Leafs Morning Take

The Nation Network

If you’re a fan of spicy hot takes & bitter honesty, you’ve come to the right place. Nick Alberga and former Toronto Maple Leaf Jay Rosehill have your daily dose of opinions, analysis, and guests that will leave you wanting more.  This podcast is your one-stop shop for all things Toronto Maple Leafs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 20 HR AGO

    Max Scherzer Interview

    Future Hall of Fame pitcher Max Scherzer joins Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill for a wide-ranging conversation on his return to the Toronto Blue Jays and the mentality that’s made him one of the fiercest competitors in professional sports. Scherzer discusses whether it was always Toronto in free agency, revealing that several teams were interested before ultimately deciding to return. He also shares a great family story about his daughter writing a letter to Santa asking for her dad to come back to the Blue Jays. From there, Max reflects on the club’s heartbreaking Game 7 loss in the World Series and why he believes there’s still unfinished business in Toronto. The conversation also touches on Scherzer’s spring debut, where he’s at physically, and the plan moving forward as he prepares for another season. Known for his legendary intensity, Scherzer dives into what accountability and leadership mean to him—something that naturally leads to a discussion about the pressure that comes with playing in Toronto, especially for teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs. With Toronto’s leaders taking plenty of heat this season, Scherzer explains how great competitors stay confident, motivated, and hungry when their team is struggling. The guys also compare Scherzer’s relentless edge to longtime NHL agitator Corey Perry, and Max talks about the pride he takes in still competing like a bulldog at 41. Plus, Scherzer reflects on what ultimately clicked inside the Blue Jays clubhouse last season after a slow start, the importance of culture for teams expected to win, and why he’d love to get out to a Leafs game in April to see Alex Ovechkin play in Toronto—potentially for the final time. #LeafsForever #LeafsMorningTake 🚨 Subscribe to Leafs Nation on Youtube!🚨 ➡️ / @theleafsnation401 SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS!! 👍🏼Powered by @bet365. Whatever the moment, it's Never Ordinary at bet365. Download the App today and use promo code NATION. http://www.bet365.ca/ Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. 19+. 👍🏼Tim Hortons: https://www.timhortons.ca/rollup 👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/ 👍🏼Sunwing: https://www.sunwing.ca/en/ Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    14 min
  2. 1 DAY AGO

    Joel Quenneville Interview

    Three-time Stanley Cup champion head coach Joel Quenneville joined Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill ahead of Anaheim Ducks visiting the Toronto Maple Leafs. Quenneville kicked things off by discussing what it’s been like returning to the NHL after a few years away and recently reaching the 1,000-win milestone behind the bench. He also shared the biggest lesson he’s learned about winning in this league over the course of his career. From there, “Q” broke down this year’s Ducks team—currently sitting atop the Pacific Division—including the impact of acquiring veteran defenseman John Carlson. He also talked about accountability in today’s NHL, his neutral stance on iPads on the bench, and what he’s seen from the Leafs from the outside looking in. Additionally, Quenneville explained why he views the Atlantic as the toughest division in hockey right now—partly due to years of teams loading up and the expected turnover that follows. He also weighed in on the pressure that comes with playing in the Toronto market before previewing Anaheim’s matchup with the Leafs and why facing struggling teams late in the season can be deceptively tricky. #LeafsForever #LeafsMorningTake 🚨 Subscribe to Leafs Nation on Youtube!🚨 ➡️ / @theleafsnation401 SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS!! 👍🏼Powered by @bet365. Whatever the moment, it's Never Ordinary at bet365. Download the App today and use promo code NATION. http://www.bet365.ca/ Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. 19+. 👍🏼Tim Hortons: https://www.timhortons.ca/rollup 👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/ 👍🏼Sunwing: https://www.sunwing.ca/en/ Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    19 min
  3. 2 DAYS AGO

    Jean-Sébastien Giguère Interview

    Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill are joined by 2003 Conn Smythe Trophy winner and former Maple Leaf J-S Giguere. First, Giggy weighs in on Toronto’s loss in Montreal, highlighting Joseph Woll’s sparkling performance. From there, the conversation shifts to the Leafs’ crease situation, where Giguere suggests the team actually has three formidable options moving forward—and that management could consider dealing whichever goalie would bring back the biggest return in a trade this summer. He also likes the idea of Toronto attempting to rebuild on the fly. When asked about what led to the Leafs’ downfall this season, Giguere points directly at leadership, noting that at the end of the day players still have to play. He believes Auston Matthews could use more help in leading the team. Giguere also reflects on his time in Toronto, what it was like playing on a losing team, and how he handled difficult situations behind the scenes. Lastly, he touches on the pressure of the Toronto media market and what it’s really like to play in the city—something he says he truly enjoyed. #LeafsForever #LeafsMorningTake 🚨 Subscribe to Leafs Nation on Youtube!🚨 ➡️ / @theleafsnation401 SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS!! 👍🏼Powered by @bet365. Whatever the moment, it's Never Ordinary at bet365. Download the App today and use promo code NATION. http://www.bet365.ca/ Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. 19+. 👍🏼Tim Hortons: https://www.timhortons.ca/rollup 👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/ 👍🏼Sunwing: https://www.sunwing.ca/en/ Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    14 min
  4. 3 DAYS AGO

    Frankie Corrado Interview

    Former Maple Leaf & TSN Hockey Analyst Frankie Corrado joined Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill to break down the current state of the Toronto Maple Leafs. First, he weighed in on the big Matthew Knies trade rumour after Nick Kypreos reported that the Leafs and Montreal Canadiens discussed a potential deal prior to the trade deadline. Corrado talked through the pros and cons of moving Knies right now and whether it would make sense for Toronto to even consider it. He also shared his thoughts on the trade deadline, the organization’s current plan, and where things stand for the team during this difficult stretch. Corrado reflected on his experience with the 2015-16 Leafs team that bottomed out and ultimately landed Auston Matthews first overall, and how that situation compares to what Toronto is going through today. Additionally, the guys discussed the future of head coach Craig Berube, what needs to change with this group moving forward, and why the team has looked so lifeless lately. To wrap things up, Corrado touched on how quickly the Canadiens were able to retool — and what lessons the Leafs could take from the way Montreal handled its rebuild. #LeafsForever #LeafsMorningTake 🚨 Subscribe to Leafs Nation on Youtube!🚨 ➡️ / @theleafsnation401 SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS!! 👍🏼Powered by @bet365. Whatever the moment, it's Never Ordinary at bet365. Download the App today and use promo code NATION. http://www.bet365.ca/ Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. 19+. 👍🏼Tim Hortons: https://www.timhortons.ca/rollup 👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/ 👍🏼Sunwing: https://www.sunwing.ca/en/ Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 min
  5. 4 DAYS AGO

    Steve Simmons Interview

    Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill are joined by Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons to break down the fallout from the Maple Leafs’ trade deadline and where the organization goes from here. Simmons weighs in on Toronto being sellers for the first time in a decade, why he believes the Leafs likely won’t finish bottom five (and could lose their first-round pick to Boston from the Carlo trade), and why he thought the team’s deadline was “fine” given the circumstances. They also discuss the future of the front office and coaching staff, including why Simmons doesn’t sense an appetite to move on from Brad Treliving this summer—and why there’s a scenario where both Treliving and Craig Berube return next season. Plus, Simmons revisits the idea he floated of Chris Pronger as a potential team president, while noting there still may not be interest from MLSE in bringing back the position after Brendan Shanahan’s departure. Additionally, the conversation touches on the Leafs’ biggest organizational issue—roster construction—Auston Matthews’ dip in production under Berube, the impact injuries had on the season going off the rails, and how the blame should be distributed for a disastrous campaign. #LeafsForever #LeafsMorningTake 🚨 Subscribe to Leafs Nation on Youtube!🚨 ➡️ / @theleafsnation401 SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS!! 👍🏼Powered by @bet365. Whatever the moment, it's Never Ordinary at bet365. Download the App today and use promo code NATION. http://www.bet365.ca/ Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. 19+. 👍🏼Tim Hortons: https://www.timhortons.ca/rollup 👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/ 👍🏼Sunwing: https://www.sunwing.ca/en/ Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 min
  6. 5 MAR

    Brian Burke Interview

    Nick Alberga & Jay Rosehill are joined by Brian Burke to break down the state of the Toronto Maple Leafs ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Burke weighs in on Toronto’s handling of rookie Easton Cowan and explains what typically happens behind the scenes between a GM and coach during deadline week. The conversation stems from Craig Berube telling reporters there would be no “roster management” scratches—only for Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson to sit out against the New Jersey Devils hours later. Burke says he’s stunned the Leafs find themselves in this position—potential sellers for the first time in a decade—and admits he’s puzzled by the team’s lack of intensity. He places the blame squarely on the players, not Berube. Burke also outlines what his deadline strategy would be, including maximizing the return on Ekman-Larsson and potentially moving Laughton and McMann if the price isn’t met. Plus, Burke weighs in on the big questions surrounding the roster—whether he’d ever consider moving Auston Matthews or William Nylander, why Matthews is a hard no, and why he’d at least listen on Nylander. He also defends Morgan Rielly, saying the market has unfairly turned on him, before giving his honest assessment on whether this Leafs team can turn things around quickly. 🏒 #LeafsForever #LeafsMorningTake 🚨 Subscribe to Leafs Nation on Youtube!🚨 ➡️ / @theleafsnation401 SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS!! 👍🏼Powered by @bet365. Whatever the moment, it's Never Ordinary at bet365. Download the App today and use promo code NATION. http://www.bet365.ca/ Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. 19+. 👍🏼Tim Hortons: https://www.timhortons.ca/rollup 👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/ Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 min
  7. 4 MAR

    Aaron Ward Interview

    Three-time Stanley Cup champion Aaron Ward joined Nick Alberga & David Pagnotta for a candid, no-nonsense breakdown of the current state of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ward starts by analytically unpacking what life without Mitch Marner has meant for this group — from puck distribution to offensive identity and overall structure. Then, he puts himself in the GM chair and outlines exactly what he would do if he were Brad Treliving heading into deadline week and beyond. And yes — he goes there. Ward says he would listen to offers on Auston Matthews. (Spoiler: the asking price would be massive.) He explains why exploring that path could be a legitimate way for the Leafs to replenish their pipeline and reset their long-term outlook. Plus, Ward takes us inside what deadline week is really like as a player, the mental grind of uncertainty, and the biggest lessons he learned from winning three Stanley Cups. #LeafsForever #LeafsMorningTake 🚨 Subscribe to Leafs Nation on Youtube!🚨 ➡️ / @theleafsnation401 SHOUTOUT TO OUR SPONSORS!! 👍🏼Powered by @bet365. Whatever the moment, it's Never Ordinary at bet365. Download the App today and use promo code NATION. http://www.bet365.ca/ Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. 19+. 👍🏼Tim Hortons: https://www.timhortons.ca/rollup 👍🏼Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/ Reach out to sales@thenationnetwork.com to connect with our Sales Team and discuss opportunities to partner with us! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 min

About

If you’re a fan of spicy hot takes & bitter honesty, you’ve come to the right place. Nick Alberga and former Toronto Maple Leaf Jay Rosehill have your daily dose of opinions, analysis, and guests that will leave you wanting more.  This podcast is your one-stop shop for all things Toronto Maple Leafs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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