Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

The team is in Florida for a two game road trip against the Florida Panthers tonight and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.

Normally a Florida road trip would see the team take an extra day ahead of time for some bonding, but if they lose the day after fishing, then that activity becomes the focus and blame.

So, the Leafs stayed home Monday for practice and only went to Florida yesterday to come in ready to go for the game.

With Auston Matthews coming back soon, Craig Berube isn't exactly looking to make changes just to make changes.

If it's working, don't stop it.

The CHL vs USA Top Prospects challenge began in London, Ontario.

The top NHL prospects from the three Canadian Hockey League members faced off against their peers from the US National Team Development Program.

A change from the top prospects from the CHL only playing an intra-league game gave us a bit more oomph and energy than last games.

It did not go well for the Americans.

CHL stomps Americans in first-ever Prospects Challenge game
The CHL’s top prospects topped their American counterparts in the U.S. national team development program 6-1 in the initial contest of a two-game series on Tuesday in London, Ont.
Sportsnet.caSportsnet Staff

Game two is tonight in Oshawa.

They can and they will. That never backfires, right?

Can the Toronto Maple Leafs Afford to Keep Mitch Marner? - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More
Toronto Maple Leafs Mitch Marner is having a stellar season. Does he have the team over a barrel with his next contract?
The Hockey WritersThe Old Prof

Wickfest - Dr. Hailey Wickenheiser's women's hockey festival - was in Calgary and welcomed a long travelling team this year: The Ukrainian National U13 women's team

‘We are so excited’: Week of peace at WickFest for Ukraine U13 girls’ hockey team
The WickFest Female Hockey Festival is back for another season, and one team competing in the tournament is particularly grateful.
Calgary

The Hockey Diversity Alliance is partnering with the TDSB for an after school program.

Nazem Kadri, Wayne Simmonds and a North York school. Here’s how a group of NHLers is taking on systemic racism in hockey
“The inside of hockey arenas often don’t reflect the diversity of people in Canada.”
Toronto StarReagan McSwain

In Fredericton a referee who collapsed on the ice was able to thank his heroes in person at a charity game.

‘They’re my heroes’: Hockey ceremony acknowledges those who saved referee’s life - New Brunswick | Globalnews.ca
When a referee fell to the ice during a Maritime Hockey Summit game in August, the quick thinking of those in attendance saved his life. They were honoured at a ceremony on Sunday.
Global NewsAnna Mandin

Maple Leafs on top? What?

Grades for all 32 NHL teams at the quarter mark: Canes, Jets, Wild lead the way
From multiple A’s to several D’s, here’s what has gone right (and wrong) for every club, as well as an overall grade for the quarter.
ESPNClose

He stood up for the staff in his local pub, he paid the price.

Ex-NHL player Paul Bissonnette says ‘all is good’ after altercation with 6 men at restaurant
Paul Bissonnette says he was trying to stop a group of ‘drunk golfers’ from harassing the staff at a local eatery.
Yahoo SportsLiz Roscher

Could the Canadiens big acquisition be on the ice soon?

Patrik Laine set to join Canadiens on upcoming road trip
An off-season addition may finally be nearing his Montreal Canadiens debut. Forward Patrik Laine will join the team on its upcoming road trip, head coach Martin St. Louis said Tuesday.
Sportsnet.caSportsnet Staff

Finally, PWHL mini-camp is over, the season starts soon.

What’s in store for the second season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League
After a successful season one, the PWHL looks to expand to 30 games in the second season. Here’s what to know.
ESPNMichele Steele

Enjoy the day everyone!

From The Branches