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In case you missed it yesterday:

Jacob Quillan has been recalled to the Leafs. More on this in the preview of tonight's game vs the Blues later today.

In other news:

This is an interesting overview of how things stand:

Is this Maple Leafs season beyond saving?
After 19 games the Toronto Maple Leafs are 15th in the Eastern Conference, and this was supposed to be an “easy” part of their schedule. As trades and other rumours begin to fly, Justin Bourne explores the question: is this season even worth trying to save?
Sportsnet.caJustin Bourne

Bourne is even more pessimistic than I am on the ability to make a hockey trade that will make the team better. But he's also willing to delve into the firing the coach idea, which is everyone's simple answer right now:

There are a few problems here: One, I believe a coaching change would cost the Leafs millions of dollars ($10 million-plus, perhaps?) before you even have to pay a new guy. Even for MLSE, that’s not nothing. Two, it would also be an admission of failure from GM Brad Treliving, which I don’t think he’s eager to make in front of the new boss. And, three, would there be guaranteed returns? Do we know Berube is the problem here? 

This is a business decision as much as anything else, and while I know many people have devised stories to explain how poor player performance is all due to just this one person and just his system, I don't buy it. The coach is ultimately responsible for his own decisions, but so is everyone else. It takes a village to be this bad.

I think Bourne lands on the right answer as to what is about to happen (spoiler, not a big dramatic thing):

Making a hockey trade is a smaller move that would be meant to show everyone that management is not content with how it’s been going. As long as it didn’t involve futures, it could be palatable if Treliving can find one that makes sense.

It's not doing nothing, Bourne's other option for the Leafs along with the coach firing that would be popular, at least in the short term. And it's not doing anything really drastic like trading Easton Cowan. It's also the traditional NHL way when a team hits the skids. I think Treliving will try to do it. Will he be able to? We'll find out.

But it's really just cover for waiting. The smart play here is to wait and do nothing, even if the fans are upset. The Leafs don't have any reason to fear the fans will leave. The tickets are sold, the TV packages bought. And the team is showing signs that they're coming out of this period of malaise.

You don't sell low when you have good reason to believe the stock is going to rise. So expect the least exciting option to be what happens.

Pace the focus in practice as Leafs’ winless streak hits five games
The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost five consecutive games - their longest winless streak in almost five years - and as TSN’s Mark Masters writes, the team is focusing on pace in practice as they get set to play the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.
TSNMark Masters

Scott Laughton was a big push for inclusive Pride events in Philadelphia that went way beyond tape, and he's brought that sensibility to the Leafs:

More details on tonight's Pride game are here:

Leafs Culture

And I guess you know your garbage play is epic garbage play when Forbes runs it down in the Sportsmoney section:

The NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs Are Struggling To Find Ways To Win

There was a recent report outlining Rogers plan to buy out the remaining partner in MLSE and eventually take their sports ownership business public, which is likely why Forbes is noticing they can't get out of their own zone.

The PWHL is playing preseason games right now – no broadcasts – and the real thing starts up later this week.

PWHL Eliminates Coach’s Challenges, Adds Third Goalie
The PWHL has made some changes to its rulebook for the upcoming season, including adding a goaltender and eliminating coach’s challenges.
Scouting The Refsscoutingtherefs

The PWHL is more able to require teams to carry three goalies because their salary cap is a one-day event. They have shown a willingness to change their rules and procedures without fuss or drama – at least not in public – something the older, more tradition-bound NHL struggles with.

That's all for now, see you later for the Pride Game Preview!

From The Branches