From The Branches

The Leafs are in for a tough week but you can get yours off on the right foot with these links...

The Toronto Maple Leafs sent Jake Gardiner down to the Marlies for conditioning and to avoid the press box against the NY Rangers.

Some morning links to shepherd us into the weekend

CLAP-CLAP CLAP-CLAP-CLAPJames vanRiemsdyk has a two-goal, three-point night, as the Leafs beat the Penguins. Unfortunately, the win came at a price, with Joffrey Lupul going down with an injury.

Yesterday afternoon Damien Cox, Nick Kypreos, and Bob McCown started and reported on a rumour that the Leafs were considering Wayne Gretzky as President of the team. Does the rumour have any legs?

The game didn't end the way the Leafs would have liked, but the effort was there.

The opening night ceremonies have been long, none moreso than the Habs' tribute to their fans' riotous nature, but how long will Toronto's last?

Two weeks ago, we were all writing off the season. This afternoon, NHL hockey is back, baby.

Tim Connolly, late of the Toronto Maple Leafs, has been exposed to waivers. Will he be picked up? There have been crazier moves made by teams...Thoughts on his future, Leo Komarov and more!

A trade! A trade! Oh. Well, that was OK.

Jay McClement is slated to be a big defensive piece this year but what do we know about how Randy Carlyle might use his forwards?

It is a refreshing change to get some actual Leafs news to discuss.

Give a listen to the podcasts linked below for some good discussions on the Leafs, and click the links for even more. Leafs Nation Podcast: We're Back! JP, Danny, birky, and I get together and discuss the Leafs, Brian Burke's firing, Luongo, and more. Hockee Night

The 2013 NHL schedule should be released today so that we can finally start planning our lives out

With the firing of Brian Burke came the removal of the signage for Burkie's Dog House. What will it be named now?

Did anything actually change with the firing of Brian Burke? With Dave Nonis stepping in to take over the reins, it is not clear that any big changes will be coming.

Help us figure out where everyone stands with their expectations for the Leafs this season by filling out this survey of prognostications. Here there be links Leafs Prospect Update Time to cut ties with Joe Colborne? I think so. Kadri, Frattin, and a Luongo Trade Because if it smells like

Really though, let's just take a deep breath.

There's going to be a lot of hockey talk today, so let's get right to the links. How the New CBA Affects the Leafs MLSE with long term and short team effects on the Leafs. What's in Store for the 2013 Toronto Maple Leafs?

The NHL & NHLPA continue to refuse to talk to each other after the league stole the PA's boyfriend or something like that.

"Just when we think we're out of this lockout....they pull us back in." Negotiations were going great. Good headway was made on pensions, contract lengths, even the length of CBA itself. Then the NHL decided to be assholes and change up HRR calculations after the

Talks between the NHL and the NHLPA started heating up last night, as both sides - we believe - drew closer to an agreement. There remains a "ways to go", but at least they're talking. As far as we know, the union has not filed a disclaimer of

Look! Links & stuff!

Ok so I know Festivus isn't actually until the 23rd, but that falls on a Sunday and we wouldn't be able to celebrate then as a community. And since we're all here celebrating Festivus together, it means the world didn't end. A

In today's edition of the FTB Joffrey Lupul realizes that other countries are different, David Booth thinks Christians are persecuted, Falcao scores an amazing goal, and more!