Back in the days when Leafs fans needed such things prior to the second round of the playoffs, I had a couple of backup teams. One of them was the Oilers (I do not claim to be good at picking backup teams). I spent most of the time that I paid attention to Edmonton making schemes to rescue the puppies from their cruel fates. Almost all of them have escaped now (#FreeNuge) and finally we have one in Toronto. Technically, he doesn’t belong to us, but I’m keeping him anyway.

Sam Gagner is frankly too expensive to actually add to the Toronto fold but since Vancouver is kindly paying his keep, he’ll hopefully be a good add to the Marlies lineup. If nothing else, he has moved on from his Edmonton days, where every season seemed to contain a month named Trade Sam Gagneruary.

The Marlies start their season tonight in Utica, so we’ll see how the new additions fare then.

ICYMI

The Sharks are circling, and the Maple Leafs might lose another player - Pension Plan Puppets
With multiple teams opening the season with 22 players on their roster, the Leafs might have to wave goodbye to someone when William Nylander signs his contract.

William Nylander still training on his own in Stockholm: report - Pension Plan Puppets
"Obviously you are looking forward to playing," he says.

Marlies sign a familiar face: Jeff Glass is coming back - Pension Plan Puppets
In case of goalie shortage, don’t break the glass, call him.

And not by us (and by “us” I mean “Katya”), but a nice ECHL read:

Mike Garteig: Growlers’ goalie … and tour guide | Hockey | Sports | The Telegram
B.C. native made the long drive to Growlers’ camp, and he enjoyed every minute of it

Around the league

Jamie Oleksiak opens the 2018-19 season scoring for the Penguins - PensBurgh
This is not a headline I expected to see.

Highlights: Bruins bounce back for 4-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres - Stanley Cup of Chowder
You wanted a better effort, and you got it.

Hockey is Back! Winning is not! CBJ 3-2 DET - Winging It In Motown
Would’ve been nice to win it for Hank, but it could’ve been so much worse.

Nashville Predators 3, New York Rangers 2: Preds Emerge Victorious on Opening Night - On the Forecheck
The Predators secured a solid win tonight in Madison Square Garden.

Penguins vs. Capitals Recap: Letang pushes Pittsburgh past Washington 7-6 (OT) in track meet - PensBurgh
The fireworks are always on display when it’s Penguins and Capitals, and tonight was no different.

Islanders 2, Hurricanes 1 (OT): 45 saves for Greiss sets up Isles win - Lighthouse Hockey
A strong outing by Thomas Greiss covers up the Islanders’ defensive woes on opening night against the Carolina Hurricanes.

No recap from the Yotes vs Stars game but Dallas beat Arizona 3-0,  Connor Carrick had a two point night (both secondary assists, make of that what you will) and was named second star of the game.

Neither Pickard nor McElhinney saw action last night.

Happy Friday!

From The Branches