It’s Friday! These Friday FTBs are becoming a habit.

The Toronto Marlies try to close out their series against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms tonight at 7:05 pm Eastern. You can watch that on TSN2 or the NHL Network.  The Phantoms may be without their starting goalie, as they’re still waiting on word as to whether Alex Lyon will serve a suspension for that kick from last game.  If he’s out, I’m sure Dustin Tokarski will do juuuust fine.

If you’re waiting for NHL hockey, you’ve gotta wait til Monday. However, the league prefers that teams not make major announcements during the Stanley Cup Final so as to not distract from the action, so we can look forward to a ton of exciting Leafs news between then and now.

ICYMI

An open letter to Kyle Dubas - elseldo
Elseldo had a proposal for our new GM yesterday...

Maple Leafs name Laurence Gilman their newest AGM - KatyaKnappe
...and Kyle was so horrified that an hour later he announced the newest Leafs hire.

Leafs draft pick J.D. Greenway moving to the USHL - KatyaKnappe
It’s the career equivalent of taking the puck back behind the net to wait for a line change. Sometimes it’s the right play.

Stanley Cup Final prep

The Golden Knights Are Hosting Game 1 Of The Stanley Cup Final; "This Is Unbelievable" - SinBin.vegas
A mix of player and fan reactions to this amazing truth.

GIFs of Alex Ovechkin celebrating on the bench before earning a trip to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time
I’m very sad for our friends over at Raw Charge, but happy Ovi is best Ovi.

Around the league

Sharks sign Kane to 7-year contract extension - Fear The Fin
Amid reports that a deal was close, the Sharks have officially re-signed Evander Kane to a seven-year contract extension.

A Full David Quinn Primer - Blueshirt Banter
Hello Valued Consumer, Let me be the first to thank you for your purchase of David Quinn as head coach of your hockey team.

Lukas Vejdemo makes donation to the Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation - Eyes On The Prize
Vejdemo contributes to the Foundation because of his mother’s sudden passing when he was a teenager.

Flyers 2013 1st round pick Samuel Morin will be out until February with torn ACL - Broad Street Hockey
The tough luck season continues

Lou Lamoriello on Team Building - Lighthouse Hockey
All hail the core.

Due to injuries, the Penguins come up empty on pick acquired for Beau Bennett - PensBurgh
At the end of this month the Pens return for oft-injured Beau Bennett will be officially lost, due to injuries of his own

Gabriel Bourque signs one year extension with the Colorado Avalanche - Mile High Hockey
Another depth signing to keep the team intact heading into next season

What news will the Leafs bring us today?

Another front office hire.12
Another front office departure.2
An extension for William Nylander.18
A Marlies win!141
Other (answer in comments)4
From The Branches