Good morning. I hope you are having a nice Civic Holiday/ Simcoe Day/ Colonel By Day/ Joseph Brant Day/ George Hamilton Day/ McLaughlin Day/ Alexander Mackenzie Day/ Jebediah Springfield Day/ James Cockburn Day/ Peter Robinson Day/ John Galt Day or whatever day your local government has decided to call it.

Since this is not a 'real' holiday per the law, most LCBO and Beer Store locations are still open today.

Everyone is talking about Jonathan Bernier's new contract. Mostly because there's nothing else to talk about.

Jonathan Bernier signs 2 year $4.15M AAV contract with Leafs - Pension Plan Puppets
Bernier and the Leafs have avoided salary arbitration, settling on a new 2 year contract.

Maple Leafs sign goaltender Jonathan Bernier to two-year, $8.3-million deal - The Globe and Mail
This will be the third successive season with Bernier and James Reimer splitting goaltending duties, and Lamoriello implied it’s back to being an open competition (Reimernier 3 - now with even more angst)

Other news

Should the Leafs buy-out Stephane Robidas? - Pension Plan Puppets
Would the Leafs benefit from buying out the struggling defenceman's 35+ contract?

What's Going On With Mike Richards
To date, there has been radio silence from the NHLPA. So what is going on?

What if Teemu Selanne became a Flame? Part I: The fun - Matchsticks and Gasoline
We play in a historical sandbox, creating an insane, complex universe that exists because one player switched teams.

What if Teemu Selanne became a Flame? Part II: Difficulty - Matchsticks and Gasoline
We continue to explore the alternate universe where Teemu Selanne is wearing red, focusing on what life would be like after his rookie season.

Judge orders NHL to turn over injury and concussion data - TSN
The clubs are ordered to produce any internal reports, studies, analyses and databases in their possession (whether initiated by the U.S. clubs, NHL, or retained researchers) for the purpose of studying concussions in de-identified form. The U.S. clubs shall produce any responsive correspondence and/or emails between themselves, themselves and the NHL, or with any research or other professional about the study of concussions.

The Top 25 Under 25 series starts at 11:00 with a look back at previous selections.
From The Branches