Leafs Hour: Dion Phaneuf In-Studio + Blue Line Problems Piling Up

Former goaltender and CEO of Clear Sight Analytics Steve Valiquette (5:52) joins Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne to look at Sergei Bobrovsky's use of a poke check during opposing team's breakaways, his plan for the Maple Leafs' goaltending issues, why they need to lean on Anthony Stolarz moving forward, why it would benefit Bobrovsky to take a step back in his role, and how the New Jersey Devils' analytical decision to not let Connor Hellebuyck start against his former team in Winnipeg may have ramifications for the future of the game. Then, Nick, Justin and Sam McKee discuss the recent NHL GM meetings including what kind of technology can help officials and the Philadelphia Flyers disputing Matvei Michkov's trade request.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee get set for the Toronto Maple Leafs' matchup against the Minnesota Wild. They discuss Chris Tanev set for a second scratch for load management, whether Anthony Stolarz can steal the starting spot with a strong performance, Brendan Brisson getting called up with Zack MacEwen listed as a game-time decision, and Kyp's recent article about Gavin McKenna's turnover issues. Later, Wild reporter for the Athletic Michael Russo (36:05) stops by to share what the Leafs can expect from Quinn Hughes and Kirill Kaprizov, and he weighs in on Quinn's future in Minnesota.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Former NHL player and head coach Kirk Muller (6:19) joins Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne to chat about the increase in player's trade requests, the evolution in player-coach relationships, stories of heated disagreements between players just like Philadelphia Flyers' Matvey Michkov and Nick Seeler, turning around slow starts, how realistic the U.S. Thanksgiving mark is as a barometer on an NHL club's season, load management, coaching Alexander Ovechkin and entering his final year, and if the Montreal Canadiens go all-in this year. Then, Nick, Justin and Sam McKee share their thoughts on Jakob Chychrun's big hit on Nick Cousins and Michkov's comments on the reported trade request. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and Sam McKee reflect on the Toronto Maple Leafs' four-game losing streak after a 6-3 loss to the Avalanche. They discuss the team's direction and identity at the 20-game mark, hope fading for a potential Sergei Bobrovsky turnaround, Darren Raddysh's season so far after he finally tallied his first goal as a Leaf, and William Nylander's slump. Then, they chat about the Leafs' cap issues and what the absence of 'tagging' space means for the team this season. Later, the guys open up the mailbag to take your questions!The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne revisit the New Jersey Devils' decision to not have former Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck start against his former team and general manager Sunny Mehta's statement before bringing on Sportsnet's Sean Reynolds (5:07) to get his thoughts, if Connor made his own choice to not play in Winnipeg, if the Devils understand their goaltender better than the Jets, how he expects the crowd to react, Hellebuyck's Jets legacy moving forward, Connor speaking on his trade request, and what the Jets' locker room thinks about the situation. Then, Nick, Justin and Sam McKee hear from the Devils' goaltender ahead of their game against the Jets and react to the reported trade request from Philadelphia Flyers' Matvei Michkov. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nick Kypreos and Sam McKee catch up with the returning Jusin Bourne before teeing up the Toronto Maple Leafs' matchup against the Colorado Avalanche. They discuss the impact of Kirill Marchenko's absence, Chris Tanev's comments on load management, Ryan Tverberg getting called up to play on the second line, John Tavares moving back to centre, and the lack of jam from the Leafs' bottom six. Then, they share expectations for Sergei Bobrovsky against the Avs. Finally, they discuss Darren Raddysh's workload, potential trade targets around the league who have No. 1 defencemen-level upside, and how agressive John Chayka should be with the team's assets.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nick Kypreos and Sam McKee welcome Jason Bukala (0:55) in studio to discuss the New Jersey Devils' decision not to start Connor Hellebuyck in their much anticipated head-to-head against the Winnipeg Jets. They discuss the peculiar statement from Devils GM Sunny Mehta, whether Hellebuyck wants to play, and early returns on his Devils tenure. Then, Buks weighs in on the Leafs' recent rough stretch, early injury concerns, and why Gavin McKenna's turnover issues are part of the process. Later, Nick, Sam and Jason chat about Connor McDavid's point streak, the goalie trade market, why there's no chance Nikita Kucherov is moved midseason, the Canadiens' bright future, and much more.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nick Kypreos and Sam McKee welcome in-studio guest, former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf (0:45), who's in Toronto for Hall of Fame weekend! Dion reflects on the his former GM Brian Burke's induction, the pressure of Toronto media, the evolution of the game and the decline of the open-ice hit. Later, Nick and Sam pick up on the Leafs' back-to-back losses over the weekend to the Canadiens and Devils. They share their concern levels after a shutout loss to New Jersey, whether the blue line group is fixable, how much blame lies on head coach Jim Hiller, and whether the plan changes in net as the desperation ticks up.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne are joined by former NHLer and current colour analyst for NHL on TNT, Eddie Olczyk (5:18) to chat about the reported fallout between Nikita Kucherov and the Tampa Bay Lightning's front office which may have led to his trade request, the increase in player empowerment, Auston Matthews returning to form, Connor McDavid's point pace this season, the difficulties and risks of a rebuild, and Macklin Celebrini calling a players-only meeting. Then, former NHL general manager and 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Brian Burke joins the guys (34:22) to discuss what has stood out the most in his 50 year career around hockey, who he's worked with and had played under him, and his relationships with Mats Sundin and other general managers. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne and fill-in producer Cristian Ceniti open by following up on Nick's recent article highlighting the importance of clarity on Auston Matthews' future as superstars around the league angle away from their respective teams. Then, they discuss the Leafs' dire cap situation and whether the organization misses former cap-ologist Brandon Pridham. Later, Gord Stellick (32:35) stops by to share his assessment of the Leafs through 17 games, the team's challenge in the Atlantic Division, whether the blueline group is good enough to make the playoffs, and much more. Finally, the guys react to rumours around Predators captain Roman Josi and what it would cost the Leafs in a potential trade offer.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.