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# Wednesday's FTB: The NHL will totally heat up
- URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/wednesdays-ftb-the-nhl-will-totally-heat-up/
- Published: 2025-08-06T10:00:45.000Z
- Updated: 2025-08-06T10:00:45.000Z
- Description: Sometime. Eventually.
- Author: Cathy Squires
- Tags: From The Branches

On August 4, Matthew Schaefer signed his ELC with the Islanders. Lou is gone, and you can tell because Schaefer got $3.5 million in performance bonuses. He's likely to earn some of them, too.

Yesterday the Canucks signed Vitali Kravtsov to a minimum salary deal for one year. 

The Leafs were busy, signing William Villeneuve to a two-way, one-year deal with no money disclosed so far. 

[Maple Leafs Sign Defenceman William Villeneuve | Toronto Maple LeafsThe Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has signed defenceman William Villeneuve to a one-year, two-way contract extension. Villeneuve, 23, recorded 40 points (four goals, 36 assists) in 55 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) during the 2024-25 season, while also collecting two assists in two games![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/icon/favicon-apple-touch-icon-103.png)Toronto Maple Leafs logo![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/thumbnail/swutubp6dnsblnk8pxe3.jpg)](https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leafs-sign-defenceman-william-villeneuve?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

[NFL bans smelling salts, says product can mask concussion symptomsThe NFL is banning the use of “smelling salts” during games, saying the products aren’t proven to be safe and also could mask signs of a concussion.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)Sportsnet.caAssociated Press![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/thumbnail/crosby.maxx1280.jpg)](https://www.sportsnet.ca/nfl/article/nfl-bans-smelling-salts-says-product-can-mask-concussion-symptoms/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

A ranking to argue about!

[NHL Summer Talent Tiers: Goaltending | TSNWith the NHL’s off-season roster building largely behind us, Travis Yost looks at how all 32 teams stack up in the crease.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-276.png)TSNTravis Yost![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/thumbnail/dustin-wolf-1-2194007-1729659759614.jpeg)](https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/nhl-summer-talent-tiers-goaltending-1.2342916?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

[Fantasy hockey breakout candidates for 2025-26 | NHL.comStankoven can take next step; picks unveiled in 32 in 32 series![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/icon/favicon-apple-touch-icon-104.png)NHL logoFantasy Hockey Staff![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/34/01/3401a938-f468-4c02-a227-9bc4cc09bad4/content/images/thumbnail/wqewcstpdulg3nkslatc.jpg)](https://www.nhl.com/news/fantasy-hockey-breakout-candidates-for-nhl-2025-26-season?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)

> *Throughout the month of August, NHL.com will identify a fantasy hockey breakout candidate for the 2025-26 season each day as part of its 32 in 32 series.* 

> **NOTES:** Breakout candidates, usually (but not limited to) players who are 25 years old or younger, have already had some success in the NHL, can take another step forward and exceed their fantasy average draft positions (ADP) this season.

You'll have a long wait for the Leafs' pick.

Also, a reminder that for a few hours yesterday the T25 Community vote forced you to rank every name. If you errored out trying to vote at that time, please try again, as it's fixed now.

That's it for today, you'll have to find something to rank on your own.