As James Mirtle reports, James Reimer, Luke Schenn, and Dion Phaneuf will all be playing for Team Canada in the upcoming World Championship in Slovakia. Clarke MacArthur may also join the team but is described in the article as a "bubble candidate".

Mike Brown and Mike Komisarek will suit up for the Americans, although Phil Kessel has declined, citing a need for rest as his reason for not going.

"I'm just going to take a break," Kessel said. "It's been a long year, a grind. Obviously I love playing for my country, I've played in three worlds, so I'm just going to take a break, relax, go home and take a couple weeks off. Then start training again, get ready for next year.

I can't help but wonder what Burke thinks of this, since he has extolled the value of playing in the World Championships on more than one occasion. Here is one quote in the National Post. Of course, there could be any number of more legitimate reasons Kessel has decided to forgo the tourney, so let's not jump to conclusions.

You should, on the other hand, jump the jump, and check out more of today's links.

Leafs Links:

Different Feeling for Leafs Entering Off-Season
"Compared to my first year it’s a whole different culture here," added Phil Kessel, "whole different team."

Season in Review: Grading the Buds
Mislav Jantoljak doles out the judgment.

Better Know A Prospect
Jon S, over at Puckin' Eh, has written up a profile for a potential target for the Leafs in the upcoming draft.

Wrap up day in Leafland; talking Leaf goalies
Michael Langlois believes that a Reimer-Gustavsson platoon can get the job done next year.

Other Hockey Links:

CBC's Plays of the Year
CBC always puts together great highlight videos. Schenner, Dion, and Grabbo each make appearances.

Grading The Playoff Beards of Champions
Rick Moldovanyi at The Score assigns grades based on thickness, shape, and color.

The 5 worthiest candidates for the 2011 NHL Masterton Trophy
According to Wyshynski, that is.

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