From The Branches

Sorry for the lame Rob Ford joke.  Waka Waka.  Your Saturday links are below: Jets unveil new logo G&M has the story Nabokov set to return Mirtle updates on the Islander's goalie Expectations Puckin' Eh on Kadri and other Leafs prospects What to expect: Dion

In Defense of Intangibles: Phil Kessel and the OK Plateau - Danny Gray at Leafs Nation The studies suggest that those who engage in deliberate practice and encourage constant feedback are most likely to see improvement. Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin have both demonstrated a dedication to working on all aspects

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"

Why Leaf Patience With Young D-men is so Crucial: Remembering Al Iafrate - Mike at VLM Big Al (6 foot 3 as I recall, maybe 230 pounds) joined the Leafs as a high draft choice and was parachuted into the line-up when he was only 18—which, given his

Probably the best piece of Leafs-related web content available this morning comes to us via TSN Radio, as James Cybulski & Co. interview Nazem Kadri. The conversation drifts from golf to off-season training regimes, to his thoughts on playing wing instead of center. For me, the highlight of

Not much at all happened over the weekend, and as such today's links are few. Regardless, here they are for your enjoyment, presented to you as Fair and Balanced as we can. TML Prospects Profile Series: Jake Gardiner I can't hear enough about his ultra-smooth

Morning folks. Having some issues with grabbing all of your fine links this AM, so feel free to throw them in the comments below. We should be back to normal tomorrow.

We're doing a bit of line juggling here at PPP, as today's scheduled FTBer is busy with a move today. If you've got more Leafs-related links, please toss them in the comments for dissection, inspection, and debate. Today's featured article is

With the signing of Darryl Boyce yesterday, the Leafs find themselves with an awful lot of bottom 3 talent going into training camp. There's the aforementioned Boyce, Colton Orr, Mike Brown, Mike Zigomanis, Philippe Dupuis, and Jay Rosehill. None of these players have a ceiling higher than the

"Why?" Because I said so. Here's where you're going to start: it's an article by Cam Charron at The Leafs Nation. The issue with Zigomanis last season was his save percentage on-ice on the penalty kill was .800, so he was

Ziggy Stardust is back baby! Leafs re-sign Mike Zigomanis to a 1 year deal. - The Hockey News Head on over the jump for more links on this glorious day. Tempered Expectations for Reimer Alex Tran at MLHS wants us to understand the workings of Reimer. High Quality Scoring Chances:

I haven't checked, but I think it's safe to say that the Leafs have the highest-profile, if not the largest front office (leaving aside the effect of Toronto's media to inflate their visibility). I'd wager they're the highest-paid

So Stamkos might be on the market (maybe) and Schenn has yet to be re-signed. Other than that, not much going on in the hockey world as we find ourselves in the equivalent of the horse latitudes of the hockey year. Seen any good movies lately? If so, head

Here are your Sunday links: Summertime memories: Remembering Armstrong's Cup clincher in '67 VLM with a trip down memory lane Bozie, Ziggy, and Lashes re-up Leafs HQ has a quick bit on each of the three players The identity of the Jets and their legacy Arctic

And thus begins the long summer lull between free agency and the opening of rookie camp in mid-September.  One cool tidbit gleaned from the Copper & Blue's 2009 Draft story on forward equivalencies: Finally, Nazem Kadri had the best AHL season of anyone from this draft class,

It's a Lazy Friday. Here be your links. Leafs Ink Lashoff For One Year Surprisingly it's not to a record deal. Burkes Says Leafs Set for 2011-12 So are we re-signing Schenn or what? Just How Strong is the Maple Leafs' Forward Corp

Well basically, he's a better Tim Brent. Now, some people have already argued the contrary based on faceoff %s (Dupuis - 46.2%, Brent - 52%) among other things. Now I could delve into Corsi ratings, QCOMPs, and more advanced stats, but looking over their numbers I found a few

It worked for Clarke MacArthur yesterday so why not for Luke Schenn today. Schenn is the last Leafs RFA (not named Matt Lashoff) in need of a new contract, and with Burke's track record since joining the Leafs when it comes to RFAs we have all the reason

We're closing in on the deadline for RFA's to apply for arbitration, but there's always a few days' between the filing date, and when the hearing actually takes place. Brian Burke doesn't seem too worried about it, anyway: "We are

Your links after the jump. Burke Restoring Pride in Toronto ITB&WB really really likes what Burke has been doing lately. Maple Leafs + Tim Connolly = Stopgap PPP over at Leafs Nation speaks the truth about Connolly. Brian Burke is a Wizard LeafsHQ likes the trade. Doug Gilmour's

Share links to whatever you're reading. Here are some to get you started! Vintage Leafs: King Clancy: All Time Great Lots of great updates including this card of one of Toronto's early heroes. Brad Richards' 'Decision' is New York - Blueshirt Banter Big money

At some point later today, we should know how much money Brad Richards will be making as a New York Ranger. Good on the Leafs for staying out of their "draft" this summer. Saturday links: Leafs lose Giguere and Brent The G&M updates on free agency

T-minus 3 hours until free agency opens.  Throw links in if you have them.  Oh, and pray for no more defensemen or overpaid 3rd liners.

Like other days this week, there are lots of small moves being made to prepare for the big show on Friday. In this morning's FTB we've got news on Jagr, Erhoff, Varlamov, Dupuis, and Ian White, among several others. Naturally, we're more interested in

Yesterday's big news was that three players with Maple Leafs' connections were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Ed Belfour, Joe Nieuwendyk, and especially Doug Gilmour had short but impactful stopovers in Toronto. They all may have won their Stanley Cups elsewhere but they all played big