From the Front Page

Toronto Maple Leafs sign Jason Spezza to a one-year contract
Shopping for bargains: Euro free agents
Suomela and Chyzowski sign with Marlies, several players leave
Maple Leafs vs Carolina Hurricanes: comparing two playoff losers
The Optimist/Pessimist Look At The Leafs

Around the NHL

CBJ Head Coach Brad Larsen on Patrik Laine: “We are going to surround him with the best players possible...we are not going to make him something he’s not”

Better late than never, I suppose. Sticking with the Columbus theme, they made some front office personnel choices too.

NHL Team Deletes ‘Wild’ Juneteenth Tweet With Shark Mascot Breaking Slave’s Chains

This is actually kind of interesting. I recoiled at the graphic because it very much seemed like a corporation co-opting a movement they had nothing to do with for Internet clout. But they posted the same art last year, and for what it’s worth, the artwork is by Mohamed Fofana, a Black Sharks employee and artist.

In more hockey transaction news, the Avs signed a guy.

Finally, Justin Bourne has a piece on what the Islanders do well.

And oh yeah, Montreal beat the Golden Knights to tie their series at 1.

From The Branches