Berube might look to continue scratching Maple Leafs players who have been regulars in the lineup to "put a little more fire in them."

NHL fans were quick to react after the Montreal Canadiens reclaimed forward Sammy Blais off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. Montreal was the only team to submit a claim. Because Blais began his career with the Canadiens, he was immediately loaned to the Laval Rocket.

Bolstered by the return of three players from injury, the Toronto Maple Leafs will go for a second straight win Friday when they visit the Washington Capitals.

Seeing the Canadiens claim Blais is not surprising in the slightest, as they lost him through waivers to the Maple Leafs ahead of the 2025-26 season. This was after the Canadiens signed the veteran forward to a one-year, $775,000 contract this summer.

This was supposed to be the season of cap flexibility for the Leafs. Instead, too many players aren't playing at the level they're paid to.

William Nylander, the overtime hero on Wednesday, was granted the practice off, but will face the Caps. The Leafs play again Saturday in Pittsburgh, so anyone parked Friday could end up playing the Penguins, led by Dennis Hildeby after Joseph Woll faced 36 shots in Columbus.

Toronto Maple Leafs' expectations for forwards Dakota Joshua and Matias Maccelli have fallen short, with both struggling to find their rhythm under co

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander was granted a maintenance day and did not participate in Thursday’s practice. Nylander scored the game-winning goal in Wednesday’s 2-1 overtime victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.