From the Branches: An elegy to Phil!

Maple Leafs have nothing planned for Phil Kessel return | Sportsnet
Apparently it's nothing personal -- the new Leafs front office won't be doing any kind of tributes. Still, Phil's presence surely resonates with the fans, so in his honor, here are a few highlights from his Leafs career to start off this Saturday. I ask that you add more in comments to welcome Phil! home.

2011-2012

2012-2013

2013-2014

2014-2015

I want to thank all of the Toronto fans for all the support you have shown me.I will miss you and this city and always consider Toronto home

— Phil Kessel (@PKessel81) August 23, 2015

Leafs News

Meet the Maple Leafs prospect who writes children’s books | Sportsnet

Mike Babcock's face was terrifying after a disallowed Leafs goal | SBN

Recap: Rangers beat the Maple Leafs, so how bout those Marlies? | PPP

Watch: Nylander scores two beauties for Marlies | PPP

Watch: Jeremy Bracco's first two points with the Kitchener Rangers | PPP

Lou Lamoriello on Friisdahl hire, Rich Clune signing, Jeremy Bracco joining Kitchener | MLHS

Five things we learned in the NHL: Lupul ruling looked wrong | Sportsnet

Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello sees 'light at end of tunnel' | ESPN

Remembering the Maple Leafs’ record-setting winning streak of 1993 | Sportsnet

Maple Leafs' Stephane Robidas: Robidas faces uncertain timetable | CBSSports

Bernier getting every chance at No. 1 job | TSN

Auston Matthews hurt while playing in Swiss league | NBC
Noooooooooooooooooo Auston, do we need to stick you in Species' basement until the draft?

Recaps

Stormtrooper tosses helmet onto ice after Rangers hat trick | SBN
This is kind of cute and I still hate the Rangers with a burning passion people usually reserve for the Bruins.

Flyers vs. Sabres recap: Nightmare in Western New York | BSH
Eichel's 4th goal is another special one | DBDB

Game 11 Recap: Caps sneak by Jackets 2-1 | Jacketscannon
Caps Cast Off Blue Jackets, 2-1 | Japersrink

Avalanche Fall To Hurricanes 3-2 | MHH
Hurricanes 3, Avalanche 2 | Canes Country

Senators Come Out on Top in Motown | SSS
Game Recap: Detroit Red Wings 1 - Ottawa Senators 3

Bruins jump ahead early, cruise to 3-1 win over Panthers | LBC

Wild Win in Defenseless Skirmish with the Fluffer Nutters | HW
Hee hee Fluffer Nutters hee hee hee.
Defense Optional: Hawks Lose to the Wild 5-4 | SCH
It's honestly good to see the Blackhawks suffering. Because reasons.

Dale Weise completes the first hat trick of his NHL career | HEOTP
And that's pretty much all you need to know about this game.
Calgary Flames Host Montreal Canadiens, October 30, 2015 | MnG

Canucks hold on to beat Arizona 4-3 | Nucks
Vancouver Canucks @ Arizona Coyotes Instant Recap: Incomplete comeback | 5fH

Other Hockey News

There are a few other things to say goodbye to this morning. For example, Down Goes Brown.

I wrote roughly one million words at Grantland, and the last were a YouTube breakdown of a 1970's enforcer trying to sing. That feels right.

— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) October 30, 2015

ESPN's Shuttering Of Sports And Culture Site Grantland Prompts Backlash | NPR

Grantland's death is sad, ugly and not surprising | Sporting NewsSo apparently Torts DID call Johansson "out of shape," and he's pissed the news got out | Puck-rakers Blog

Huge If True: Everybody’s buying NHL defensemen, but who’s selling? | Puck Daddy

Halloween Zeitgeist: Terrifying Tales from the Islanders Twilight Zone | LHH
Dan is one of my favorite writers on SBN. This is a cool look at "scary" Islanders history.

Dr. StrangeGlove(side), Or, How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Cats | LBC