Today the NHL continues it’s exhibition schedule to let teams warm up and get back into game shape for the 2020 NHL playoffs that begin this upcoming weekend.

Today the NHL schedule looks like this:

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers - 4:00PM - NBCSN, NBCSP+, ATTSN-PT

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Montreal Canadiens - 8:00PM - Sportsnet One, TVA Sports, NHL Network

Edmonton Oilers vs Calgary Flames - 10:30PM - Sportsnet, NHL Network

The first two games of the day are being played in the Scotiabank Arena, explaining the four hour gap between the first and second games, and the Oilers/Flames game is happening in Edmonton at Rogers Place.

I don’t know if it’s because every Sportsnet channel will be covering the Blue Jays (for as long as that happens) and TSN has the Raptors, but none of the non-Canadian exhibition games will be shown on TV here, which is a shame because there are some good match ups, but two or three games will be enough to satisfy our hockey lust before the real games begin.

Also in Leafs news young Mitchell Marner is the Toronto Maple Leafs nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for the 2019-20 season. The King Clancy is given out to the player “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.”

Mitch Marner was nominated for his leadership in contract negotiations, and for all the tireless work he does promoting local brands and stores. Only one Maple Leaf has won the award since it was introduced in 1988 - Curtis Joseph took it home for his work done with the Hospital for Sick Children in creating “Cujo’s Crease”, a lounge room for the kids that was built to resemble the Leafs dressing room, as well as donating a suite for each Leafs game for patients.

The other nominees for the award are below:

The Leafs were back on the ice for practice and this is what things should look like tonight against Montreal:

We’re back in regular season writing mode, with three new stories for you since the last FTB:

Final COVID-19 tests from training camp are complete
Columbus Blue Jackets: who scores, who defends
2020 NHL Draft Profile: Samuel Knazko, Slovakian defenseman

Goalie #3 Kasimir Kaskisuo has found a way to stay busy during his time in the bubble:

In case you need some info on the opposing sides fans.

Welcome to the Columbus Blue Jackets Bandwagon! A Guide for New CBJ Fans

You like prospect profiles? You sure do.

NHL Draft 2020, taking a closer look at: John-Jason Peterka

The situation in Arizona would make a good mini-series one day.

Desert Dogcast: Front Office Chaos

Kyle Dubas speaks to the media on day one.

Kyle Dubas ahead of the NHL playoffs: "We have a lot to prove" | Maple Leafs Hotstove

Sheldon Keefe took a shot at all those wannabe NHL coaches out there in minor hockey.

Sheldon Keefe on the relaxed NHL playoff dress code: "I am kind of hoping it leaks down a little bit because I am not enjoying putting my 8-year-old in a shirt and a tie when he goes out to minor hockey" | Maple Leafs Hotstove

Why would you ever want to put an 8 year old in a tie to show up for a hockey game? Why? There is a lot wrong with kids hockey and dress codes and mandatory $200 track suits are a very small part, but an easy one to fix.

Finally, Mitch Marner was really nominated for his charity work via the Marner Assist Fund. If you want to help you, you can donate at the link below. They’ve worked with JumpStart, Sick Kids, Second Harvest, Kids Help Phone and many other great causes. I just put it down here to see who would get mad and comment before finishing.

Marner Assist Fund - Marner

From The Branches