Now that the holiday is over and we're all working, it's time to get serious about the coming season.

On Wednesday this week the NHLPA hosts the photo op that is the Rookie Showcase. Easton Cowan will be on hand. It's all about selling hockey cards.

Sunday, September 15 is the first day of another thing entirely that is also called the Rookie Showcase, but is in fact two scrimmage games against Habs prospects in Montréal. This is the pared-down version of the annual prospect tournament.

The exact dates and schedule for the Leafs training camp are yet to be revealed, but Sunday, September 22 is the first preseason game against the Senators. Less than three weeks away.

It's been interesting to see Auston Matthews hang around Toronto a lot this summer, and his job as captain is about to start as host of the pre-training-camp skate which should be underway at the end of this week or the beginning of next.

What else is going on? Well, if you missed it, the Leafs are considering signing Max Pacioretty, but Nick Robertson doesn't want to sign a new deal. There is still no final word on the future of Jani Hakanpää, whose status after knee surgery is subject to rumour and debate. The Leafs may yet sign him.

There are some other RFAs unsigned, some with big profiles:

  • Lucas Raymond, Detroit
  • Thomas Harley, Dallas
  • Moritz Seider, Detroit
  • Cole Perfetti, Winnipeg
  • Dawson Mercer, N.J.
  • Jeremy Swayman, Boston

Along with several others, expect these deals to start getting done this week. If you missed it, the Hurricanes signed the second deferred payment contract with Seth Jarvis. Puckpedia has a tool to help you understand these deals:

And their explainer is here: https://puckpedia.com/salary-cap/deferred

Pacioretty isn't the only player unsigned so far. Frankly, Mark Giordano is one of the most interesting, as are Martin Jones and Kevin Lankinen.

It's not all about the coming season just yet, we have the rest of the T25 to argue through from today through to next week.

Until there is real news, though, Happy Tuesday. Don't work too hard.

From The Branches