Thursday Mashup: Leafs back on the ice

by Ryan Fancey on August 18, 2011 in Leafs News - 299 Comments

Not too long now friends. Every day it’s starting to feel more and more like hockey is just around the corner.

Before you know it, we’ll all be lacing up for our weekly beer league game and talking NHL hockey, probably saying things along the lines of “Stamkos is on another level” or, hopefully “Reimer is unbeatable lately.”

Now, I’m quite aware that many people play hockey through the summer, but it obviously isn’t the same – hockey consumes us in the winter months.

Many of the Leafs have now begun working out the kinks in preparation for training camp. They’re shaking off rust, kicking into gear, whatever you want to call it. Lance Hornby of the Sun has more on the team, and more specifically, Nazem Kadri hitting the ice this week:

Not yet 21, Kadri looks a lot more fit for this season. He’ll be skipping the rookie camp in Oshawa next month and going right to the main camp.

“This off-season wasn’t about (growing) for me, it was about leaning out and getting stronger and I think I accomplished both. I feel great and I’m really excited. I know I’m ready to go.”

As a Leafs fan, you love to hear those types of things from the youngster. Again we’ll wait and see if he can deliver, but it seems like he’s definitely one focused individual and I doubt that will change any time soon. Good stuff.

More links after the jump;

Canadian team previews: Toronto Maple Leafs

Mirtle continues this series at the G&M, with Chemmy weighing in to preview the Leafs for this upcoming season

The Hansons could score

Tyler Dellow at mc79hockey with his thoughts on the “pure goon.” An interesting read for sure

New tie-breaking formats examined at RDO camp

3-on-3 anyone?

Better know a division

Our own Michael Stephens with a good piece about the Leafs making up ground on divisional rivals. It’s going to be tough

The Leafs’ depth chart

HockeyTracker.net with a piece about some movement within the Leafs lineup

And, if you’re interested, I’ve recently created a team blog for my hometown St. John’s IceCaps, the Jets’ new AHL affiliate. If you want to check it out, head on over to SJIceCaps.com.

Any feedback is appreciated, and feel free to tell your friends. I’ll also be contributing some AHL content to SBNation’s new Arctic Ice Hockey Jets blog as well.

If you have any other links you’d like to share, drop them in the comments. Glove tap to burtonboy12 for the featured link. Enjoy your weekend folks.

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