Talkin' Buds Leafs Show

Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly is the focal point of our first Talkin' Buds Summer Spotlight Series episode. We discuss the increasing likelihood that Rielly starts the season as a Maple Leaf, what's gone wrong over the last couple of seasons and how Jim Hiller and the new-look coaching staff can set him up for success. We also react to the shocking announcement that Daniel Alfredsso...

Toronto Maple Leafs first overall pick Gavin McKenna was turning heads at rookie camp this week for both his play on the ice and his decision to relinquish number 72 to Sergei Bobrovsky and switch to 92. We check in on Ryan's mental state following the number switch and discuss expectations for McKenna after watching him on the ice this week. We also get into the negative media narratives surround...

The Toronto Maple Leafs had one of the busiest free agency days in recent memory as GM John Chayka completely overhauled the bottom six and landed Sergei Bobrovsky in net. We break down every new addition to the roster, including the trades that sent Dennis Hildeby to Tampa for Nick Paul and Nick Robertson to Pittsburgh, and why it feels like Chayka is far from done. We also get into the bizarre Z...

The Toronto Maple Leafs made it official on night one of the 2026 NHL Draft, selecting Gavin McKenna first overall with a little help from Justin Bieber. We're in full celebration mode as we break down the pick, where McKenna fits into the lineup and why we think he's going to thrive in Toronto. We also get into the rest of the draft night action including trades and top ten picks, then close it o...

The Toronto Maple Leafs are just days away from selecting first overall in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft and we've officially dubbed it "McKenna Week" on the podcast. We discuss our excitement for the expected arrival of Gavin McKenna and why we think he'll be a great fit in Toronto. Next we move onto the Sergei Bobrovsky rumours and why it might not be such a bad idea for the Leafs to take him on, Bra...

The Toronto Maple Leafs' electric start to the offseason continued on Friday when GM John Chayka announced the acquisition of Darren Raddysh from the Tampa Bay Lightning. We break down the deal, where Raddysh fits into the lineup, and why we don't think it's the overpay some people are calling it. We also revisit this week's storylines and react to Chayka's comments from today's media availability...

The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired Jim Hiller as the 41st head coach in team history. We react to the shocking news that Hiller, who wasn't rumoured at all prior, got the job. We dive into his background, his familiarity with Auston Matthews, and his underrated analytical approach. We also discuss the Marlies being one win away from a Calder Cup championship, Matthew Knies popping up in trade rumo...

Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka made the first move of the new era today, shocking Leafs Nation by trading Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Emil Andrae and Samuel Ersson. We react to the trade and the wave of negativity that came online after. We also react to Elliotte Friedman's report that the Leafs are looking at NCAA Western Michigan head coach Pat Fer...

Toronto Maple Leafs talk takes a back seat to start today's episode as we recap the Carolina Hurricanes defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in six games to win the Stanley Cup. We discuss what other teams can learn from Carolina going into next season and yes, Mitch Marner once again went quiet when it mattered most. Next up, Morgan Rielly's future with the Leafs, the Marlies going up 2-0 in the Ca...

Toronto Maple Leafs content has to take a back seat for a minute because Mike Babcock is back. Reports are linking the former Leafs head coach to the Edmonton Oilers job and we give our take on whether the juice is worth the squeeze. Back on the Leafs front, the coaching search is down to five candidates, Gavin McKenna says he's excited to be a Maple Leaf, and we weigh in on what's been a great St...

This Toronto Maple Leafs offseason keeps delivering. Elliote Friedman dropped the news that Joe Pavelski is in the mix for the head coaching job and we give our take on why this is an encouraging sign from John Chayka and Leafs management. Also on the episode, the Toronto Marlies punching their ticket to the Calder Cup Final, Gavin McKenna impressing at the draft combine, the failed Matthew Knies...

Toronto Maple Leafs head coaching search continues with more twists and turns. David Carle is reportedly out of the picture, the Jay Woodcroft rumours have been debunked, and we give our take on who the realistic candidates are. Also on the episode, Gavin McKenna's Memorial Cup interview, the Leafs hiring Judd Brackett and Freddie Hamilton, Stanley Cup Final predictions, and a few minutes of Blue...

Toronto Maple Leafs fans got another gut punch this week as Mitch Marner and the Vegas Golden Knights punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final. The "Leafs fans ran Mitch out of town" take is making the rounds again and as usual, we aren't buying it. We break down what actually happened. Plus the overblown outrage over Auston Matthews meeting with Chayka and Sundin on Zoom, the latest on the D...

Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka has a big coaching search ahead of him. We break down who should be in the mix, the reported interest in University of Denver's David Carle, the latest on Auston Matthews' future, why Gavin McKenna has to be the pick at first overall and predictions for the Eastern and Western Conference Finals. Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/TpLC-pr802I (0:00) - Intro ...

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has been fired. John Chayka made it official Wednesday morning and Rob is flying solo to break it all down. Reaction to the news, Chayka's comments to the media and a look at who could be behind the Leafs bench next season.  Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/STwtrHLjhOo Follow us on tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCgnU5Tj0yJx0QN6IjYPwqLA  Follow u...

Toronto Maple Leafs fans are debating the biggest draft decision in franchise history. Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg at first overall? We break down what the Leafs should actually be prioritizing. Then, Auston Matthews' future in Toronto is front and centre. Plus Mitch Marner is leading the entire playoffs in points, and all signs are pointing to Craig Berube returning behind the bench next seaso...

The Toronto Maple Leafs won the draft lottery and Leafs Nation lost its mind. We break down what picking first overall means for this franchise, why there is only one name that should be called on draft day and how one night just changed the entire trajectory of this rebuild.] Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/dhxTrdPAx6k Follow us on tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCgnU5Tj0yJx0QN6IjYPwqLA ...

Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka and Senior Executive Advisor Mats Sundin were officially introduced Monday as Keith Pelley delivered another memorable press conference. We break down the presser, what the Chayka hire actually means, Sundin's role and what's next for Craig Berube. Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/fJAx75JKzF0 (0:00) - Another wild Pelley presser  (06:30) - Sundin's aura is...

The Toronto Maple Leafs GM search appears to be down to two finalists, former Coyotes GM John Chayka and Dallas Stars AGM Scott White. We break down both candidates and react to the reports of MLSE planting stories to weed out internal moles. Next we give our take on the Stanley Cup playoffs, from the Ottawa Senators getting swept to the Kyle Dubas Pittsburgh Penguins and more. We wrap up with som...

Toronto Maple Leafs legend Mats Sundin's name is making the rounds as a potential member of the new management group. PR spin or the real deal? We give our take on what Sundin brings to the table and how the organization needs to set him up for success. We also dig into the culture issues within MLSE and why they continue to make it so difficult to be a fan of this team right now. Watch on YouTube...

The Toronto Maple Leafs' 2025-26 season has mercifully come to an end. We kick things off with breaking news as the New Jersey Devils hire Sunny Mehta as their new GM, taking him off the board for the Leafs. Then we react to Auston Matthews' comments on locker cleanout day, the future of Craig Berube, William Nylander's attitude and more. We also give our thoughts on the bombshell Athletic piece a...

The Toronto Maple Leafs landed themselves in the bottom 5 of the NHL standings Saturday night with a loss to a Florida Panthers squad that is completely unrecognizable from the team that won back-to-back Stanley Cups, and we revisit the importance of them staying there. Next we shift to Augusta National where Rory McIlroy made history by winning his second straight green jacket in an extremely ent...

The Toronto Maple Leafs' relationship with their fanbase hangs in the balance and on this episode we ask the question, is this the most important hire in franchise history? We discuss all of the rumoured candidates for the GM job, why hiring a President of Hockey Operations is absolutely necessary, and whether this organization truly understands how fed up their fanbase is. We also react to the Ne...

Toronto Maple Leafs & MLSE CEO Keith Pelley addressed the media on Tuesday following the surprise dismissal of GM Brad Treliving late Monday night. We give our thoughts on Pelley's presser, why we still feel nervous about him leading the Leafs into the next era and why he absolutely must nail this hire. We also discuss the disadvantages of corporate ownership, touch on some rumoured candidates for...

The Toronto Blue Jays kicked off their 2026 season with a bang, sweeping the Athletics in dominant fashion. Toronto is officially a Blue Jays town! We discuss how the Jays have supplanted the Leafs as the most beloved team in the city and break down the opening 3-game series against the A’s. Next, we give our thoughts on William Nylander's comments on why the season has gone so poorly, the Leafs g...