The Maple Leafs skated at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Wednesday.
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Nicolas Roy surged up to No. 12 on TSN’s trade bait list on Wednesday.
“You never know what’s going to happen,” the Leafs right-shot centre said. “But try not to think about it too much.”
It’s hard to avoid all the trade talk right now with Roy acknowledging he’s well aware of the report on TSN’s Insider Trading segment that the Edmonton Oilers may be interested in acquiring him.
“Well, obviously I saw the rumour like everybody else,” Roy said. “But, I mean, rumours, until they come true, nothing really happened. I mean, I wasn’t expecting to be traded last summer and never heard any rumours and then it happened, and sometimes you hear rumors and it doesn’t happen. So, yeah, I heard it like everybody else, but I’m playing for the Leafs now and I want to be here.”
The Leafs acquired Roy in a sign-and-trade deal that sent Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights.
“Growing up, I was a Leafs fan so, for sure, it’s really fun to be playing for this team,” said Roy, who idolized former Leafs captain Mats Sundin as a kid. “Obviously, playing in Canada, big market, everybody’s really involved and obviously really good group of people so really enjoying my time.”
Roy helped the Knights win a Stanley Cup in 2023 and centres are always a hot commodity this time of year. The 29-year-old Quebec native agreed with the idea that it can be a compliment to be on a trade list.
“Obviously I have a lot of playoff experience playing in Vegas for a while,” he noted. “So, yeah, for sure a little bit.”
Roy has produced five goals and 15 assists in 58 games with the Leafs. He’s won 52.4 per cent of his faceoffs.
Craig Berube appreciates Roy’s consistent effort.
“I know what I’m getting every night,” the Leafs coach said. “I know that his production is not where he wants it to be and we would like it a little higher too … He’s had some real good opportunities to score more and it hasn’t gone in but, overall, we’re pretty happy with his game. He’s done a good job killing penalties and just being used in different situations for us throughout the year.”
‘You never know what’s going to happen’: Leafs’ Roy well aware of Oilers rumour Nicolas Roy is no stranger to being dealt but as rumours circulate ahead of the deadline, including reports that the Oilers have interest in him, the Leafs forward knows what’s out there but is solely focused on the next game.
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There are six Leafs on TSN’s trade bait list with winger Bobby McMann (No. 9), centre Scott Laughton (No. 23), defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (No. 26), defenceman Simon Benoit (No. 42) and defenceman Brandon Carlo (No. 45) joining Roy.
“I don’t go sit around and talk to every guy about what they’re thinking, but they’re obviously thinking about it,” said Berube. “That’s natural … The deadline is around the corner here and there’s a lot of talk and noise, but you got to block it out and play.”
The NHL trade deadline is set for 3 p.m. ET on Friday. Will the Leafs scratch any players for roster management reasons?
“Not tonight, but it could happen, obviously,” Berube said following the morning skate. “But it’s not gonna happen tonight.”
Things change quickly at this time of year and it turns out there will be roster management taking place on Wednesday.
TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reports McMann and Laughton will not play in Wednesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports Ekman-Larsson will also not play.
Toronto Marlies centre Jacob Quillan is in New Jersey and on standby in case the Leafs make trades and need more than the extra two forwards on the roster.
Toronto will also play on Thursday in New York against the Rangers.
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Ekman-Larsson’s wife is due to give birth soon.
“I kind of want to leave that personal stuff out of it just for my wife’s sake,” the 34-year-old Swede said. “She’s got a lot to think about at this time … We are focusing on controlling what we can control and go from there.”
Ekman-Larsson is in the second year of a four-year deal with the Leafs.
“We love it here,” he said. “We, as a family, we’re super happy to be here and we want to stay here.”
Ekman-Larsson leads all Leafs defencemen with 35 points.
‘A lot to think about’: Ekman-Larsson dealing with trade talk with baby on the way Oliver Ekman-Larsson knows that trade speculation comes with the territory for a hockey player but he’s doing his best to leave his personal life out of the situation as trade talks heat up leading up to the trade deadline. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has seen nothing but professionalism from his defenceman.
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Despite losing Marner, the Leafs entered the season with the expectation of making the playoffs for a 10th straight season. So, what went wrong?
“I don’t know,” said centre Auston Matthews. “I mean, I think you can look at a lot of different factors. I’m not going to sit here and speculate on what went wrong, I mean, we’ve got a game tonight and that’s kind of where my focus is at. Obviously, you never want to be in this situation. For us, you know, it’s tough. It’s obviously frustrating but we got a game tonight. We’ve got to get ready and focus for that.”
Matthews is in his second season as captain. How is the Arizona native planning to lead during this trying time?
“Just staying positive,” he said. “And continue to do the right things on the ice and leading by example. I mean, you can only control what you can control, so for me it’s the work ethic, it’s the compete level that I play with.”
Matthews has yet to score in four games since the Olympic break with the Leafs dropping all four games (0-3-1). He does have three assists during the skid.
“Grind through it,” Berube advised. “He’s got to go out and lead by example on the ice and with work ethic. Obviously, we’re counting on him to score goals amongst other things. That’s what leaders do. And just keep everybody in check in the room and make sure we’re going out and competing every shift and playing for the team. That’s the biggest thing that, as a captain, he needs to handle.”
Matthews also went goalless in his last three games at the Olympics.
‘Not going to speculate on what went wrong’: Matthews admits to frustration with Leafs season As frustrating as it has been for the Maple Leafs during their four-game winless skid, Auston Matthews believes the team should be proud of the effort they put forth in their last game against the Flyers. The Leafs captain is doing his best to stay positive and lead by example during a difficult stretch for his club.
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Injuries have played a role in Toronto’s slide to last place in the Atlantic Division. Chris Tanev has only played 11 games this season.
“He wanted to try to come back and play this year, but it didn’t work out so he got the operation,” Berube said.
Tanev is expected to fully participate in training camp in September. The 36-year-old defenceman, who has been sidelined since December, underwent successful core muscle surgery on Wednesday in New York and will miss the rest of the season.
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Matthews will be playing Jack Hughes for the first time since the Devils centre scored the golden goal in Milan.
“Everybody from that team’s had a whirlwind couple weeks, but him probably more than anybody,” Matthews said. “I’m so happy for him. He’s an incredible, incredible person, incredible player and I think all the attention and stuff that he’s getting couldn’t have happened to a better person.”
Matthews has already faced some of his USA teammates in the NHL since the Olympics, including Tampa Bay’s Jake Guentzel, Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk and Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk.
“It’s a little interesting after going from that and then coming back and playing against each other and competing,” Matthews acknowledged. “But, no, it’s cool. And, like I said, I’m extremely happy for him, couldn’t have happened to a better guy.”
Matthews and the Hughes brothers shared the podium during a post-win news conference in Milan when the Leafs captain was asked if the gold medal could help him get over the hump in the NHL.
“Doesn’t matter what anyone says now,” Jack interjected with a smile. “Auston Matthews is a winner.”
“That’s what the media in Toronto should be talking about,” Quinn Hughes added. “Auston Matthews led us to a championship”
What did Matthews think of the brothers leaping to his defence?
“It was nice,” he said. “Both of them stepping up like that was obviously nice. I think the world of those two as people.”
Matthews on Hughes brothers having his back at Olympics: ‘Stepping up like that was nice’ Auston Matthews will go head-to-head against Jack Hughes when the Maple Leafs visit the Devils Wednesday night. All the attention the Devils forward has been getting has been fun to watch from afar for the Leafs captain. Matthews was also appreciative of the support he got from Jack and his brother Quinn after their gold medal win at Milano Cortina 2026.
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Easton Cowan logged a career-low eight minutes and 23 seconds on Monday night.
“He didn’t get a lot of minutes last game, but I will get his minutes up,” Berube promised.
The coach said that Cowan’s offensive-zone tripping penalty did not factor into his decreased ice time. The 20-year-old rookie, of course, needs to be more disciplined, but Berube stresses the focus is more on improving his wall play.
“He’s getting better,” Berube said. “Like, he’s a good learner and he wants to learn and he’s got a great attitude. I think Easton has grown a lot this year as a player and he’s only gonna continue to grow.”
After being scratched in five straight games, including the final three before the Olympic break, Cowan has dressed in the last two games.
Berube defends usage of Leafs rookie Cowan: ‘We’ll get his minutes up’ Easton Cowan saw his time on ice drop by more than five minutes from the defeat against the Senators to the loss against the Flyers. Head coach Craig Berube explained why his ice time has fluctuated this season and what he needs to work on, while also noting the growth he has seen from his young forward.
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Lines at Wednesday’s skate:
McMann – Matthews – Nylander
Knies – Tavares – Domi
Maccelli – Roy – Joshua
Lorentz – Laughton – Cowan
Robertson, Jarnkrok
Rielly – Carlo
Benoit – McCabe
Ekman-Larsson – Myers
Stecher
Stolarz
Woll
Power-play units at Wednesday’s skate:
QB: Rielly
Flanks: Matthews, Nylander
Middle: Tavares
Down low: Knies
QB: Ekman-Larsson
Flanks: Maccelli, Domi
Middle: Cowan
Net front: McMann