Happy Thanksgiving!
Unfortunately, from a Leafs Nation perspective, there’s not much to be thankful about so far in the early season. The Leafs got skunked on Saturday night in Detroit, but ultimately, they can atone for their ugly outing this afternoon on home ice against the very same Red Wings squad. Most notably, Easton Cowan is slated to make his NHL debut.
That’s where the conversation started on the Monday edition of Leafs Morning Take. Cowan will start on the top line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. Talk about a favourable line assignment to start things off. We’re looking forward to seeing Cowboy out there. It’s been a long time coming!
Meantime, we did address the Lane Hutson extension in Montreal. Incredibly, Montreal was able to lock in their prized sophomore blueliner to a team friendly eight-year extension worth $8.85 million per season. Plain and simple, that’s a steal of a contract. Hate to admit it, but the Habs’ future is set up nicely. They’re coming.
After that, we dissected Toronto’s 6-3 loss in Detroit. Simply put, the Leafs got caved. They had no answer for Detroit’s big boys. Unfortunately, Toronto’s big boys were nowhere to be found. They will need much more from the likes of Auston Matthews and William Nylander this afternoon. Anthony Stolarz was great again, which is quickly becoming a theme. Additionally, it was good to see Nicolas Roy (1 G, 1 A) and Max Domi chip in. Despite playing just 8:20, Calle Jarnkrok potted his second goal in as many games to start the year. Steven Lorentz was forced to leave the game with an upper body injury. That said, earlier today, Craig Beurbe intimated that Lorentz is already back skating, and that we could see him back in the lineup as early as Tuesday night against Nashville.
Any way you slice it, the Leafs need a bounce-back effort. The vultures are circling two games in. Wild stuff.
Win or less, join us on Tuesday at 11 AM ET for the next edition of Leafs Morning Take. We’ll recap Leafs/Wings, look ahead to Leafs/Predators, and Carter Hutton will join us, too.
You can subscribe to TheLeafsNation (TLN) YouTube channel HERE. Additionally, we’re available in podcast form, too —wherever you get your podcasts. While you’re at it, be sure to leave us a 5-star review!