A quick look at the Maple Leafs schedule will tell you there's less that one week until the NHL season begins. Until then you'll have to make do with these links, or celebrate something else:

The Blue Jays Partied Extremely Hard After Winning The AL East
Even by the standard of normally raucous division-clinching celebrations, the Blue Jays went a little crazy tonight after beating the Orioles 15-2 in Baltimore. I guess that’s what you do when you haven’t won a division title or even been to the playoffs in 23 years.

Maple Leafs' Season Preview: Three Questions - Pension Plan Puppets
Looking at the three key questions and unknowns heading into the 2015-16 season.

Leafs’ new star Babcock the biggest name in game of musical coaches - The Globe and Mail
Mike Babcock will make more money this season than all but one player on the Toronto Maple Leafs. That’s a distinction and a spotlight no other NHL coach has ever had.

Ottawa Senators to be billed for police escort to Jets matchup - CBC News
The Ottawa Senators will be billed for a Winnipeg police escort to the game at the MTS Centre on Tuesday night.

NHL happy with early returns on 3-on-3 OT, games ending quickly - Puck Daddy
I know a way to end every single game within an exact amount of time.

Guy Lafleur loses $2M lawsuit against police and Crown - CBC News
I guess he will need more time with his Revitive.

Jordan Eberle Out Four to Six Weeks - The Copper & Blue
See you in November, Jordan.

Quebec’s hopes of landing expansion franchise now in the hands of NHL - The Globe and Mail
After months of preparation, the heads of media giant Quebecor Inc. said Tuesday they have done everything in their power to bring back a National Hockey League team to Quebec City.

Gary Bettman at his creepiest in preseason presser | Barry Melrose Rocks

Panthers release David Booth from PTO, send three down to AHL Portland - Litter Box Cats
I recognize that name! Maybe his teammates didn't like him.

Organ transplant! Islanders brought a little bit of home to Barclays Center • The Brooklyn Paper
The goal horn is awful, but at least they kept this tradition alive.

From The Branches