First up, yesterday afternoon, the NHL and NHLPA released their decisions on the five players acquitted in the recent sexual assault case:

They remain suspended until December 1, but they can sign NHL contracts after October 15. If the AHL has an opinion on this, they haven't said yet, but presumably that option remains open on the same timeline.

The NHLPA is not appealing this decision, saying the matter is closed.

And just another reminder that this is not the topic to play team rivalry trash talk games over.

‘Stronger, bigger, faster’ Cowan impresses as Maple Leafs prospects take the ice
If you’d only caught a few moments of Easton Cowan flying around the sheet on Thursday, you’d understand how badly he wants to crack the big club’s roster this season. Sonny Sachdeva has the story from Maple Leafs prospect practice.
Sportsnet.caSonny Sachdeva

I love the headline, Sportsnet! Bet you're too young to make six-million dollar man jokes, though.

Maple Leafs rookies bring challenges for coach at prospect tournament
This weekend’s prospects tournament in Montreal is a great time to turn boys into men in a National Hockey League rivals’ setting
Toronto SunLance Hornby
But [Jacob Quillan's] progress that led to the call-up was encouraging and, when Gruden checked in with the 6-foot-1 Nova Scotian in the summer, he went the motivational route, saying he hoped not to see him around the farm anymore, believing he can make the jump this year.

Oh, Fraser! And now look at the market.

Prospects are on the ice in Montréal tomorrow and Sunday, and we'll help you find the stream as the games are ready to air. If you remember, last year was not a shining moment in MLSE technical expertise.

- TSN
Easton Cowan believes he is a different player than the one that showed up at Leafs rookie camp last season, claiming, ‘this is the best I’ve ever felt coming into camp.’ Cowan added more strength and size in the summer, which has been noticeable to Marlies head coach John Gruden, who is overseeing the camp.
TSN

A fortune cookie story about the Chris Johnston show:

He provided the report during Tuesday’s episode of The Chris Johnston Show, noting that a hypothetical move would be seen as one that was in the works for a long time, should it be completed.

Fortune cookie stories are articles written around someone else's quotes, Tweet or podcast content and published with little to no value-adding commentary.

I have now seen five stories about how many pounds someone gained over the summer. It's like the office in January only with bragging. Hockey season is almost here.

Are you in the best shape of your life and 10 pounds heavier?

See you tomorrow for an actual, sort of, kinda hockey game with guys in Leafs-ish jerseys. Or sweaters. Whichever one makes you annoyed.

From The Branches