It’s official. Sandin will be a Flyer next season. Linus Sandin that is. Yes, I am talking about the brother of the Maple Leafs dear Rasmus Sandin.

Flyers re-sign Rubtsov, Sandin to one-year deals

Did I totally click bait you? Yes. Do I have regrets about doing that? No. Frankly, we could use a little levity right about now as we go through the dead news weeks before the expansion draft and entry draft.

And if you have a feeling I fooled you like this before, I did last year!

Friday’s FTB: Philadelphia Flyers acquire Sandin

Linus Sandin has yet to actually suit up for a game with the Flyers, instead playing in the AHL for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this season (that team whose logo is a pokemon). Clearly the Leafs got the brother better at hockey, just like with the Nylanders (you were so wrong about that, Magnus Nystrom!)

But what else am I going to write about right now in this depressing period where the Habs are in the semi-finals over the Leafs, and now even Niagara Falls has now betrayed us.

Niagara Falls to get lit up in Habs' colours ahead of third round of playoffs

At least the Habs had the decency to lose last night. Carey Price even did us a favour and fell in comedic fashion for a fake shot from Shea Theodore. You are free to watch this on repeat for a few hours and laugh at him.

Golden Knights 4, Canadiens 1: Vegas jumps out to 1-0 series lead after dominant performance in Game 1 - Knights On Ice
Marc-Andre Fleury secured his 90th career playoff win.

I’m loving Zach Whitecloud more and more every time I see him play.

Other News

Ontario Minor Hockey Association launches first-ever registration campaign - Sault Ste. Marie News
Ian Taylor, the association's executive director, said that the "Stronger" campaign came out of a recognition that playing hockey isn't an essential experience for Canadian children anymore. "Probably for the first time ever we have to sell our product, sell our sport, sell our activity and the benefits of it."

Rangers Reach Agreement With Gerard Gallant to Fill Head Coach Vacancy - Blueshirt Banter
Given what we’d heard about the Rangers’ coaching search, this news isn’t all that surprising. The front office was looking for a candidate with experience, and Gallant certainly will bring that to the Blueshirts.

Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher should trade for the signing rights to Dougie Hamilton - Broad Street Hockey
[SPECIES: Hands off my Dougie, Flyers! You already stole JvR from me. I can't go through more heartbreak.]

Bruce Cassidy on sticking with Tuukka Rask: “No regrets on that.” - Stanley Cup of Chowder
There were plenty of people clamoring for Bruce Cassidy to start Jeremy Swayman during the second-round series against the New York Islanders. Predictably, that clamoring got even louder after the series ended and it was revealed that Tuukka Rask was playing hurt and would need hip surgery.

Finally, here’s what a unicorn really looks like.

Enjoy your day, and watch out for angry five ton unicorns.

From The Branches