from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- Being lousy is one thing. Almost getting shut out in Buffalo by the rather inept Sabres has to be cause for tremendous concern with the off-the-track Edmonton Oilers. But what do they do to fix this? This is complicated … When the Leafs tanked and finished 30th in 2016, the Oilers and Sabres were right beside them. Now the Leafs are third or fourth in the conference and there are the Sabres and Oilers, again two of the worst teams in the NHL. Tanking is not a panacea for everyone.

- The two best centres in the NHL right now are Stamkos and John Tavares. Not far behind the locals, Anze Kopitar and Brayden Schenn. Earth to Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid and Evgeni Malkin.

- The lesson from the Jack Eichel and Leon Draisaitl future contracts: There’s no reason to pay too much, too fast. Neither of the high-priced future stars are playing anywhere near their future projections. The Leafs should take note with William Nylander due up next season and his numbers below expectations.

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