So I'm sure all of you know that Nazem Kadri will make his first true appearance as a Maple Leaf tonight against Vancouver. Keith Allen, that freakin wookie on skates, will make his as well. This is pretty big news, considering the timing and poor play of the Leafs recently. If you want to read more, just pick one of today's links.

Outside of the (obviously) big news, another story sort of slipped through the cracks yesterday. A potential Burke target in the 2011 UFA market was signed to a long-term deal. David Backes, US Olympian and perennial non-20 goal scorer, signed a 5 year, 4.5 million dollar extension with the St. Louis Blues on Friday. With a full no trade clause. Why should Leaf fans care about this? Because Brian Burke is now unable to pick this guy up as a free agent in July. Not that I dislike David Backes, but that deal is utterly atrocious for a guy who had one 31 goal season (and has yet to break 18 in his other three). And you can bet Toronto would have given him that amount or more in July.

I know we'll all be rooting for Nazem Kadri and the rest of the Buds tonight, but even if they lose, take solace in the fact that we can no longer sign Backes to a terrible contract.  Links below.

Saturday links:

The Wheels on the Bus have Fallen Off

Forbes rolls with the bus analogy

What's My Scene?

A second post from MF37?  Feels like Christmas

Somebody Score A Goal

New Bloge Salming video

Differences between the NHL All-Star fantasy draft and your fantasy draft

New DGB

Grabbo Gonna Get Kessel Going

Borschevsky has a Leaf of the Week and a few thoughts on the lines

Leafs call up Kadri, Aulie

MLHS weighs in

Countdown Smashed

As does MSU

Hope Springs Eternal

And Blue Chip Prospects

With Leafs in freefall, Kadri called into action

And James Mirtle

Desperation, Right Move?

And LeafsHQ

Leafs call up Nazem Kadri

And Marcia Di Michele

Kadri up for good?

And Vintage Leaf Memories (with some Bozak talk sprinkled in)

Should Kadri be playing for the Leafs?

And everyone else who works for G&M not named Mirtle.

Marlies 3 - Hershey 2

Jussi Ryannas saves 42 shots as the Marlies continue to win on the road.  Rynnas has a .968 sv% and a GAA of 1.05 in November.  Um, Giguere and Gustavsson better watch their backs.

From The Branches