"Next year!" | Toronto Maple Leafs (Start 2023-24) – A HLM 25 Franchise

[nolman29]

It’s been a while since I’ve done and posted about a dynasty on here. In fact, my last was Halifax Schooners on NHL19 which is posted on these forums (and was during my cannabus use and was in a dark place at the time), so I really wanted to get back into documenting a franchise.

I do have FHM 6 through 11 but in this case I am going to do this franchise on Hockey League Manager 25 on my iPhone (I just found out about this app maybe two months ago) and like the fact that I can play just about anywhere.

Note – this franchise will start at the start of the 2023-24 season, after the Leafs’ second-round loss to Florida in five games.

Hope you all enjoy!

[nolman29]

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June 24, 2023

Maple Leafs bring in Reid as new GM

TORONTO, Ont. - The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired Nolan Reid as the team’s new general manager, the team announced today at a press conference.

With only one first-round series win in the last seven season, Leafs ownership felt a change was needed.

“We felt it was time to go in another direction.”

Reid, 34, previously worked with the PEI Spuds of the Maritime Elite Hockey League [made up team and league lol] for the past 10 seasons where he helped the Spuds capture two championships in 2014 & 2019 respectfully. He looks forward to the opportunity.

“To get an NHL gig is obviously a thrill of a lifetime. It’s a huge opportunity and I know I can get the job done for this team.”

The NHL pre-season begins Sept. 23 when the Leafs host the Boston Bruins at 7 p.m. EST.

[nolman29]

Training camp roster and schedule released
Sept. 20, 2023
TORONTO, Ont. - Ahead of the 2023-2024 pre-season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have announced its training camp roster.

The lists compiles of 33 players with 4 goaltenders, 11 defencemen and 18 forwards.

Goalies:
Ilya Samsonov
Joseph Woll
Martin Jones
Matt Murray

Defencemen:
Jake McCabe
Jake Muzzin (injured)
John Klingberg
Mark Giordano
Max Lajoie
Morgan Reilly
Simon Benoit
T.J. Brodie
Timothy Liljegren
Topi Niemela
William Lagesson

Forwards:
Alex Steeves
Auston Matthews
Calle Jarnkrok
David Kampf
Dylan Gambrell
John Tavares
Kyle Clifford
Matthew Knies
Max Domi
Mitch Marner
Nick Robertson
Noah Gregor
Pontus Holmberg
Roni Hirvonen
Ryan Reaves
Tyler Bertuzzi
William Nylander
Roni Hirvonen

General manager Nolan Reid said a lot of though decisions will have to be made during training camp when it comes to releasing players back to AHL’s Toronto Marlies.

“Everyone has to prove their spot, whether they are a veteran, a returnee or a player in their prime. We want their best 100% of the time. It’s not going to be easy for the coaching the staff and I, but at the end of the day we have to get down to a 23-man roster before the regular season. That may result in us losing some guys to waivers.”

The Leafs host the Boston Bruins on Monday Sept. 23 for the first pre-season game. The remainder of the pre-season schedule is as follows:

Sept. 25 – vs. Detroit
Sept. 26 – vs. Florida
Sept. 29 – vs. Ottawa
Oct. 2 – at Tampa Bay
Oct. 5 – vs. Buffalo

The Leafs begin the regular season on Sunday Oct. 13 in Seattle against the Kraken.

[nolman29]

Pre-season results

Sept. 23 – vs. Boston, 7-5 Win
Sept. 25 – vs. Detroit, 3-1 Win
Sept. 26 – vs. Florida, 3-0 Loss
Sept. 29 – vs. Ottawa, 4-2 Win
Oct. 2 – at Tampa Bay, 3-2 Loss
Oct. 5 – vs. Buffalo, 6-0 Loss

3-3-0, 16-20 GF-GA

[nolman29]

Leafs trade goaltender Murray
Oct. 6, 2023

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Toronto, Ont. - With the start of the regular season just a week away, the Toronto Maple Leafs have traded goaltender Matt Murray to the Nashville Predators, the team announced in a press release this morning.

In return, the Leafs obtain 21-year-old forward Zachary L’Hereux. Also going to Nashville is Toronto’s fourth-round pick in 2024.

“We wish Matt all the best in Nashville,” said Leafs general manager Nolan Reid. “We were jammed in net with Jones and Samsonov and unfortunately Matt had to be the odd-man out.”

L’Hereux spent last season with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL putting up 21 goals and 42 points in 33 games.

Murray posted a 14-8-2 record with a 3.01 goals-against average and a 0.903 save percentage with the Leafs last season. The Thunder Bay, Ont., native won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.

Reid confirmed L’Hereux will be join the Marlies since training camp has come to end and all players have been reassigned.

[nolman29]

Training camp update and roster announcement

The following players have been reassigned to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL:

Joseph Woll, G
Max Lajoie, D
William Lagesson, D
Topi Niemala, D
Kyle Clifford, LW (cleared waivers)
Roni Hirvonen, C
Alex Steeves, C
Pontus Homberg, C

The 2023-2024 Toronto Maple Leafs roster is set and ready for season opener on October 13 against the Kraken.

Projected line up:
91 Tavares (C) - 34 Matthews (A) - 16 Marner (A)
23 Knies - 11 Domi - 88 Nylander
59 Bertuzzi - 19 Jarnkrok - 64 Kampf
89 Robertson - 74 Gregor - 72 Gambrell
75 Reaves

44 Reilly (A) - 25 Klingberg
78 Brodie - 22 McCabe
55 Giordano - 37 Liljegren
2 Benoit

35 Samsonov
30 Jones

Injured reserve: 8 Muzzin

Next post: Season opener @ Seattle

[nolman29]

Leafs lose season opener to Kraken, 4-3

Oct. 13, 2023

Seattle, Wa. - Kailer Yakamoto scored twice and the eventual game winner as the Seattle Kraken downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 Sunday night at Climate Pledge Arena.

Adam Larson and Jared McCann also tallied for Seattle, while Noah Gregor, Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies netted goals for the Leafs.

It's a tough way to start the season, said Leafs captain John Tavares.

"I think we played well enough to win, but just couldn't get the breaks. It's only one game, but we have some work to do for sure."

Seattle opened the scoring just 7:08 into the game with Yakamoto's first of the game with Justin Schultz and Brandon Tanev drawing assists. The Kraken added to their lead as Larsson found the back of the net with a wrist-shot from the point. Matthew Beniers drew the lone assist on the goal.

In the second period, the Leafs cut the lead in half with Gregor scoring at 3:37. Dylan Gambrell and John Klingberg drew assists. Toronto tied the game with a power play goal from Marner at 9:51. Matthews and Reilly picked up assists on the goal. The tie was then broken at 15:09 with McCann pounding on a rebound on the side of the crease to give the Kraken a 3-2 lead. Anton Stralman and Beniers drew assists on the goal. Seattle regained the two-goal cushion at 18:40 with Yakamoto's second of the contest. Eli Tolovanen drew the lone assist.

The Leafs drew the only blood in the third period with Knies scoring his first career NHL goal. William Nylander drew the lone assist.

Philip Grubauer made 31 saves in the win for Seattle, while Ilya Samsonov made 25 saves in the loss.

The Leafs next game is Tuesday Oct. 15 in Winnipeg.

Game details:

	1ST	2ND	3RD	F	S
TOR	0	2	1	3	34
SEA	2	2	0	4	29

Scoring summary
First period

07:08	SEA	K. Yakamoto (1)	J. Schultz, B. Tanev	EV
14:57	SEA	A. Larsson (1)	M. Beniers	EV

Second period

03:37	TOR	N. Gregor (1)	D. Gambrell, J. Klingberg	EV
09:51	TOR	M. Marner (1)	A. Matthews, M. Reilly	PP
15:09	SEA	J. McCann (1)	A. Stralman, M. Beniers	EV
18:40	SEA	K. Yakamoto (2)	E. Tolvanen	EV

Third period

05:59

TOR

M. Knies (1)

W. Nylander

EV

Goaltenders

Team	Goaltender	Result	Saves/Shots
TOR	I. Samsonov	Loss (0-1-0)	25/29
SEA	P. Grubauer	Win (1-0-0)	31/34

Three stars:
3 - Jared McCann, SEA
2 - Matty Beniers, SEA
1 - Kailer Yakamoto, SEA

[nolman29]

October 2023 recap

Results

Date		Opponent	Result	Score	Record
Oct. 13, 2023	@	Seattle Kraken	LOSS	4-3	0-1-0
Oct. 15, 2023	@	Winnipeg Jets	WIN	4-2	1-1-0
Oct. 16, 2023	@	Ottawa Senators	WIN OT	2-1	2-1-0
Oct. 19, 2023	@	Philadelphia Flyers	LOSS	4-3	2-2-0
Oct. 21, 2023	vs	Buffalo Sabres	LOSS	8-4	2-3-0
Oct. 22, 2023	@	Nashville Predators	WIN	5-3	3-3-0
Oct. 23, 2023	vs	Nashville Predators	WIN	5-0	4-3-0
Oct. 28, 2023	@	Chicago Blackhawks	LOSS OT	4-3	4-3-1
Oct. 31, 2023	@	Pittsburgh Penguins	WIN OT	3-2	5-3-1

Record for October: 5-3-1
Overall record: 5-3-1
Position: 3rd Atlantic

Injuries & Notes:
Oct. 19 - Jake McCabe - 3 days
Oct. 21 - Mark Giordano - 5 days
Oct. 22 - Mitch Marner - Knee injury out 45 days
Ryan Reaves drew into the line-up Oct. 21 and remains in the line-up

Player leaders (top 5)

Name	Pos	GP	G	A	PTS
J. Klingberg	RD	9	6	8	14
J. Tavares	C	9	4	8	12
A. Matthews	C	9	4	7	11
W. Nylander	RW	9	2	7	9
M. Marner	RW	6	3	5	8

Goaltenders

Name	GP	Record	GAA	SV%	SO	SA	SV	GA
I. Samsonov	7	4-2-1	3.10	0.898	1	216	194	22
M. Jones	2	1-1-0	3.00	0.900	0	60	54	6

[nolman29]

Player signing update

Nov. 1, 2023
The following players have signed contracts and have been assigned to the Toronto Marlies:

Alexei Melnichuk, G
Carsen Twarynski, LW
Frederic Allard, D
Lucas Elvenes, LW
Samuel Asselin, C
Zack Hayes, D

Nov. 2 2023
The following players have signed contracts and have been assigned to the Toronto Marlies:

Alexandre Fortin, C
Christoffer Ehn, C
Dominik Bokk, RW/LW
Evan Barratt, C
Filip Kral, D
Jack Dugan, LW
Jackson Cates, C
Jay O’Brien, C
Josh Ho-Sang, RW
Kristans Rubins, D
Maksim Sushko, RW
Stelio Mattheos, C


Note: I had to temporary turn off waivers so I could fill up my AHL roster. It was currently with like only 7 players. Waivers turned back on once players were moved to AHL)

[nolman29]

November 2023 recap

Results

Date		Opponent	Result	Score	Record
Nov. 3, 2023	@	Colorado Avalanche	LOSS	3-1	5-4-1
Nov. 4, 2023	@	Anaheim Ducks	WIN	7-0	6-4-1
Nov. 6, 2023	vs	Minnesota Wild	LOSS	3-2	6-5-1
Nov. 7, 2023	vs	Winnipeg Jets	LOSS	4-3	6-6-1
Nov. 10, 2023	@	Florida Panthers	WIN	3-2	7-6-1
Nov. 12, 2023	@	Dallas Stars	WIN	9-5	8-6-1
Nov. 13, 2023	vs	Detroit Red Wings	WIN	4-2	9-6-1
Nov. 16, 2023	@	Calgary Flames	WIN	5-2	10-6-1
Nov. 19, 2023	@	Washington Capitals	LOSS OT	4-3	10-6-2
Nov. 22, 2023	vs	Chicago Blackhawks	WIN	5-3	11-6-2
Nov. 25, 2023	@	Tampa Bay Lightning	LOSS	5-4	11-7-2
Nov. 26, 2023	@	New Jersey Devils	WIN	4-2	12-7-2
Nov. 28, 2023	@	Boston Bruins	LOSS	4-2	12-8-2
Nov. 29, 2023	@	Los Angeles Kings	LOSS	2-1	12-9-2

November record: 7-6-1, 15 points
Overall record: 12-9-2, 26 points - 3rd Atlantic

Injuries & News
Nov. 12 - Auston Matthews suffers a broken arm and is expected to miss two months
Nov. 13 - Leafs have recalled C Alexandre Fortin from the Marlies and will draw into the fourth line between Robertson and Reaves
Nov. 29 - Leafs G Ilya Samsonov expected to miss one month with lower body injury
Nov. 30 - G Joseph Woll recalled from Toronto Marlies

Player Leaders (Top 5)

Name	Pos	GP	G	A	PTS
W. Nylander (7)	RW	23	13	22	35
J. Tavares (9)	C	23	12	21	33
J. Klingberg (10)	D	23	14	19	33
M. Domi	C	23	9	15	24
A. Matthews	C	15	7	11	18

Goaltenders

Name	GP	Record	GAA	SV%	SO	SA	SV	GA
I. Samsonov	18	10-6-2	2.76	0.910	2	553	503	50
M. Jones	5	2-3-0	3.80	0.878	0	156	137	19

[nolman29]

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Leafs trade Reaves to Jets
Dec. 1, 2025

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TORONTO, ONT. - Ryan Reaves' tenure in Toronto has been short lived, as the Maple Leafs have traded him, along with a two fifth-round draft picks, to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for forward Morgan Barron.

The fifth-round picks going to Winnipeg are Toronto's and Anaheim's in 2024. Toronto receives Anaheim's fifth-round pick in 2024 in the deal as well and will also retain 50 percent of Reaves' s salary.

Reaves, 36, who signed as a free agent with the Maple Leads this Summer, picked up one assist and a minus-one rating in 17 games this season.

Barron, 23, has been with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL this season. The Halifax, N.S. native has five goals and 10 points in 14 games with the Moose this season. Last season, he appeared in 70 games with the Jets putting up eight goals and 21 points.

In a press release, Reid said the deal was to bring in a player to help with the absence of Auston Matthews due to injury.

"We wanted someone that could come in right away and be ready to go and we feel with Barron has been NHL ready and can chip in here and there and could be in the line-up full time."

In the same press release, Reid thanked Reaves for his short time in Toronto.

"Unfortunately, that's the way the hockey world is and we felt it was best at this time to trade Ryan."

The Maple Leafs currently sit third in the Atlantic division with a 12-9-2 record for 26 points. They host the Detroit Red Wings tomorrow (Dec. 2) at 7 p.m. EST. Barron is expected to draw into the fourth line between Alexandre Fortin and Nick Robertson.

[nolman29]

Mid-December update

Dec. 2 - vs DET, 5-4 Loss
Dec. 4 - vs CBJ, 5-4 Win
Dec. 5 @ PHI, 7-1 Win
Dec. 8 vs NYI, 1-0 Loss
Dec. 11 vs VGK, 6-5 Win

Record: 15-11-2 - 32 Points

News:
Dec. 6 - John Klingberg to miss 3 weeks with knee injury; D Benoit draws into line-up

[nolman29]

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Leafs acquire Arvidsson from Kings
Dec. 13, 2023 Arvidsson-Chrome.jpg

TORONTO, Ont - The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired forward Viktor Arvidsson from the Los Angeles Kings, the team announced today in a press release.

In exchange for Arvidsson, the Leafs send minor-league forward Alex Steeves and a first-round pick in 2024 to the Kings.

Arvidsson, 30, has eight goals and 17 points in 30 games so far this season.

Reid said Arvidsson can make an immediate impact, especially with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner still out with injuries.

“He’s a skilled forward that knows how to find the back of the net. He will fit nicely into our top-six forward group and can is also a special teams guy.”

It’s not easy giving up a first round pick, added Reid.

“It’s always a risk, but you got to be willing to take those risks when you want to make your team better.”

The Leafs currently hold a 15-11-2 record, and sit third in Atlantic Division with 32 points. Arvidsson is expected to make his Leafs debut Dec. 14 in Carolina.

Marner returns to practice, return to action not yet set

Leafs forward Mitchell Marner has returned to practice but it’s unclear when he will return to the Leafs’ line-up.

Marner suffered a knee injury on Oct. 22 in a game against the Nashville Predators which knocked him out of the line-up since.

[nolman29]

Update on Marner injury situation...

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[nolman29]

December 2023 Update #2

Results (including results from prior post)

Date		Opponent	Result	Score	Record
Dec. 2, 2023	vs	Detroit Red Wings	LOSS	5-4	12-10-2
Dec. 4, 2023	vs	Columbus Blue Jackets	WIN	5-4	13-10-2
Dec. 5, 2023	@	Philadelphia Flyers	WIN	7-1	14-10-2
Dec. 8, 2023	vs	New York Islanders	LOSS	1-0	14-11-2
Dec. 11, 2023	vs	Vegas Golden Knights	WIN	6-5	15-11-2
Dec. 14, 2023	@	Carolina Hurricanes	LOSS	6-0	15-12-2
Dec. 17, 2023	vs	San Jose Sharks	LOSS	2-1	15-13-2
Dec. 18, 2023	vs	Tampa Bay Lightning	LOSS	3-2	15-14-2
Dec. 20, 2023	vs	New York Islanders	WIN	3-1	16-14-2
Dec. 21, 2023	@	Buffalo Sabres	LOSS	3-2	16-15-2
Dec. 24, 2023	vs	St. Louis Blues	LOSS	5-2	16-16-2
Dec. 26, 2023	@	Florida Panthers	LOSS	3-2	16-17-2
Dec. 27, 2023	@	Montreal Canadiens	LOSS	3-2	16-18-2
Dec. 30, 2023	vs	Seattle Kraken	LOSS	5-2	16-19-2

December record: 4-10-0
Overall record: 16-19-2, 34 Points
Standing: 6th Eastern Wildcard

News & Injuries:
Dec. 6 - John Klingberg to miss 3 weeks with knee injury, Simon Benoit draws into line-up
Dec. 13 - Leafs acquire Viktor Arvidsson from LA for Alex Steeves & 1st round pick in 2024
Dec. 16 - Mitch Marner returns to the line-up, Alexandre Fortin returned to Marlies
Dec. 25 - Christmas miracle, John Klingberg will return to the line-up tomorrow vs Florida


Player Leaders (Top 5)

Name	Pos	GP	G	A	PTS
W. Nylander (8)	RW	37	16	35	51
J. Tavares (16)	C	37	18	28	46
J. Klingberg (40)	D	29	16	23	39
M. Domi (61)	C	37	13	23	36
M. Reilly (124)	D	37	8	21	29

Goaltenders

Name	GP	Record	GAA	SAV%	SO	SA	SV	GA
I. Samsonov	18	10-6-2	2.76	0.910	2	553	503	50
M. Jones	16	5-11-0	3.56	0.884	0	492	435	57
J. Woll	3	1-2-0	3.00	0.900	0	90	81	9

There's been a lot of discussion in Leaf land the last few weeks, here's what's been trending on social media:
-After 5 straight losses and only one win in their last 9 games, Leafs fans want answers
-Many believe Joseph Woll the better man to back-up Samsonov, but trading Jones just isn't possible with Samsonov out with injury
-Arvidsson cursed the Leafs and the first round pick wasn't conditional
-Leafs head coach has gotta go!