Last night the AHL All-Star game was played in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Marlies rep Kerby Rychel didn’t play a huge role, he still enjoyed the weekend.

Also last night, the CHL Top Prospects Game was held in Quebec City. Taking place in the shadow of the terrorsit attack a day earlier, Sportsnet’s Faizal Khamisa left the game that day to be with his family, and Jeff Marek opened the broadcast with a message for Faizal, the victims, and everyone;

Team Cherry defeated Team Orr 7-5, despite being without it’s namesake coach, who announced on Saturday he wouldn’t be attending the game, because it was in Quebec.

Sportsnet has an article of which prospects upped their stock in the game, and you can read that here.

Elsewhere in links land.....

The Islanders are having more arena drama. Bloomberg News suggest Barclays could opt out of it’s contract with the Islanders, leaving the team homeless for the 18/19 season. Lighthouse Hockey has you covered here and here.

Puck Daddy looks at how New York Rangers forward Mike Zibanejad is affected by Trumps travel ban.

The Cannon takes a look at what the expectations are for the surprising Blue Jackets down the stretch.

Down Goes Brown looks at Western Conference GM’s and how much this trade deadline means to their job security.

Alexander Burmistrov is succeeding with the Coyotes, writes Five For Howling.

Finally, Maple Leafs prospect Dominic Toninato is on the fan ballot for the NCAA’s Hobey Baker Award. Go stuff the ballot box.

Enjoy your day Leafs fans.

From The Branches