Big Maple Leafs singing! The Maple Leafs are bringing in Japanese pitcher Ayami Sato for next season.

IBL’s Toronto Maple Leafs make history with Ayami Sato signing
One of the best players in the world will take the mound for the Maple Leafs in 2025, with the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) squad signing superstar hurler Ayami Sato as the first woman to play professional baseball in Canada.
Sportsnet.caSportsnet Staff

Sato is a 34 year old pitcher from Japan, can throw 80mph, and is the starter for Japan's national women's baseball team. With her at the helm Japan has won five world championships, and she was named MVP three times; the only woman to do so.

The Maple Leafs made the splash in bringing Soto over in hopes to improve on their 17-25 season last year, and return to their championship days of 2007.

Now, as a Welland Jackfish fan I do not want success for these Maple Leafs, but if any of you out there can head down to Christie Pitts or see an away game, the Intercounty Baseball games are always a good time.

Anyway. On to hockey.

Ryan Reaves is coming back from suspension. Will he get in right away? The team hasn't looked like it's missed him much.

We have matched through the first two months of the season. How are the Leafs doing?

Toronto Maple Leafs Quarterly Report: Auston Matthews is Back — Offside News
The Toronto Maple Leafs are 14-7-2 in their first quarter-ish of the season, punctuated by the return of captain Auston Matthews on the top line with Matthew Knies and William Nylander in Saturday’s matchup versus the Lightning.
Offside NewsMiranda Dagley

If you've missed the Leafs fashion reports, here's something to occupy your time.

How the NHL Leaves Much to Be Desired in the Realm of Fashion — Offside News
Go Girl, Give Us Nothing
Offside NewsSydney Kerr

The Canadian team for the Four Nations Face Off apparently leaked to Insider Trading on TSN, and it's....questionable.

This is what they had on Insider Trading: Reinhart - McDavid - Marner Marchand - Crosby - MacKinnon Hagel - Point - Stone Bennett - Cirelli - Konecny Toews - Makar Theodore - Pietrangelo Morrissey - Parayko Sanheim Binnington Hill Montembault

— Nick Richard (@nickrichard.bsky.social) 2024-12-04T00:48:03.508Z

Everyone loves Nikita Grebenkin!

Craig Berube on Nikita Grebenkin’s potential: “He doesn’t take any time off, that guy... I like the grit and determination... He has a really good future”
After Tuesday’s practice, head coach Craig Berube discussed Max Domi and Max Pacioretty nearing a return, Ryan Reaves’ return from suspension, and Nikita Grebenkin’s potential. Practice Lines – Dec. 3 Leafs lines at practice Knies – Matthews – Nylander Holmberg – Tavares – Marner Robertson – Minten – Lorentz Grebenkin – Dewar – ReavesA. Nylander, […]
Maple Leafs HotstoveMLHS Staff

The Gaudreau's returned to Calgary for a ceremony to honour their family.

Finally, the Ottawa Charge defeated the Toronto Scepters in their home opener after rallying for a late comeback.

Third period rally leads Ottawa Charge to victory over Toronto Sceptres in PWHL home opener
Goals by Jincy Roese and Tereza Vanisova in the third period helped the Charge defeat the visiting Toronto Sceptres in PWHL play.
Ottawa CitizenDon Brennan

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches