Tuesday was a busy day for the Maple Leafs. It was the deadline to submit a “bona fide Qualifying Offer” as the CBA calls them to Restricted Free Agents in order to retain exclusive rights to negotiate a new NHL contract.

The Leafs had eight players and prospects in that situation. Some of them, Mitchell Marner presumably being one, had already received a QO. By the deadline we found out four did not.

Maple Leafs qualify only four of eight RFAs

The four who are on the outs were defenceman Jordan Subban, goalie Eamon McAdam, and forwards Gabriel Gagne and Nicholas Baptiste. This is not necessarily the end of the line with the Leafs for these players. They can still negotiate a new contract with the Leafs if they wish, only now they can also choose any other team as well if they like.

Tuesday was also a moment for celebration of some of the greats of hockey, including one who is presently a staff member of the Maple Leafs.

HHOF adds Hayley Wickenheiser

Too bad she wasn’t able to find out about it right away!

The Maple Leafs Development Camp is underway. Nick Robertson was the top pick of the Leafs in the Draft and had some comments on the experience.

Leafs’ Robertson on trick-or-treating at Babcock's house, long journey to NHL - Sportsnet
I remember it was getting late. I was running, knocking on everyone’s door. I’m like, ‘Are you Babcock?’ Then I’d run, knock on the next one: ‘Are you Babcock?’ Then, finally, I got him. I think I asked him about Datsyuk — that was my favourite player at the time.”

More important: Did Coach spring for the full-sized chocolate bars? “I think he gave me a lot of the little ones. I didn’t care. I just wanted to see him,” Robertson said Tuesday, eyes lighting up all over again.

ICYMI
Here’s more news we wrote about yesterday.

Mitch Madness - Fulemin
Some rambling about everyone’s favourite RFA negotiation.

What’s this about the Maple Leafs looking at Zucker? - Katya
Aren’t they supposed to be shopping Nikita Zaitsev for defenceman Jason Zucker?

Leafs 2019-20 full schedule - ElSeldo
You can plan your winter now.

Other News

Sportsnet knows exactly the kind of scoring I like to watch.

Brooks Orpik Announces Retirement - Japers' Rink
The veteran blueliner hangs ‘em up after 15 seasons

Why did the Colorado Avalanche trade Soderberg? - Mile High Hockey
Yeehaw. Time for silly season. Carl Soderberg was traded for Kevin Connauton.

Lightning waste no time in signing Nolan Foote to Entry Level Contract - Raw Charge
That was Lightning fast.

NHL and NHLPA plan to reboot World Cup of Hockey - CBC
"We think the World Cup of Hockey can be a wonderful event, particularly if we don't go to the Olympics," Bettman said.

Cornhole (yes, cornhole) is going pro – Experience Magazine
“Our ultimate goal,” Ryder says, “is to make cornhole an Olympic sport.”

From The Branches