Good Morning!

Today the Marlies kick off their pre-season games with a three game tournament in Newfoundland against the St. John's IceCaps. Even though the IceCaps will be no more next season, with the Habs farm team moving to Laval, it would be nice for this to continue to be a tradition going forward.

The Toronto Blue Jays open up the 2016 ALDS against the Texas Sucker Punchers. That should be a great series, game one is at 4:38 today.

And tonight the Maple Leafs start back to back pre-season games, this one is against the Montreal Canadiens with a follow up tomorrow night in Hamilton against the Red Wings. After this game or on Saturday morning expect LOTS of cuts as the Leafs whittle things down to their opening night roster for their final pre-season game in Detroit.

Let's make like the Oilers and hit the links!

Maple Leafs Andreas Johnsson has Potential to be Cinderella - Last Word on Leafs
Hopefully his skates aren't made of glass.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Weighting The Pre-Season Games - Editor in Leaf
Expectations: Kept Low

Women's Hockey News, Rumors and Analysis | The Ice Garden
The new SBN Women's hockey site launched yesterday!

Tanner Pearson Suspended Two Games for a Hit to the Head of Brandon Davidson - The Copper & Blue
Pre-season suspensions should occur in the regular season.

Kevin James in ‘Paul Blart 3: Barclays Center Security’ - Lighthouse Hockey
Can't be any worse than the first two.

Jakob Chychrun is ready to begin his NHL career - Five For Howling
Are we ready to witness it?

Dan Boyle retires after 17 NHL seasons - Fear The Fin

Down Goes Brown: Who are the NHL's next captains?
No mention of the next Leafs captain?

Down Goes Brown: 2016 Season Preview - Part One
Spoiler: It's about iced hockey

Claude Giroux admits he needs to be better at growing a beard - Broad Street Hockey
Good to know he has his eyes on the prize.

This is one of FIVE things I"m publishing today. Oh I bet you're all so excited.

From The Branches