The better things are with this team, the more suspicious I get and the more I expect a collapse. Related: can anyone please recommend a counsellor who has experience dealing with Leafs fans.

Carlyle: Leafs' play slipping despite win streak--Mirtle

So... Carlyle and I agree?

Five reasons the Maple Leafs are legitimately better--More Mirtle

Leafs optimism?

Hey, I wonder if Dangle's excited about the Leafs going 10-1-1 in their last 12 games?

Leafs waive Kozun--The Leafs Nation

I guess we'll see what happens.

Connor McDavid, Lawson Crouse adding youth to Team Canada's World Junior camp

Boxing Day is fast approaching, and we all know what that means--except the American readers, that is. But at what point does a person's obsession with the exploits of 17-19 year-old boys become creepy? Asking for a friend...

Flames sign Bob Hartley to multi-year extension--Matchsticks & Gasoline

How Leafy of them.

Disco Dan not rushing back to coach in the NHL--Sportsnet

Alternate title: "No, I won't be coaching the Oilers."

James Neal fined $2,000 for embellishment--On the Forecheck

Embarrassing.

Everyone please weigh in on exactly what Wild Wing is doing in this gif.

It's important.

Shannon Miller gets fired: A troubling development for women coaches--One Sport Voice

"The firing of Miller and the reasons given are a game changer and a new 'barrier' for women coaches. It communicates to women that even if you do your job well, win, coach with integrity, are beloved by your players, well respected by your peers, turn out Champions and Olympians, are paid well for your expertise, make a long term commitment to the community, institution, and program, that you can be fired under the guise of 'financial reasons' while your male colleague with less success and a greater salary, remains."

Please, don't turn this into a discussion about how irrelevant women's sports are.

From The Branches