Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

So an RFA signed an extension with his team yesterday, but it wasn't the one we wanted. Former Niagara IceDog, Memorial Cup champion with the Windsor Spitfires, Stanley Cup champion with the St .Louis Blues, and current Seattle Kraken defender Vince Dunn has signed a four year contract extension worth $7.35M per year.

Seattle re-signs Vince Dunn for 4 more years!
The Kraken have their number one blueline point-getter back for four years and for a pretty penny! Welcome back Dunner!
Sky on AirDavy Jones' Locker room

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It's good news for Seattle fans, but we're left waiting to hear from the arbitration hearing between the Leafs and starting goalie Ilya Samsonov.

Martin Biron believes Toronto Maple Leafs Ilya Samsonov has strong argument to make in arbitration | TSN
Based on Samsonov’s numbers and success he had last season with the Maple Leafs, Martin Biron believes the amount Samsonov will be awarded will be closer to the number the player filed.
TSN.ca StaffTSN

One plus to this situation is it opens a buyout window for the Leafs, if they wish to use it on anyone...Matt Murray maybe? Though dead cap space isn't anything they would want to have.

Samsonov's arbitration hearing is due by Sunday afternoon, so it will be any second now. Leafs came in around $2.5M, Samsonov around $4M. SO, knowing arbitrators usually love to meet in the middle, it's probably going to be...$3.65M by my guess. One year only.

In case you missed it, here is the press conference with Sheldon Keefe about the new assistant coaches.

New Leaf Max Domi got to meet Post-Malone who seems to be a fan of his dad.

Leafs’ Max Domi meets Post Malone after rapper performed in his dad’s jersey | Offside
Post Malone’s concert at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage on Thursday night was something to behold — especially for Leafs fans.
Al SciolaDaily Hive

How will the Leafs look under these new coaches, with new plans, new special teams, and new players?

Maple Leafs power play could look different as sands shift around ‘Core Four’
The Toronto Maple Leafs had one of the best power plays in the NHL last year, but their explosive special teams unit could be in for some changes.
Nick AshbourneYahoo Sports

Here's a heart warming story for you this weekend.

How Former Marlies Forward Marc Johnstone Overcame Getting Cut in The ECHL to Earning an NHL Contract

Let's get a bit ahead of ourselves, shall we?

An early look at the NHL’s top 12 pending UFAs of 2024
Obviously, any number of these players will ink extensions with their existing clubs — or ones they’re traded to — between now and then. Still, there figures to be a slew of talented players at every position ready to be wined and dined by executives who’ve had their salary cap handcuffs removed.
| July 21, 2023, 1:40 PMSportsnet

Thank you to the few brave souls who are here on a beautiful summer weekend. We salute you.

Now, a challenge. Talk amongst yourselves and try to figure out how deep this years Top 25 Under 25 will be.

Hint: Don't bother with a lifejacket.

Enjoy your weekend!

From The Branches