Progress is being made on PPP 2.0, we just achieved a major breakthrough.

Sheng has some insight into what the San Jose Sharks might be asking for in their trade negotiations for Timo Meier. Important to remember that when it comes to contract retention, it’ll cost about a 2nd or a 3rd round pick for each team that takes salary for them due to Meier’s high salary this year. For reference, Ryan O’Reilly only has $250k left on his contract, so he would presumably cost less on retention.

Not much on the Leafs, other than Friedman being surprised the Leafs defense has done well enough to not have to replace Jake Muzzin outright. Thank you, Gio, Hollsy, and Timme. The Bruins might go get Vladislav Gavrikov and the Lightning might not spend on Luke Schenn. The Leafs are going to get next year’s All-Star Game, though.

NHL ratings are down significantly in the US. How much of that is the Chicago market tanking? Or maybe the league’s divisional marketing tactics are getting old. Either way, the league should be afraid of these numbers.

“The Creative Artists Agency has signed eight women’s hockey players, including two-time Canadian Olympic medalist Blayre Turnbull and Boston College captain Hannah Bilka, to its initial roster, promising to provide the same level of services it does for NHL clients.” I just need to say I love Blayre Turnbull, her presence always creates a magnetic field to repel pucks away from her team’s net.

Several former Leafs are taking part in the All-Star Alumni Game. Bet you can name them all!

The Hamilton Bulldogs are having renovations done, so the team will be playing in Brantford for, as the tweet says, a while.

From The Branches