Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

And what a morning!

Recap: Sharks sink a little lower as Leafs win again
Leafs win!
PPP LeafsCathy Squires

The Leafs handily beat the Sharks 7-1, and remains undefeated in 2024.

Newly signed William Nylander kept up his end up of the deal by adding three assists last night, but not to be outdone, Mitch Marner had four points just to remind everyone he's next up for a big contract.

How Nylander’s extension with Maple Leafs impacts Marner’s next deal
The ink is still drying on William Nylander’s new eight-year, $92-million extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to look ahead to what’s next. And what’s next — at least, first up this summer — will be negotiating a new contract with Mitch Marner.
Sportsnet| January 9, 2024, 11:10 AM

Did an angry former player scuttle the deal between the Flyers and their top prospect?

Kevin Hayes denies involvement in Cutter Gauthier’s decision to not sign in Philadelphia: ‘It’s completely false’
The denial comes one day after a report by Crossing Broad that stated, “Kevin Hayes’ fingerprints are all over this.”
STLtoday.comMatthew DeFranks

Probably not. The Flyers are pretty terrible.

How many of these players should be Leafs? And can they afford any deal?

Sportsnet’s 25 NHL trade candidates to watch two months from the deadline – Sportsnet.ca
Sportsnet.caRory Boylen

One of the more silly stories of the season continues.

Despite Hockey N.L. ban, some teams have kept post-game handshakes | CBC News
Some hockey teams in Newfoundland and Labrador have continued post-game handshakes despite the tradition’s elimination by the sport’s provincial governing body.
CBCAlex Kennedy

The Women's World Juniors continue with Canada dominating the others along the way to the quarter finals.

Canada breezes past Finland, advances to quarterfinals at women’s U18 hockey worlds | CBC Sports
Chloe Primerano and Caitlin Kraemer each scored three goals as Canada blanked Finland 10-0 Tuesday at the world women’s under-18 hockey championship in Zug, Switzerland.
CBC

Who do they think they are?

Fake hockey fan able to enjoy his team signing good players without conducting armchair salary cap analysis
After his team signed one of their best players to a long term contract extension, casual fan Matt Christenson celebrated without even performing his own detailed analysis of how this will affect their Salary Cap position going forward.
The BeavertonLuke Gordon Field ( lukemaybefunny )

I wouldn't want him back after this.

Cochrane U13 coach suspended after profanity-laced rant at refs
A U13 hockey coach has been suspended for the league-maximum three games after a tirade against officials during a hockey game on Sunday.
CTV News

Finally, Leafs prospects continue to amaze us out west.

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches