Leafs Morning Take

Nick Alberga and Carter Hutton are joined by Frank Crupi, otherwise known as the Hockey Illuminati, for a spirited discussion on all things Maple Leafs.Firstly, Frank weighs in on the Toronto Marlies, who sit just two wins away from capturing the Calder Cup. From there, the conversation shifts to Mitch Marner's struggles in the latter stages of the Stanley Cup Final and his decision not to speak to the media afterwards. Frank asks the question many Leafs fans are wondering: is anyone really surprised?The guys also dive into the constant Toronto-centric narrative throughout the playoffs, why the coverage felt so one-sided, and how different the conversation would've been had Vegas won the Stanley Cup.After that, Frank shares his thoughts on Morgan Rielly's future with the Maple Leafs, explaining why he believes it's time for a change. The coaching search is also front and centre, with Frank discussing why Joe Pavelski intrigues him as a candidate. Finally, with the NHL Draft just 10 days away, the guys debate whether there's any scenario where Gavin McKenna isn't the Leafs' pick at No. 1 overall.🚨 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+.👍🏼MOVEMBER: https://ca.movember.com/Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!

Nick Alberga and David Pagnotta react to a significant trade between the Maple Leafs and Flyers. Toronto has dealt Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit to Philadelphia in exchange for Samuel Ersson, Emil Andrae, and a 2026 third-round pick. The guys break down the deal from all angles, discuss what Ersson brings to the Leafs' crease, whether Andrae can help Toronto's blue line, and what this move says about the direction John Chayka and Mats Sundin are taking the organization. Plus, they examine the fallout for both teams and whether this is just the beginning of a busy offseason in Toronto.🚨 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+.👍🏼MOVEMBER: https://ca.movember.com/Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!

Nick Alberga & Carter Hutton continue to break down the fallout from Carolina's Stanley Cup victory, including Mitch Marner's disappointing finish to the series after recording just one assist and a minus-5 rating over the final three games. Did the same playoff concerns that followed him in Toronto resurface on hockey's biggest stage?Plus, the boys preview Game 3 of the Calder Cup Final as the Toronto Marlies return home looking to take a commanding 3-0 series lead on the Chicago Wolves. Hutton also weighs in on the Leafs' goaltending situation and what he believes John Chayka and Mats Sundin should prioritize this offseason.Additionally, with growing speculation that Toronto could seek permission to speak with Bruce Cassidy, the boys discuss whether the Stanley Cup-winning bench boss makes sense for the Leafs. They also touch on the latest surrounding Morgan Rielly's future amid increasing chatter that both sides could be open to exploring a split.Also, Frank Crupi — better known as the Hockey Illuminati — stops by to share his thoughts on the state of the Maple Leafs and where the organization goes from here.🚨 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+.👍🏼MOVEMBER: https://ca.movember.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 Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final as the Carolina Hurricanes captured the Stanley Cup, defeating Vegas to claim hockey's ultimate prize. They break down what led to Carolina's championship run, key performances throughout the series, and what ultimately went wrong for the Golden Knights.Plus, the Toronto Marlies are now halfway to a Calder Cup after grabbing a 2-0 series lead over the Chicago Wolves. Nick and Rosie react to the strong start, discuss the biggest storylines from the series, and what it means for the Leafs' prospect pipeline moving forward.Additionally, Daily Faceoff Managing Editor & Senior Writer Matt Larkin stops by to discuss Carolina's championship, the Leafs' ongoing coaching search, the upcoming NHL Draft, and much more.🚨 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+.👍🏼MOVEMBER: https://ca.movember.com/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 Managing Editor and Senior Writer at Daily Faceoff, Matt Larkin.The conversation starts with Carolina's Stanley Cup victory and the long road it took to get there. From there, they dive into Mitch Marner's postseason, including the absence of any post-game media availability following Vegas' Game 6 loss. Larkin weighs in on Marner's playoff performance, why he believes the star winger once again came up short when his team needed him most, and how he'll remember his run overall.Additionally, Larkin discusses the biggest lesson the Maple Leafs should take from Carolina's championship blueprint, why he believes Jay Woodcroft would make plenty of sense as Toronto's next head coach, his thoughts on the Joe Pavelski buzz, and why he's surprised Misha Donskov doesn't appear to be a serious candidate. Finally, he weighs in on the Leafs owning the No. 1 overall pick and explains why selecting Gavin McKenna should be an easy decision for John Chayka.🚨 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+.👍🏼MOVEMBER: https://ca.movember.com/Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us!

Nick Alberga is joined by newly appointed Hamilton Hammers head coach Jay McKee. First, McKee discusses his decision to leave the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs for the AHL, why the opportunity in Hamilton was too good to pass up, and how difficult it was to move on from Brantford. He also talks about his long-term goal of coaching in the NHL and the differences between coaching junior players and professionals.Additionally, McKee shares his thoughts on Leafs prospect Ben Danford, whom he coached in Brantford. He raves about Danford's character, hockey IQ, and defensive instincts, projecting him as a future shutdown defenseman capable of matching up against the NHL's best players. McKee compares Danford's game to Chris Tanev and Gustav Forsling, while admitting the young blueliner reminds him of himself as a player. He also weighs in on how close Danford is to making the jump to the NHL.Finally, McKee discusses Toronto's ongoing coaching search and the growing trend of NHL teams looking to the minor leagues for coaching talent, including the possibility of Joe Pavelski entering the mix.🚨 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+.

Nick Alberga recaps Carolina's 4-2 win over Vegas in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final as the Hurricanes moved one victory away from capturing the Stanley Cup. After that, Toronto Marlies head coach John Gruden joins the show to preview the Calder Cup Final against the Chicago Wolves and discuss what's fuelled his team's impressive playoff run.Additionally, newly appointed Hamilton Hammers head coach Jay McKee stops by to discuss his move from the OHL to the AHL, his NHL coaching aspirations, and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ben Danford's development and NHL potential.Also, Nick weighs in on Joe Pavelski publicly confirming his involvement in the Leafs' coaching search and discusses whether Darnell Nurse, who reportedly wants out of Edmonton, could be a fit in Toronto.🚨 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 catches up with Toronto Marlies head coach John Gruden ahead of the Calder Cup Final. Gruden breaks down the Marlies' playoff run, the team's resilient identity, and the passionate fan support that's helped fuel their success. He also previews the matchup with the Chicago Wolves, explaining why their style closely mirrors that of their NHL affiliate, the Carolina Hurricanes.Plus, Gruden discusses Easton Cowan's impressive postseason, Jacob Quillan's status, Artur Akhtyamov's stellar play between the pipes, and Ben Danford's rapid development since joining the Marlies. To wrap things up, Gruden addresses Toronto's ongoing coaching search, his NHL aspirations, and why he believes he's ready for the next step whenever that opportunity comes.🚨 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+.

Nick Alberga & David Pagnotta tee up a pivotal Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final as the series shifts back to Raleigh with everything on the line. Who has the edge, and what are the biggest storylines to watch as the Hurricanes and Golden Knights battle in a best-of-three?Plus, Pagnotta shares the latest on the Maple Leafs' ongoing coaching search. With several candidates still believed to be in the mix, could former Vegas bench boss Bruce Cassidy emerge as a legitimate option for Toronto? A recent report suggests Cassidy is open to the idea of coaching the Maple Leafs, adding another intriguing wrinkle to a search that continues to evolve. The guys break down what they're hearing and where things stand as the Leafs look for their next head coach.Also, Terry Koshan, Leafs reporter for the Toronto Sun, drops by, too🚨 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!