Okay. It’s been a week since the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated from the 2019 NHL Playoffs. There’s an entertainment hole that I’ve been trying to fill and so far I’ve had the below ideas:

The Toronto Marlies - They’re moving on in the AHL playoffs, looking to win back to back Calder Cups. Though I don’t have AHL TV and ehhhhhh I don’t feel like travelling that far for an AHL game. At least not for the second round.

The Toronto Raptors - They’ve been doing great in the NBA playoffs, but I’m not super into basketball and don’t get TSN.

The Toronto Wolfpack - The league rugby team had their home opener at Lamport Stadium on Sunday afternoon and dominated the Swinton Lions 52-10 in front of a league record crowd of 9,562. That game I traveled into Toronto for an it was a blast. Great crowd, great game, and free t-shirts. Plus mascot shenanigans.

The Toronto Blue Jays - The top prospect made his debut and has people caring about the Blue Jays once again! Vvladimir Guerrero Jr has no dingers yet, but everyone’s buzzing about his call up. I’ll admit that the Rogers Centre keeps me away from low stakes games.

Avengers Endgame - Saw it last night and loved it. Very enjoyable movie. Post-movie discussion thread is here.

Game of Thrones - Quiet all of you, I’m still not done my past seasons re-watch yet.

What I am for sure going to do is get out to more local events. The Merritville Speedway has a demolition derby coming up, and the Welland Jackfish will make their Inter-county Baseball League debut in two weeks against the original Toronto Maple Leafs team. Perhaps a Niagara Riverlions (Canadian Elite Basketball League) game or a Hamilton Forge soccer game, because why not.

And maybe occasionally acknowledge my kids existence from time to time.

Here’s the news of the day.

Lots of flopping in the Blues/Stars game last night.

The St. Louis Blues beat the Dallas Stars 4-3 to take a 2-1 series lead.

Tonight’s games are the Bruins / Blue Jackets at 7PM and the Sharks / Avalanche at 10PM.

John Tavares leads Team Canada for the World Championships

Pyjama boy trades his blue leaf for a red one.

The Complete First Year Of Kyle Dubas

The first year of the Dubas reign is over.

New year, same story
What Now?

Leafs blogs get reflective.

Have the Jets traded too much of their future?

Yes, this is the good stuff.

Hurricanes recall Alex Nedeljkovic, Jake Bean from Charlotte

Ned!

Free agent defensemen, goalies who have history with Alain Vigneault

The Flyers are pondering their future.

Is something rotten in the state of Calgary?

Blow it up, start again.

NHL Trade Rumors: Pittsburgh Penguins should be interested in P.K. Subban if Predators are itching to make a bad deal

Malkin?

And yes, there was big prospect news last night but we’ll cover that later today.

From The Branches