On All-Star Weekend, Pizza Pizza being overrated, & the big Leafs/Panthers tilt: Leafs Morning Take

Just like that, it’s another Maple Leafs gameday.

And it’s a big one at that as the Leafs, fresh off an ugly 0-1-1 weekend, will host the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena. Of course, Paul Maurice’s squad rinsed the Leafs in five games last spring. Florida took the opener of the four-game set with Toronto, 3-1, on October 19^th in Sunrise.

Meantime, we kicked off the Tuesday edition of Leafs Morning Take by discussing several news and notes. Firstly, the NHL announced some of its plans for All-Star Weekend in Toronto on Monday night. Most notably, the All-Star Draft is back, which means someone will be taken last, and that’s always fun to document. Any way you slice it, William Nylander and Auston Matthews figure to be the talk of the town that weekend in the Big Smoke. We’re pumped to be part of it.

Presented by Door Dash, The Appetizer focused on an idea we actually brought to light on Monday’s show: Splitting up Marner and Matthews. Well, Sheldon Keefe must have been watching because Marner and Nylander have been flipped and Toronto’s will a new-look top six on Tuesday —at least to start the night. You just never know with Sheldon Keefe and his lust for line juggling.

After that, thanks to the Wendy’s Daily Faceoff Survivor, we offered a full preview of Leafs/Cats. Most specifically, with Ryan Reaves slated to re-enter the lineup, we wondered if the Leafs will have anything to say to Sam Bennett. The 27-year-old concussed Matthew Knies last spring, effectively ending the rookie’s season. Will there be any retribution?

Lastly, we dissected Brad Treliving’s quarter-pole scrum from Monday and what we learned from it. Far and away, the biggest piece of news was the update on John Klingberg. Treliving confirmed it’s a hip injury and that Klingberg will see a doctor in New York this week for further clarity on the issue. Additionally, we also discussed Sheldon Keefe’s future with the team.

Also, make a note to join us on Wednesday at 11 AM ET for a full recap of Leafs/Panthers. Also, TSN’s Jeff O’Neill will make his first ever appearance on the show!