Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

While Leafs-land is stuck in a cycle of trade rumours, first overall debates, and your typical off season talk we've rehashed over and over, there are games happening. Weird, that.

Maple Leafs’ Morgan Rielly has ‘writing on the wall’ in trade update | Sporting News
The veteran defenseman has regressed of late.
Sporting NewsBilly Heyen

Over in Europe, the Maple Leafs are making news. Our very own Tinus Luc Koblar helped push his home country to places it's never been before:

The semi-finals!

Maple Leafs prospect Tinus Luc Koblar leads Norway to world semis for first time
Sportsnet.caSportsnet Staff

Norway's best player of the tournament, our own second round pick, and now he's a hockey hero for his home.

More Maple Leafs are moving on, as Team Canada blanked the Americans 4-0 yesterday as well.

Canada blanks Team USA to advance to semis at hockey worlds
Macklin Celebrini scored as Canada beat the United States 4-0 in a rematch of the Olympic final to reach the semis at the ice hockey world championship.
Yahoo SportsAssociated Press

It's semi-final Saturday with Canada lining up against Finland while Norway takes on Switzerland.

We could end the NHL semi-finals tonight, the Carolina Hurricanes are leading the Montreal Canadians 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Final.

Habs bombarded with calls to shoot: ‘It’s not fun to hear... but they’re not wrong’
The Montreal Canadiens were unable to break through offensively for the third consecutive game Wednesday night as they fell 4-0 to the Carolina Hurricanes, putting them into a 3-1 series hole in the Eastern Conference final.
TSNTSN.ca Staff

The Vegas Golden Knights are waiting to find out their opponents for the Final, which will begin on either June 2 or June 4.

The Toronto Marlies are on win closer to the Calder Cup Finals, defeating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals.

John Gruden on the Marlies’ fourth line scoring the winner in Game 1 of the ECF: “They’re the heartbeat of our team at times”
Toronto Marlies head coach John Gruden discusses his team’s 4-2 victory over the WBS Penguins in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final. On starting the fourth line (Pezzetta-Johnston-Johnson) to begin the game, and the line coming through with the game-winner in the third period: They’re the heartbeat of our team at times. When we […]
Maple Leafs HotstoveMLHS Staff

On the otherside of the league the Chicago Wolves won game one of their Western Conference Final against the Colorado Eagles.

HIGHLIGHTS: Game 1 Chicago Wolves vs Colorado Eagles | AHL Calder Cup Playoffs 2026
AHL Calder Cup Highlights presented by Fortune Tires from Round 4, Game 1 between the Chicago Wolves and Colorado Eagles.
FloHockey Logo

Speaking of ever more semi-finals, the Memorial Cup semi-final is tonight, with WHL champion Everett Silvertips play the QMJHL champs Chicoutimi Sagueneens tonight.

Everett beats Kelowna to set up Memorial Cup semifinal against Chicoutimi
Defencemen Kayd Ruedig and Jaxon Pisani scored in a 25-second span in the first period and the Everett Silvertips beat the host Kelowna Rockets 4-0 on Wednesday night in the Memorial Cup to advance to face Chicoutimi in the semifinal.
Sportsnet.caAssociated Press

The Kitchen Rangers wait to find out who they will play in the Championship game on Sunday.

Speaking of the Memorial Cup, the Soo Greyhounds haven't given up on bringing the national championship to the shores of Lake Superior.

Soo Greyhounds owner talks arena upgrades, team philosophy, Memorial Cup bid: Q&A
Tim Lukenda working on an extension for GM Kyle Raftis, playing a key role in head coaching search.
Sault StarJanson Duench

Finally, Tmthe PWHL expansion draft is coming up, the four new teams have their front offices ready and waiting.

Four new PWHL general managers gear up for different expansion
Sportsnet.caCanadian Press

Have questions about how it works? Professor Puck is here for you.

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches