Oh, Leafs. What are we going to do with you?

Allowing early goals. Outshooting the opponents and still losing. Scoring two goals in five games. Having David Clarkson open the scoring after going down 3-0 against Ottawa. Everything is weird and frustrating, despite the indications that the Leafs are making generally sensible moves and trying to implement a good system. I know there are rational explanations for this - Chemmy had a good explainer on PDO the other day. But it's hard not to feel like this is karmic punishment for all the times they got outshot and still won.

As hard as it is, let's keep hanging in there. Soon enough the process will produce the results, the Leafs will start making decisions about trades and contracts, and someone will throw Clarkson into the sea. Okay, maybe not that last one. And to be honest, I'm not so sure about the other ones, either. When your team is on a 3-14-0 run, it feels like every bad thing is plausible.

There's only so much that can be said about this weird, frustrating, 18-wheelering Leafs team...so on to the links.

Corey Pronman - Nylander is the best prospect outside the NHL | Maple Leafs Hotstove

The gleaming bright light at the end of this dark tunnel.

Mirtle: Can the Maple Leafs get Connor McDavid? - The Globe and Mail

For some reason, this article is more than just "OF COURSE NOT, IT'S THE LEAFS" printed in 50-foot type.

30 Thoughts: Youth movement for 2016 World Cup - Sportsnet.ca

Interesting Leafs rumors in here (Phaneuf for Richards?) and strategy talk, as well as food for thought about the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Avalanche to host outdoor game in 2016
Against the Red Wings! This will probably be fun.

All the Hockey Ladies—Atlantic Division | High Heels and High Sticks

In a fun hypothetical exercise, @HockeyWthHannah from High Heels and High Sticks has been writing a series of posts proposing one top-notch women's hockey player to fill a gap for each NHL team. I'm a little sad she didn't put the Kessels together, but man do I wish getting a great 1C was this easy. (You should also check the posts for the other three divisions.)