Happy Friday everyone. There's going to be hockey to watch tomorrow from the rookie event in Montréal. The game is on at 1 pm, and check the comments on Saturday's post for links to streams.
Later this morning you get a cap space post to mull over to make your fantasy trades and roster cuts ahead of camp. Because why not make these decisions now before you've seen anyone or heard how they're in the best shape of their lives.
Actually I think we owe Brad Treliving for the Hakanpää and Pacioretty signings, since we've got two people who aren't in the best shape of their lives, so it cuts down on how often we'll hear it.
Brad Treliving says Max Pacioretty came to Toronto for a medical exam & on-ice sessions about a month ago
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) September 12, 2024
Veteran winger received a pro tryout
Leafs GM: "We'll see where everything goes, but my expectation is he's gonna be with us"https://t.co/y7q7QDmL0O
Don't give me crap about how awful the Sun is on just about everything (it is) this is good:

I'm assigning you homework this weekend, now that we've had some confirmation that Brad Treliving actually did get medical advice with both of his "naturally imperfect" player signings.
If you're new, or don't have a memory that goes back to 2016, the above post is an interesting look by ATF at the concept of the market inefficiency of injured players. He covers the whole idea, including the risks and why teams shy away from their players who are injured. There is a data spreadsheet and explanation of players used to examine the idea as well that is still live. It features the cautionary tale of a current Leafs' employee.
I've been thinking for some time now, that if Kyle Dubas was the GM still he'd be thought super clever for trying to get players at a discount by signing someone coming back from injury.
And I can hear you all yelling about how it's not a discount, and they should get league minimum and blah, blah blah. I don't know where this fixation on every player who isn't a star getting $775,000 a year has come from, but the days of the flat cap convincing anyone to take a salary like that when they aren't likely to be in the AHL most of the year is long over.
And it was never true for defenders. Timothy Liljegren's $1.4 million last year was extraordinarily low for an NHL rostered defender.
In unrelated news I did see a Tweet where Matt Murray said he's in the best shape of his life... well almost. He says his hips feel better than they have in years post surgery.
In case you missed this change:
Ready for another season of Marlies hockey 👊
— Toronto Marlies (@TorontoMarlies) September 12, 2024
Stream every @TheAHL game in HD-quality this season with AHLTV on @flohockey 🏒
SIGN UP NOW 📺⬇️
And some things never change:
John Gruden on Ben Danford: "He's being evaluated right now. Hopefully he'll be OK."
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) September 12, 2024
Marlies coach didn't get a good look at the hit by Marshall Finnie
"I know he feels bad & hopefully Danford's OK"
Okay, that's your weekend set, read that article, argue about the roster and then watch prospects.
I also rolled past this gem while looking for the other post, so this isn't homework, this is just fun:

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