A rather startling bit of news from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN makes you wonder whether or not the Leafs should be taking a chance on a 33 year-old goalie, let alone trading one of their best offensive prospects for Roberto Luongo. If Nazem Kadri is "merely" a cost-controlled, second line player, he might help the Leafs more than another potential boat-anchor contract. Maybe.

Oh, and then there is the whole salary distribution thing to deal with (outlined by Cam Charron). As details emerge, the new CBA is complicating things even more.

If 'to Luongo or not to Luongo' is not a debate you're interested in wading into, don't be put off, because there are plenty of links to discuss today. Enjoy.

Lockout Over: Get Pumped for Leafs Hockey
A Toronto Maple Leafs 2013 season preview from Five Minutes For Fighting. A pretty good one, at that.

Leafs hope familiar roster yields different results
Yeah, it won't. From James Mirtle.

The NHL is Back, 113 Day Long Panic Attack: Over.
The Silver Fox has some thoughts about the Leafs' net minding and 'D'.

Marlies Hot & Cold: December 31st to January 6th
Yeesh, Joe Colborne has 15 points in 30 GP and he's HOT? Yech. OK, he can be traded for Luongo.

Backhand Shelf Podcast: 13 Topics for the 2013 Season
Justin Bourne is starting back up the podcasts. Hurray!

Two amnesty clauses means twice the fun
WOOOOOOO! From Chris Lund at BHS.

Stanley Cup odds
Justin Bourne has numbers from Gamblor.

10 NHL storylines to stoke the fires of excitement heading into the 2013 season
The Leafs make this Justin Bouren list twice.

Why Morgan Rielly Should Stay In Moose Jaw
I don't think there is a single good reason for him to play in Toronto. From Dirty Dangle.

New at Grantland: The 10 Types of Horrible People We Met During the NHL Lockout
Down Goes Brown has a new article up.

Marketing master must figure out how to regain NHL’s mojo
Noooo kidding. From David Shoalts.

Lubomir Visnovsky, reluctant Islander, announces he will stay in Slovakia; NHL disagrees
Awkward. From Harrison Mooney.

Leaf roster assessment and preview, part II: the forwards
I think Michael Langlois is a bit hard on our buddy Phil Kessel, but he's got a lot of other grades for your perusal.

Housekeeping: Two issues for the Leafs to settle in camp
Cam Charron wonders about the Leafs' goaltending and defence. Just like the rest of us.

From The Branches