As per James Mirtle, Colby Armstrong is expected to return from his latest bout of bonitis to play Friday against the Washington Capitals.

"All you have to do is look at our record with Colby in the lineup," Wilson is fond of saying, going back to last season, in reference to Toronto’s 29-19-7 mark with Armstrong healthy.

I'm not sure I agree with Ron Wilson's rationale on this one, but then, I probably wouldn't have signed Armstrong for $3 million per season to begin with, either. I will confess, however, that if there ever was a player that - as far as I have been able to ascertain from my television and computer screens - had what we have come to lovingly refer to as "intangibles", this is the man.

He's got plenty of "jam" on the ice, a clever quip ready every time he steps in front of a camera, a big, goofy smile on his face, and, as far as we know, is one of the most popular men in the dressing room. OK, so we'll never really understand the social dynamics of any NHL team, but I don't think it's a big stretch to say that most Leafs will be glad to have him back. So am I.

Links after the jump.

My First Night at a Leafs Game in Toronto: Some Thoughts
Justin Bourne with a few good notes. Glad to see he's learning.

Dirty Dangle: Hockey Holiday Shopping Ideas
Read. This. Post.

Cycling the Puck
This is a really wonderful article (with nifty diagrams) from dawgbone98 at The Copper & Blue. I highly recommend reading this one.

Researcher Creates Online Library About Concussions
Paul S. Echlin, an Ontario doctor, has started up a databank library fully accessible to both the public and to research and medical professionals. From Jeff Z. Klein at Slap Shot, the NY Times hockey blog.

Sidney Crosby to miss next two games
Thaaaat sucks. News and reaction from PensBurgh.

I've been really swamped with teaching lately, so you'll have to throw in extra links in the comments when you come across other good ones. Happy chatting, y'all.

From The Branches