We've got a pile of players in the World Hockey Championship in Slovakia, and they've been our prime source of Leafs news during these playoffs. In all, the Leafs have Komisarek, Brown, Holzer, Müller, Gunnarsson, Grabbo, Kulemin, Phaneuf, Schenn, and, of course, Reimer. (OK, so Holzer and Müller are from the Marlies, but it's the same organization.) To have 10 players in the tourney means that a good chunk of your team is picking up valuable experience.

The bad news? It looks like Jonathan Bernier is going to retain the starting role in the upcoming game against the Russians.

The Los Angeles Kings backup played consecutive games just once this season in the NHL, but will be getting his third straight start for Canada. There will be little margin for error against such a skilled opponent.

Bummer. Oh well, still a good thing for Optimus Reim to be a part of.

Head over the jump for an article by Michael Langlois on the respective performances of les boys.

The Other Leafs Link:

Checking in on our Maple Leafs at the World Championships
Michael Langlois over at VLM with a few thoughts and numbers on our boys.

Other Hockey Links:

30 Thoughts
The latest from Friedman.

Leadership lifts Red Wings
Cucumbers. As in, cool as. From Dave Shoalts.

Should the Bruins Bench Tomas Kaberle?
Mike Colligan muses about how Julien should be handling the under-performing former Leaf.

Coyotes to Remain in Glendale for at Least One More Year
Some fan reaction on the news over at Five For Howling. Written by Travis Hair.

The 10 most fascinating NHL playoff beards of 2011 (so far)
Wyshynski with the list.

Avs sign Hejduk to one-year deal
Veteran forward with return to Colorado for a 13th season.

Report: Blue Jackets lost $25-million last season
NHL franchise had both their highest payroll in franchise history and their lowest attendance record during this past season. Bummer.

Jaromir Jagr leads Czechs over U.S.
Sends the States packing.

Thrashers Future Remains Up In the Air
Glove tap to James Mirtle, who found this and posted it on Twitter, but it appears that the City of Atlanta isn't willing to cut a deal like the Coyotes have to keep the Thrashers around.

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