Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans! The trade deadline is over, and now we begin the final drive to the playoffs.

So, what did the Leafs cook up?

They added Scott Laughton at forward and Brandon Carlo on defense, as well as some late draft picks, while saying farewell to Conor Timmins, Fraser Minten, Connor Dewar, Nikita Grebenkin, and a couple first round picks.

Toronto acquires Scott Laughton
He’s a centre.
PPP LeafsCathy Squires
Leafs acquire Brandon Carlo
A Bruin! It’s the latest thing to get.
PPP LeafsCathy Squires

The Marlies also got a new player in Reese Johnson from the Minnesota Wild for Future Considerations. That guy moved a lot today.

The Leafs supposedly made a big, big, offer for Mikko Rantanen, but the forward didn't want to come to Toronto.

Insider Claims Maple Leafs Had Best Trade Offer for Star $55.5 Million Forward
NHL insider Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet revealed the Toronto Maple Leafs had the best offer for Mikko Rantanen but the Hurricanes said no.
HeavyCole Shelton

How was Treliving's deadline?

Brad Treliving on his trade deadline additions to the Maple Leafs’ roster: “I felt it was my responsibility to add to the group... They deserve it”
After his acquisitions of Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo, GM Brad Treliving joined TSN Overdrive and Real Kyper & Bourne to discuss the near and longer-term implications of his deadline moves for the Maple Leafs organization. What can you tell us about being in on one of the biggest names of the day (Mikko Rantanen)? […]
Maple Leafs HotstoveMLHS Staff

The deadline has passed, and Brad Marchand is right where he should be: The arena that throws rats on the ice.

Brad Marchand traded to Florida Panthers for conditional pick
Brad Marchand has reportedly been traded to the Florida Panthers — with the Bruins trading away their captain this season.
Boston.comConor Ryan

Your favourite team both won and lost.

Trade Deadline Winners and Losers: We all benefit from non-stop day of deals
It was one of the wilder trade deadlines in recent memory as the likes of Mikko Rantanen and Brad Marchand switched teams. Sportsnet’s Ryan Dixon sorts through it all to pick winners and losers — including all of us.
Sportsnet.caRyan Dixon

The Dallas Stars are hoping to capitalize on the Mavericks lack of success.

Stars GM Jim Nill says he saw an ‘opportunity’ for hockey to grow in Dallas
Amid turmoil happening with the Stars’ co-occupants at American Airlines Center, there is a chance to grab fans.
The Dallas Morning NewsSportsDay Staff

Except for Thursday night when the Sceptres whomped the Victoire...

"It's a great year for women's hockey in Montréal" - Montréal Gazette

Spooner’s 2-goal night guides Sceptres over Victoire
TORONTO (AP) — Natalie Spooner scored her first two goals of the season and the Toronto Sceptres beat the PWHL-leading Montreal Victoire 4-1 on Thursday night.The league MVP a year ago, Spooner has played six games since returning from a knee injury sustained in the playoffs. She scored both goals on power plays.Allie Munroe and Maggie Connors also scored and Kristen Campbell made 25 saves to help Toronto beat Montreal for the first time in five games this season.Marie-Philip Poulin scored for Montreal.TakeawaysVictoire: Montreal remains six points ahead of second-place Toronto in the PWHL standings with one game in hand.Sceptres: Toronto is 1-0-2-2 against Montreal this campaign after going undefeated in five games against the Victoire last season.Key momentNine seconds after Montreal’s Mikyla Grant-Mentis was sent to the penalty box for boarding, Julia Gosling sent a cross-ice pass in front to Spooner who missed at first but tapped in an airborne puck 5:48 into the first period for the opening goal.Key statToronto was 2 for 4 on the power play.Up nextThe Victoire are at Boston on Saturday. The Sceptres host Minnesota on Sunday.___AP women’s hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey
theScoreThe Associated Press

On local to me news, can't say I haven't thought of writing traitor across the sign.

Great One no more? Some residents call for removal of Gretzky’s name from winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Amid threats by Donald Trump to annex Canada and impose tariffs on exports, hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky has come under fire for his association with the U.S. president.
NiagaraThisWeek.comKevin Werner

Finally, if you're in the Brantford area, you have the chance to see some fun baseball for free this summer:

Play ball: Brantford Red Sox home games free to attend in ‘Reverse Tariffs Season’
New Brantford Red Sox owner Terry Smith announced that this will be a ‘Reverse Tariffs Season’ - free admission to Brantford’s home games.
Brantford ExpositorBrian Smiley

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches