> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # From The Branches: Bye Week Draws To A Close - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/from-the-branches-bye-week-draws-to-a-close/ - Published: 2017-01-12T11:50:00.000Z - Updated: 2017-01-12T11:50:00.000Z - Description: The Leafs are back tomorrow! Also, Kapanen pines for the NHL, and Ovechkin hits a milestone - Author: Anne Boyd - Tags: From The Branches, #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 11:27 Morning, PPP! Today's the last day of the [Maple Leafs](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/toronto-maple-leafs?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)' bye week (which was five days, so only a "week" in spirit). Since Lou didn't trade a guy in the middle of the night this time, there isn't a whole lot of news to report. He didn't do that, right? 1am trades make me edgy. The Marlies played the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton [Penguins](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/pittsburgh-penguins?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) last night, losing 2-1\. ChristopherHat has your recap, which should be up this morning. **ICYMI** [Men and children can buy the NHL All-Star Game jerseys today - Pension Plan Puppets](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/men-and-children-can-buy-the-nhl-all-star-game-jerseys-today-auston-matthews-toronto-maple-leafs/) The Atlantic division will wear that bright gold color. [Maple Leafs post season position: January 11th - Pension Plan Puppets](http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2017/1/11/14237030/toronto-maple-leafs-post-season-position-january-11th-toronto-maple-leafs-playoffs-2017-nhl-draft) Bye week are boring **Maple Leafs News** [Gacek, Kaskisuo lead Solar Bears past Aces | Don Money](http://prohockeynews.com/gacek-kaskisuo-lead-solar-bears-past-aces/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) No coach, no problem. [Lou Lamoriello: "What we’re seeing is the growth of an organization" | Maple Leafs Hotstove](https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2017/01/11/lou-lamoriello-what-were-seeing-is-the-growth-of-an-organization/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Lou Lamoriello joined [Prime Time Sports](http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/lamoriello-wants-protect-matthews-marner-media-distractions/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com "Prime Time Sports") for an in-depth interview with Bob McCown and Damien Cox, touching on [Auston Matthews](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/282126/auston-matthews?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)’ All-Star nod, the progress of Mitch Marner, plans for the deadline, the acquisition of [Curtis McElhinney](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54650/curtis-mcelhinney?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com), and more. [Kapanen can't watch Maple Leafs, eagerly awaits his NHL chance - Sportsnet.ca](http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/kasperi-kapanen-cant-watch-maple-leafs-eagerly-awaits-nhl-chance/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [Kasperi Kapanen](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/246176/kasperi-kapanen?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com), an AHL all-star, is rounding out his game and seems ready to be the next youngster given a chance by the Maple Leafs. Until then, though, he's not watching the NHL team. [Unsigned Leafs pick Desrocher loves being overage leader in OHL | Toronto Star](https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2017/01/11/unsigned-leafs-pick-stephen-desrocher-loves-being-overage-leader-in-ohl.html?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [Stephen Desrocher](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/283118/stephen-desrocher?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) of the Kingston Frontenacs is working toward earning a contract in the crowded Leafs farm system. [Toronto Marlies coming to Port Perry Monday, Jan. 16](http://www.durhamregion.com/sports-story/7060693-toronto-marlies-coming-to-port-perry-monday-jan-16/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Hockey fans will have the opportunity to participate in various activities, watch the Marlies practice and attend a team autograph session. [Marlies Week(s) in Review: December 23 - January 10 | Maple Leafs Hotstove](https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2017/01/11/toronto-marlies-weeks-review-december-23-january-10/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) It’s been a busy post-Christmas stretch for the Toronto Marlies with seven games in 14 days. **News Around the League** [Five more concepts the NHL could steal from the NFL - Down Goes Brown](http://www.downgoesbrown.com/2017/01/beyond-bye-five-more-concepts-nhl-could.html?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) McIndoe has some ideas for other annoying NFL concepts the NHL could foist upon us. [Crosby wins MVP in midseason trophy picks - The Globe and Mail](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/sidney-crosby-wins-mvp-in-midseason-trophy-picks/article33592067/?cmpid=rss1&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) A mix of past winners and surprising newcomers headline our award selections at the season’s halfway point [Report: Marc Staal Suffering From Post-Concussion Syndrome - Blueshirt Banter](http://www.blueshirtbanter.com/2017/1/11/14240878/marc-staal-injury-post-concussion-syndrome?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Per Larry Brooks, the reason [Marc Staal](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54193/marc-staal?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) has been held out of play (with an Alain Vigneault "upper body injury" special) was due to post-concussion syndrome. [Why Sharks defender Mueller was sent to the dressing room early in the first period against the Flames - Fear The Fin](http://www.fearthefin.com/2017/1/11/14247120/sharks-defender-mirco-mueller-dressing-room-the-flames?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) The [Sharks](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/san-jose-sharks?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) had to send one of their defensemen to the dressing room after forgetting to list him on the lineup card. [Taylor Hall returns to find Edmonton changed - The Globe and Mail](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/new-jersey-devils-taylor-hall-returns-to-find-edmonton-changed/article33591070/?cmpid=rss1&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) After trading the once golden boy to the now lagging [Devils](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/new-jersey-devils?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com), the [Oilers](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/edmonton-oilers?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) have been on an upward climb. [Koekkoek in Syracuse means we need to talk about the Tampa Bay Lightning’s defensive pairings - Raw Charge](http://www.rawcharge.com/2017/1/11/14232980/koekkoek-in-syracuse-means-we-need-to-talk-about-the-tampa-bay-lightnings-defensive-pairings?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) On Tuesday, the [Lightning](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/tampa-bay-lightning?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) reassigned defender [Slater Koekkoek](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/157195/slater-koekkoek?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) to Syracuse, showing that they are struggling to figure out how to best design their defensive pairings. [Alex Ovechkin](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54337/alex-ovechkin?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) scored his 1,000th point 35 seconds into Washington's 5-2 win over Pittsburgh. > Ovechkin's 1,000th point [pic.twitter.com/x0QpnrIROa](https://t.co/x0QpnrIROa?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) [January 12, 2017](https://twitter.com/myregularface/status/819351791385145344?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)