Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans! The 2021 NHL season continues with the Toronto Maple Leafs on top of the North Division, and nothing too dramatic to get in the way of some good old hockey games. The NHL: No Soap Operas, just hockey.

There isn’t much news from Leafs land, as the team had a couple days off and we’re in the middle of a four day break. Let’s take a look at some of the completely undramatic news from around the NHL:

Rangers GM says DeAngelo has played his last game for New York
30 NHL teams pass on waived Rangers defenceman Tony DeAngelo | CBC Sports
Tony DeAngelo Should Be Out of Chances

Yep, just typical no-nonsense news from the New York Rangers.

Ron Cook: Jim Rutherford is hardly the first Pittsburgh legend to leave on sour note
After Shocking Resignation, Jim Rutherford Could Be Back in the NHL - The Hockey News on Sports Illustrated
PensBurgh Podcast: Should the Penguins consider a reset?

The Penguins are keeping their heads down and just playing hockey.

Murray and the Senators search for positives amid the atrocious start to the season
Ottawa Senators desperately ‘need a win to stop the bleeding’ - TSN.ca
Fans losing patience with rebuild as Senators exposed in North Division
Derek Stepan on 1-7-1 Ottawa Senators: 'It's a fragile group, there is definitely no doubt about it' - TSN.ca

The Ottawa Senators keep out of the spotlight.

Devils games postponed through at least Feb. 6 due to COVID-19
How the Capitals weathered an early COVID-19 storm and are poised to be top Cup contenders
NHL COVID-19 case tracker: Updated list of players to miss games during 2021 season
Marco Rossi will not play this season

Finally, the NHL is doing it’s best and things are looking up!

You see fans, we have a straight running no bull sports league. Now, how about those Maple Leafs?

January Fashion Recap: The more things change

Oh god dammit Nylander.

Shilton: Toronto Maple Leafs D Rasmus Sandin says the waiting is the hardest part - TSN.ca

Better to be up with the team and practicing than in AHL limbo, right?

Speaking of:

No approval for 2/5 of the Canadian Division teams? Okay, they only said the NHL has no soap operas.

Last night was the night of high scoring. Three of four games had 7+ goals scored - the Rangers beating the Penguins 3-1 was the only exception. I guess they saved their drama for  of the ice.

The Bruins beat down the Capitals 5-3, but Zdeno Chara scored against his old team.

The Lightning continued running roughshod over the division with a 5-2 in over the Predators.

The Montreal Canadiens, ugh, just dominated the Canucks 6-2.

And the  Flames beat the Jets* in a shootout, as two non-playoff teams fight to not be the buffer between them and the Senators.

Tonight the Maple Leafs are not playing, so go fiddle with your hobbies or something.

Have a good one, folks!

From The Branches