We’ve arrived at the Simcoe Day weekend, generally viewed as the mid-point of the summer. Simcoe was the first viceregal representative of Upper Canada, appointed by William Pitt the Younger in 1791.

Would his administration have delayed so long to sign Connor Brown, or make trades to clear roster slots? We will probably never know... unless we could bring them forward in time and replace the MLSE management team to see what happens! Wade Boggs would certainly like a Pitt running things again.

Look, folks. It’s an August long weekend. Were you expecting my witty FTB banter to be logical? We’re waiting on the Leafs and the Avalanche do something —anything— and they’re just not going to do it until they feel like it.

Now, it’s not a problem that Connor Brown has yet to sign. Going off memory here only, it’s rather common for deals to be done only early or late in the off-season. Not much happens in the middle. I suspect this is because one of the parties (management, agents, players) is off somewhere on vacation.

On to the links.

Our Top 25 Under 25 will be back again on Monday. Here’s who we voted for the first five six from this week.

2017 Top 25 Under 25: Miro Aaltonen arrives at 21
2017 Top 25 Under 25: #22 Yegor Korshkov
2017 Top 25 Under 25 #23: Eemeli Rasanen
2017 Top 25 Under 25: #24 Garret Sparks
2017 Top 25 Under 25: #25 Joseph Woll
2017 Top 25 under 25: #25 Rinat Valiev

USA Hockey has announced their staff for the coming Winter Olympic Games.

Well that’s hilarious. Do any American NHL players have something to say about that? Any? Of course not. NHL players have decided they would rather keep quiet and do as told. They’re too scared to say something, even though they actually hold all the power in this debacle.

Leafs have tough decisions looming on Bozak, Komarov, van Riemsdyk - Puck Daddy
With players like James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and Leo Komarov all on expiring contracts, he’ll have to decide what he’s going to do with each of those guys.

Under Pressure: Patrick Marleau – ProHockeyTalk
His point production isn’t anywhere close to his peak of 80-plus points on two occasions with the Sharks, but he’s still been able to score at an impressive rate, especially given his age.

Prust to attend Kings camp on professional tryout - NHL
[Species: Remember when he attended Leafs camp last season?]

Stars sign Penny Oleksiak's brother - Defending Big D
The Big Rig returns to the Stars on another prove-it deal.

Sports betting community rallying behind Golden Knights - Knights On Ice
Some of Las Vegas’ notable betting personalities might be more excited than anyone that the season is near.

Don Maloney Named Flames VP of Hockey Operations - Matchsticks and Gasoline
The Flames made some front office moves this afternoon.

How to fix the Matt Duchene situation without trading him - Mile High Hockey
Who had this whole thing dragging into August in the office pool?

Oilers hire Vaclav Burda as director of European scouting - Sportsnet.ca
LOLSNES! The Edmonton Oilers have poached the Senators best scout.

It’s my birthday this weekend! Have a good one, folks. I’m off to ribfest in Scarborough.

From The Branches