I feel like we’ve finally made it. For hockey fans, the time between free agency and well, this past weekend is pretty brutal. Speculation. Stories of non-factor players signing. People just generally going silent online and having the audacity to “have lives” for a while. Way to go, heroes.



But we’ve made it! Preseason action started up on Sunday, the audition for NHL jobs is on, and there’s real puck to discuss. Knowing that, combined with my ties to the Leafs organization, I thought I’d wade back into the hockey waters by clearing out my notebook and sharing a few general thoughts (mostly) about the team. Off we go!



1. The role of captain is overvalued by the public



It’s been quite the 2018 for NHL captains. Max Pacioretty got traded away from the Montreal Canadiens to the Vegas Golden Knights. John Tavares left the New York Islanders for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Erik Karlsson got traded from the Ottawa Senators to...