It's the final week of August, and wouldn't you know it, nothing has happened over the weekend. Literally nothing. So either this week will be a gong show of activity, or it's another week of dead silence. I'll let you decide, but the answer is nothing.

However, we will continue with our Top 25 Under 25 this week and there will be six players in the rankings over the five days as there is a tie in this range. No spoilers on which day that tie will be, sorry, but it's a Kitten Ranching and Hockey Rankings LLC policy not to tell you in advance.

News Crumbs

The headline is a bit sensational, but they do have more very highly skilled players now than in recent memory. I want Holzer to still make the team for the pun opportunities.

Seider wants Germany to ‘challenge all the big names’ at Olympics | NHL.com
Red Wings defenseman part of talented roster aiming to raise international profile, win medal
NHL logoAaron Vickers

Yes, Pakistan has a national women's hockey team, and they're getting better each year.

Color of Hockey: Rauf making impact as Pakistan women’s coach in LATAM Cup | NHL.com
Yale junior forward finds work behind bench ‘motivates me to keep going’ as role model
NHL logoWilliam Douglas

And here's what TLN thinks of the Leafs prospect opportunities right now.

Timing a trade, Benning as a wildcard, and best shape of my life SZN: Leaflets
There are actual events on the NHL calendar (albeit a promo tour in Eu…
TheLeafsNationJon Steitzer

And that's it!

Just give us some news, hockey leagues! WHHHHRGRBRGLBGRLBGLRBGLRLBGBRL!

From The Branches