Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans!

It's your resident clickbait artist back at work, so let's jump right in.

Early on yesterday presumptive Democratic nominee for United States President Kamala Harris named Minnesota Governor Tim Walz her running mate and Vice Presidential candidate. It did get a little confusing.

As it goes, many people dug into his social media history and found plenty of posts about policy, ands many posts about being a dad to a teenager. Relatable stuff, nothing too weird. Of course he is a Governor, so there have been plenty of controversial moves as well, but one photo that was found is particularly pandering.

Minnesota Governor, potential future Vice President, with a Maple Leafs jersey? You know I'm going to jump on that. Of course, why? Well, everyone loves the Maple Leafs, that's default for every person until their environment turns on them and makes them choose other teams.

This photo in particular, incase you didn't see the poor cropping job, came from the a meeting between Walz and Doug Ford, the Premier of Ontario.

Ford regularly meets with state Governors, and of course you give them a Maple Leafs jersey. I also assume it has Walz on the back. Walz in return gave Ford a Minnesota license plate that is clearly readable after being hit with a camera flash.

Welcome to Leafs Nation Governor Walz, and welcome to Leafs Nation by proxy Democratic voters.

Elsewhere in Leafs land we're on day two of the Top 25, and we get to meet number 25 on the list, so catch up if you have to:

Top 25 Under 25: Unranked and Honourable Mentions
The group that didn’t quite make it.
PPP LeafsCathy Squires

We're still in the "be a gossip column while pretending to be a hockey section" time of year, so here's some topless Nylanders:

Marlies’ Alex Nylander hopes to bring brother act to Maple Leafs
William Nylander could one day have a sibling rivalry in Toronto as Alex re-starts his NHL aspirations on the farm.
Toronto SunLance Hornby

Simon Benoit working out:

Maple Leafs Defenseman Simon Benoit Pushes Limits in Intense Workout Video
Benoit was featured in an Instagram video posted Tuesday by strength and conditioning coach John Chaimberg.
Yahoo SportsEvan Doerfler

And some local stuff about our newest top prospect:

Danford Signs With Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have put pen to paper with Madoc’s Ben Danford. The three-year entry-level deal is jus…
Quinte NewsTim Durkin

Ranking prospects, what a novel idea!

2024 TLN Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings: #19 Nick Abruzzese
<i><span style=“font-weight: 400;”>The TLN Maple Leafs prospect rankin…
TheLeafsNationFilipe Dimas

I love span style font weight 400. He's my favourite prospect.

The Sabres being a team to watch? Well, it has to come true someday.

4 Dark Horse NHL Teams to Watch in 2024-25 - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More
Sixteen teams qualify for the NHL Playoffs. While some may be expected, which teams could surprise by making the playoffs?
The Hockey WritersStefano Rubino

Oliver Kylington is now a member of the Avalanche.

Rangers missed out on this bargain NHL free agent - Forever Blueshirts
The New York Rangers may have missed out on a bargain option when free agent defenseman Oliver Kylington signed with the Colorado Avalanche.
Forever Blueshirts: A site for New York Rangers fanaticsJim Cerny

Hlinka-Gretzky is under way. Start your speculating now!

Top 2025 NHL Draft prospects to watch at Hlinka Gretzky Cup tournament
While a couple of top prospects will be missing from the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this week, there’s no shortage of high-end talent to watch in Edmonton. Here’s a look at some of the names scouts will be monitoring.
Sportsnet| August 5, 2024, 12:16 PM

They all top out the meter. No one knows anything.

BS Meter on the Latest NHL Trade Rumors
We are now well entrenched in the dog days of the NHL offseason. With the best unrestricted free agents under contract and the salary arbitration period…
Bleacher ReportLyle Richardson

Finally, NHLers past and present went to Newfoundland to play some golf.

Enjoy your day everyone!

From The Branches