Friday once again. Today, you can look forward to number 6 of our Top 25 Under 25 at 8 am, followed by another elseldo classic and an interesting fanpost. Also I’ve been sitting on a Furies story since Monday so if I get confirmation of that, bonus!

ICYMI

2017 Top 25 Under 25: #7 Timothy Liljegren - Pension Plan Puppets
Kevin talks up the Leafs’ latest first-round pick.

Mailbag: Leafs With Tattoos/Sexy Mimes - Pension Plan Puppets
If you haven’t read Fulemin’s newest mailbag you’re missing out.

Watch Carl Grundström in action: Champions Hockey League begins today - Pension Plan Puppets
This is also your chance to see next year’s draft phenomenon Rasmus Dahlin. (Youtube link in post.)

Marlies replace annual Colemans Cup event with a trip to upstate New York - Pension Plan Puppets
The annual pre-season tradition of a trip to St. John’s to play the IceCaps is a casualty of their move to Laval.

Other News

Leaf prospect Gauthier takes comeback a step at a time | Toronto Star
Physio, surgery and intensive training have all been part of Gauthier's summer.

NHL’s elites gather in Ottawa for Bryan Murray memorial - The Globe and Mail
The longtime NHL head coach and general manager died Aug. 12 at age 74 after a three-year battle with colon cancer

Who wore it best? - PensBurgh
PensBurgh has a look at players who wore #3 for the Penguins

Beauchemin Signing Highlights Blueline Blues For Ducks - Anaheim Calling
Francois Beauchemin’s return to Anaheim isn’t just a heartwarming homecoming —  it’s a necessity with long term injuries to both Hampus Lindholm and Sami Vatanen.

Refusing to pay David Pastrnak more than Bergeron or Marchand is dumb - Stanley Cup of Chowder
If followed, this commonly discussed narrative is going to end up biting the Bruins in the end.

Philadelphia Flyers 25 Under 25: Travis Konecny looks to build on solid rookie season - Broad Street Hockey
The speedy winger made the team, caught fire early on, then slowed down as the year progressed. What did he learn in his rookie season?

Forget Duchene: David Poile Should Try to Sign Alexander Wennberg - On the Forecheck
Offer sheets are rare, but would Wennberg be worth the risks?

NWHL

Connecticut Whale sign FA camp standout Cassie Dunne - The Ice Garden

The Whale sign the Blades’ 22nd round pick. Or put another way, the Whale sign not a Div I player, not a Div III player, but an ACHA (non-varsity) player and a middling one at that.

The Whale still need to sign 4 more skaters and a goalie to even hit the minimum number of players needed for a team this year. Riveters need one more skater to hit the minimum, Pride need another goalie to do the same. The Beauts are the only team above the minimum number of roster players and we’re over three weeks past what was designated as the signing deadline last year. Not to mention that 15 skaters and two goalies is an obscenely low minimum to set for a roster. Yeah, the NWHL is doing just fine, everyone.

And oh right, teams need to be able to play Team Russia by October 11th.

From The Branches