Good morning!

The NHL is toiling away, trying to figure out how to return and bring back hockey and in doing so they’ve invited players to join their committee on making this happen. There’s a common theme between the players, and it’s an important one: Toronto.

According to Pierre LeBrun at The Athletic Maple Leafs captain John Tavares, and former Maple Leafs Ron Hainsey and Jams van Riemsdyk join GTA born Connor McDavid and GTA adjacent Mark Schiefle on the NHL’s ‘Back to Work’ committee.

There is one pressing topic on these players minds: Keeping the Boston Bruins out of this new season. There is precedent to resume play without a big city involved, after all, that’s how the NHL was formed:

The NHL did it first: How The Simpsons stole the story of the NHL for one of their greatest episodes

The rest can be figured out later, but dammit, we don’t need the Bruins.

Speaking of everyone’s favourite mouth guard chewing wingers, he’s still raking in that endorsement money from home:

Jason Spezza wants to come back to Toronto next season, which, yeah, we all knew that.

Spezza, Leafs have not talked contract, but three young reasons fuel his desire to return

Tyson Barrie spoke with Ron MacLean yesterday:

The Associated Press says the AHL is looking to close up shop and tens of people will be saddened by this news.

AP source: Remainder of AHL season ‘likely’ to be cancelled

The Chicago Blackhawks have made a big move, firing their long time CEO and President, John McDonaugh.

Blackhawks fire President, CEO John McDonough in shocking shakeup

The Calgary Flames sign the “Norwegian Gretzky”

Flames fast-tracking ‘Norwegian Gretzky’ Emilio Pettersen

Joel Ward retired yesterday, a success story for Canadian University hockey, Ward played four seasons in the OHL with the Owen Sound Attack and decided to go play for the University of Prince Edward Island after no solid pro deals appeared. Four years at UPEI and he got an offer. After 700+ games and over 300 points in the NHL, he’s probably the biggest NHL player to come out of the USports program.

Longtime forward Ward retires after 11 seasons

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches