Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

Tonight the Marlies open their 20th season in Toronto against the San Diego Gulls (Anaheim Ducks).

There's a good mix of veterans such as Kyle Clifford and Matt Murray on the team, as well as AHL stalwarts Nick Abruzzese and Joe Blandisi, and newcomers like Matthew Barbolini.

Full opening night roster is here:

Marlies News

Dennis Hildeby was expected to be the Marlies starter, but he's still up with the Leafs.

We will have Species back on the Marlies this year, so he'll have all the news for PPP from the CCC for us.

One big piece of Marlies news is Alex Steeves return and his ability to become a leader in the record books:

He will absolutely do this, unless he's called up to the Leafs for a long, long, stretch.

One other Marlies thought that has been bouncing around is their future.

We know our friend Tim Lieweke's Oak View Group is renovating Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, and they are looking for a tenant.

The AHL did well with the Bulldogs for a long time in Hamilton, and they'll never get an NHL team, so may as well settle for as high as they can.

Will the AHL expand? Maybe. There are two thoughts though...

The Belleville Senators are playing in a small, OHL sized rink and could use a nice shiny newly renovated home. Belleville wasn't thrilled about losing their OHL team and a town that size is better suited to junior hockey anyway.

Downside to that is Michael Andlauer owns the Senators and he does not have a great relationship with the City of Hamilton after they kicked his OHL Bulldogs out of Copps to do these renovations. The Bulldogs are happily living and growing in Brantford, and I'm not sure Andlauer would want to go back.

Now what if the tenant the former CEO of MLSE is talking about is the Marlies?

Gasp!

Now I'm not trying to be a rumour monger here, but Coca Cola Coliseum is going from only hosting the Marlies, horses, and boats, to hosting not only the PWHL Toronto Scepters but the WNBA Toronto team will call it home as well.

(Shout-out to the WNB-YAY! Podcast)

The WNBA and AHL seasons don't really overlap, the WNBA finals have just started - New York Liberty lead the Minnesota Lynx 1-0 - so it wouldn't be a big conflict.

No Marlies would give MLSE more chances to book mid-level concerts in the CCC as well...

Hamilton is big Leafs territory, so you'd have plenty of fans there to support the baby buds as well.

The downside to these thoughts are that the Leafs absolutely love having their prospects in the same training facility as their NHL team. Everyone in one place was the reason for bringing the Marlies to town in the first place.

It for sure wasn't about making money, though they're probably losing less than when they were in St. John's.

So, who will play in Copps?

We'll have to wait until 2025 to find out.

Now, some other stuff.

The new guy absolutely has The Passion.

Justin, it's been two games.

Early Maple Leafs Observations: Whose stock is rising, falling? – Sportsnet.ca
Sportsnet.caRory Boylen

Early season trade?

Flyers Have Fascinating Trade Target From Maple Leafs
The Philadelphia Flyers should consider making a push for this Toronto Maple Leafs defender.
Yahoo SportsMichael DeRosa

Jack Eichel is putting on a show in Vegas.

And Brigs has some prospect highlights for us.

That's a lot for a Saturday morning.

Ah heck, here's one more Steve Lorentz for you.

Toronto Maple Leafs home opener the fulfilment of a lifelong dream for Steven Lorentz
The winger from Kitchener, Ont. grew up wearing Leafs pajamas and cheering on the Buds
The Globe and MailPaul Attfield

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches