I wonder if Coach Q sat down with Richard Panik before this game and said, "Please spill every secret that you know about the Maple Leafs," and Panik said, "Oh no! I could never be so unfair to old teammates -- oh ok fine, always try to shoot over the shoulder glove-side on Reimer, and Gardiner can't stand it when you make fun of his hair."

Anyway, that game was...a thing that happened.

Leafs News

Now that he's a Maple Leaf: Will the real Colin Greening please stand up | PPP
"I take a look at one of the forgotten men in the Phaneuf trade, and try to figure out what kind of player he really is."

Sportsnet to broadcast CWHL Playoff Game, likely between Furies and Canadiennes | PPP
"Sportsnet 360 is broadcasting a CWHL playoff game at 5PM on February 27th. The matchup between the Toronto Furies and Les Canadiennes de Montreal is already set and there's a good chance that they'll be playing in this game."

Leafs' Cheap UFA Gambit Already Paying Off | PPP
"What the market will pay for the Leafs' expiring free agents is tough to gauge, but they're a win for the Leafs regardless."

Blackhawks idea model for Maple Leafs to follow | Toronto Star
Meh.

The Phaneuf Trade: A Necessity | Locker Room Hero
Via Draglikepull: "Now here comes my ‘hot take’: I would have done this deal without the pick and prospect. I would have essentially dealt Dion Phaneuf for negative value coming in, let alone dealing him for nothing."

Should Maple Leafs Wait For John Tavares? | THW
One 91 is busy until July so y’all just want to replace him already, eh? Geez, how fickle!

Will Steven Stamkos be a Maple Leaf next season? | USA Today
USA TODAY Sports NHL columnist Kevin Allen and NHL contributor Kristen Shilton debate whether it’s realistic to believe Stamkos (22 goals, 20 assists) could be a Maple Leaf next season.

Other Hockey News

Mike Richards says no 'grudges' with Kings after joining Capitals | ESPN
"I want to say fault on both parts, but it's probably more so on me, and he had to do what he had to do [for] what he thought benefited the L.A. Kings."

Exclusive! Brock Nelson finally opens up about the infamous 'Reverend' draft photo. | LHH
"Okay, it's not really an exclusive. Or infamous. But it is a photo of Brock Nelson. In which he looks like a reverend."

AIH 20416 Ep. 23: Byfuglien, Pavelec & the Battle of Ontario | AIH

‘Youthful’ Doan Skates Into History | THW
"When coach Dave Tippett merely says, "he’s our leader," that description clearly falls short of Doan’s accomplishments on the ice and his worthy endeavors in the community."

Recaps

Preying on Predators, Hobbit-Style - Defending Big D
Mattias Janmark scored the easiest goal of his life as the Stars continued scooping up points from the also-rans in the Central Division

ReCat: Panthers Shoot-Out Penguins - Litter Box Cats
The short-handed Panthers failed to put it away in regulation, but Jussi Jokinen got the job done in the fifth round of the shootout.

Ducks Score 6, Win Game of Pond Hockey in Calgary - Anaheim Calling
Five different goal scorers as well as offensive contributions from 12 different players helped Anaheim improve to 3-1-1 on their current road trip.

Islanders 4,Red Wings 1: Sweep averted with Greiss and the youngsters - Lighthouse Hockey
A President's Day matinee saw the Islanders recover from collapse in Carolina to avoid a season sweep from the Red Wings.

Short and sweet today, I have to be on base for the 8 AM call to colors!

From The Branches