News.Life

Nick Robertson's Two Goals Lead Maple Leafs Over Blue Jackets

DIWIDA.NEWS hockey, music, nhl, sports, toronto maple leafs

<p>
 TORONTO — William Nylander and Nick Robertson each scored twice as the Toronto Maple Leafs shut out the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-0 on Saturday, securing their fourth consecutive win.
</p>
<p>
 Anthony Stolarz stopped 27 shots for Toronto (47-25-4), securing his second shutout of the season. Auston Matthews scored the additional goal, with Morgan Rielly contributing two assists.
</p>
<p>
 Elvis Merzlikins made 23 saves for Columbus (34-32-9), who previously trounced the Leafs with scores of 6-2 and 5-1 during an earlier part of the season.
</p>
<p>
 On Wednesday, Toronto secured a playoff berth for the ninth consecutive season and remains at the top of the Atlantic Division leaderboard with just six regular-season games left to play.
</p>
<p>
 Columbus trails the Montreal Canadiens by six points for the second wildcard position in the Eastern Conference. The Canadiens secured their win against the Philadelphia Flyers with a score of 3-2.
</p>
<p>
 Stolarsky's shutout marked his tenth clean sheet in his career. At 31 years old, he joined as an unrestricted free agent and has emerged victorious in each of his past five appearances. It seems he now holds the advantage over fellow goalie Joseph Woll to become Toronto’s first choice for the opening game of the playoffs.
</p>
<p>
 <strong>
  TAKEAWAYS
 </strong>
</p>
<p>
 In Toronto, Robertson has accumulated four goals and two assists this season following his stint as a healthy scratch. He was benched for the seventh time during the 2024–25 season in Wednesday’s 3-2 win against the Florida Panthers.
</p>
<p>
 Columbus: Seasoned forward James van Riemsdyk returned to action after sitting out the previous four matches. The 35-year-old previously spent six seasons with the Leafs from 2012-13 to 2017-18.
</p>
<p>
 <strong>
  KEY MOMENT
 </strong>
</p>
<p>
 The Blue Jackets began strong in the opening period until Merzlikins made an unnecessary mistake with the puck, resulting in Robertson scoring Toronto's first goal.
</p>
<p>
 <strong>
  KEY STAT
 </strong>
</p>
<p>
 Defenceman Chris Tanev of the Leafs stopped two shots in the opening period, setting a new team record for block attempts in one season. This achievement surpassed the former high of 176 blocks held by Carl Gunnarsson from the 2013-14 season.
</p>
<p>
 <strong>
  UP NEXT
 </strong>
</p>
<p>
 The Blue Jackets will play against the Ottawa Senators on Sunday.
</p>
<p>
 The Toronto Maple Leafs will play against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.
</p>
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Nick Robertson's Two Goals Lead Maple Leafs Over Blue Jackets

TORONTO — William Nylander and Nick Robertson each scored twice as the Toronto Maple Leafs shut out the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-0 on Satur...

David Kampf: A Potential Offseason Buyout Target for the Toronto Maple Leafs

DIWIDA.NEWS hockey, nhl, sports, toronto maple leafs

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1Bfh9F" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1Bfh9F.jpg"/>
<p>
 This could mark the start of the conclusion for David Kampf’s time in this role.
 Toronto Maple Leaf
 .
</p>
<p>
 The checking center has recently been removed from Craig BerUBE’s lineup because of Scott Laughton’s addition, and with
 Max Domi is presently occupying the role of third-line center.
 After getting back together with Nick Robertson and Bobby McMann, Kampf no longer has a guaranteed position as the Stanley Cup Playoffs approach in about a month.
</p>
<p>
 This season, Kampf has played in 52 games for the Maple Leafs, tallying four goals and ten points. His average ice time per game stands at 12 minutes and 25 seconds, marking his lowest since he began his career. With Laughton and Domi secured in contracts for the upcoming season, along with the likelihood of John Tavares potentially signing another deal with the team this summer, Kampf finds himself increasingly sidelined.
</p>
<p>
 The 30-year-old player from Czechia still has two years remaining on his contract, which pays him an annual salary of $2.4 million. For the 2025-26 season, Kampf holds a 10-team no-trade clause; however, he does not have any such protections during the last year of his agreement in 2026-27. It remains unclear whether Treliving intended to trade Kampf prior to this season’s trade deadline since he could have been considered a potential “throw-in” option due to his cap hit and because the Maple Leafs were reportedly interested in discussing trades involving him.
</p>
<p>
 As far as a
 buyout structure
 If General Manager Brad Treliving chose to proceed with this option during the summer, the Toronto Maple Leafs would face these salary cap impacts over the coming four seasons:
</p>
<table>
 <tr>
  <td>
   <em>
    <strong>
     Season
    </strong>
   </em>
  </td>
  <td>
   <em>
    <strong>
     Kampf’s Cap Hit
    </strong>
   </em>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td>
   2025-2026
  </td>
  <td>
   $1,683,333
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td>
   2026-2027
  </td>
  <td>
   $1,683,333
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td>
   2027-2028
  </td>
  <td>
   $358,333
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td>
   2028-29
  </td>
  <td>
   $358,333
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>
<p>
 It will ultimately depend on whether Treliving can secure a proper trading partner or utilize the off-season buyout option if the team wants to part ways with the experienced center. Naturally, any agreement should benefit Treliving, and he might show little interest in swapping Kampf unless additional incentives are included in the deal. Given the roughly $800,000 in potential salary-cap relief over the coming two years, if Treliving believes this funds could be more effectively allocated elsewhere within their roster, and Kampf no longer fits into the Maple Leafs' plans, then it wouldn’t be far-fetched to anticipate Toronto’s general manager severing connections with him.
</p>
<p>
 Kampf last took the ice on March 13 against the Florida Panthers, logging just 8 minutes and 41 seconds of playing time against their Atlantic Division foes. Berube has been seeking improvements.
 more of an identity
 Recently, the Maple Leafs' fourth line has seen some changes, with Scott Laughton taking over Kampf’s position. Laughton brings a stronger physical element and greater offensive potential to the team. At this point, it seems like he will remain in that role for the foreseeable future.
</p>
<p>
 As we approach the end of the 2024-25 season, the Maple Leafs seem to have found their stride. They're demonstrating greater intensity, Berube has expressed satisfaction with their efforts, and he currently sees no reason to alter his successful roster. This places Kampf in a difficult position; he finds himself sidelined for now and might become an unrestricted free agent come summertime, since the team may opt for a new direction during the next off-season.
</p>
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David Kampf: A Potential Offseason Buyout Target for the Toronto Maple Leafs

This could mark the start of the conclusion for David Kampf’s time in this role. Toronto Maple Leaf . The checking center has recent...

Berube Raves About Resurgent Forward's Impact on Revitalized Maple Leafs

DIWIDA.NEWS hockey, news, nhl, sports, toronto maple leafs

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1BcvMj" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1BcvMj.jpg"/>
<p>
 Craig Berube, the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, mentioned that forward Max Domi has elevated his performance to "a whole new level," as reported.
 The Hockey News' Nick Barden from Toronto
 .
</p>
<p>
 "His level of aggression has significantly increased. He’s embodying the player we envision, constantly engaging with opponents, causing disruptions, utilizing his quickness, and making impactful plays," Berube added.
</p>
<p>
 Although Domi has had a challenging season with only 28 points in 59 games, he recently demonstrated an uptick in his offensive performance. From March 1 onwards, he managed to score five points over eight matches. Alongside this progress, he continues to exhibit his typical determination, strong hitting game, and reliable 51.2% success rate at winning faceoffs throughout the year.
</p>
<p>
 Thanks to his enhanced performance, Toronto’s third line consisting of Domi, Bobby McMann, and Nick Robertson is starting to gel as the playoffs approach. The trio amassed seven points during Monday’s match against the Flames.
</p>
<p>
 A seasoned player with 720 games under his belt, Domi boasts an impressive tally of 445 career points. Last season alone saw him notch 47 points across 80 matches. In postseasons past, he's contributed another 26 points from 50 contests. With three more seasons remaining on his deal at an average annual value of $3.75 million, seeing his enhanced performance bodes well for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they set their sights on upcoming playoffs and future campaigns.
</p>
<p>
 Elsewhere in the Atlantic:
</p>
<ul>
 <li>
  The Senators' Nick Jensen sat out his second consecutive match because of a lower-body injury, according to reports.
  The Athletic’s Julian McKenzie
  . The 34-year-old defender has been a key figure in his first season in Ottawa, posting 19 points and a plus-17 rating. He averages a hefty 20:20 average ice time per game and has recorded 74 blocked shots. Ottawa received defenseman Jensen and a 2026 third-round pick in a trade with the Capitals that saw defenseman Jakob Chychrun head to Washington. Jensen’s availability will be key for the Senators as they fight for a place in the playoffs down the stretch run. Prior to Tuesday night’s 6-3 loss to against the Canadians, the Senators were winners of their last six games and find themselves in the first wild-card spot in the east.
 </li>
 <li>
  Before the team's practice on Tuesday, Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle took part in skating sessions, as reported by TSN. The 23-year-old player was seen on the ice.
  had surgery for a torn quadriceps tendon
  In late January. He got back onto the ice on March 7, though his return remains uncertain. Throughout the season, in 44 matches, he tallied 14 points, 100 blocks, and 67 hits.
 </li>
</ul>
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 </li>
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  The Maple Leafs narrowly avoided a major setback as a player they once considered trading for performed extremely poorly following the trade deadline.
 </li>
 <li>
  Mitch Marner and John Tavares are strongly connected to a Stanley Cup-contending team in free agency.
 </li>
 <li>
  'Incredible shortage of organizational stability and long-term vision': Oilers owner Daryl Katz criticized in fan survey
 </li>
 <li>
  Avalanche’s Makar Pursuing Green’s Salary Cap Era Goal Scoring Record
 </li>
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Berube Raves About Resurgent Forward's Impact on Revitalized Maple Leafs

Craig Berube, the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, mentioned that forward Max Domi has elevated his performance to "a whole ne...