When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. The Leafs have undergone a major overhaul this year. Of all the changes, none has been more impactful than the addition of a squadron based tactical deployment that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas designed to keep the peace on the mean Toronto streets. Today we follow Otter squad: the centers.

In spite of his ability to travel in and out of the physical dimension through shadows, Nazem Kadri is used to being stuck. This time he is in a solid block of concrete with fellow Toronto Maple Leaf, Par Lindholm and also Joe Thornton and Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks. They are buried up to their necks, their heads just outside of spitting distance of each other. The heroes have been captured by a mysterious villain that has yet to reveal themselves. Their spirits remain high even though the circumstance is dire.

“Your face looks like a goose choking on a tennis ball.” Naz says to Joe.

“I wish I could punch your hairy mouth.” Joe retorts.

“Don’t be racist.” Naz says.

“No way that was racist.” Joe insists.

“It was a little bit racist I think.” Par says, backing up his teammate.

“Erik?” Joe looks for support.

Erik is in a tight spot. He wants to back up his fellow Shark but he is loath to go against another Swede. If he’s honest, Erik isn’t sure if the comment was racist or not. Looking in his heart is no good since he has a cursed frogs heart where his own should be. Eventually Erik chooses noncommittal equivocation.

“It might have been a little racist but who can really say?” Erik finally says.

“I say.” Naz says. “If I feel racially profiled then that makes it racist.”

“That’s total crap.” Joe protests.

“Your beard is crap.” Naz answers. “Your razor must hate you.”

“Ha!” Par laughs. “It is a sad, dull little blade that goes ‘wee wee wee!’ Oh I can see it now with all the little hairs gathered in a tiny sack.”

Erik stifles a laugh to spare Joe’s dignity. “So how will we get out of here?” He asks.

“We wait.” Par says.

“Wait for what?” Erik asks.

“For Auston.” Naz answers.

The name lingers in the air.

“He… He… He’s back?” Erik finally squeaks.

“Pull up your jock man.” Joe is embarrassed. “He’s not that scary.”

“Oh my boy is as scary as you like, old man.” Naz manages to make his head look tough even though it is poking up out of a slab of concrete. “You’re right to fear him, he will destroy you from the inside out.”

“He will dominate your dreams.” Par adds. “He will haunt your every waking moment.”

“Okay, that’s great guys. Leave him alone.” Joe stands up for Erik, who is a gibbering wreck.

A ray of light shines into the room and grows into a portal. Auston Matthews and Freddy Anderson step out of it. Freddy is the Toronto Maple Leafs chief wizard and he is chanting endlessly. Naz feels the concrete around him getting warmer. Auston reaches out to him and Naz finds that he can move again.

Auston pulls out Naz then Par before helping Joe. Last he turns to Erik.

“I’m going to reach out my hand okay.” Auston says. Erik nods. “I want you take my hand. Can you do that?” Erik nods again spellbound by the young Leaf. “Okay, I want you to reach out for my hand, nice and slow, that’s it, take your time.”

Auston displays his remarkable kindness as he waits for Erik to work up the nerve to move. As soon as Erik raises his hand out of the concrete Auston yanks him out and pushes him toward the portal.

“I really like your dumb looking moustache by the way.” Auston says to Erik with a laugh.