Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

Yesterday our long national nightmare ended when Nick Robertson signed a one year contract with the Maple Leafs, ending the RFA standoff the world was watching.

A one year, just over league minimum deal that screams "No, an offersheet was not coming. You called my bluff."

But, it's better to sign and play and not have any bones explode, make yourself look better, and hope for a deadline deal.

The long talked about Jani Hakanpää and Max Pacioretty deals may be coming in soon, so we'll have to figure out some other kind of thing to talk about. Well, we'll probably complain about those deals for a while so no need to find anything new.

Did you see that the prospect showcase roster was released? It was!

Maple Leafs release their Prospect Showdown roster
Minten and Cowan headline their prospect tournament squad against the Montreal Canadiens this coming weekend.
PPP LeafsBrian S

Who better to teach you about tennis than a basketball player?

Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews sharpening his tennis game with Steve Nash
Auston Matthews and former NBAer Steve Nash — best known for the heights they’ve reached in their respective team sports — have been rallying together, going head-to-head on the court.
Sportsnet| September 10, 2024, 4:28 PM

He's got a point. If HE could get a PTO....

Ohhh, pictures.

Former Maple Leaf Jordie Benn announced his retirement. We'll always have those twelve games to remember him by.

Victoria’s Jordie Benn officially retires from the NHL
Victoria-born defenceman Jordie Benn has officially announced his retirement from the National Hockey League (NHL).
Victoria BuzzVictoria Buzz Staff

Speaking of former Leafs defenders, Travis Dermott is heading to Edmonton.

Oilers sign defenceman Travis Dermott to PTO
The Edmonton Oilers will have another body in their defensive ranks when training camp opens. Defenceman Travis Dermott has signed a professional tryout contract with the team, Sportsnet can confirm.
Sportsnet| September 10, 2024, 8:18 PM

Twitter tax experts are very upset.

Daly doesn’t envision change to NHL system that benefits sunbelt teams | TSN
Bill Daly says the conversations have taken place. The NHL’s deputy commissioner, however, doesn’t see a realistic path forward to fix the perceived issue any time soon.
TSNThe Canadian Press

Finally, there's a new Hockey Hall of Fame head. Will voting change? We'll see.

Gartner to take over as Hockey HOF chairman
Mike Gartner is set to succeed Lanny McDonald as the Hockey Hall of Fame’s chairman of the board.
ESPNGreg Wyshynski

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches