Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

Today should be the day we find out how long Morgan Rielly will be out of the line up after his cross check on Ridly* Greig.

Rielly was having big boy feelings and now he has to have a time out. It's an in person hearing with IDOPS (Inconsistent Department of Parros Surprises) so we could be seeing a suspension of more than five games. And the last time George Parros found himself with a Maple Leaf who never had a suspension before, that player got six games.

[Editor's note: we regret to inform you that you won't be finding this out today, that in fact this discourse will go on and on and on.

Also note that an in person hearing does not require a suspension of over five games, it merely allows it.]

Maple Leafs’ Jason Spezza suspended six games for kneeing Jets’ Neal Pionk
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jason Spezza has been suspended six games for kneeing Winnipeg Jets defenceman Neal Pionk, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced.
Sportsnet.ca| December 7, 2021, 8:44 PM

I'm prepared to not see Morgan again until the game in Colorado on the 24th, or even against Vegas at home on the 27th, because why take him on the road trip out west of he's only going to play one game?

Tough call. Spend a week at home with Tessa Virtue vs plane rides, hotels, customs, dudes, bros, and playing in Arizona. Hm. Tough choice. Plus, he's not even getting paid so he shouldn't have to go to work.

Ah well. Either way, rest up Morgan and enjoy the press box popcorn.

Other news...

Time marches on and we will never not feel old as the kids grow up.

Saku Koivu’s son is one of the 2024 NHL Draft’s biggest risers
Six months ago, he wasn’t on anyone’s draft radars. Now, the sky’s the limit.
Daily FaceoffSteven Ellis

We need to watch more Canadian university hockey. It's fun! Also, perfect?

UNB men’s hockey team posts 1st perfect 30-0 regular season in U Sports history
The University of New Brunswick men’s hockey team completed a perfect regular season on Saturday with a 9-1 win over the University of Prince Edward Island, becoming the first U Sports hockey team to win 30 consecutive games in the process.
CBCKarissa Donkin

Alex Ovechkin broke a Gretzky record ready, scoring his 57th empty net goal and even better: he never got cross checked in the face after a single one.

Ovechkin tops Gretzky record for empty-net goals
Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin scored his 57th career empty-net goal on Saturday afternoon in a victory over the Boston Bruins, breaking a tie with Hall of Fame center Wayne Gretzky for the most in NHL history.
ESPNGreg Wyshynski

Less than one month to the trade deadline. Who's ready for that?

2024 NHL Trade Deadline Pressure Gauge: Which teams are all-in?
Who are the buyers, sellers, tankers and swing teams?
Daily FaceoffMatt Larkin

We have a PWHL trade to announce!

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE (PWHL) ANNOUNCES TRADE BETWEEN BOSTON AND MINNESOTA
Professional Women's Hockey Leagueamclellan

The Boston Brand has traded Toronto born defender Sophie Jacques to the Minnesota Minnesotans for BC born Abby Cook and Finnish forward Susanna Tapani.

Enjoy your day everyone!

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