Things you might have missed:

Maple Leafs Sign Blake Smith to ELC
Toronto has signed another undrafted prospect to an ELC, and as you may have assumed he is indeed a giant tree of a man.
PPP LeafsBrian S
Maple Leafs Prospect Report: Recapping Victor Johansson’s Breakout Season
Johansson went from being a complete unknown when he was drafted to becoming one of the best overall defensemen in his league. This is a breakdown showing his strengths, and what he still needs to work on.
PPP LeafsBrian S

Everyone is talking the next Knies contract now. For me, the question is does he want 8 years or 2? Because the AAV is going to be wildly different depending on where he lands on that question. A long term deal will likely be a bargain down the road.

Explains how stats are collected and what's changed (very interesting, but not your usual slick and narrativized youtube stuff):

Boeser doesn’t expect to return to Canucks next season: report | NHL.com
Forward can become unrestricted free agent at conclusion of ‘roller coaster of a year’
NHL logoNHLdotcom

Women's Worlds

Finland also lost 7-1 to USA yesterday, and that opens the door very wide to the hosts Czechia to get third place in Group A. It's very early, but they have the puck on their stick. All they have to do is keep it there with some better performances against the top two teams. They started off by shutting out the Swiss, but they slam into Team USA today at 1 pm

Canada plays Switzerland today at 9 am on TSN. Sorry, I lied when I said all Canada's games were afternoon starts. I missed this one.

In the NHL, the Rangers scored 9 goals against the Islanders in an epic display of bringing it when it matters least.

The Panthers won, their game, so the East looks like this (before the Capitals - Hurricanes game was over):

Today was a turn the brightness up a little day, so you might even be able to read that.

My hope is that Tampa finishes one point ahead of Florida so we can claim the Leafs did that on purpose.

The Habs have not clinched, but they're in.

This weekend is the last back-to-back of the season. Yay! See you tomorrow.

From The Branches