Mark Norman
@mnorman87.bsky.social
Born and raised Newfoundlander
Bearded doubledad
Hockey analytics hobbyist
Puns always intended
Bearded doubledad
Hockey analytics hobbyist
Puns always intended
Pinned
Mark Norman
@mnorman87.bsky.social
· Jan 2
After 660 games, Alex Ovechkin and Auston Matthews are tied in career goals.
(I'm a bit late on this, Matthews just played #663 and is +4 at the moment. We'll see where he lands by game 680.)
(I'm a bit late on this, Matthews just played #663 and is +4 at the moment. We'll see where he lands by game 680.)
It's only been three games so things can change drastically from one game to another, but at 5v5 the Leafs have 42% of actual goals (GF%) versus a 52% expected share of goals (xGF%). They're shooting 6% at 5v5. There will be a rebound.
October 6, 2026 at 2:48 PM
It's only been three games so things can change drastically from one game to another, but at 5v5 the Leafs have 42% of actual goals (GF%) versus a 52% expected share of goals (xGF%). They're shooting 6% at 5v5. There will be a rebound.
Absolute insanity.
And we thought 7 x $4.5M for Zaitsev with ~75GP was crazy.
And we thought 7 x $4.5M for Zaitsev with ~75GP was crazy.
Anaheim is extending young D Tristan Luneau 6 x $7.2M AAV
Largest contract in NHL history for player with 14 games played.
Ducks believe in the player…kept him in AHL all last year after some previous injuries. Think he will be a top 4 D.
And, and they’ve learned, take care of your (1/2)
Largest contract in NHL history for player with 14 games played.
Ducks believe in the player…kept him in AHL all last year after some previous injuries. Think he will be a top 4 D.
And, and they’ve learned, take care of your (1/2)
October 1, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Absolute insanity.
And we thought 7 x $4.5M for Zaitsev with ~75GP was crazy.
And we thought 7 x $4.5M for Zaitsev with ~75GP was crazy.
God damn it, JT. Throw the guy who hit your goalie to the ground.
October 1, 2026 at 2:05 AM
God damn it, JT. Throw the guy who hit your goalie to the ground.
Haven’t seen a Leaf embiggen this much over an offseason since Nazem Kadri. Cowan’s a beast, man.
October 1, 2026 at 12:12 AM
Haven’t seen a Leaf embiggen this much over an offseason since Nazem Kadri. Cowan’s a beast, man.
Easton Cowan, man. What a start for him.
October 1, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Easton Cowan, man. What a start for him.
I regret to inform you Mr. Manslaughter is still in the NHL.
September 30, 2026 at 11:51 PM
I regret to inform you Mr. Manslaughter is still in the NHL.
I don't think chemistry was necessarily the issue last night. It was both players' individual inability to make a pass out of their own zone.
Jim Hiller on the chemistry of the Rielly-Raddysh pairing: "It’ll take time... Everybody will get better together."
On Marchenko: "I was talking to Auston about him, and he really gets a good feeling from him."
The head coach ahead of Leafs v. Isles 👇
#LeafsForever
On Marchenko: "I was talking to Auston about him, and he really gets a good feeling from him."
The head coach ahead of Leafs v. Isles 👇
#LeafsForever
Jim Hiller on the chemistry of the Rielly-Raddysh pairing: "It’ll take time... Everybody will get better together"
Ahead of the Leafs vs. Islanders game, head coach Jim Hiller discussed the areas his team needs to clean up after their season-opening loss to Montreal, Darren Raddysh’s adjustment to Toronto, the…
mapleleafshotstove.com
September 30, 2026 at 5:40 PM
I don't think chemistry was necessarily the issue last night. It was both players' individual inability to make a pass out of their own zone.
Oooof tough game from Raddysh
September 30, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Oooof tough game from Raddysh
Love to see the give-and-go between Matthews and Marchenko there.
Just one too many go’s.
Just one too many go’s.
September 30, 2026 at 12:38 AM
Love to see the give-and-go between Matthews and Marchenko there.
Just one too many go’s.
Just one too many go’s.
This is the one year the Leafs could have used a longer preseason. Lots of new guys, chemistry to build, new system to learn, old system to unlearn.
September 30, 2026 at 12:32 AM
This is the one year the Leafs could have used a longer preseason. Lots of new guys, chemistry to build, new system to learn, old system to unlearn.
That one’s on Raddysh
September 29, 2026 at 11:40 PM
That one’s on Raddysh
Washed Anderson is still in the league?
September 29, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Washed Anderson is still in the league?
Avs had to go down to a 20-man roster to be cap compliant. 👀
Enjoy that next year when Makar's AAV goes up by $11.4M.
Enjoy that next year when Makar's AAV goes up by $11.4M.
September 29, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Avs had to go down to a 20-man roster to be cap compliant. 👀
Enjoy that next year when Makar's AAV goes up by $11.4M.
Enjoy that next year when Makar's AAV goes up by $11.4M.
2018 me is very excited about acquiring Miles Wood.
September 28, 2026 at 9:15 PM
2018 me is very excited about acquiring Miles Wood.
SIX players!
Both team are close to the cap so the math needs to work:
Something like:
Marchenko + Merzlikins + Wood = $11.75M
Knies + Joshua + MacEwen = $11.875M
Both team are close to the cap so the math needs to work:
Something like:
Marchenko + Merzlikins + Wood = $11.75M
Knies + Joshua + MacEwen = $11.875M
Hearing the Leafs-Jackets trade involving Knies and Marchenko is indeed going through. Involves six players overall including Elvis Merzlikins.
September 28, 2026 at 9:06 PM
SIX players!
Both team are close to the cap so the math needs to work:
Something like:
Marchenko + Merzlikins + Wood = $11.75M
Knies + Joshua + MacEwen = $11.875M
Both team are close to the cap so the math needs to work:
Something like:
Marchenko + Merzlikins + Wood = $11.75M
Knies + Joshua + MacEwen = $11.875M
Just watched this, and this dude fucking rips puck.
Like, the type of shots you wish you saw out of Matthews these last two years.
Like, the type of shots you wish you saw out of Matthews these last two years.
Ok I've watched the 24 minute highlight pack of Marchenko by the PDO Cast and, folks: he's fun
September 28, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Just watched this, and this dude fucking rips puck.
Like, the type of shots you wish you saw out of Matthews these last two years.
Like, the type of shots you wish you saw out of Matthews these last two years.
Imagine if the trade falls through and Knies learns he was almost-traded AGAIN.
September 28, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Imagine if the trade falls through and Knies learns he was almost-traded AGAIN.
Is Knies for sure going?
September 28, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Is Knies for sure going?
The fact Jim Hiller keeps bringing up employing a system the players are excited to play confirms to me that Chayka realized quickly that Berube and his system had sucked the life/joy out of the Leafs last year (I mean, it was obvious) and knew he needed to make a change.
Time and Space: How Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller is emphasizing creative entries and pace
Time and Space: How Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller is emphasizing creative entries and pace
Jim Hiller was appointed as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs on June 17, and there’s still a pressing question at hand: how will Hiller’s tactics deviate from Craig Berube’s, and how does he want his team to play, where there are renewed postseason expectations for his group? We’ll start with Hiller’s direct response,…
theleafsnation.com
September 27, 2026 at 3:46 PM
The fact Jim Hiller keeps bringing up employing a system the players are excited to play confirms to me that Chayka realized quickly that Berube and his system had sucked the life/joy out of the Leafs last year (I mean, it was obvious) and knew he needed to make a change.
Tempering my Raddysh expectations:
Tampa had the 10th-most powerplay opportunities last year, with 246.
The Leafs were dead last, with 49 less opportunities.
With the Leafs perennially in the bottom 5 in PP opportunities, this will have an impact.
It’s possible he doesn’t break 50 points.
Tampa had the 10th-most powerplay opportunities last year, with 246.
The Leafs were dead last, with 49 less opportunities.
With the Leafs perennially in the bottom 5 in PP opportunities, this will have an impact.
It’s possible he doesn’t break 50 points.
September 27, 2026 at 2:01 AM
Tempering my Raddysh expectations:
Tampa had the 10th-most powerplay opportunities last year, with 246.
The Leafs were dead last, with 49 less opportunities.
With the Leafs perennially in the bottom 5 in PP opportunities, this will have an impact.
It’s possible he doesn’t break 50 points.
Tampa had the 10th-most powerplay opportunities last year, with 246.
The Leafs were dead last, with 49 less opportunities.
With the Leafs perennially in the bottom 5 in PP opportunities, this will have an impact.
It’s possible he doesn’t break 50 points.
Well it was a fun three days of following Will Stancil, but that’s enough.
September 24, 2026 at 3:04 AM
Well it was a fun three days of following Will Stancil, but that’s enough.
Terrible look. Mitch Marner shit.
Asked Vladimir Guerrero Jr. about his comments made in an interview to Veronika Batista, and to expand on what he meant.
This is via his interpreter, Hector LeBron. #BlueJays
This is via his interpreter, Hector LeBron. #BlueJays
September 23, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Terrible look. Mitch Marner shit.
This is ridiculous.
September 23, 2026 at 2:29 AM
This is ridiculous.
The McKenna-Matthews-Cowan line is gonna rip in game 50.
September 21, 2026 at 11:19 PM
The McKenna-Matthews-Cowan line is gonna rip in game 50.
Nylander PKing in a preseason game?
September 19, 2026 at 11:18 PM
Nylander PKing in a preseason game?