It will be September in a few days, and hockey is coming back. The Maple Leafs wrapped up their unfinished business with Connor Brown this weekend, and in less than two weeks the 2017 Rookie Tournament arrives at Ricoh Coliseum. That is followed the next weekend with the Leafs on the road to Niagara Falls for a mini-training camp.

It’s almost hockey season, folks! The wait’s almost over!

Leafs links

European Report: Shaking the rust off - Pension Plan Puppets
It’s beach weather. Somewhere. But there were games to be played in Europe this past week.

Maple Leafs sign Connor Brown to a 3 year, $6.3 million contract - Pension Plan Puppets
We have details on cap space and the number of SPCs left open.

2017 Top 25 Under 25: community ranking Part 4 - Pension Plan Puppets
Vote on the top Toronto Maple Leafs U-25 prospects which we’ve ranked from 6 to 15.

Other news

Florida Panthers host first ice hockey clinic in Caribbean - Sportsnet.ca
Most people go to Barbados for a relaxing time on the beach. But this week the Florida Panthers went there to play hockey.

Are the Colorado Avalanche getting closer to trading Matt Duchene? - Mile High Hockey
NHL Insider thinks trade talks will be heating up

Devils Sign Defenseman Will Butcher to Two Year Contract - All About The Jersey
The New Jersey Devils won the Will Butcher Sweepstakes.  They signed the 2016-17 Hobey Baker Award-winning defenseman to a two-year entry level contract.

The Winnipeg Jets sign Matt Hendricks - Arctic Ice Hockey
The forward has been signed to a one-year contract.

Terry Sawchuk's son, grandson pay tribute with tattoo of mask - Sportsnet.ca
Terry Sawchuk's son and grandson have paid tribute to the famous goaltender by getting matching tattoos on opposite sides of their backs featuring the No. 1 Sawchuk wore with the Detroit Red Wings and his famous fibreglass mask.

Some important non-hockey news

How We Can Help Those Impacted By Hurricane Harvey - Defending Big D
While Dallas may be 400 miles away from the areas directly impacted, we’re here to do what we can for our fellow Texans.

From The Branches