I hope everyone had a relaxing long weekend. Today, kids are finally going back to school, the TTC 501 streetcar is back in partial service from its seeming never-ending annual summer construction shutdown, and the Sun is back to popping up in the sky each morning after 7:00 am, instead of rudely awaking us at 5:45.

Summer is definitely drawing to a close, and that means NHL hockey is about to come back. The first scheduled pre-season game is only 11 days away, a tilt between the Kings and Canucks. The Leafs will play their first pre-season game two days later on Monday September 18 vs. the Senators.

Maple Leafs 2017 rookie camp and tournament roster featuring Timothy Liljegren

However, some of the Leafs’ prospects will start playing games as early as this week. The Maple Leafs are hosting the Senators and Canadiens for the annual Rookie Tournament; a three game series starting Friday at Ricoh Coliseum. Timothy Liljegren is among those appearing.

They will play one game each day, with the Leafs’ rookies in action on Friday and Sunday.

Since we still have a few days to wait for the games, you can catch up on what else we talked about the long weekend while you were away.

Leafs European Report: CHL hockey, mixed up lines, and KHL games - Katya
Yegor Korshkov gets new linemates and the CHL keeps rolling.

Catching up on Solar Bears signings - Paul
What’s up with the goaltending situation in Orlando?

Markham Thunder sign free agent Alexis Woloschuk - Annie
Former Boston University player leaves SDHL for CWHL and Markham’s new team.

Other News

What Goon’s Jay Baruchel gets right and wrong about fighting in hockey - RMNB
“We can tell ourselves that fighting is all about personal agency and  “electing to be there,” but then we would have to ignore the forces that  often compel players to do so. You don’t have to fight, the market says, but then you’ll never earn a living in this sport.”

Duclair signs one year for $1.2M - Five For Howling
Anthony Duclair deal has all of the signs of a true ‘Show Me’ contract. The reported $1.2 million dollar contract is low risk, high reward.

Claude Julien’s coaching style: Analyzing his tenure in Boston - Eyes On The Prize
"Julien’s coaching style does prioritize defence first, but while his predecessor sought defensive prowess in passivity and cautiousness, Julien creates defence through solid structures and systems."

Canucks’ signing of Vanek a delicious serving of confliction - Nucks Misconduct
"My first reaction when hearing about the Canucks signing of Thomas Vanek was: "What the hell happened to giving the kids a chance?"

Who is your captain? - The Blue and White Brotherhood
"Which players embody the identity of the team? Which team member has the experience to lead a young group to a deep playoff run? Who has the most character? Let me start off by making my controversial statement right away - none of that matters."

From The Branches