Explaining the NHL's controversial playoff format

On the NHL’s controversial playoff format, where eight of the nine best teams all face one another in Round 1

www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

The Maple Leafs’ accidental tank highlights an organization at odds with itself (Gift Article) This was not a franchise well set up to plan a freefall — or to plan really much of anything.

If the Leafs had one fewer point this season, they would have finished third last in the NHL and guarateed keeping a top five pick through the lottery.

The way they handled the end of the season was not great.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

NHL playoff matchups and schedules are set. Here's your cheat sheet

NHL playoff matchups and schedules are set. Here’s your cheat sheet

www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

New Jersey Devils hire Sunny Mehta as general manager (Gift Article) Mehta, 48, is the sixth general manager in New Jersey’s history. He replaces Tom Fitzgerald, who was fired by the Devils last week.

On the New Jersey Devils hiring Sunny Mehta as general manager

www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

The race to sell Seattle hockey: Inside the Kraken’s 5-year struggle as NBA looms (Gift Article) Over five years, the Kraken have made inroads. With NBA expansion targeting Seattle, there's more urgency to finally deliver on the ice.

I spent some time in Seattle this season to get a handle on where the Kraken franchise is at, after five years. Here's my look at the highs and lows for a team still trying to find its way

www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

Inside the stunning fall of the Maple Leafs: Chaos, dysfunction and AI How did the Leafs crash out in such staggering fashion: from the NHL’s longest postseason streak to the near-basement in one season?

From @theathletic.com: How did the Toronto Maple Leafs crash out in such staggering fashion: from the NHL’s longest running postseason streak to the near-bottom of the standings and the first playoff absence in a decade? Inside the stunning fall of the Leafs: nyti.ms/4tMRQML

Lots of podcasts to listen to over the years. The way they changed GMs last time a perfect example of what I was talking about.

Inside the stunning fall of the Maple Leafs: Chaos, dysfunction and AI (Gift Article) How did the Leafs crash out in such staggering fashion: from the NHL’s longest postseason streak to the near-basement in one season?

Inside the stunning fall of the Maple Leafs: Chaos, dysfunction and AI

www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

I've been talking about this for years.

The Maple Leafs’ accidental tank highlights an organization at odds with itself This was not a franchise well set up to plan a freefall — or to plan really much of anything.

On the Leafs haphazard tank job and what it says about where they're at

www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

NHL agent poll: Best and worst-run teams, biggest contract, future commissioner

NHL agent poll: Best and worst-run teams, biggest contract, future commissioner

www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

Leafs lose in regulation
Panthers win
Kraken win

Leafs are now in fifth last in the NHL with two games to play against Dallas and Ottawa.

NHL Stanley Cup playoff matchups: Current seeds, odds and clinching scenarios Plus: Will Alex Ovechkin really retire from the NHL this offseason?

Nine teams have clinched playoff spots. Seven more to go. A closer look at what's at stake in the final week of the NHL season

www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

Defensive piece a big part of it

HockeyStatCards share.google/aj32tBRjQl4E...

The Leaf Report: Why is Craig Berube still coaching the Maple Leafs? With the Leafs officially eliminated from the playoffs after nine straight playoff seasons, Jonas and James discuss why the Maple Leafs have held on to Craig Berube with Peter Deboer coming off t...

New Leafs podcast is up

pod.fo/e/3f7a47

The NHL is officially on playoff watch: Here are the critical races to monitor There are only 113 games to go in the 2025-26 season — seven per team — so let’s jump into our latest scan around the league.

Today's look around the league @TheAthletic

www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

Could Mike Gillis' unique pitch to NHL teams actually work for the Maple Leafs?

Some thoughts and insight on Mike Gillis as a candidate to run the Maple Leafs

www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

Could Mike Gillis' unique pitch to NHL teams actually work for the Maple Leafs?

Some thoughts and insight on Mike Gillis as a candidate to run the Maple Leafs

www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

The Leaf Report: Is Keith Pelley in over his head as President of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment? Brad Treliving lasted less than three seasons as General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Monday night, before the Leafs game in Anaheim vs the Ducks, the hockey club announced Treliving's firin...

A new Leafs podcast is up and it's a long one. Thanks to everyone for their questions

pod.fo/e/3e2f86

Pelley seems to dismiss idea that a rebuild is needed for the Maple Leafs.

Adds: "I will always wait for input from the new head of hockey operations."

I am tired

MLSE has made a massive mess of the Maple Leafs after three dysfunctional years (Gift Article) A lot of things went wrong in Toronto to cause this season. It's time scrutiny went higher than the GM.

Today's column on Brad Treliving's firing and MLSE, unlocked

www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

MLSE has made a massive mess of the Maple Leafs after three dysfunctional years A lot of things went wrong in Toronto to cause this season. It's time scrutiny went higher than the GM.

On the massive mess the Maple Leafs have become and who's to blame @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

MLSE has made a massive mess of the Maple Leafs after three dysfunctional years A lot of things went wrong in Toronto to cause this season. It's time scrutiny went higher than the GM.

On the massive mess the Maple Leafs have become and who's to blame @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

Submit your Maple Leafs questions for our next podcast or column

Eight games to go.

We're looking for your Leafs questions for our next podcast / mailbag here

www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

Submit your Maple Leafs questions for our next podcast or column

Eight games to go.

We're looking for your Leafs questions for our next podcast / mailbag here

www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

The NHL playoff races heat up. Plus: Another trophy for MacKinnon? Another busy one with 13 games last night, so let’s get you up to date on what’s happening around the league.

Today's newsletter is out... can read it and sign up here

www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

The Leafs current five wins in 23 games stretch is about as bad as it gets. They had only done this four times in the last 30 years:

Start of 2009-10 season
2011-12 "18 wheeler off cliff"
End of 2014-15 (Horachek)
End of 2015-16 tank year

Shades of the 15/16 season for the Maple Leafs

New Leafs podcast is up. 11 games to go!

open.spotify.com/episode/5Fr3...

Leafs lose again. They fall to 5-13-5 in their last 23 games and have just four regulation wins in their last 26 games.

No team has been worse in the NHL in that span.