Pros and Cons of Raptors keeping Chris Boucher over Thad Young

Pros and Cons of Raptors keeping Chris Boucher over Thad Young

The Toronto Raptors will need to look elsewhere in order to sign some of the big-name free agents, but Masai Ujiri can’t move forward with those grand plans until he figures out what to do with Chris Boucher and Thad Young. Both rotation members are going to be free agents in the summer. While Boucher […]
Pros and Cons of Raptors keeping Chris Boucher over Thad Young – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Raptors should pounce on De’Andre Hunter amid trade rumors

Raptors should pounce on De’Andre Hunter amid trade rumors

The Toronto Raptors will likely keep their trade feelers extended for as long as possible this offseason, as this squad could be one or two significant additions away from proving themselves as a contender. If the Atlanta Hawks are interested in remaking their roster, De’Andre Hunter could be one piece that ends up getting moved. […]
Raptors should pounce on De’Andre Hunter amid trade rumors – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Could Victor Oladipo be the perfect Toronto Raptors MLE target?

Could Victor Oladipo be the perfect Toronto Raptors MLE target?

The Toronto Raptors will have a bit of money to spend this offseason, as some big names coming off of the books combined with a non-taxpayer mid-level exception slightly north of $10 million could help them add some big names. Could Miami Heat stud Victor Oladipo be a prime target for that MLE? Oladipo was […]
Could Victor Oladipo be the perfect Toronto Raptors MLE target? – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Marlies prioritize development of players but remain focused on competing for playoffs next season

The Toronto Marlies will begin next year likely the same as they did this season — as a development team with a growing intention of getting to the post-season.
Toronto missed the playoffs this season for the first time since 2010-11, and while many fans might not think that’s good, the Marlies still had a great year.
When looking back, there were a number of players who got their shot to play with the Maple Leafs because of injuries, and a few others received NHL contracts after being signed to AHL deals last summer.
It seemed like there was a lot of displeasure from fans with the way Marlies head coach Greg Moore ran things at the AHL level, whether it be lineup decisions, in-game choices, and at times, just decisions in general. While there might have been more focus on him than some of the players this season, there was still plenty of development from him, too.
“I saw a lot of growth in him (Moore) this season,” said Marlies GM Ryan Hardy on locker cleanout day. “I think a lot of times from an outside observer, you recognize the games and the outcome and everybody wants to make the playoffs, and that’s certainly a part of the job.
“But he …

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Author: Nick Barden / The Leafs Nation

The bats remain quiet as the Blue Jays drop yet another series

The Blue Jays will have a day off on Monday for the first time in three weeks. That’s a good thing because this is a team that looks like it could use an off day.

After getting completely shut down by the Yankees earlier this week, the Blue Jays rolled into Cleveland to play the Guardians in what was viewed as a soft spot at the end of a very difficult schedule.
Cleveland unfortunately didn’t lay down the welcome mat. Instead, they took three of four in an incredibly frustrating series that featured multiple opportunities left on the table.
Jose Berrios struggled on Friday and the bats mounted a comeback but it came up short as the team went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. The bats exploded for eight runs in the first half of Saturday’s doubleheader, which was obviously more than enough for Kevin Gausman, but they went away again in the nightcap as the Blue Jays managed just four hits. Sunday seemed like a win as Alek Manoah was going up against some call-up making a spot start, but, after a loud first inning, the bats went limp. The bullpen would come undone late in the game and Cleveland stole a very winnable game.
The offence, or, well lack thereof, i …

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Author: Cam Lewis / Blue Jays Nation

Toronto Raptors 2022 free agent profile: Magic SG Gary Harris

Toronto Raptors 2022 free agent profile: Magic SG Gary Harris

The Toronto Raptors will emphasize surrounding their collection of stars with solid shooting threats in the offseason. Doing so would fix arguably the most significant issue that this Raptors team had last year. One player that could be an ideal fit for this squad is former Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris. After scoring as many […]
Toronto Raptors 2022 free agent profile: Magic SG Gary Harris – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

3 Raptors who could be available in Rudy Gobert trade talks

3 Raptors who could be available in Rudy Gobert trade talks

The Toronto Raptors will likely pull off one or two pretty big moves in the offseason, as they need to make some adjustments if they want to assert themselves as viable contenders. While trading for Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert would be unlikely, Toronto can’t rule out the idea of adding one of the best […]
3 Raptors who could be available in Rudy Gobert trade talks – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Maple Leafs’ path to getting past the first round of the playoffs goes through the Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning

The Toronto Maple Leafs will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, beginning with Game 1 set to take place at Scotiabank Arena on Monday.
Heading into the evening, the Lightning needed to record one more point than the Maple Leafs’ opponent on Friday, the Boston Bruins.
The Leafs defeated the Bruins 5-2 in a game that saw both players rest a combined salary cap hit of $72,775,195. The regulation win by Toronto rendered the Lightning’s game against the New York Islanders moot as far as playoff positioning is concerned.
”The main objective tonight was to get through the game healthy and I believe we have,” Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “I was monitoring ice time more than I was monitoring the play to be honest. It was a weird game.”
Apart from William Nylander scoring twice to finish with 34 goals this season and becoming the third player to hit 80 or more points this season and Nick Abruzzese scoring his first NHL goal, there wasn’t anything notable to take from the game.
The focus for the Maple Leafs is now squarely on the task at hand and that’s trying to get past the first round of the playoffs for the first time si …

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Author: David Alter / The Leafs Nation

Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and Jack Campbell to rest for Maple Leafs against Bruins on Saturday

The Toronto Maple Leafs will rest star forwards Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, while Jack Campbell will serve as the backup to Erik Kallgren when the team plays in their final regular season game at home against the Boston Bruins on Friday.
“It’s really all about Monday,” Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe, who referenced the date for the start of Game 1 of their playoffs schedule which has yet to be announced.
Matthews recorded his 60th goal of the season during the team’s 3-0 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. The previous week, the forward missed three games with an undisclosed injury.
When he returned against the Tampa Bay Lightning last week, Matthews said the injury was something he was going to have to continue to work through.
Matthews finished the 2021-22 regular season with franchise record 60 goals and he became the first Maple Leafs player to record over 100 points (106) in a season since Doug Gilmour accomplished the feat during the 1992-93 season.
Marner will finish three points short of the century club, but recorded career highs in goals (35) and points (97).
”Talking with our team here I’d say we have a pretty good awareness how this year has been, it’s obviously been tough on everyone’s body …

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Author: David Alter / The Leafs Nation

Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews to miss game against Flyers on Tuesday with undisclosed injury

Auston Matthews will miss his second consecutive game with an undisclosed injury when the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday.
Matthews was on the ice early along fellow injured teammates Ondrej Kase (concussion), Jake Muzzin (undisclosed) and Rasmus Sandin (knee).

Here is some video Matthews, Muzzin, Sandin and Kase working on some drills. #Leafs pic.twitter.com/18SeuSEu0z
— David Alter (@dalter) April 19, 2022

Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed all four of them would not be available.
Matthews was held out of the team’s 4-2 win against the New York Islanders on Sunday. Keefe didn’t want to disclose the nature of his star’s injury citing the minor status of the injury combined with the secrecy that comes with injuries so close to playoffs time.
The 24-year-old has sent the franchise record in goals this season and currently sits at 58. He also became just the third player in team history to hit the 100-point mark in a season, becoming the first to do so since Doug Gilmour accomplished the feat during the 1992-93 season,
After Tuesday’s game, the Leafs have just five games remaining in the regular season, but the club is prioritizing the player’s health.
“Maybe he could play through that (the injury) but it doesn’t make sense for it to happen,” Keefe said of Matthews. “It just speaks to the fact that we’re looking bigger picture here.”
The Leafs have clinched a playoffs spot and set a new franchise record for wins (50) and points (106) in season after their win on Sunday. They also hold a six point lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning for second place in the Atlantic Division.
”We‘ve got team accomplishments, individual accomplishments, we’re mindful of them and they are important …

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Author: David Alter / The Leafs Nation