We'll set up a draft watch post later on in case this post fills up with thrills, chills and great excitement. For now this is the news:

I would suggest you don't bother watching this. Most of the interesting quotes are not aired in the stream, but are discussed in some articles linked below. If you have time, though there are some things that are worth watching.

The introduction of Jim Hiller was largely pointless. He has no news yet on his staff, and only arrived in Toronto yesterday. After the photo op, it became a Q&A with John Chayka.

He said that they all agree on the first overall pick, but he is not naming names. As usual, he makes a point of mentioning that the scouting staff and new AGM Judd Brackett are in charge of making these decisions.

Chayka's glowing, and very engaged description of "Gavin" and what he thinks of him after meeting him and his family in Whitehorse, is however, not a very difficult message to decode. Chayka is often a very dull, read it off a card speaker with the media, and suddenly he was all lit up. "Really impressed with Gavin." Yeah, it shows!

He also describes Hiller in very glowing terms, calling him a "thought partner" and an extension of the front office. They are clearly aligned (the Leafs new favourite word) on how they view the game and the team.

The most honest statement is near the end when he says they are better than they were, but they still have holes to fill.

He confirms the reports that Tinus Luc Koblar will be at training camp as well.

After another pause there is a Q&A with Hiller where he talks some more about his alignment with Chayka and his process of getting in touch with players. He mentions Auston Matthews specifically but did not name any other names.

There is nothing on that stream about this:

There are many stories with fulsome quotes that had to have happened off-camera or in scrums after the stream.

This contains much of interest:

4 takeaways from Maple Leafs’ Jim Hiller and John Chayka’s pre-draft media availability
<p>Ahead of what will be a franchise-altering weekend for the Toronto Maple Leafs, head coach Jim Hiller and general manager John Chayka met with reporters Thursday at the Ford Performance Centre. Hiller was formally introduced to the larger media contingent, while Chayka offered his thoughts and updates on a number of topics, ahead of the&#8230;</p>
The Leafs NationArun Srinivasan

As does this:

4 takeaways from Maple Leafs’ Jim Hiller and John Chayka’s pre-draft media availability
<p>Ahead of what will be a franchise-altering weekend for the Toronto Maple Leafs, head coach Jim Hiller and general manager John Chayka met with reporters Thursday at the Ford Performance Centre. Hiller was formally introduced to the larger media contingent, while Chayka offered his thoughts and updates on a number of topics, ahead of the&#8230;</p>
The Leafs NationArun Srinivasan
Maple Leafs GM Chayka says he doesn’t anticipate trading D Rielly
Morgan Rielly run as the longest-tenured Toronto Maple Leafs player may be set to continue for another season.
TSNTSN.ca Staff

Counterpoint

Pushing back against the playing down of the Rielly trade...

Insider Trading: Rielly still available for trade after shift in tone from Leafs
TSN’s Hockey Insiders have the latest on the possibility of a Morgan Rielly trade, the holdup on the Jets moving Connor Hellebuyck, a pair of Canadian teams that could be potential fits for Mason Marchment, Zach Werenski’s future in Columbus, and more.
TSNTSN.ca Staff
Johnston: I can tell you it would be very premature to take him off your trade bait list at this point, Gino, because Morgan Rielly’s name remains very much in play on the trade market. And look, Jim Hiller in particular was quite effusive in his praise of Rielly as he was introduced officially as the head coach of the Leafs. He’s got a lot of respect for the player and they have a history from the past. But it’s Jim Hiller’s job to coach the team. It’s John Chayka’s job to manage the team. And Chayka certainly is going to continue to listen on Rielly. He’s not going to give the player away. So, it’s going to have to be a decent offer that compels the Leafs to act here. But with the off-season still in its early phases and the Leafs looking to continue to reshape their blueline, don’t rule out the possibility of a Rielly trade just yet.

Remember this period of time is all about lies, misdirection and a public pose that keeps all possible outcomes in mind.

Paging all Marchment fans:

LeBrun: Yeah, Gino, my understanding is that Montreal and Toronto are potential fits for Mason Marchment. Both teams that have interest and [can] talk to him next Wednesday if he hits the market.

Trades

There were also several trades of AHL level players which seems like a mid-July exercise carried out a month early.

Getting on for 9 pm, it became clear that there was a bidding war going on for the Ducks' Mason McTavish between the Rangers and the Senators, or the Rangers and the Blues, depending on the moment, while Jason Robertson was saying no, no, no, he won't go to Seattle to a mega-offer.

Sources: Jason Robertson turns down contract offer from Kraken
Sportsnet.caElliotte Friedman

Other News

And to end on...

That's all for now, for a definition of now that means when I went to bed.

The post-bedtime Leafs news:

From The Branches