Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

Nothing big for you this morning. Just some news and notes so let's get into it.

After his big interview about how healthy he is despite his knees falling apart whenever he stands up, Ryan Reaves has been activated off IR and is officially back!

Maple Leafs’ Ryan Reaves activated from IR; Tyler Bertuzzi on non-roster
Reaves has one goal in 21 games, while Bertuzzi has 20 points in 45 games in 2023-24.
Daily FaceoffHunter Crowther

Tyler Bertuzzi is away from the team as his family is welcoming a new baby into their lives.

Is John Tavares a problem? Hopefully it's just a slump.

Video of 7-Eleven That’s Hockey: Do the Maple Leafs have a John Tavares problem?
TSN Hockey analyst Martin Biron joins That’s Hockey to discuss if it’s the right decision to go with Ilya Samsonov for a second straight game, who is the odd man out in the Leafs’ net when Joseph Woll returns, and whether Toronto needs to be prepared to get inconsistent production from captain John Tavares who is climbing in age.
TSN

It can be an adventure leaving everything to chase a dream.

Language barriers, culture shock, isolation: How NHL’s loneliest players cope
What’s it like to be the only one from your country on an NHL team? You learn fast, stay focused and “just manage.”
The AthleticMark Lazerus

The New Jersey Devils are keeping their GM around, with a promotion!

Devils GM Fitzgerald agrees to multi-year extension
The New Jersey Devils and general manager Tom Fitzgerald agreed to a multi-year extension, the team announced Tuesday.Fitzgerald was also promoted to president of hockey operations while retaining his role as GM.“This organization has come a long way, and I realize that there is even more work to do as we establish ourselves as consistent contenders and take another big step,” Fitzgerald said. “I’m excited by those challenges and look to bring the Stanley Cup back for the fans of New Jersey. I also want to thank our incredible hockey operations management team and my supportive family who have put me in this position today.“The Devils brought Fitzgerald into the organization in 2015. He took over for Ray Shero as interim GM in 2020, then earned the full-time position later that year.Fitzgerald has made several notable moves since taking control in New Jersey, signing Dougie Hamilton, trading for Timo Meier, and working out team-friendly extensions for Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt.The Devils set a franchise record with 112 points last season and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Injuries and trouble between the pipes are holding New Jersey back in 2023-24, but the Metropolitan Division club is only two points back of a wild-card spot with games in hand.
theScoreSean O’Leary

Finally, the CHL Top Prospects game is tonight, taking place in Moncton, NB. It airs on TSN with coverage beginning at 6:30PM.

CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game nearing
Daniel St. Louis/CHL MONCTON - Eriks Mateiko and the rest of the players taking part in this year’s CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game were on th…
Jamie Tozer

It's a great event, a bit more competitive than an All-Star Game since a quarter of the stands are set aside for scouts; it's the section full of guys in black jackets.

With that, I'm off for the day. Everyone have a great one!

From The Branches