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James Mirtle

@mirtle.bsky.social

17K followers 260 following 580 posts

Senior Writer, The Athletic. Covering the NHL / Maple Leafs since 2004. Leafs Report podcast & Red Light newsletter. Kamloops kid in Toronto 🇨🇦 Company handle: @theathletic.bsky.social

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James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 15d

Will NHL teams be able to cheat the league’s new playoff salary cap system? A few ways that might be possible

www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...

How NHL teams can cheat the league’s new playoff salary cap system

Past teams used long-term injury reserve to stash salary. GMs must find new loopholes to exploit under the new CBA.

www.nytimes.com

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James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 1h

Few thoughts on the Leafs season opening win

www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

Maple Leafs open the season with a win: 7 observations

Despite a 5-2 victory over the rival Canadiens, two areas remain a work in progress for the Leafs: the top line and the power play.

www.nytimes.com

James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 20h

Every NHL team’s forwards ranked: Lightning, Golden Knights top the 2025-26 list

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Every NHL team’s forwards ranked: Lightning, Golden Knights top the 2025-26 list

Meanwhile, the Bruins, Predators and Blackhawks bring up the rear in our list of all 32 teams' forwards.

www.nytimes.com

James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 1d

Which NHL teams have the best bluelines?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Every NHL team’s defense ranked: Avalanche, Panthers top the 2025-26 list

Welcome to the third iteration of The Athletic’s annual defense ranking tiers. There’s a surprising shortage of truly high-end blue lines.

www.nytimes.com

James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 1d

On NHL waivers today.

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Reposted by James Mirtle

James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 2d

Three unexpected players make the Leafs initial roster and they're right at the cap. More moves are coming. Breaking it all down here @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Mirtle: How the Maple Leafs ended up capped out, and why more moves are coming

Making sense of the Maple Leafs' salary-cap machinations on the first day of the 2025-26 season.

www.nytimes.com

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James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 2d

Three unexpected players make the Leafs initial roster and they're right at the cap. More moves are coming. Breaking it all down here @theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Mirtle: How the Maple Leafs ended up capped out, and why more moves are coming

Making sense of the Maple Leafs' salary-cap machinations on the first day of the 2025-26 season.

www.nytimes.com

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James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 2d

A roster in flux for the Maple Leafs: Breaking down what it all means

pod.fo/e/3383fd

The Leaf Report: Roster upheaval at Maple Leafs camp

Jonas and James discuss the Leafs changing up the lines at training camp, the injury to Scott Laughton, if Easton Cowan is destined to begin the year in the AHL now and David Kampf being placed on ...

pod.fo

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James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 2d

On Connor McDavid's new deal, and winners and losers around the NHL

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Winners and losers of Connor McDavid’s contract: Oilers get a discount, Leafs miss out

The fallout from this extension will be felt league-wide, as one of hockey's best players ever has given his team a huge hometown discount.

www.nytimes.com

James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 3d

On NHL waivers today.

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James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 4d

Today on NHL waivers.

James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 5d

On waivers in the NHL today.

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James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 5d

Back with a new podcast breaking down all things Leafs with Frankie Corrado

pod.fo/e/33685b

The Leaf Report: Is Easton Cowan a lock to make the Maple Leafs?

James Mirtle welcomes former Maple Leaf Frankie Corrado to discuss pre-season Maple Leafs takeaways, Easton Cowan's shot at making the team, who else stays, and who goes? We get Frankie's thoughts ...

pod.fo

James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 6d

Sunday

James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 6d

On waivers today in the NHL.

Monday is the deadline to get down to 23 man rosters.

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Reposted by James Mirtle

James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 7d

On NHL franchise values hitting $2 billion and what it means for the league

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

The average NHL team is now worth $2.1 billion. What does it mean for the league?

According to Sportico's annual rankings, the average team valuation has more than doubled over the past two years.

www.nytimes.com

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James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 7d

On NHL franchise values hitting $2 billion and what it means for the league

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

The average NHL team is now worth $2.1 billion. What does it mean for the league?

According to Sportico's annual rankings, the average team valuation has more than doubled over the past two years.

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by James Mirtle

James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 8d

One big question facing front offices across the NHL in this new landscape:

How much is too much to pay star players like Kirill Kaprizov?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

NHL stars like Kirill Kaprizov are making historic money. Is it the best way to win?

Can teams really allocate that much more of their cap to fewer players, squeezing the lower part of the roster?

www.nytimes.com

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James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 7d

Giant NHL waivers list today. Going to be long ones until the weekend, with roster deadline on Monday.

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Reposted by James Mirtle

Sportsnet 590 The FAN @sportsnet590thefan.bsky.social · 7d

Is Easton Cowan ready for #NHL minutes this season?

@mirtle.bsky.social examines the rookie's chances to make the team out of camp with JD Bunkis. #LeafsForever

🎧 sprtsnt.ca/3DRCgXP

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James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 8d

One big question facing front offices across the NHL in this new landscape:

How much is too much to pay star players like Kirill Kaprizov?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

NHL stars like Kirill Kaprizov are making historic money. Is it the best way to win?

Can teams really allocate that much more of their cap to fewer players, squeezing the lower part of the roster?

www.nytimes.com

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James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 8d

Might be the order they're sent to the league. I've never asked

James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 8d

On NHL waivers today.

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James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 8d

What's the right advice for McDavid?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

NHL agent poll: How should Connor McDavid approach his next contract?

The Athletic canvassed 10 agents to get their thoughts on what McDavid needs to consider about his NHL future.

www.nytimes.com

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James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 9d

A new Leafs podcast is up where we dig into Stolarz's new contract, the return of Reimer and the likely lineup for Game 1

pod.fo/e/333a08

The Leaf Report: Why the Maple Leafs committed to Anthony Stolarz

With training camp entering the 2nd week, the guys breakdown the below market deal for goalie Anthony Stolarz, who signed a four year extension to stay in Toronto, they discuss what role James Reim...

pod.fo

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James Mirtle @mirtle.bsky.social · 9d

Here's today's NHL waivers list. Everyone cleared yesterday.

One week until rosters need to be finalized so expect this weekend to be big for waivers.

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