From the Branches: Would you give up pizza for hockey?

According to Friedman's 30 thoughts:

23. Babcock, on what he wants from the winger who plays with Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk: "Speed."24. Morgan Rielly, on what he worked on this summer: "Battle drills." He’d go one-on-one with Mike Santorelli, then join a larger group that included Jason Garrison, Chris Higgins and David Jones. The defenceman added he loves going against Santorelli, because the latter gets really upset when he loses. Rielly also said he changed his diet. Toughest thing to give up: "Pizza."

More 30 thoughts here. What would you do for hockey?

On that sobering note, happy Saturday!

Leafs News

2015-16 Team Changes Preview: Central Division | PPP

Wisdom of Crowds - Part 3 | PPP

Lowered Expectations: No one at SBN loves the Maple Leafs | PPP

Toronto Maple Leafs season preview | PPP

Mitch Marner to Co-Captain Knights | PPP

Red Wings edge Maple Leafs in Babcock’s return to Detroit | Sportsnet

To which I say, yes, but look at this possession:

I guess the truth is that the Leafs are going to be a tough team to play against and score against, and they're going to play some awesomely competent hockey, but they lack a certain something to finish the scoring. That something used to be Phil -- but soon enough (next year?) it'll be Nylander.

Game Review: Preseason Game #8, Detroit Red Wings 4 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs 2 | MLHS

Maple Leafs schedule: 15 games you don’t want to miss | The Star
"Mon. Feb. 29: The Tampa Bay Lightning visit for a 7:30 p.m. start, four-and-a-half hours after the trade deadline will have passed. Who knows what the Leafs might look like. One or two of them might be on the Lightning, who’d be among the teams looking to bolster their lineup for a playoff run." .... eyes.gif

Toronto Maple Leafs’ Peter Holland ready to be a leader in Mike Babcock’s dressing room | National Post

Maple Leafs’ Joffrey Lupul looks to MMA, NFL trainer to overcome injury bug: Feschuk | The Star

Maple Leafs’ Morgan Rielly shrugs off ‘face of the franchise’ talk | The Star

After all of this, you know what this FTB needs? Kyle Dubas in glasses.

We are kicking off the @TimHortons Coaches Open House right now with some words of wisdom from @kyledubas #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/7puqIohLPC

— Lauren Howe (@laurenhowe77) October 3, 2015

Other News

2015-16 Uni Watch NHL preview | ESPN

Crosby, Price top NHL's 10 best players heading into 2015-16 | CBS Sports

2015-16 NHL Preview, Part 4: The Contenders | Grantland
"Suggested slogan: Hey Stamkos, can you sign an autograph for this adorable little kid? Awesome. Just ignore all the stuff at the top that says 'contract extension.'" ... eyes.gif

Social media's changed how NHL fans watch the game | SI

What would you give up to play in the NHL?