This might be an unpopular opinion based on what I have seen in this thread, idk. But this is professional sports. Players sit sometimes, rookies are not the top of head coaches minds, games develop and the primary concern is not if the players feelings are hurt.

To me this answer from Mckenna tells you everything you need to know about him. Kids a Pro. I think we, as leaf fans need to stop being so hurt when the players are treated like professional athletes.

Personally, sit Mathews and Nylander too if they play like shit.

I do think Hiller mismanaged that game, but I do not think it is critical that the coach isnt thinking about a rookies ice time as much as managing the players on the ice.

TORONTO — Ben Danford takes a few steps into an unfamiliar place on the ice and quickly scans left to right. He receives a pass from a Toronto Marlies teammate near the top of the offensive zone and stops.

The 2024 first-round draft pick sends the puck into a fray of teammates around the net — but an opposition defender scoops the pass into the air, out of harm’s way.

Danford shakes his head and looks eagerly toward Marlies coach Steve Sullivan.

He wants to run the practice drill again. He has a lot to learn.

Thought to be the heir to the Maple Leafs’ defensive zone, Danford is not used to quarterbacking a power play.

“I didn’t play power play in junior,” Danford said. “My coaches always told me that wasn’t my game.”

Danford was drafted as a high-floor, low-ceiling, penalty-killing and offensively limited blueliner. Despite being one of just two Leafs first-round picks in five years, Danford was ranked 12th by The Athletic’s Corey Pronman in his August Leafs prospect rankings.

But as Danford begins his first full year of professional hockey, he knows he’ll get power-play drills again.

“Now,” Danford said, with a grin growing, “I’m lucky they’re giving me the opportunity.”

The new opportunities are by design. In a plan indicative of a broader shift in the Maple Leafs’ thinking when it comes to their prospect pool, the team is attempting to fast-track Danford’s development. If all goes to plan, the approach might even change his NHL future.

Read the rest here for free: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7686781/2026/10/17/maple-leafs-ben-danford-prospect/?unlocked_article_code=1.JVE.a0NM.vJUsGv_pqYcI&source=emp_shared_article&smid=url-share-ta

Not sure if this is okay to share but I was blown away by this analysis. Puts the situation into perspective a little.

Justin Bourne breaks down the positives and negatives in McKenna's game with video from last night, as well as possible reasonings for the coaching staff to bench him. Regardless of what the reasoning was, through video, it's pretty clear that any reasoning they had seems to be wrong and if they benched him because they needed veterans to win over giving McKenna opportunities in Game 8 of the season, or because he just "lost McKenna in the shuffle", either way it's pretty brutal on the coaches.

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Dreger reported the Rangers have kicked the tires on Stolarz, per this article.

Yesterday I wouldn't have entertained this idea, as the tandem of Bobrovsky and Stolarz gives the Leafs a chance to win most nights.

Today it's evident the Leafs need help on the blue line badly. Two good goalies can only do so much to keep the puck out of the net. The Leafs don't have the assets to acquire the type of d-man they need unless they move Cowan, which I would view as a mistake.

Akhtyamov is a bit green, but showed he's capable in the Calder Cup run. I'd rather rush him under Bobrovsky's mentorship than lose Cowan. I don't know what the return from the Rangers would be, but perhaps there's a threeway trade to be had with the Red Wings to acquire Edvinsson. The Leafs could add OEL as a sweetener.

If the contender and perpetual goalie-ruiner Habs can lean on 21-year old Jacob Fowler after chewing through Dobes, I think the Leafs can lean on a 24 year old Akhtyamov with fellow Russian and future HOFer Bob in his ear. Bob is also reliable, having started 50+ games every season the past decade outside of the Covid-shortened season. What do we think?

My younger brothers 30th birthday was a few weeks ago and I decided to take him to a leafs game of his choice. Leafs have been something we've always bonded over and we've never been to a game together. This was also the second time in my life going to support my childhood hockey club because it's always just been way too expensive.

I also splurged and got him a premium Mckenna jersey, since we were both super excited to see him play.

I realize going to any sporting event and basing your experience on the outcome of the game is not a realistic expectation.

What was negative was the view, the big screen we were facing was broken, so every replay wasn't visible and you couldn't see anything.

Second was Hiller refusing to play Mckenna, I literally couldn't believe it. He's 18 and going to make mistakes especially less then 10 games into his NHL career. In a game where the players looked tired and Tavares got Injured, he decided to be stubborn and not play the rookie.

I've never wanted to be reimbursed or get my money back going to any sporting event in my entire life. I have a lack for words to describe what I witnessed last night, and it was an incredibly quiet subway ride home.

Marchenko played great and was a highlight of the entire thing, the only other positives were the crowd being surprisingly loud and the arena was covered in blue and white jerseys everywhere, not as many suits as I always read about on reddit and everywhere else.

I'll always be a leaf fan, and I should've known better without a doubt, but this was more than just unfortunate I don't think I'll be going to another game anytime soon.

Sens Win! Panthers Win! Sabres Win! Lightning Win! Red Wings Win! Oh whats that you say? The leafs new guy got a hatrick? surely they won right? Oh he shortened the bench, parked the bus and then played the guys he literally spammed the entire 3rd period in OT and they lost because they were already gassed from playing most of the minutes in P3?? Great Coaching there buddy, Bench McKenna and play Sissons in OT. and I have to endure all my non leafs fan friends rubbing it in... Only thing that can save this night is Dodgers getting swept

They’re all saying that Hiller is genuinely just like this as a coach. Crazy how the vibes got killed after tonight’s game

Not losing hope since we’re only in game 8 but damn

Looking at the 2nd Buffalo Goal. It seems instead of going off for a change like his linemates did he pressured the puck carrier and then trailed into the defensive zone for the goal.

Is that it?

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