Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

I’ve emerged from my cocoon of hockey ignorance to check in with everyone. How are you? Finding ways to forget round one? Enjoying the early days of summer stress-free? Rooting for Carey Price to turn into a pumpkin so we can avoid having to deal with a Montreal Canadiens trip to the Finals? Ugh.

One thing that's been slipped into the news between playoff games has been the announcement of the 2021 NHL Awards winners. With no ceremony again the league has been announcing the winners online and while no Leafs have won an award yet, they’ve been getting votes and oh so close to some trophies.

King Clancy Memorial Trophy:

Pekke Rinne of the Nashville Predators won the award for “ the player or players who best exemplify leadership qualities on and off the ice and have made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in their community”.  The Devils PK Subban and Sharks Kurtis Gabriel were runners-up.

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy:

Oskar Lindblom won the award for “he player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.” Lindblom played 30 games last season before leaving to be treated for cancer, and made his return in the playoff bubble.  Minnesota Wild’s Matt Dumba and the San Jose Sharks Patrick Marleau were runners-up in voting. Jack Campbell was the Maple Leafs nominee.

Jack Adams Award:

On the day he got a three year contract extension Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour was named the NHL coach of the year.  Dean Evason of the Minnesota Wild was second, and Joel Quenneville of the Florida Panthers was third. This is where I learned who the coach of the Minnesota Wild was.

Sheldon Keefe came in sixth, with six second place votes and nine third place. Nice!

Selke Trophy:

The best defensive forward this year was Florida Panthers Aleksander Barkov. He beat out perennial Selke nominee Patrice Bergeron and Mark Stone of the Golden Knights.

Mitch Marner was 10th in voting, Zach Hyman was 23rd, and Auston Matthews was 27th.

Lady Byng Trophy:

The “Most Gentlemanly Player” award went to Jaccob Slavin this year who took only one minor penalty, which is pretty impressive. Jared Spurgeon of the Wild was second and our own Auston Matthews was third.

Mitch Marner was 24th, Jason Spezza was 34th, and Jack Campbell was 38th.

That was the final award to be awarded so far. Auston Matthews still has the chance to win two more trophies: He’s nominated for both MVP awards, the Hart Trophy (voted by PHWA members) and the Ted Lindsay (voted by the players) I’m sure he’ll beat out Connor McDavid for one of those right?

Right?

Here’s some news:

It was a a quiet weekend in Leafs land, most of the topics of discussion were old. Sign Hamilton, let Hyman walk, hat about Morgan Rielly?

We need some new news.

Last night the Vegas Golden Knights tied their semi-final series against the Canadiens, winning game four 2-1.

From what I gather the refereeing was terrible, but that's always the reaction.

Arizona Coyotes looking to trade Oliver Ekman-Larsson again

If he makes more than league min, his name is in Coyotes trade rumours.

2021 World Para Ice Hockey Championship: USA 4, Czech Republic 0: Shot, Save, Shot, Save.

On the Forecheck is covering the World Championships, if you wanted some more international hockey in your life.

Tonight the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning play game five of their semi-final series which is tied at two wins apiece. You can watch that at 8PM on Sportsnet.

Or don’t which is what I’ll be doing. Or not doing. You know.

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches