Hello NHL teams. Let’s chat.

Now, I know it’s an exciting time to be working on mascots, what with the Flyers and Gritty taking the world by storm, heck he even had an interview with Time magazine about being person of the year.

Gritty on Thanksgiving, 'Zamboni Dust' and Shoving That Kid in the Penalty Box

This whole Gritty thing has been a lot of fun, and it’s been great to see someone become popular outside of hockey, but there’s one thing that worries me.

You’re all going to copy it.

It’s started locally in Philadelphia, as the Phillies mascot the Phanatic now has it’s own Twitter account..

One of the great things about the Phanatic was that it can’t talk. Kind of like the Stanley Cup. Not everything needs a narrative, maybe things can just be.

Not every mascot, or every team twitter account, needs to be the same. If one becomes popular for it’s loud mouth wackiness, just remember that there are thousands of people who like your stuff just the way it is. Don’t completely change who you are just to become popular. This isn’t Grease.

Now, the news.

In case you missed it, the Maple Leafs lost to the Hurricanes last night.

We had a full slate of things for you here at PPP yesterday:

Marlies Recap: Marchment snaps losing streak in OT on Sunday - Pension Plan Puppets
Mason Marchment was the hero in OT against the Binghamton Devils.

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect report: Book your flight to Halifax now - Pension Plan Puppets
The Raiders goalie gets his third goalie of the week nod.

First Quarter Report: Is this the same old Leafs? - Pension Plan Puppets
There have been a lot of roster changes since last year, so has the team changed or are they still Leafy at heart?

Women’s Hockey Wednesday: NCAA Northeastern’s rookie dream team - Pension Plan Puppets
Mueller and Aurard make waves, Inferno and Canadiennes both sweep, and the Whale get their first win.

Then there were less important sites doing things too:

A California Dream for the Maple Leafs - Centre of Leafs Nation

Leafs Musings: Toronto’s Impressive Forward Depth, Shifting the Defense Pairings & Prospect Notes - MLHS

Report: Kristian Vesalainen is going to Europe - Arctic Ice Hockey
The Jets will not be able to recall the forward until his KHL season is finished.

Return Flight: The Fog Game, Game 3 of the 1975 Stanley Cup Final - Broad Street Hockey
PETA probably didn’t like this game.

Sabres Jeff Skinner is in line for a nice payday - Die By The Blade
Skinner is off to a great start in a contract year for the Sabres

NHL fines Mikko Rantanen - Mile High Hockey
The NHL fined the Colorado Avalanche forward $2,000 for diving

The current Penguins connections to the Craig Patrick era - PensBurgh
There is one in there you might not expect

Marlies Recap: Marchment snaps losing streak in OT on Sunday - Pension Plan Puppets
Mason Marchment was the hero in OT against the Binghamton Devils.

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect report: Book your flight to Halifax now - Pension Plan Puppets
The Raiders goalie gets his third goalie of the week nod.

First Quarter Report: Is this the same old Leafs? - Pension Plan Puppets
There have been a lot of roster changes since last year, so has the team changed or are they still Leafy at heart?

Women’s Hockey Wednesday: NCAA Northeastern’s rookie dream team - Pension Plan Puppets
Mueller and Aurard make waves, Inferno and Canadiennes both sweep, and the Whale get their first win.

Enjoy your day folks!

From The Branches