Photographer Al Powers from Las Vegas captured the most phenomenal photograph in Stanley Cup Finals history with this picture of the entire Vegas Golden Knights roster embracing each other after winning their franchise's first championship.

Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Marchessault is centred, the only face beaming up to the heavens while his teammates surround him in a perfect heart. Zoom in, it's one of the most iconic stills from Game of Thrones. Zoom out, and it is the image of what sport is meant to be; togetherness, emotions, camaraderie, relief, fulfillment, love.

Bravo Vegas Golden Knights. Bravo, Al Powers.

Various Leafs and Branches

Changes are coming in Toronto. They might not be large and dramatic as the first one, but they are inevitable.

Ch-ch-changes
Instead of guessing the future, which is basically all we do in June, July and August around here, how about a break where we think about the past, question the way things have always been done and ask where else there should be changes than just the players themselves.
Cathy SquiresPPP Leafs

Fraser Minten's teammate is next on Brian's prospect profile series. An under the radar prospect among the ranks but with very strong underlying numbers.

2023 NHL Draft Profile: Tanner Molendyk | PPP Leafs
Looking at the brilliant skating two-way defenseman Tanner Molendyk, his potential upside, and if he would make for a good pick for the Maple Leafs at 28th overall.
Brian SPPP Leafs

This thread from Chase McCallum reinforced Brian's takeaway after looking at Dubas and Treliving's draft records. They are very similar.

Analyzing Brad Treliving’s Draft History | PPP Leafs
Analyzing the draft history of Brad Treliving with the Calgary Flames and seeing how he stacks up against Kyle Dubas and the Maple Leafs. No reason, why do you ask?
Brian SPPP Leafs

Anthony Petrielli is taking a deep look at the Core Four and what the present and future holds for each of them.

John Tavares is unlikely to be traded. How can the Maple Leafs optimize his remaining productive years?
When the Maple Leafs moved on from GM Kyle Dubas a few weeks ago, the next question was obvious: Who else of significance might follow him out the door? After all, Dubas stood by his core of players through thick and thin. With Dubas gone, it stood to reason that anything was on the table. […]
Anthony PetrielliMaple Leafs Hotstove
Study finds Canadiens legend Henri Richard had stage 3 CTE at time of death | CBC Sports
Hockey Hall of Famer and Montreal Canadiens great Henri Richard has been posthumously diagnosed with stage 3 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada announced Wednesday.
CBC
Flyers announce qualifying offers
The Flyers have made qualifying offers to forwards Noah Cates, Morgan Frost, and Olle Lycksell and to defensemen Ronnie Attard and Cam York.
NHL.com
PHWA Ballots: Marchessault’s 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy win – Professional Hockey Writers Association
Frank Seravalli

Actually, Kyle Dubas is copying me by getting a degree from Brock this week, too. 😉

Penguins Name Jason Spezza Assistant General Manager
Spezza will report directly to Dubas, and assist club management in all hockey operations departments.
NHL.com

From The Branches