> ## 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. # It's Mirtle Time - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/maple-leafs-news-its-mirtle-time/ - Published: 2011-07-21T10:01:03.000Z - Updated: 2011-07-21T10:01:03.000Z - Author: J.P. Nikota - Tags: From The Branches, #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 11:43 Since the Leafs have been out of action, we haven't featured as many James Mirtle's articles as we normally do around here, and it's a cryin' shame. Fortunate then, that this morning, we've got a trifecta of Mirtle "win" to share with you. The first article is a nice piece featuring [John-Michael Liles](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/55475/john-michael-liles?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com), [and his recent work at SickKids Hospital in Toronto.](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-beat/what-liles-will-bring-to-the-leafs/article2103215/singlepage/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com#articlecontent) Liles also has some cool things to say about the other new Leafs, with whom he already has some first-hand experience: > **\[[Tim Connolly](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/55202/tim-connolly?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)\]** "I’ve known Tim for quite a while. We played world junior together and played against each other for a number of years. I think he’s a great player. I think he’s got an enormous amount of talent and is going to add a lot." > > **\[[Cody Franson](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54426/cody-franson?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)\]** "I’ve played him a few times over the past few years. An impressive defenceman – big guy, big shot and a young kid that has got a bright future." > > **\[Matt Lombardi\]** "Once he works past his concussion issues he had last year, he’s a tremendous player. Very fast, tough to play against. A guy that gave our team fits when he was playing in Calgary." Read on, for more Mirtle, as well as a number of really great articles from The Leafs Nation. Lots of interesting stuff today, so read up. It's good for you, like broccoli. **Leafs Links:** [Net Presence Scoring Chances During Even Strength Play](http://theleafsnation.com/2011/7/20/net-presence-scoring-chances-during-even-strength-play?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Really solid work being done here by Slava Duris over at The Leafs Nation. Definitely worth a read. [Do Goons Help Win Games?](http://theleafsnation.com/2011/7/20/do-goons-help-win-games?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Your friend and mine, The '67 Sound makes his voice heard at The Leafs Nation, takes a deeper look at a topic we've touched on here before: the effects of fighting on team success. [The New Leafs by the Numbers](http://theleafsnation.com/2011/7/20/the-new-leafs-by-the-numbers?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Our newest leafs have some big shoes to fill by putting on their new jersey numbers. The latest from Danny Gray (a.k.a. Plea From A Cat Named Felix) over at The Leafs Nation. [Retired numbers: A long-standing debate in Leafland](http://vintageleafmemories.blogspot.com/2011/07/retired-numbers-long-standing-debate-in.html?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Michael Langlois likes the way the Habs have handled retiring jerseys. Maybe that's a bad start, but join the debate. [Is Luke Schenn really a top shutdown defenseman?](http://hockeyanalysis.com/2011/07/20/is-luke-schenn-really-a-top-shutdown-defenseman/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) A somewhat controversial piece, some of you may have seen this yesterday, but David Johnson at Hockey Analysis has a few numbers to chew on. For further reading, check the comment section for a debate between Johnson and our own Steve Burtch. **Other Hockey Links:** [Blackhawks cut Campoli loose](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/blackhawks-cut-campoli-loose/article2104155/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=2104155) James Mirtle explains that Campoli is now an unrestricted free agent. [Thoughts?](http://mapleleafshotstove.com/2011/07/20/chris-campoli-wants-to-be-a-leaf/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [On Post-Junior Success; or Couturier vs Scheifele](http://www.arcticicehockey.com/2011/7/20/2284326/on-post-junior-success-or-couturier-vs-scheifele?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Gabe Desjardins has a darned purdy graph to accompany this post. Great article too, naturally. [Big signing bonuses becoming NHL's new norm](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/big-signing-bonuses-becoming-nhls-new-norm/article2103658/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=2103658) Another solid article by James Mirtle at the Globe. This very topic came up at PPP just yesterday. [Bill Watters Show Taken Off The Air](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/bruce-dowbiggin/bill-watterss-show-falls-victim-to-am-640s-format-change/article2103582/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) SOMEONE LISTENED TO US. From the Usual Suspects at the Globe and Mail. [Red Wings sign Ty Conklin](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/red-wings-sign-ty-conklin/article2103493/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=2103493) From the AP at the Globe. [Purcell agrees to new deal with Lightning](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/purcell-agrees-to-new-deal-with-lightning/article2103572/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=2103572) From the CP at the Globe, no numbers cited. [Leaning Heavily on Top-Six Forwards](http://www.fearthefin.com/2011/7/20/2285051/san-jose-sharks-and-anaheim-ducks-leaned-heaviest-on-their-top-six?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Admittedly, this is only for Western Conference playoff teams, but it is from Mr. Plank at Fear The Fin, so you'll have to forgive the West-centric point of view. It's an interesting thing to check out, anyway. [The Ethics of Sport Journalism: ESPN struggles with media responsibility](http://www.thegoodpoint.com/football/jul11/the-ethics-of-sport-journalism-espn-struggles-with-media-responsibility.html?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Although this isn't strictly hockey-related, Ethics in Sports Journalism is a topic that gets debated around here quite often. Worth a read. [Arena, Part I](http://www.mc79hockey.com/?p=3676&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) The latest entry from Tyler Dellow at mc79hockey. Well done. I noticed he used some big words in there. I didn't really understand all of them, but who cares, because I gave him an A+. 10 PPP Points to anyone who gets that reference and who is not PFACNF. [![Facebook_16](http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o282/buddhafisch/facebook-buttonSMALL.jpg)](http://www.facebook.com/pages/PensionPlanPuppetsSBN) [![Twitter_16](http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o282/buddhafisch/twitter-buttonSMALL.jpg)](http://twitter.com/mlse?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)