From The Branches

How Much Time Does Ron Wilson Get? - Mike Langlois at Vintage Leaf Memories We’ve discussed Wilson’s strengths and his lesser capabilities in this space over the past couple of years. He has a long track record as a successful NHL coach, blemished only, really, by his last three

We've heard everything from Mark Staal money ($3.9M/season) to Chemmy's estimate, based on comparable (though perhaps underpaid) players of $2.26M. This feels like a reasonable comparison except for the fact that the cap has gone up. In 2008-2009 the salary cap was

Leafs Prospect Pipeline Appears Headed in Right Direction - James Mirtle at the Globe and Mail Toronto hasn't made the playoffs since 2004, but in recent years, you wouldn't know it looking at their minor league club. The Marlies team that had 109 points in the standings

Last season I was thrilled that the Leafs were holding their prospect camp in London, Ontario, because it offered me the chance to go check out Leafs youngsters on the cheap. Heck, at just under $20 a game, I even went to a Penguins - Senators prospects game. Danny Gray and

Is Luke Schenn Worth More to the Leafs....Or Someone Else? - Mike Langlois at Vintage Leaf Memories As rumours circulate (they always do, what would the hockey world be without rumours…?) that some NHL teams would love to get their hands on a young defenseman like Schenn (who wouldn'

Day one of the 2011 NHL Rookie Tournament was a good one for the Toronto Maple Leafs, as the young Buds came from behind to defeat Chicago 4-2. Mark Owuya looked sharp in his first action on the North American ice surface and two Leaf defensive prospects showed why

The Toronto Maple Leafs hit the ice tonight. Sort of. Oshawa, Ontario is the site of the 2011 Toronto Maple Leafs Rookie Tournament, which will showcase young talent from three NHL clubs (and Ottawa). A few names to focus on include Matt Frattin, Jake Gardiner, and Jesse Blacker. As Jonas

The Inevitable Predictions Post - Jon S. at Puckin' Eh 1. Who will be the most improved Leaf over last season? I’m going to be captain obvious with the first question and go with Nazem Kadri since he was already improving last season. After getting a taste of the

Sure, Michael Langlois can accept the practical reasons for which the Leafs' roster is more or less set before camp even begins, but he's not happy about it. For one thing, knowing exactly who makes the team beforehand is less fun than being surprised, but for another,

Leafs' Optimism Mingle With Sense of Urgency - James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail A lot of what was said on Tuesday at the Leafs’ annual charity golf tournament sounded an awful lot like many of Burke’s speeches the past 2 1/2 years in the job. What

Well, it certainly won't be a bunch of idiots wearing vacuum cleaner backpacks. I'm referring to a group of people that sucked in a slightly less literal way. What I'm asking is, given the option of calling any making a drunken phone call to

Courtesy of Hockey Inside/Out, here is video of the Toronto Maple Leafs facing off against the Montreal Canadiens in 1932 narrated by Foster Hewitt. It's a neat bit of video with quite a few startling differences including the absence of a red line, face-offs being done

Oh Captain My Captain Puckin' Eh has a new video to show you. Don't worry, it's not like that 700 posts and counting VLM hits a milestone NHL labor deal needs tweaking CBA update from the Vancouver Province Tales from the Future Puck Daddy has

Mikhail Grabovski believes in this team. "I think we went through 32 players in the time I have been playing for Toronto. I think the only people who are left from all those years are me, Kulemin and Schenn. But I think we have been progressing with every year.

A Statement from Wade Belak's Wife, Jennifer "We are overwhelmed and deeply touched by the outpouring of compassion and support since Wade's passing. Wade was a big man with an even bigger heart. He was a deeply devoted father and husband, a loyal friend and

It seems that everyone has something nice to say about Wade Belak, and I'm sure it's no coincidence. Everyone from mainstream media members, to bloggers, to casual fans who met Belak tell similar stories. From Jon S., over at Puckin' Eh: It was these circumstances

Nazem Kadri's Rookie Season Comparables - Chemmy at Leaf Nation Nazem Kadri's rookie season didn't earn him a Calder nomination. His rookie season didn't see him make the Toronto Maple Leafs out of camp or win a spot in the Leafs' meagre

Sure, it's a stretch, but referring to the part in Orange County where the dean of admissions trips out on E (at least, I think that's what they wind up giving him) actually does relate to today's featured article. You see, as it turns

Brian Burke has spent his time focused on rebuilding, restocking, and retooling the Leafs' prospect system and on making better use of the clubs' financial muscle among other things. The Franson trade is a good example of the latter and the hiring of Francois Allaire has been a

I'm hoping this is the quiet before the storm in terms of Leafs news.  Feel free to post any good Leafs or NHL links, or check out our FanPosts section for user submitted work. Leafs hope signings, young talent equals playoffs And lots and lots of luck Gilmour,

We're only 14 days away from the first Rookie Tournament game.  I'M SO EXCITED. Saturday links below... Remembering the 1991-1992 Maple Leafs First of two from MLHS Training Camp Battles: Part 4 - Top 6 Forwards Pretty self explanatory What can we expect in 2011-2012?

Not a lot of hoopla today. Just some links to bide the time until the weekend comes. Schenn vs. Komisarek Defensively Hockey Analysis brings us a case where stats without context can paint the wrong picture. NHL re-draft: Building 30 teams From Scratch Writers at NHL.com draft 30

Just jump for your links. Van Halen references or related comments are punishable by death. VLM ponders a new potential rivalry I can't say that I have any particular memories of the Leafs playing the Jets. Do you? Glendale Officials Optimistic About Coyotes Sale "Listen lad, I

Grabovski: Where Does He Fit In? First Line, Second Line? Career Heading Up, or Down? - Mike Langlois at Vintage Leaf Memories So, I wonder now, who is Mikhail Grabovski? Is he the guy I saw in Montreal, Hamilton (AHL) and his first two seasons in Toronto—a nice little player

Well, Michael Cuttell seems to think so. The Leafs are expecting to see some major improvements in their bottom six forwards over last year’s starting roster. Last year’s group failed to consistently provide any of the criteria intrinsic to bottom-six role players. Improvements to this group, as