Tonight is Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Panthers have a chance to end the series now. If they don't, Game 7 is on Monday, four days before the NHL Draft.

Have we ever had a normal season go past the summer solstice? These people have been playing hockey for nine months.

Why Panthers are making three key lineup tweaks for Game 6
Paul Maurice, ever a preacher of the positive when he takes to the Stanley Cup Final podium, would never frame his lineup changes as punishments. But a couple of his Florida Panthers will pay for their mistakes in Game 5’s 5-3 loss by taking a reduced role in Game 6.
Sportsnet| June 20, 2024, 3:20 PM

PWHL Toronto has re-signed their second pair anchor Allie Munroe for two more years. The exclusive re-signing window closed at midnight and free agency will kick things off at 8am.

Love this kind of summer content.

Toronto backup goalie Erica Howe is retiring from the PWHL. She won the NCAA championship with Clarkson in 2014, CWHL championship with Markham in 2018, silver at the worlds, and gold at the U18s. Love that her twitter profile is still her in a Markham Thunder jersey.

The Leafs are deep in the big defender carousel.

Here is Cathy's take.

Colton Parayko: Imperfect in the right ways
But is it a deal the Leafs should be making?
PPP LeafsCathy Squires

This summer evaluations series has been quite good.

Offseason Evaluations: How can the Maple Leafs get the most out of Morgan Rielly in 2024-25?
The Offseason Evaluations series now turns to the defense position, the team’s most critical area of need this summer. Catch up on my previous five pieces in the Offseason Evaluations series below: Offseason Evaluations, Part 1: Auston Matthews & William Nylander Offseason Evaluations, Part 2: Mitch Marner & John Tavares Offseason Evaluations, Part 3: David […]
Maple Leafs HotstoveAnthony Petrielli

TGIF, stay cool.

From The Branches