Maple Leafs’ Jim Hiller gives cryptic answer on Gavin McKenna benching during Sabres game

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Maple Leafs’ Jim Hiller gives cryptic answer on Gavin McKenna benching during Sabres game

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Rexwell Villas, ClutchPoints

Fri, October 16, 2026 at 5:23 AM UTC·

Gavin McKenna's nightmare start in Toronto takes another turn after Jim Hiller benches him tonight

The coach explains why the #1 pick didn't play at all in the 2nd half of tonight's loss.

The real and very strange reason Gavin McKenna was benched finally revealed!

The coach's postgame explanation left fans stunned and furious.

Opinion: Jim Hiller Made His First Big Mistake As Head Coach Of The Toronto Maple Leafs — And It Came At The Expense Of Gavin McKenna

After benching No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna for the second-half of the Maple Leafs' 5-4 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres, coach Jim Hiller's baffling explanation and questionable bench management raise concerns about his leadership in Toronto.

Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews Speaks Out on Jim Hiller Benching Gavin McKenna

The Toronto Maple Leafs couldn’t hold on to a 4-2 lead against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, Oct. 15, and lost 5-4 in overtime. Jim Hiller’s team got some good news, including strong performances from Auston Matthews and Kirill Marchenko. The latter had a three-point night after scoring his first hat trick with the Toronto […] The post Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews Speaks Out on Jim Hiller Benching Gavin McKenna appeared first on HEAVY.

Maple Leafs Let Marchenko’s Hat-Trick Night Slip Away Amid Baffling Indecision To Bench Gavin Mckenna In OT Loss To Sabres

Kirill Marchenko's big hat trick should have been the story for the Maple Leafs until it became noticeable that Gavin McKenna was being benched for half the game.

The Hockey News - Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Fans Demand Jim Hiller Be Fired After Sabres Loss

The Toronto Maple Leafs couldn’t hold on to a 4-2 lead against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, October 15, and lost 5-4 in overtime. Jim Hiller’s team got some good news, including strong performances from Auston Matthews and Kirill Marchenko. The latter had a three-point night after scoring his first hat trick with the Toronto […] The post Maple Leafs Fans Demand Jim Hiller Be Fired After Sabres Loss appeared first on HEAVY.

Sabres Play Odd Role in Maple Leafs’ Tavares Injury, McKenna Benching

The Buffalo Sabres will sleep on Thursday night into Friday morning as winners. They pulled out a thrilling 5-4 victory in overtime over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The headlines on Friday morning won’t have anything to do with Buffalo’s victory, though. Instead, they’ll focus on a dramatic night for the Maple Leafs. John Tavares got […] The post Sabres Play Odd Role in Maple Leafs’ Tavares Injury, McKenna Benching appeared first on HEAVY.

The Hockey News Morning Skate: McKenna Benched In Maple Leafs Loss, Tkachuk Posts Back-To-Back Hat Tricks

In this edition of The Hockey News Morning Skate, Eric Cruikshank and Michael Traikos break down Jim Hiller's decision to bench Gavin McKenna in the Toronto Maple Leafs' loss to the Buffalo Sabres, Brady Tkachuk's historic hat trick in his second straight game, and more.

Maple Leafs’ Kirill Marchenko Makes Unexpected Claim After Sabres Loss

One of the few bright spots for the Toronto Maple Leafs in their loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, October 15, was Kirill Marchenko’s performance.The 26-year-old forward scored his first hat trick with the Toronto franchise, helping the Leafs take a 4-2 lead.However, Jim Hiller’s team let their guard down, and following John Tavares’ […] The post Maple Leafs’ Kirill Marchenko Makes Unexpected Claim After Sabres Loss appeared first on HEAVY.

Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews Shares Honest Message for Jim Hiller

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been watching Auston Matthews thrive on the ice this season.In typical Matthews fashion, he blends confidence with humility and can pinpoint what’s been working for him so far.In an exclusive interview with The Athletic, he pulled back the curtain on his 2026-27 campaign thus far.Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews Reveals How […] The post Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews Shares Honest Message for Jim Hiller appeared first on HEAVY.

Jim Hiller Sends Clear Message to Maple Leafs Goaltender

The Toronto Maple Leafs almost completed a three-goal comeback on Tuesday against the Utah Mammoth, but ultimately fell 5-4.The Maple Leafs survived a three-goal deficit three times before bringing it within one late in the third on Tuesday night. For the vast majority of the contest, the Maple Leafs were playing catch-up, and once they […] The post Jim Hiller Sends Clear Message to Maple Leafs Goaltender appeared first on HEAVY.

'I Didn't Like Our Game': Why The Maple Leafs Are Shuffling Their Lines Ahead Of Matchup Against Sabres

The Leafs are set to start with Auston Matthews and William Nylander playing together while the second and third lines have been completely overhauled.

The Hockey News - Toronto Maple Leafs

The Hockey News Big Show: Joe Bowen Joins To Discuss His Favorite Maple Leafs Moments

Former Toronto Maple Leafs play-by-play commentator Joe Bowen joins Michael Traikos, Katie Gaus, and Michael Augello to discuss retirement, his favorite calls as a broadcaster, and more.

Auston Matthews Wows Maple Leafs Fans With Beautiful Play vs. Sabres

Auston Matthews continues to amaze, even though everyone already knows he’s elite. During the Toronto Maple Leafs’ game against the Buffalo Sabres this Thursday, October 15, the Canadian franchise’s captain made a spectacular play to score the game’s opening goal.Matthews brought the puck down with his hand while jumping, then passed it to Jack Roslovic, […] The post Auston Matthews Wows Maple Leafs Fans With Beautiful Play vs. Sabres appeared first on HEAVY.

Three Ways The Toronto Maple Leafs Can Improve Their Defensive Situation

How can Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller and GM John Chayka put together a stronger defense corps?

Maple Leafs’ $68 Million Player Raising Concerns in Toronto

The Toronto Maple Leafs general manager, John Chayka, had the most active offseason of any NHL team. While it seems a lot of his moves have worked out thus far, there is one underlying player who hasn’t seemed to find his groove with the organization just yet.Chayka traded for and signed the number one defenceman […] The post Maple Leafs’ $68 Million Player Raising Concerns in Toronto appeared first on HEAVY.

Maple Leafs’ Marchenko Trade Looks Better After Hat Trick

The Kirill Marchenko trade is looking much better for the Maple Leafs after Thursday night's hat trick, despite the loss to Buffalo. The post Maple Leafs’ Marchenko Trade Looks Better After Hat Trick appeared first on HEAVY.

Maple Leafs Reveal Update On The Status Of Chris Tanev's Injury

The Toronto Maple Leafs have provided further details on the status of defenseman Chris Tanev.

The Hockey News - Toronto Maple Leafs

Rangers Daily: Miller ‘flub’ set wrong tone; McKenna bolted to Toronto bench

Plenty of times already this season we’ve heard New York Rangers coach Mike Sullivan praise captain J.T. Miller for setting […]

Sabres vs Maple Leafs Prediction, Picks, NHL Odds for Thursday, October 15

Sabres vs Maple Leafs prediction, including picks and odds for Thursday, October 15.