So this is the week. The Maple Leafs will start the regular season on Wednesday.

Hockey is back, but Kyle Dubas still has some work to do.

First, we all know William Nylander has not yet signed a contract, meaning he is not allowed to play, or even practice with the team. I actually would at this point like him to secretly sign William Nylander and make no announcement at all. Have Willie casually skate out on the ice at that formal player introduction they do for the first home game like nothing has happened. Then watch everyone freak out.

There’s more work to be done than Willie’s contract. Dubas still has the matter of the backup goaltender to sort out, and he has to do that in the next 24 hours, period. Teams must be roster and cap compliant by 5:00 p.m. EST tomorrow.

Several players will pass through waivers today. We will know if any were claimed by another team at noon. It was expected to be very unlikely, but the odds may have risen last night with an unexpected injury to the L.A. Kings Dustin Brown, who broke a finger and will be out for some time. As reported by our affiliate site Jewels from the Crown, the Kings may now be interested in picking-up a right winger off waivers as they were already short on depth on their roster at that position.

Dustin Brown Leaves Game With Broken Finger, Out Indefinitely

The Leafs happen to have one right winger on waivers right now. Adam Cracknell is an experienced NHL player and is out there to be taken by any team until noon today. We will monitor what happens, though Katya reminded me the Sabres also have Justin Bailey on waivers and he may be a more likely choice for a team that really needs and NHL player on the right wing.

ICYMI
Here’s what we wrote about yesterday

Leafs, Marlies announce cuts, Growlers announce camp - Hardev
The Maple Leafs’ organization is starting to take shape.

Other News

Tom Wilson is still Tom Wilson. Everyone today will be talking about this hit.

Wilson has been offered an in-person hearing to discuss this with the Department of Player Safety, which means his suspension could be over five games.

Torey Krug has a lower body injury, seen in walking boot - Stanley Cup of Chowder
[Species: Is it me or are there way more serious injuries this pre-season than normal?]

It’s Lou Lamoriello’s Islanders, With a Nod to the Yankees - The New York Times
The team’s new G.M. has brought a championship pedigree and a clean-shaven look to Long Island — and lured Barry Trotz to the bench.

Why Not Make a Push for Matt Duchene? - On the Forecheck
Would a Matt Duchene trade make sense for Nashville?

Rangers Demote Andersson: It’s OK to be disappointed - Blueshirt Banter
The future remains bright for Lias Andersson.

Ben Johnson’s 1988 Olympic drug test contains altered lab codes and hand-scrawled revisions - The Star
“If I had seen this in Seoul, I would have kept my medal.” - Ben Johnson

Give beer a chance: councillor wants craft-beer trucks at skating rinks this winter - CBC
Toronto city councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon is hopeful that mobile craft-beer trucks at skating rinks and in Toronto parks could become a reality as early as this coming winter.

I couldn’t agree more with Johnasen here. Enough of these exhibition games.

Bring on the regular season!

Will the Leafs lose a player to waivers today?

Yes. I think at least one is good enough to be claimed.77
Yes. I think at least one is good enough to be claimed, but not anyone I care about.65
No. Those guys will all make it through wavers today.79
No. Those guys will all make it through, but I’m concerned about the goalies tomorrow.99
From The Branches