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Blue Jackets now have yet another big extension to worry about
As if it hasn't been a difficult enough year already for the Columbus Blue Jackets and GM Don Waddell. Now, this week's shocking, history-making $43M signing of Tristan Luneau by the Anaheim Ducks has put the pressure on Waddell once again. Elliotte Friedman noted on The Fan Hockey Show on Friday that the Luneau extension will mean some pretty big bucks for pending restricted free agent Denton Mateychuk. Someone texted me another name last night that that is going to be really good for, is Denton Mateychuk. That just made Columbus's job a bit harder. Of course, it's not just the Luneau deal that applies here for Mateychuk. Luneau had just 14 games of NHL experience. A more realistic comp than the $7.2M AAV that the Ducks' D-man got, could be Zeev Buium, who secured a long-term, $9.38M AAV extension from the Vancouver Canucks this summer. As for Mateychuk, the 22-year-old has a spot this season lining up alongside Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski. In the Blue Jackets' opening game of the season on Thursday night, a 6-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres, Mateychuk logged over 27 minutes of ice time. Last year, he registered 31 points and a plus/minus rating of +12 in 75 games, along with 92 blocked shots. A big payday is coming. And the longer the Blue Jackets wait, the higher that price tag could go. Mateychuk was Columbus's first-round pick (12th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft. Another contract crisis coming for Blue Jackets? As for Waddell, he has had to put out fire after fire since the end of last season. It started with the Zach Werenski scare; the league's top defenseman from 2025-26 seemed to be looking to get out of town, so Waddell arranged for a tentative trade to the Dallas Stars for Thomas Harley. Werenski, however, vetoed the trade by invoking his full no-movement clause, and he and the GM have since " moved past the situation," and Werenski remains "committed" to Columbus. For now. The Adam Fantilli contract stalemate dominated the month of September, as the team had a diffuclt time coming to terms with the RFA and top-line center. That was resolved a week ago with a six-year, $13.75M AAV deal. All of that, while dealing with summer long Kirill Marchenko situation. The Russian star was going to be a pending UFA, and it was clear he would not be re-signing in Columbus. Waddell waddled out of that crisis as well, pulling off a fine deal, landing Matthew Knies from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Marchenko, on the eve of the regular season. Next up, what will be a massive new extension for Mateychuk, whenever Waddell has the wherewithal to take on that massive task.
John Chayka on the Maple Leafs’ start to the season: “It’s early, but we’ve been able to defend much more effectively than we…
John Chayka joined TSN OverDrive to discuss the Kirill Marchenko trade, the many changes he has made since taking over as Maple Leafs GM, expectations for Gavin McKenna, the defense corps, and managing the goaltenders’ workload. With two veteran goaltenders who are familiar with each other, did you have a specific number of games in [ ] The post John Chayka on the Maple Leafs start to the season: It’s early, but we’ve been able to defend much more effectively than we have in the last few years appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
A New Season, New Features: Introducing MLHS’s Leafs & Marlies Tools
In addition to a site redesign, we’ve rolled out a new collection of interactive tools on MLHS to make it easier to follow the Maple Leafs and Toronto Marlies this season, from roster details and player statistics to daily line combinations, game lineup archives, and our new Stat of the Day feature. Stat of the [ ] The post A New Season, New Features: Introducing MLHS’s Leafs Marlies Tools appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Gavin McKenna breaks his silence on why he refused to skate on opening day
Maple Leafs rookie Gavin McKenna revealed the reasoning behind his refusal to skate during Toronto's optional practice ahead of the 2026-27 season opener.
Ex-Leafs Rise Up In Their Debuts
The Toronto Maple Leafs have opened the 2026-27 regular season with a split of back-to-back home games: a 3-2 loss The post Ex-Leafs Rise Up In Their Debuts first appeared on Hockey HotStove .
Has Ex-Maple Leafs Matias Maccelli Landed Well?
Has Ex-Maple Leafs Matias Maccelli Landed Well?
Jim Hiller on Daniel Alfredsson’s first game against the Senators from behind the Leafs’ bench: “It’s going to be a big night…
After Friday s practice, Jim Hiller discussed the Tavares line’s play, keeping Easton Cowan’s line together, Kirill Marchenko’s first practice, the power play’s need to shoot more, and the chemistry between Morgan Rielly and Darren Raddysh. Where are you at with the Tavares line moving into the next game? What do you want to see for [ ] The post Jim Hiller on Daniel Alfredsson s first game against the Senators from behind the Leafs bench: It s going to be a big night, let s be honest appeared first on Maple Leafs Hotstove .
Maple Leafs reportedly had another trade in the works after the Kirill Marchenko deal
According to Elliotte Friedman, John Chayka wanted to make another deal shortly after the blockbuster.
Maple Leafs' Bobrovsky Apologized To McKenna For Ruining 'Rookie Lap'
Sergei Bobrovsky admitted he didn't even realize Gavin McKenna was going for a rookie lap before Tuesday's season opener, and has since apologized to the former No.1 overall pick. Only in Toronto this would be blown out of proportion as several members of 'Leafs Nation' have been screaming from the rooftops at their new goaltender. “I pretended like it was my first game, too," stated Bobrovsky after Friday's practice. Sergei Bobrovsky was so dialed in he still stepped onto the ice first as Gavin McKenna did his rookie lap. pic.twitter.com/2HZeZHmz22 David Alter (@davidalter) September 29, 2026 Bobrovsky confirmed him and McKenna have since spoken about the incident, and as you can imagine, have put this behind themselves, and the team. The Maple Leafs have enough going on with distractions from the media, they don't need some made-up beef between vets and rookies on the club. I completely forgot. I came to him and told him so. So I pretended that it was my first game too. 😂 Sergei Bobrovsky on joining Gavin McKenna on the ice for his rookie lap. https://t.co/seelLfE72d pic.twitter.com/01BqJijtaW Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 2, 2026 Through two games, McKenna has yet to record a point and is seeing just over 15 minutes of ice-time on the Leafs second line, and second power-play unit. Bobrovsky's appeared in one game, which Toronto lost to the Montreal Canadiens in their season opener. They'll host the Ottawa Senators from Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night.
Sergei Bobrovsky reveals the reason he ruined Gavin McKenna's rookie lap
Sergei Bobrovsky robbed Gavin McKenna of his solo rookie lap and admitted that he was so dialled in for the start of the season, it never even crossed his mind.