from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- This won’t make Auston Matthews happy: He is 23rd in the NHL in points per game, tied with former linemate Mitch Marner. He is 12th among NHL centres in scoring and eighth in scoring among Americans. He sees himself and the Leafs view him as a top-five NHL player. He has not played to that level through most of the first quarter of the season.

- Connor McDavid is about a week away — maybe less — from being top-three in NHL scoring. He should be the scoring leader by Christmas.

- Sidney Crosby is playing MVP-like hockey but the Pens remain 11th in a crowded Eastern Conference. There are seven teams within three points of each other in the East and only one playoff spot available.

- Yahoo Sports Canada, home to some fine young and not-so-young sporting journalists, is the latest entity to close up shop. It did so on Friday.

a few more hockey related notes...