> ## 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. # Weekend FTB: It's Marlies time! - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/saturday-ftb-its-marlies-time/ - Published: 2024-10-13T10:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2024-10-13T12:02:06.000Z - Description: It's time for the baby Leafs to start their season, but could it be one of the last in Toronto? - Author: Adam Selvig - Tags: From The Branches See the Sunday morning updates below: Tonight the Marlies open their 20th season in Toronto against the San Diego Gulls (Anaheim Ducks). There's a good mix of veterans such as Kyle Clifford and Matt Murray on the team, as well as AHL stalwarts Nick Abruzzese and Joe Blandisi, and newcomers like Matthew Barbolini. Full opening night roster is here: [Marlies News![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/icon/6567ebf4350784c46f6ab55a_Marlies-Favicon-32-1.png)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/thumbnail/651f7bc84146dea778560a59_marlies-logo-white-1.svg)](https://www.marlies.ca/articles/toronto-marlies-announce-2024-25-opening-day-roster?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Dennis Hildeby was expected to be the Marlies starter, but he's still up with the Leafs. We will have Species back on the Marlies this year, so he'll have all the news for PPP from the CCC for us. One big piece of Marlies news is Alex Steeves return and his ability to become a leader in the record books: > Should Alex Steeves sign a new contract in Toronto and play in the minors, he will be close to or surpass some franchise records. > > 1) 14 points back of the All-Time Points lead. > 2) 25 goals back of the All-Time Goals lead. > 3) 31 assists back of the All-Time Assists lead. > > — Mark (@MarkUkLeaf) [July 25, 2024](https://twitter.com/MarkUkLeaf/status/1816567848975929608?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) He will absolutely do this, unless he's called up to the Leafs for a long, long, stretch. One other Marlies thought that has been bouncing around is their future. We know our friend Tim Lieweke's Oak View Group is renovating Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, and they are looking for a tenant. > NEWS: The Oak View Group is in discussions with the AHL about a new team in Hamilton "with an announcement expected early next year." > > OVG's $280 million renovation of FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, Ontario is expected to be completed in late 2025\. [@InsideAHLHockey](https://twitter.com/InsideAHLHockey?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Tony Androckitis\* (@TonyAndrock) [October 11, 2024](https://twitter.com/TonyAndrock/status/1844739127352172841?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) The AHL did well with the Bulldogs for a long time in Hamilton, and they'll never get an NHL team, so may as well settle for as high as they can. Will the AHL expand? Maybe. There are two thoughts though... The Belleville Senators are playing in a small, OHL sized rink and could use a nice shiny newly renovated home. Belleville wasn't thrilled about losing their OHL team and a town that size is better suited to junior hockey anyway. Downside to that is Michael Andlauer owns the Senators and he does not have a great relationship with the City of Hamilton after they kicked his OHL Bulldogs out of Copps to do these renovations. The Bulldogs are happily living and growing in Brantford, and I'm not sure Andlauer would want to go back. Now what if the tenant the former CEO of MLSE is talking about is the Marlies? Gasp! Now I'm not trying to be a rumour monger here, but Coca Cola Coliseum is going from only hosting the Marlies, horses, and boats, to hosting not only the PWHL Toronto Scepters but the WNBA Toronto team will call it home as well. (Shout-out to the WNB-YAY! Podcast) The WNBA and AHL seasons don't really overlap, the WNBA finals have just started - New York Liberty lead the Minnesota Lynx 1-0 - so it wouldn't be a big conflict. No Marlies would give MLSE more chances to book mid-level concerts in the CCC as well... Hamilton is big Leafs territory, so you'd have plenty of fans there to support the baby buds as well. The downside to these thoughts are that the Leafs absolutely love having their prospects in the same training facility as their NHL team. Everyone in one place was the reason for bringing the Marlies to town in the first place. It for sure wasn't about making money, though they're probably losing less than when they were in St. John's. So, who will play in Copps? We'll have to wait until 2025 to find out. Now, some other stuff. The new guy absolutely has The Passion. > Steven Lorentz dressed up as a Toronto Maple Leaf for Halloween. Can you say passion? [pic.twitter.com/h4jUq8oT3L](https://t.co/h4jUq8oT3L?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Jenaya (@tavkniesnythews) [October 11, 2024](https://twitter.com/tavkniesnythews/status/1844727615136903354?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > 15 years ago, this year… don’t give up on your dreams, kids [https://t.co/OTFl1gWHEC](https://t.co/OTFl1gWHEC?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [pic.twitter.com/7FYJR2cPqb](https://t.co/7FYJR2cPqb?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Steph Lorentz (@\_stephlorentz) [October 11, 2024](https://twitter.com/%5Fstephlorentz/status/1844577082329690373?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Justin, it's been two games. [Early Maple Leafs Observations: Whose stock is rising, falling? – Sportsnet.ca![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/icon/faviconV2-2)Sportsnet.caRory Boylen![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/thumbnail/BobbyMcMann.jpg)](https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/early-maple-leafs-observations-whose-stock-is-rising-falling/sn-amp/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Early season trade? [Flyers Have Fascinating Trade Target From Maple LeafsThe Philadelphia Flyers should consider making a push for this Toronto Maple Leafs defender.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/icon/favicon_y24_48x48-1.svg)Yahoo SportsMichael DeRosa![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/thumbnail/a7b0a5a786a68cb4dfa421c96401b195)](https://sports.yahoo.com/flyers-fascinating-trade-target-maple-111932986.html?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Jack Eichel is putting on a show in Vegas. > Jack Eichel dangled everyone 😮‍💨 [pic.twitter.com/8VHtom7ps5](https://t.co/8VHtom7ps5?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — B/R Open Ice (@BR\_OpenIce) [October 12, 2024](https://twitter.com/BR%5FOpenIce/status/1844928451054014935?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) And Brigs has some prospect highlights for us. > [#LeafsForever](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LeafsForever?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) prospect Sam McCue (#12 in red) with three primary assists and seven shots on net in a big night for Owen Sound. He has six points in four games to start the OHL season. [pic.twitter.com/hkXlnRQqoT](https://t.co/hkXlnRQqoT?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — More like Nikita GREATbyonkin (@brigstew86) [October 12, 2024](https://twitter.com/brigstew86/status/1844927485948912007?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > [#LeafsForever](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LeafsForever?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) prospect Easton Cowan with two primary assists to help the comeback win. He has three points in his first two OHL games so far. [pic.twitter.com/V8xxMhvFK5](https://t.co/V8xxMhvFK5?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — More like Nikita GREATbyonkin (@brigstew86) [October 12, 2024](https://twitter.com/brigstew86/status/1844943542713471006?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) That's a lot for a Saturday morning. Ah heck, here's one more Steve Lorentz for you. [Toronto Maple Leafs home opener the fulfilment of a lifelong dream for Steven LorentzThe winger from Kitchener, Ont. grew up wearing Leafs pajamas and cheering on the Buds![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-11.png)The Globe and MailPaul Attfield![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/thumbnail/E3BBGDU7YZCIJBKFJZFJMIZZAU.jpg)](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/article-toronto-maple-leafs-home-opener-the-fulfilment-of-a-lifelong-dream-for/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Enjoy your day everyone! > Nikita Kucherov scored the League's third hat trick of the nascent season as he led the [@TBLightning](https://twitter.com/TBLightning?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) to victory as Friday's four-game slate comes to a close. [#NHLFaceOff](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLFaceOff?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)[#NHLStats](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLStats?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com): [https://t.co/Xd8cHeSCrY](https://t.co/Xd8cHeSCrY?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [pic.twitter.com/vLvMUYL2za](https://t.co/vLvMUYL2za?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — NHL Public Relations (@PR\_NHL) [October 12, 2024](https://twitter.com/PR%5FNHL/status/1844968033128689694?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Sunday: > That's a wrap on an exciting 13-game Saturday, which included the [@AnaheimDucks](https://twitter.com/AnaheimDucks?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) earning their first-ever shutout in a season-opening game. [#NHLFaceOff](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLFaceOff?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)[#NHLStats](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLStats?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com): [https://t.co/3AP74NkaGo](https://t.co/3AP74NkaGo?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [pic.twitter.com/kNLbYaz2dA](https://t.co/kNLbYaz2dA?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — NHL Public Relations (@PR\_NHL) [October 13, 2024](https://twitter.com/PR%5FNHL/status/1845333010490564671?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Gonna leave this here [pic.twitter.com/wqtYyC8mSu](https://t.co/wqtYyC8mSu?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) [October 13, 2024](https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1845287695494393965?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > While Craig Berube has been pleased with the overall mindset shift among his new crew, the coach sees gaps still in need of mending with the Maple Leafs. Tops among them: the power play, which has yet to score on nine opportunities. ([@SachdevaSonny](https://twitter.com/SachdevaSonny?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)) [https://t.co/THoVN2XHrg](https://t.co/THoVN2XHrg?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) [October 13, 2024](https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1845339368426504534?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/2024/10/GZvcpnLXoAkgSSA-1-.jpg)