcroft as a potential fit in Toronto, and debate whether he could be the right guy to guide this group moving forward. Also, the guys weigh in on Chris Johnston’s reporting that suggests the Leafs are willing to discuss anybody on their roster outside of Auston Matthews. Meantime, former NHLer and co-host of Morning Cuppa Hockey Colby Cohen drops by the show.🚨 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+. 👍🏼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.

DJ Smith joined Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill for a wide-ranging conversation. Firstly, he discussed his experience so far in Switzerland serving as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the World Championship. Along those lines, Smith talked about reconnecting with both Morgan Rielly and John Tavares, who are representing Canada at the tournament.Additionally, Smith reflected on how he’s evolved as a coach over the past few years. He also weighed in on the Maple Leafs’ head coaching vacancy, admitting the opportunity to coach in Toronto would definitely interest him, while remaining very complimentary of the Los Angeles Kings organization, where he finished this past season as interim head coach.Furthermore, Smith discussed the pressure that comes with the Toronto market, what it’s like to work and play in the city, and how his familiarity with the organization could be an asset if he lands an interview for the open position.🚨 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+.👍🏼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 stunning Game 7 as Alex Newhook buried the overtime winner to send the Montreal Canadiens to the Eastern Conference Final. Plus, they discuss the he latest surrounding Toronto’s head coaching search and the Leafs granting the Edmonton Oilers permission to speak with Craig Berube. Plus, former Leafs assistant coach D.J. Smith — who could be in the mix for the Toronto job — drops by the show.🚨 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+. 👍🏼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 weigh in on a Leafs fan’s worst nightmare: Montreal is now just one win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Final, while Mitch Marner and the Vegas Golden Knights are headed to the Western Conference Final. Meanwhile, Pagnotta dishes on the early stages of Toronto’s coaching search and some names to keep an eye on. Plus, Medicine Hat Tigers head coach and GM Willie Desjardins stops by the show to discuss coaching projected No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna and what makes the phenom so special.🚨 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+. 👍🏼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.