Good news!

The Toronto Marlies beat the Syracuse Crunch 2-1 in game 4, completing the sweep and advancing to the conference finals.

Bad news...

Where the hell did all the hockey go?? It seems like all the hockey just went away as all the leagues are slowing wrapping up their playoffs and international tournaments have yet to pick up steam. I think the next round of NHL playoffs starts sometime in August...

Team Canada has played Korea, Denmark, and plays Norway next — they finally get a good test against Finland on Saturday.

We need the off season to really get here so the Maple Leafs can sort their GM opening out, and then we get to what seems like it will be a crazy break. Karlsson in Ottawa, Tavares in New York, a bunch of teams with cap space and a desire to improve fast... the draft, July 1st... will it all actually give the promised payout or will we likely have Karlsson stay in Ottawa, Tavares re-sign with the Islanders, and the only cap space filled up are on money desperately thrown on middling players?

Yeah... I’m leaning towards the latter too.

ONTO THE LINKS!

What can the Maple Leafs expect out of a 25th overall pick? | by Katya

2018 NHL Draft Profile: Ryan Merkley | by Kevin

What should the Maple Leafs do with more than $25-million in cap space this summer? | by James Mirtle

The Case for Trading Down From 25th Overall | by TLN

A transcript of Sheldon Keefe talking about Liljegren | by MLHS

Have a happy Wednesday!

From The Branches