Sheldon Keefe provided an update to Frederik Andersen’s condition yesterday, which went exactly as all injury updates do:

[Player X] is [lingering somewhere in the twilight space between life and death] and more information is expected [between now and the heat death of the universe].

In more concrete news, Keefe has confirmed that Andersen will not be joining the Maple Leafs on this road trip, which is not exactly a surprise.

There are also more COVID-19-related game postponements in the North Division—this time it’s the Vancouver Canucks and the Winnipeg Jets, although judging by what ended up happening with Montreal, it’s plausible that there will be some kind of trickle-down schedule adjustment for the Leafs.

ICYMI

Points races are clogging up the trading pipeline in the NHL. - Pension Plan Puppets
There’s so many teams coasting on hope — false and real — that no one is trading.

Stuff We Didn’t Write

Maple Leafs' Andersen 'progressing well,' will be reassessed next week
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen received positive news in a follow-up appointment with doctors on Thursday, according to head coach Sheldon Keefe, but there’s still no timeline on when Andersen is expected to return from his lower-body injury.

NHL Rumour Roundup: Penguins eye centre, Bruins want winger
The 2021 NHL Trade Deadline is less than two weeks away and teams are assessing their respective needs.

Sheldon Keefe on the struggling power play: "We are really focusing on getting ourselves back to what our identity was at the start of the season: Two true units that are going to be fresh" | Maple Leafs Hotstove

What can the Wild find in the college free agent market? - Hockey Wilderness
UND’s Matt Kiersted leads a class of college free agents looking to sign with NHL squads

Ottawa Senators sign first-round draft pick Jacob Bernard-Docker | The Star
OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators have signed defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker to a three-year entry-level contract.

Semyon Der-Arguchintsev registers two assists, Nick Robertson scores the game winner as Toronto Marlies defeat Stockton 5-2 | Maple Leafs Hotstove

Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames postponed due to COVID-19 protocols - TSN.ca

Matt Kiersted signs entry-level contract with Florida Panthers - Litter Box Cats
Zito gets North Dakota defender to sign on the which is dotted

Down Goes Brown: Too-many-men penalty shots, stick curve suspensions, 3-minute power plays, and more weird NHL rules

From The Branches