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Wednesday’s FTB: Hot knife through butter last night

Tagging issues are a new way to worry the Leafs can't do arithmetic.

By Cathy Squires · Pension Plan Pupptes

Published: Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at 10:01 AM

Key Things to Know

The Maple Leafs defeated the Blue Jackets with strong special teams play from Cowan, Nylander, Matthews, Marchenko, and Roslovic.
Toronto defenseman Jake McCabe left the game after taking a stick to the face and did not return.
The writer notes Toronto is currently restricted by NHL tagging room rules that limit current in-season cap flexibility.

The Story in 60 Seconds

The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets behind a strong special teams performance, though defenseman Jake McCabe exited early after taking a stick to the face. The victory featured offensive contributions from Easton Cowan, William Nylander, Auston Matthews, Kirill Marchenko, and Jack Roslovic alongside an effective penalty kill.

Cathy Squires also analyzed Toronto's salary cap tagging room constraints, which currently force the club into a dollar-in, dollar-out trade situation. The writer suggests potential roster solutions could include eventually trading players such as Miles Wood or Dakota Joshua to alleviate future cap limitations.

Read the full article on Pension Plan Pupptes

Wednesday’s FTB: Hot knife through butter last night

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