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# From the Branches: Leafs win a somewhat pyrrhic victory
- URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/from-the-branches-the-constant-gardiner/
- Published: 2017-01-18T11:58:42.000Z
- Updated: 2017-01-18T11:58:42.000Z
- Description: Leafs rise in the standings, but Morgan Rielly is injured against the Sabres.
- Author: Achariya
- Tags: From The Branches, #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 11:27

## The Leafs

[Leafs vs. Sabres Recap: Rielly Down, Leafs Win Anyway | PPP](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/leafs-vs-sabres-recap-rielly-down-leafs-win-anyway/)  
"The win obviously pales in importance next to the potential injury to Rielly, who is the Leafs’ minute leader this year and a key to their defence. He’s not perfect, but the Leafs do not have much defence depth, and if Rielly is out for any extended period, they’re going to have struggles."

[Maple Leafs hope Morgan Rielly injury isn't too serious | Toronto Sun](http://www.torontosun.com/2017/01/17/maple-leafs-hope-morgan-rielly-injury-isnt-too-serious?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
“We’ll know more tomorrow when he’s looked at,” Babcock said. “What happens when there’s an injury, you play fewer guys more ... So we have to manage this well, I don’t know if he’s out a week or 10 days or a month.”

[Maple Leafs’ Morgan Rielly leaves game with injury, will not return | Sportsnet](http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-morgan-rielly-leaves-game-injury-will-not-return/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
Not good.

[Analyzing the outlooks of five rebuilding NHL teams | Sportsnet](http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/analyzing-outlooks-five-rebuilding-nhl-teams/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
"Like it or not "tanking" is a reality in today's NHL, but that doesn't mean every rebuilding team is undertaking that unsavoury process. There are stages to a rebuild and they don't always stay on track. In fact, it can be more of a bumpy road than a track."

[Mirtle: How the Leafs are on pace to set some NHL rookie records | The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/34099/2017/01/17/mirtle-how-the-leafs-are-on-pace-to-set-some-nhl-rookie-records/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
(Subscription content.) "There’s one massive season from Matthews, three rookies with 20-plus goals, four with 40-plus points and an impressive six with more than 15 minutes a game ice time. Plus a Goat, which is unique given goats normally don’t play hockey."

[Toronto Maple Leafs: Recent Success Obscures Underlying Issues | Editor in Leaf](http://editorinleaf.com/2017/01/17/toronto-maple-leafs-success/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
"All the talk of the Leafs defensive woes has gone right out the window with the team winning. But that doesn’t necessarily mean those issues aren’t still there."

[Jake Gardiner making the most of his opportunity, stats say: Players to watch in second half | National Post](http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs-jake-gardiner-making-the-most-of-his-opportunity-stats-say-players-to-watch-in-second-half?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
"Gardiner, who plays 20:37 per night, is carrying Connor Carrick on Toronto’s second defence pairing. Case in point: In the 152 5-on-5 minutes in which Carrick has skated without his regular partner, there has been a sizable drop in Carrick’s personal possession metrics (55% with Gardiner versus 48% without Gardiner) and the team’s goal differential (58.8 goals-for percentage with Gardiner vs. 43.0 without)."

## The Not Leafs

[Jack Capuano: An Uncommon Coach for the Common Player | LHH](http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/1/17/14302836/islanders-jack-capuano-fired-uncommon-coach-common-player?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
"Jack Capuano didn’t fit into either camp. When he talked, he gave off the impression of a lifer, and his many AHL years and cup of coffee in the NHL provided the bonafides. But he didn’t have that same hard edge that a Ruff or Sutter has. He seemed less like a drill sergeant and more like a substitute teacher."

[Post-Capuano, Snow feeling the heat, Islanders evaluating for summer | LHH](http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2017/1/17/14304298/capuano-snow-islanders-doug-weight-next-steps?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
"One thing left unspoken during Snow’s conference call with media Tuesday afternoon, and another reason to make the move now: This season is essentially a loss."

[Jujhar Khaira's first goal was a win for NHL diversity and hard workers everywhere | SBN](http://www.sbnation.com/2017/1/17/14296056/jujhar-khaira-first-goal-punjabi-nhl-oilers-penguins-vs-capitals-highlights-nhl-news-rumors?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
"Khaira is Canadian (born and raised in Surrey, British Columbia) but of Indian descent. Only three players in NHL history have that to boast about; Khaira is the third."

[NHL 100: Tales from the police blotter | CBC ](http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/nhl-100-helmets-power-plays-long-way-1.3939177?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
"In the latest edition of NHL 100, a weekly series from The Canadian Press, we examine some of the more unforgettable, sad, and sobering tales from the police blotter."

[Teemu Selanne, Joe Sakic named to IIHF Hall of Fame | NHL](https://www.nhl.com/news/teemu-selanne-joe-sakic-named-to-iihf-hall-of-fame/c-285767766?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
“Teemu Selanne and Joe Sakic were among those named to the International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame on Tuesday."

[A more seasoned, dependable Jonathan Drouin takes center stage for Lightning | Tampa Bay Times](http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/a-more-seasoned-dependable-jonathan-drouin-takes-center-stage-for-lightning/2309836?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)   
"But what might be more telling is that Drouin was put on the ice to protect a lead in a 2-1 win over the Kings. That hasn't happened often the past few years, showing how far the 21-year-old has come, at least in the minds of the coaches."

If you don't read anything else:

[On hockey fandom, safe spaces, and the Troll Toll. | SCOC](http://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2017/1/17/14298154/nhl-on-hockey-fighting-demons-and-protecting-safe-spaces-twitter?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)  
"\[H\]ockey fandom increasingly has a dark side. One that has nearly killed me on several occasions; one that has seen me suffer suicidal thoughts, sleepless nights, and affect my relationships and sanity. Dealing with hockey fandom takes a literal toll on peoples’ well being."