The Toronto Maple Leafs and John Tavares remain far apart in ongoing contract talks. In this episode, we go all-in on the Tavares contract situation—why it’s critical for Brad Treliving and Leafs management to hold the line and avoid overpaying. We also explore why Leafs Nation needs to brace for the reality that changing this team’s DNA could take longer—and be more difficult—than many are willing to admit.

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/n8d3JLbkeug

(0:00) – Intro
(1:00) – Why Are So Many Fans Okay with Overpaying Tavares?
(13:20) – The Matthews Window
(18:44) – Should the Leafs Use Brandon Carlo as a Trade Chip?

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The Toronto Maple Leafs offseason has officially begun. We kick things off by breaking down the Florida Panthers’ second straight Stanley Cup win and where this current team ranks among the greatest of all time. We then dive into the impending Mitch Marner departure — how did things get so sour between him and the fanbase? Finally, we react to reports that John Tavares' next contract could be north of $5 million... and why that would be a massive mistake for Brad Treliving and Leafs management.

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/fLaYc8yvekk

(0:00) – Panthers Annihilate Oilers to Win Back-to-Back Cups
(5:05) – Does This Change How We See the Leafs?
(6:55) – Mitch Marner’s Impending Exit
(18:55) – Tavares’ Next Contract: $5M+ Mistake in the Making?

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If the Toronto Maple Leafs are serious about changing their identity, there's one name they should target on July 1st: Brad Marchand. The 37-year-old veteran has been a crucial piece of the Florida Panthers’ playoff run and brings the exact edge the Leafs have been missing. We break down why Marchand would be a perfect fit in Toronto, and what it might take to actually land him. Plus, we dive into the future of John Tavares and share our thoughts on the Stanley Cup Final.

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/E1nLukz3Xnw

(0:00) – Oilers Getting Blown Out Changes Nothing for the Leafs
(3:00) – Panthers Dominate the Oilers in Game 3
(6:35) – Leafs Should Chase Brad Marchand on July 1st
(13:17) – Sam Bennett Reportedly Wants Nothing to Do with the Leafs
(17:29) – DraftKings
(19:05) – Would a Tavares Pay Cut Actually Change the Leafs’ DNA?
(25:46) – Should the Leafs Force Rielly to Waive His NMC?
(29:50) – Final Thoughts on the Stanley Cup Final

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Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app NOW and use code THPN. That’s code THPN for new customers to get $150 in bonus bets instantly when you bet just five bucks. Only on DraftKings. The Crown Is Yours. Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (four six seven three six nine). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call eight eight eight seven eight nine seven seven seven seven or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Twenty-one plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. New customers only. Bonus bets expire one hundred sixty eight hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see D K N G dot CO slash AUDIO. NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams. © NHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.

The Toronto Maple Leafs' quest to change their DNA kicks into high gear on July 1st. Could Sam Bennett actually be a realistic free-agent target? Are there other UFAs who make sense for the Leafs? Is Jonathan Toews worth considering? We break down the options Brad Treliving may explore when free agency opens. Plus, we dive into Easton Cowan’s standout Memorial Cup performance and what it could mean for his future in Toronto. We wrap up with our predictions for the Stanley Cup Final between the Oilers and Panthers.

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/HjpiaWaETNI

(0:00) - Intro
(1:53) - Easton Cowan Named Memorial Cup MVP
(9:33) - Kraken Hire Lane Lambert as Head Coach
(11:16) - Could Sam Bennett Actually Sign with the Leafs?
(16:31) - DraftKings
(17:57) - Other UFA Targets + Would Toews Make Sense?
(23:14) - Predicting Marner’s Next Team
(25:06) - Oilers vs Panthers: Cup Final Picks

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Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app NOW and use code THPN. That’s code THPN for new customers to get $150 in bonus bets instantly when you bet just five bucks. Only on DraftKings. The Crown Is Yours. Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (four six seven three six nine). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call eight eight eight seven eight nine seven seven seven seven or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Twenty-one plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. New customers only. Bonus bets expire one hundred sixty eight hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see D K N G dot CO slash AUDIO. NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams. © NHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving’s season-ending press conference had Leafs Nation buzzing—especially his comments about the need for a DNA change in the organization. We break down his entire presser: from his thoughts on Mitch Marner and John Tavares, to the team’s playing style, and what might be next. Plus, we discuss the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers heading toward a potential Stanley Cup Final rematch.

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/mYzAGSyQruA

(0:00) - Intro
(2:15) - The Leafs Need a DNA Change
(11:43) - Why Taking the Panthers to 7 Doesn’t Matter
(16:35) - DraftKings
(18:01) - The Media’s Mitch Marner Fear Mongering
(26:30) - Is Tavares’ Future in Toronto in Doubt?
(30:00) - The Leafs Need Puck-Moving D
(32:04) - Panthers vs Oilers: Stanley Cup Rematch Incoming?

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Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app NOW and use code THPN. That’s code THPN for new customers to get $150 in bonus bets instantly when you bet just five bucks. Only on DraftKings. The Crown Is Yours. Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (four six seven three six nine). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call eight eight eight seven eight nine seven seven seven seven or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Twenty-one plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. New customers only. Bonus bets expire one hundred sixty eight hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see D K N G dot CO slash AUDIO. NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams. © NHL 2025.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Brendan Shanahan officially parted ways last week, and to mark the 300th episode of the Talkin’ Buds Leafs Show, we present: “The Shanaplan: A Look Back.” We break down Shanahan’s 11-year tenure as Leafs President—from taking over a franchise in the gutter, to hiring Mike Babcock and Lou Lamoriello, to handing the keys to Kyle Dubas, and the eventual fallout in 2023. We dive into the highs and lows of the Core 4 era, the playoff heartbreaks, the star-centric approach, and the final chapter that ended with Shanahan’s exit and Keith Pelley’s press conference. Talkin' Buds Leafs show presents The Shanaplan: A Look Back

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/N-N5aHw3nRQ

(0:00) - Episode 300!
(1:43) - Shanahan hired as Leafs President (2014)
(6:25) - Culture shift: Babcock & Lamoriello join the Leafs
(12:18) - The dignified tank for Auston Matthews
(20:20) - Kyle Dubas becomes GM
(27:30) - The Nazem Kadri trade
(30:47) - DraftKings
(32:13) - The 2019-20 season
(34:00) - Babcock fired
(39:03) - The 2021 playoff collapse vs. the Habs
(41:31) - Dubas lets Zach Hyman walk
(49:36) - The Shanahan-Dubas fallout
(52:30) - Shanahan protects the Core 4, Treliving hired
(54:52) - Shanahan dismissed, Pelley’s presser, what’s next for the Leafs

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Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app NOW and use code THPN. That’s code THPN for new customers to get $150 in bonus bets instantly when you bet just five bucks. Only on DraftKings. The Crown Is Yours. Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (four six seven three six nine). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call eight eight eight seven eight nine seven seven seven seven or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Twenty-one plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. New customers only. Bonus bets expire one hundred sixty eight hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see D K N G dot CO slash AUDIO. NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams. © NHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.

The Brendan Shanahan era in Toronto has officially come to an end. After 11 years as President of the Maple Leafs, the team announced they are parting ways with Shanny. We reflect on the highs, lows, and legacy of his tenure, and what this means for the future of the franchise. Plus, we dive into the uncertain futures of Mitch Marner and John Tavares, and share our thoughts on the growing debate around the challenges of playing in the pressure cooker that is Toronto.

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Umxg-ZoSxuI

(0:00) - Shanny's Out!
(05:00) - The high's and low's of the Shanaplan
(16:00) - Locker clean out day is a waste of time
(17:48) - Draftkings
(19:14) - Mitch Marner, John Tavares and remaking the DNA
(30:40) - Treliving staying on as GM

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Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app NOW and use code THPN. That’s code THPN for new customers to get $150 in bonus bets instantly when you bet just five bucks. Only on DraftKings. The Crown Is Yours. Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (four six seven three six nine). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call eight eight eight seven eight nine seven seven seven seven or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Twenty-one plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. New customers only. Bonus bets expire one hundred sixty eight hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see D K N G dot CO slash AUDIO. NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams. © NHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are exactly who we thought they were. The Leafs’ season came to a crashing end with a 6-1 blowout loss to the Florida Panthers — yet another playoff disappointment in the Core 4 era. In this episode, we dive into the core’s continued mental struggles in big moments, the major changes that need to happen this offseason, and why restoring accountability should be the organization’s top priority as they head into a summer with significant cap space to spend.

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/5pNqeeHeZbA

(0:00) - They are who we thought they were
(04:00) - Game 7 disaster
(08:00) - Mitch Marner the Maple Leaf tragedy
(11:00) - The DNA is flawed
(17:02) - DraftKings
(18:28) - Mental baggage
(21:55) - Brendan Shanahan

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Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app NOW and use code THPN. That’s code THPN for new customers to get $150 in bonus bets instantly when you bet just five bucks. Only on DraftKings. The Crown Is Yours. Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred Gambler. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY (four six seven three six nine). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling. Call eight eight eight seven eight nine seven seven seven seven or visit ccpg dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (Kansas). Twenty-one plus age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. New customers only. Bonus bets expire one hundred sixty eight hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see D K N G dot CO slash AUDIO. NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams. © NHL 2025. All Rights Reserved.