Tomorrow the Leafs are in Utah, but for Canadian fans, today is a holiday. It's Proper Thanksgiving which has never become a meme about the standings. In past years, this day has often been the day final rosters are due, in the NHL tradition of having big events on our holidays. No longer, and I'm thankful for the new shorter preseason, which does not so far seem to have any effect on the season at all.

This is a very long article which tells us that no one knows exactly what happened with Chris Tanev or how badly he is hurt:

‘Tough’ loss of Tanev tempers Maple Leafs’ wild comeback vs. Avalanche
Make no mistake: The Maple Leafs stole this game from the Avalanche. Undercutting the emotional win, however, is the loss of Chris Tanev.
Sportsnet.caLuke Fox

We might get something today in an expected practice in Utah.

This was an interesting situation that demonstrates how toothless the AHL no-paper-loans rule is. The rule, designed to prevent teams from flipping players down and then up to save salary or for cap or roster reasons, requires the player to appear in one AHL game before recall.

The Rangers sent this player down, I believe for cap management as they were putting Shesterkin on LTIR, he played a few seconds and then was returned to the Rangers after the game. I get why they did it, they didn't want him playing back-to-back-to-back. He was in the Rangers lineup last night.

I post this only for the evidence that Blanky is his nickname.

‘Blanky’s the man!’: Blankenburg earns Maple Leafs’ respect the hard way
Nick Blankenburg waited five games for his opportunity with the Maple Leafs, then made an immediate impact with a goal 38 seconds into his first shift against his former team in Colorado. The undersized, undrafted defenceman has spent his career proving doubters wrong, and his relentless work ethic and versatility have helped him earn a place in Toronto’s plans.
Sportsnet.caLuke Fox

However it breaks my rule on avoiding all articles that use the term "undersized". Diminutive is actually worse and anyone who (mis)uses this term for a man of above average size should be sent to dictionary camp. But undersized refers to those pizzas restaurants claim are 14" or the jeans you bought and can't get done up. And probably other things other than hockey players.

This was a win for the Marlies, and the tone setting was a fight at three seconds in by a guy who likely is thinking about how there could be a defender recalled any day now.

Ben Danford played on Friday, but not Sunday. The Marlies have a week off now before their next game on Saturday.

And that's your holiday FTB. Have a good one.

From The Branches