Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

The NHL is always trying to keep interest in the all Star game.

It began as the NHL All Stars vs the Stanley Cup Champions. Then West vs East was fine for a while, then we had North America vs the World.

All your usual five on five hockey games. When interest lagged, they mixed it up and had a draft. When players feelings got hurt, we went three on three among the divisions.

Then they added more goofy games that looked good on tv and showed off the host city.

Now, the NHL is building off the success if it's World Showcase tournament from last year, and bringing back that international flavour with a five team three on three tournament for the All Star format next season on Long Island.

NHL welcomes Russians — not Russia — into new international all-star game
While the NHL did not unveil Russia as one of its five teams set to compete in a brand-new twist on its 3-on-3 showcase at the 2027 All-Star Game, Russian athletes have been given the green light to join the league’s “Rest of the World” squad.
Sportsnet.caLuke Fox

Canada, USA, Sweden, Finland, and Other, will take to the ice after the new Skills Competition that is now restricted to the 25 and under crowd.

While we all know that this is a reward for marketing partners and local fans, a new spin on the format could boost ratings, or at least give us something new to complain about.

The Vegas Golden Knights took game one of the Stanley Cup Final 5-4 last night.

Despite a quick start from the Hurricanes, they couldn't hang on and dropped a close one.

Manny Malhotra has been named the new head coach of the Vancouver Canucks.

Canucks: How Manny Malhotra may be a boon to analytics staff
Manny Malhotra has seen what an empowered staff team can do, and he’s led the way himself.
The ProvincePatrick Johnston

The former Maple Leafs assistant coach is a former Canuck and played with his new bosses, the Sedins during his time there.

The Marlies dropped game three of the AHL ECF but have the chance to take game four tonight at 7pm at the CCC.

John Gruden on the officiating in the Marlies’ Game 3 loss to WBS: “They’re trying to protect the goalies, and they should... They said they would start taking one, but it just seems like it’s one of our guys, not one of theirs”
Toronto Marlies head coach John Gruden discusses his team’s 5-3 loss to the WBS Penguins in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final. The Marlies now lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 set for Wednesday in Toronto. On the deciding factors in the result: I thought we did a lot of good things. We […]
Maple Leafs HotstoveMLHS Staff

The PWHL teams are preparing for free agency and the expansion draft. One thing lots of fans were sure about was Sarah Burse being brought to Hamilton as a hometown expansion player, but she just re-signed with the Vancouver Goldeneyes.

Goldeneyes re-sign Sarah Nurse on two-year deal
Sarah Nurse is running it back on the West Coast.
Sportsnet.caSportsnet Staff

Finally, the Montreal Victoire contributed their championship tour with a stop at the Prime Ministers office.

Montreal Victoire players visit Mark Carney, present him with jersey
Carney calls the Walter Cup champions “an inspiration.”
Montreal GazetteMontreal Gazette

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches