Joseph Woll gave up seven goals in his first game back with the Marlies as the AHL squad tried to stave off elimination against the Rochester Americans. They ended up losing 8-4, and getting swept in three games in the process. The North Division winner Marlies needed the full five games to beat the Utica Comets in the first round as they limped into the playoffs after coasting for much of the season off the back of Woll's amazing start.

The lone bright spot was Pontus Holmberg, who scored a hat trick and added an assist in the loss.

Former Leafs defender Ron Hainsey has spent a lot of time advocating with the NHLPA and has been promoted to Assistant Executive Director of the union. He's come a long way from being shut out of the negotiations during the last CBA.

Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation has officially joined the bid with the Neko Sparks Group to own the team on the land they never ceded.

Unfortunately, things aren't going well on the other side of the hockey world. The Arizona Coyotes lost their bid to build a new home in Tempe (paid for by the people of Tempe). Now the Coyotes are going back to college with the future completely uncertain. Ownership is still shocked by the vote and is putting on a brave face, but even the most ardent fans (Craig Morgan excluded) know the Coyotes are done in Arizona.

Clayton Keller knows it, too. Or at least his dad does. By the way, this is Toronto's chance to win a big trade. Get Clayton Keller. Don't let someone else make the smart decision.

Unless the Coyotes are being sold, I don't exactly know what Kevin means. In their case, cities don't want them around and the guy owning them is basically running an insurance fraud. I see nothing about this situation that is robust. Also to talk about the expansion locations, North Georgia, or North Atlanta, is where all the white people live. Like north Chicago or southwest St. Louis.

Patrick Roy is back in the news. CBJ also tried to get a hold of Mike Babcock to get back at their ex (John Tortorella) but he said no.

This is a cool story about Matthew Tkachuk and Jayson Tatum being high school buddies.

Five NHL teams are looking to hire a new Social Media Manager. Do you think we should tell Species to apply?

Matvei Michkov isn't going to the Draft Combine, which might place him perfectly in the reaches of the Washington Capitals as they're looking at the "buy low" draft prospect who had all the hype in the world when he was 15.

Matvei Michkov comments on the possibility of being drafted by the Capitals
The Washington Capitals will be on the clock with the eighth pick in a little more than a month. That draft spot has produced many All-Stars and it’s possible that Russian phenom Matvei Michkov could be the next one. Michkov…
RMNBChris Cerullo
From The Branches