Morning, friends! It’s still August and the Maple Leafs aren’t doing anything fun, so while you hang around waiting for today’s installment of the Top 25 Under 25, watch this video of ex-Leaf Mason Raymond playing for Team Canada in one of the lead-up tournaments before the Pyeongchang Olympics.

He picks up that puck on his stick and tosses it over the goalie’s shoulder like he’s shoveling snow. If he can pull off something like this at the tournament, maybe the men’s games won’t be a total snoozefest.

On to your links!

ICYMI

2017 Top 25 Under 25: Kerby Rychel is #18 - Pension Plan Puppets
Our list of Maple Leafs prospects meets the roster logjam, and leaves the gritty Marlies winger at 18th.

Women’s Hockey Wednesday: Mark your calendars! - Pension Plan Puppets
Worlds and NWHL schedules are out, some good news for the WCHA and a first in the AIHL.

Stuff We Didn’t Write

Report: Leafs to pair Rielly with Hainsey - Article - TSN
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock has set his top four for the upcoming season, and free agent signee Ron Hainsey appears to be a part of it. According to Dave McCarthy of NHL.com, Babcock said he plans to pair Hainsey with Morgan Rielly and use Jake Gardiner and Nikita Zaitsev as a pairing. (Warning for autoplay!)

What if Vincent Lecavalier had been healthy? - Raw Charge
How many more memories would he have made if that no-good, dirty, snake-in-the-grass Matt Cooke hadn’t run into him?

Down Goes Brown: Who could be this year's Avalanche?
The Colorado Avalanche are suffering through one of the worst 12-month stretches in modern NHL history. Short of a team moving or some sort of off-ice tragedy, it’s hard to imagine how a year could go much worse for a team.

Devils Should Make A Push For AHL All-Star Casey Bailey - All About The Jersey
Last season’s lone wolf representing the BSens at the All-Stars was forward Casey Bailey, and he’s still available as a free agent that should be signed by the Devils

Potential Carolina Hurricanes owner meets with Centennial Authority; sales draft agreement to lawyers | News & Observer
A draft agreement for the sale of the Carolina Hurricanes to a group led by lawyer Chuck Greenberg has been given to lawyers for both sides for vetting. Greenberg met Aug. 9, 2017 with Centennial Authority chairman Tom McCormick for the first time.

New name for Capitals' home puts it at top of list of best arena handles - CBSSports.com
The new name on Washington's home is as fitting as they come

From The Branches