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 Ether squad: the goalies

Frederik Andersen meditates in the Toronto Maple Leaf rock garden. He breathes easy as calmness wraps around his body. Contentment and ease play smooth jazz in time with his hearts beat. In his minds eye Freddy sees a snow covered hillside, the sun rising behind it. He can feel the crisp cold on his nose and lips. He can feel the snowflakes that fall fat and heavy, melting on his face to leave dripping kisses wherever they land. A sound like a deep gong intrudes on Freddy’s inner peace.

After the second gong Freddy opens his eyes. The crystal floating beside him glows with an orange light. The light flares as the gong sounds for a third time. Freddy taps the crystal and the image of a head projects above it, fuzzy at first but gaining in clarity with each passing second.

It is Mike Smith, wizard for the Calgary Flames.

“Hi Freddy.” Mike smiles in greeting. “I was wondering if you could come over and look at something I’m trying. I’d love your advice.”

Wizards are a strange bunch. Even though they compete endlessly with each other they value their fraternity, so that rivals may go to great lengths to assist each other. Freddy doesn’t care what Mike is working on but he forces himself to be polite.

“Sure I can come, when would be convenient?” Freddy hopes it’s soon.

“You can come now, I mean, can you come now?” Mike is eager, obviously.

“Yeah, sure.” Freddy resists the urge to roll his eyes in a great display of will. “I’ll be right there.”

Freddy reaches out and grabs the crystal. It is magical, of course, and it’s magic grabs Freddy in a firm grip. The crystals are given to wizards once they make it into the NHL. They can communicate with each other and they can also be used to teleport to each other anywhere within the nine dimensions. In the time it takes to blink Freddy is in Mike’s Hotel room.

The Calgary wizard has set up a potions table and several opaque beakers billow with smokes and mists of many colours. Mike stoops over the table and pours a thick yellow liquid into a small cauldron that floats over a green flame. He puts down the beaker and reaches blindly for another one, clumsily knocking it over. Freddy catches the beaker with a magic hand he conjures quicker than thinking.

“Thanks.” Mike says sheepishly.

“What did you want to show me?” Freddy asks.

“This.” Mike says waving a hand at the cauldron. “It’s an elixir of growth. One drop will make anything grow five times its regular size.”

“Five times?” Freddy is impressed. Five times is a lot of growth, a standard elixir will grant three times normal size as a rule. “So have you tested it?”

“Not yet, that’s why I called you.” Mike turn back to the table and grabs the beaker out of Freddy’s magic hand. “How many drops of pregnant molten salamander saliva should I use?” Mike starts pouring before he hears Freddy reply.

“None!” Freddy yells, too late to stop what’s going to happen next. “Oh god” The Leaf tries to take cover but there is none close enough. A massive explosion rocks the hotel. Mikes room is covered, floor to ceiling, in thick yellow goo.      

“That was great.” Freddy wipes the foul tasting stuff off his face. “Let me know how this all turns out.” Without another word Freddy teleports back to the Toronto Maple Leaf rock garden. He leaves the goo behind but the foul taste is still in his mouth.

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 Horse squad: wingers

The hot sun beats down on Toronto Maple Leaf Kasperi Kapenen. He wipes the sweat from his brow with his free hand, he holds his short sword in the other. The hot sand threatens to burn his bare feet as he slowly circles his foe. Slowly. The word weighs like an anchor on Kasperi, usually his super human speed makes everyone else slow down, but he promised not to use his super powers, so he slowly circles the dusty pit.

Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets swings his morning star with casual ease. Mark also has a shield, making him all the more difficult to hit. Kasperi could have taken a shield too, but chose speed instead. Even though they are using rubber weapons, they will still sting,and Mark hopes to end this match quickly as he rushes forward with a yell, bringing his morningstar down hard.

Kas spins away and strikes out with his sword. Mark barely gets his shield up in time to catch the sword. He pushes out with his shield and follows with a back handed sweep of his weapon. Kasperi steps back as the rubber head whistles by him. Mark gives him no time. The Jet rushes forward to bash Kas with his shield. Kasperi jumps into the attack, planting his free hand on the top rim of Marks shield. The Leaf uses the shield as a springboard to flip over top of the Jet. Mark turns and swings wildly hoping to catch Kas as he lands. Kas ducks underneath the whistling morning star and punishes Mark with quick hits to his ribs, shoulder, and leg.

The crowd of Mitch Marners that fills the stands surrounding the Toronto Maple Leaf dueling pit goes wild.

“That’s one.” A Mitch says to Dustin Byfuglien, who sits beside him, the lone Jet in the sea of Mitches.

“That’s one.” Dustin agrees. “But the bet’s to three.”

In the pit Mark wraps his weapons chain around Kas’ sword. As Mark comes around with his shield, Kas pulls down as hard as he can with his sword arm and lashes out his his back heel catching Mark in the ear. The Jet spins and falls to the ground. The Mitches cheer becomes a torrent of noise to rattle the stars.

Kas unwraps his weapon and tosses the morning star aside as Mark slowly gets to his feet.

“Take a minute.” Kas says to his shaken foe. A contest is no reason to abandon honour. Mark nods his head in thanks.

After a brief pause Mark gets back to his feet, steely determination locked in his eyes. Cautiously he approaches Kas watching for any sign of attack. Kas only lets him get so close, always maintaining a gap between them. Mark stops. Kas stops. The sun stops, waiting to see who will strike first. Kas rushes forward with a high strike.Mark moves his shield but the strike is a feint. Kas spins his blade to stab at Marks ribs, another feint. Mark moves his shield down in time to see the edge of Kasperi’s sword reaching out for his face.

The Mitches explode with glee as Mark staggers back, dropping his weapons and clutching his aching face.

“That’s three!” Mitch beside Dustin says. “Pay up.”

“Double or nothing.” Dustin demands. “Who’s up next?”

Mitch checks his list before answering. “Marleau versus Wheeler.”

Kas helps Mark out of the arena as the next pair enter. Patrick Marleau is a werewolf, but without his powers the Leaf will have to rely on his boxing skills. Blake is a Wheeler, the last descendant of an ancient clan from the far away land of Oz. Maintaining his human disguise means Blake will also be fighting in a manner he is not super familiar with. It promises to be a long and a brutal affair.

As the first tentative punches are thrown Dustin and the Mitches settle in for the long haul.

“How’s Auston?” Dustin asks.

“What are you talking about?” The Mitches are all staring at Dustin now, the combat below forgotten.

“He got hurt, didn’t he.” Dustin isn’t asking a question. “I was wondering how he’s doing.”

“Auston is fine.” Mitch laughs. “He isn’t hurt. Well maybe his feelings, a little, but otherwise he’s fine just angry. He’s sick of waiting for Wily to get back so he went to talk some sense into him. Oh damn, look at that!” The Mitches all point to the dueling pit where Patrick has gotten the better of Blake, unleashing a devastating combination that brings the Jet to his knees. The Mitch beside Dustin holds out his hand. “Pay up, buddy.”

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.

A blizzard has caught Winnipeg in frozen blanket of impenetrable beauty. In a secluded cabin on the roof of a hedge clipper repair shop Patrick Liane looks out the window and shudders. The Winnipeg Jets hero is hiding. From the cold, from his fears, you name it, Patrick is hiding from it. The problems all started when he shaved his beard, bad luck had taken root on his shoulder ever since. Thus the secret fort, except it’s not as secret as he hopes. Patrick is being watched, not with malice but with sympathy.

“Patrick.” A voice whispers from the shadows.

“Who’s there?” Patrick asks, stretching his neck out and scouring the room for the intruder.

“I was watching you. You look lonely.” Nazem Kadri steps walks out from the shadows behind the lamp. The Toronto Maple Leaf has the power to move through the shadow realm making it hard to keep him out of places.

“Why were you watching me?” Patrick asks.

“We were looking for you.” Naz says. “Everyone is. What are you doing hiding out here?”

Patrick doesn’t say anything. Nazem walks over to the little wood burning stove and puts the kettle on. As the water boils Naz prepares two mugs of instant coffee. Looking around the room Naz is surprised by the emptiness of the place. A lamp, a cot, a chair, a stove and a table with two chairs is all there is for furnishings, two small shelves hold various useful things.

“Seriously though, what do you do out here man?” Naz finally breaks the silence

“Mostly think, I guess.” Patrick says in a quiet voice.

“Well I know just the guy to help you out with that.” Naz says. He reaches into the shadows behind the stove and pulls out John Tavares, who had been waiting patiently in the shadow realm.

“Hi.” John reaches out to shake Patricks hand. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

Patrick shrugs and nods. The kettle starts to whistle and Naz makes the coffees. He hands one steaming mug to John and keeps the other, then moves to stare out the window at the cold Manitoba night, offering  at least the appearance of privacy.

“You must be under a lot of pressure.” John says. “I know how that feels. When I first got to New York…”

“It’s not pressure that I am hiding from.” Patrick interrupts.
“So what then?”John demands.

In answer Patrick points to the cot. “Under there.”

John and Nazem peer under the bed. A beady yellow pair of eyes blinks at them.

“What the heck?” Naz says.

The Leafs edge closer to the cot until the eyes reveal a disproportionately massive set of jaws which snaps at them with huge, pointed teeth. The Leafs jump back.

“See.” Patrick says. “I can’t get rid of it.

“No problem.” Naz says. “You ready?” He asks John, who nods.

Naz sticks his head into the shadow under one of the shelves. He holds up a hand and counts down with his fingers. On one he reaches both hands into the shadows and comes out with a wriggling, gnashing gremlin. Naz has a firm grip around the creepy critters neck, keeping it from maiming him or escaping. John holds a hand out and drops the temperature around the gremlin to absolute zero. Naz drops the frozen thing and it shatters.

“You good now?” John asks.

Patrick shrugs. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

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 Horse squad: wingers.

A continent sized meteor streaks toward Earth aimed directly at Toronto Maple Leaf tower. When the meteor hits it will shatter the planet to smithereens. Luckily for everyone the Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t going to let that happen. A squad of Leafs rides their rocket horses out past the atmosphere toward the hurtling rock of death. They circle the meteor scouring the surface for any cracks or holes that might allow them to reach the center.

“Over there.” Mitch Marner points to a small cave in the side of a hill.

“As good a spot as any” Patrick Marleau agrees.

The  robotic horses land with a clatter of hooves. The Leafs dismount and Kasperi Kapenen scouts out the cave with his super speed.

“It’s deep.” Kasperi says when he gets back half a second later. “I didn’t go too far, just enough to see that there is a path leading down.”

“A path?” Zach Hyman asks. “That seems like an odd thing to find on a meteor.”

Kasperi shrugs by way of explanation. The Leafs head in to the cave to find that the path is more like a road.

“This is not natural.” Zach states the obvious.

Patrick veers halfway to a werewolf and sniffs the rock. “Freshly cut.” He snarls.

With an increased sense of caution the Leafs make their way down the surprise road. Soon they hear the unmistakable sound of voices, interrupted occasionally by an explosive burst of energy.

Mitch splits into six Mitches. Patrick completes his change to total werewolf. Zach keeps his axe held low and ready. Kasperi fights the urge to zip ahead in the hopes of keeping the element of surprise. After descending nearly three kilometers the Leafs finally catch their quarry.

St Louis Blues heroes Tyler Bozak, and Alex Pietrangelo stand beside a large rectangular device at the end of the tunnel. As the Leafs approach the device unleashes a blast of energy which vaporizes the wall of rock in front of them. The Blues push the device forward about five feet until it is nearly touching the still steaming tunnel end. Alex presses a button on the side and the device begins to glow and hum.

“That’s awesome” Mitch says, reverting to a singularity. “What’s it doing?” Mitch walks towards the Blues slowly, palms out to show he means no harm. The rest of Horse squad follows him. The Blues turn in surprise but relax immediately when they see the Leafs. Alex whispers something to Tyler who chuckles as he moves to greet his former teammates.

“Hey guys, how’s it goin?” Tyler holds out his hand for a shake.

“Nope.” Mitch says. He pushes Tyler’s hand out of the way and wraps him in a hug. He splits into three more Mitches who surround Tyler and embrace him. “We miss you buddy.” The Mitches say.

“Good to see you again.” Patrick shakes Tyler’s hand once the Mitches let him go. “What’s the plan here?”

“Pretty simple really.” Tyler says. “Once we reach the center of the meteor we detonate the device. The meteor is vaporised and everyone can go to sleep happy.”

“Sounds like you guys are in control here.” Zach says. “Ummmm, you need any help?”

Tyler looks back to where Alex waits for the device to fire. The Blues captain looks bored but doesn’t appear otherwise bothered by the intrusion.

Tyler shakes his head. “Sorry guys, I don’t think so.”

“Come on.” Kasperi pleads. “For old times sake.”

“No. I don’t think so.” Tyler repeats his answer, determination growing with every word. “I’m with the Blues now. I can’t look backwards. It was great to see you but I’m here to do a job.”      

“We understand.” Patrick says. “Let’s go guys.”

The Leafs turn and head back up the tunnel. Mitch takes a last look but Tyler is busy pushing the device. They do not speak as they return to the meteors surface. Reaching their rocket horses the Leafs mount up silently and ride back toward Earth. A strange melancholy has afflicted the squad and it only deepens as they return to their home planet.

As they enter the upper atmosphere the meteor explodes into tiny fragments behind them. The planet is saved, the day is won, The Leafs didn’t even need to bother showing up.

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 Ether squad: the goalies.

The room seems to waver around Garret Sparks, back up mage for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Choosing to allow the magical teleportation, Garret instead readies both offensive and defensive spells and steps closer to the wall. Phil Kessel of the Pittsburgh Penguins materializes in the center of the room grinning.

Phil Kessel is an abomination. Magic is a powerful and a dangerous force. The study and the use of magic has been the sole focus of hockey goalies for hundreds of years. Throughout all of hockey history only one skater has ever dared to openly practice magic, Phil Kessel. Phil has mastered a grotesque magical art, endearing for all it’s pure evil.

“Hey bud.” Phil smiles and reaches out to shake Garrets hand. “I was just hoping to have a duel, you know, wizard to wizard.” Phil grins and then pulls a hot dog out of the ether, his smile only gets bigger as be bites the weiner in half.

“Freddy isn’t here I don’t think.” Garret says, fighting back revulsion

“I don’t want Freddy.” Phils says. “I want you.” The Penguin sends a purple lightning strike at Garret. The wizard raises a basic shield, ‘Branders Bountiful Barrier’, and also a quick counter spell, ‘Curricultors Quickest Counter.’ Phil grins and takes a bit out of the air. Garret feels his counter spell bitten in half. It hurts, but not as much as when Phil spits out his own magic at the shield. The magic short circuits and Garret is rocked to his knees.

Phil steps through the weakened shield. Lightning crackles between his thick fingers. He raises his hands high above his heads. Everything goes black.

“What?” Says Phil.

The sound of Phils voice proves to Garret he is still alive. The next sound he hears lets Garret know everything is going to be alright.

“Leave this place, abomination!” Freddy Anderson’s voice echoes with a sound that rattles the bones.

The Toronto Maple Leafs starting mage appears in the room with a blinding flash. Phil staggers away from Freddy. Taking advantage, Freddy casts ‘Butherfords Bellicose Bondage,’ Which holds Phil tight. The Penguin laughs.

“You think it’s funny that I beat you?” Freddy asks.

“Nope. I think it’s funny that neither of you noticed him.” Phil points to where Evgeni Malkin deactivates his cybernetic cloaking device. Before either wizard can act the cyborg Penguin unleashes a toxic stun gas. The Leafs cannot resist the effects of the gas, slowly they fall to the floor.

Phil opens a magic portal and waves Evgeni through. Turning back Phil laughs again at the helpless Leafs.

“That was fun. Before I forget…” Phil wiggles his fingers and hotdogs fill the room. The portal closes. The Leafs have lost this one.

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 Damasque squad: the defence.

A gargantuan alien craft has parked itself directly above the city of Toronto. It is similar to the one fought off by the Toronto Maple Leafs early in the preseason. This time the Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings work together to defeat the alien invasion.

Travis Dermott runs into Jake Gardiner and Nikita Zaitsev in a smoke filled street near the front lines.

“Where’s Ozy?” Jake asks. Igor Ozhiganov is Travis’ partner meaning Travis ought to know where he is but he doesn’t

“He’s this way.” Nikita says striding with purpose toward some ruined buildings.

“How do you know?” Travis asks as he follows  

They make their way  down some crumbling stairs into a low basement. They find Igor there and he is not alone.

With the rookie Leaf are two Los Angeles Kings, whose visit to Toronto couldn’t have come at a better time. Anze Kopitar is an impressive figure even in a dingy basement, his hair waves though there is no breeze. Ilya Kovalchuk stands as the Leafs enter, he looks annoyed.

“Did you need to bring them?” The King asks.

“We need time, da?” Nikita answers.

“Time for what?” Jake demands. “What is going on here?”

“We are going to save the city, da?” Nikita assures his partner.  

“How are we going to do that from here?” Jake asks.

“Not you, us.” Ilya says, pointing to Igor, Nikita and himself.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Jake demands,standing nose to nose with Ilya.

Ilya shoves Jake. Quickly things go from bad to worse. Travis grows large enough to fill half the cramped space and grabs Ilya. Anze bellows a wordless noise and his hair, eyebrows, beard and all, grows out to lash around Travis’ whole enlarged body. The young Leaf is wrapped tight in Anze’s wild growth. Even as he stands, Jake veers into thousands of snakes and slithers over everything.

Igor opens his mouth and lets out an ear splitting sceech. “00II00 00II0II0II0I0 00II0I”

Everyone stops and stares

“0I 00III00I II000I0II0II0 III00I0I0III0II0I0II I0I0I0I00I0I000IIIII0I0I” Ilya’s answer is less painful, yet still uncomfortable.

“Come on guys, you know we don’t speak Russian.” Travis says.

Anze laughs and his hair retracts. “Is not Russian, they are cyborgs, they speak binary.”

“Oh.” Travis says, shrinking and putting Ilya gently on the ground.

Jake veers from thousands of snakes to one gigantic one and coils himself up in a corner.

“It will work.” Nikita says to Jake. “The three of us can link up and hack into the alien ship, disabling its shields and the robots in one shot.” The snake, Jake, flicks his tongue out. “Well we are going to try. And we need you, All of you” Nikita turns to Travis and Anze. “Once we begin the aliens will know we are here. They will attack us with everything they have.”

Ilya, Nikita and Igor clasp arms in the center of the room.  They lean their heads back and hold their mouths open.

“000III000 II00III 000I0III I 000I0III0III0I00 II0I000I I000I0I0I00III 000III0III0I00II0III 000I0I0II0I0I000I00 I0I0II00I0II0I0II I0I000IIII0I0II000 I0I000II0III0III0I0I0I0I0III0I0I0I0II0 I0I0I000I000I0 I0I0I0I0I 0I0I0I0I0I0I I0I00I0III0I000I0 I0I000III0I0II00II0I0I I0I0II00 I0II00I 00I0 I0I000I0I00I0 I 0I0I0I0I0 I0II00III0I 0III0 00IIII0II00I0III0I0I000II0II0I00II00I I0I0I0I0I I0I0I0 0I0II0I000I0I0I0I0I0 I0I00IIII00I00I0 I0I00I0I0I0II00I0I 00I00I0 0I0I0I0 0I00I00I0I 0I0I0I0 I0I00I0I0I0I0I 0I 00I0I0I0 I00I0 II0 0I0I0I00I 0I0I00I0 0I0II000I0I00I0 I0I000I 0I0I0 I0I000I 0IIII0 I0000I0I0I0I0I0I00I0I0I00I0I0I0I0I0” As the three cyborgs hum, or groan, or whatever the noise they make is called, a beam of light is born between them. The beam stretches up through the ceiling, reaching out to pierce the alien ship. “0I0I0II0II 0I0I00II00 0I0II0 III0I0I0I0I00II0 II0I0II000I0I0I0I0I0I0I 0I0I0I0 00I0I0II0I 0II00I0I0III0I0 000I0I0I0I0 00I0I0I00I0I0I00I 0I0I0I0I 0I0I0 0I0I00I0I0I00I0 0I0I0I0III0I0I0I0I0 00I0I00III0I0 I0I0I00II0I0I0III0 0II0 0I0I0 0I00I0I0I0 0I0I00I0I 00 0 0I00I0I0I0I 0 00I0I0I00I0I0I000II0I0I0 0 I0I00II0I 0 0I0I0I0I0 I0I0I0I0 0 I00I0I0I 0 0 I0I0I0 I0 0I0I0I0I0  0II0I0” Smoke begins to leak from behind Ilya’s eyes and the King reels back from the circle, the Leafs react quickly to close it. The beam shimmers but does not break. A howling storm shakes the building from the outside. The noise brings the other heroes to theirs knees (not Jake, but only because he’s still a snake so… no knees.) Only the Leafs cyborgs stay standing. The sound emanating from them gets louder. “0000III0I I0I II0I000I II0I0I 00I00I0II0II0 I0I00III 00III00I 00I0II0I0I I0I 0I0I0I0 II0I 0I0I000I0I I0I0I00 0III00I0I0 0I0I0I I0II0I 00I0I00I 00II0II0I 00I 0I0 0I 0I 0I0I 0I0I 0I00 I I0 0 0I 0I0I0 0!”

The beam vanishes. Silence fills the basement.

“Did we win?” Travis asks.

Jake veers back to human. “I think so? Nik?”

“We won.” Nikita says. “We won.”

A magical portal appears in the center of the room and Garret Sparks, The Toronto Maple Leaf back up mage, steps out of it. “Don’t worry guys, None of the alien robots outside can get past my spell. ‘Branders Bountiful Barrier’, not that any of you asked. Seriously, you could have warned me before you called the whole army down on your heads. Oh well.”

“Thanks for saving us Garret.” Jake says after peeking outside.       

A lone figure has stood vigil outside of Toronto Maple Leaf tower for the last eighteen hours, unmoving, a statue glazed in longing. The tower’s sensors picked up his powerful presence the moment he reached the block. The president had been notified and orders had come down to observe only but after so long one of the towers inhabitants has decided to reach out.

Hayley Wickenheiser lands on the roof behind Dion Phaneuf of the Los Angeles Kings. The former Toronto Maple Leaf captain turns and smiles a warm greeting.

“I’m glad someone came.” Dion says. “I thought maybe Mike would, or Brendan. Tell them I say hello.”

“I will” Haley reaches out and shakes Dion’s hand. “What are you doing out here?”

“Just missed the place. Just wanted to see it again.” Dion turns back toward the tower.

“You’ve been back before though.” Hayley walks up to stand beside him. “What makes this time any harder?”

“It’s not harder.” Dion chokes back the emotions. “I was just finally brave enough to come back. My time here meant so much to me, and we never did any real winning. I just, I let the city down.” Dion hangs his head and weeps silently.

“You did not let anyone down Dion.” Placing an arm around his shoulders Hayley does her best to comfort the weeping former Leaf. “You did everything you could for this city. You never took a night off. You always led with your heart. Hold your head high sir. You are a Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. And you always will be.”

Dion cries harder.

“There, there.” Hayley gently sways Dion and hums a soothing lullaby.

“I just wish I could come back.” He finally get out between sobs.

“I know.” Hayley answer

“I would be good now, I know it.” Dion insists. “I wouldn’t need to do so much, and I would have way more help now. I know I would be good if I could just come back.”

“I know Dion.” Hayley humours him out of kindness but can’t be anything other than honest. “But you know you will never come back. You’re time is over.”

Dion cries.

“Take heart captain.” Hayley says. “Your time is over but it is never gone. A Leaf is always a Leaf no matter where he may fall. Enjoy the time you still have, look fondly at the time you once had. Regrets will only sour what should be a sweet memory. Be well Dion. Be well.”

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 Oyster squad: wingers

Evgeni Kuznetsov of the Washington Capitals spins the wheel of his airship hard to port. Thunder hammers the sky around him. And lightning brushes against the airships wings. That was close. The ship speaks directly to his mind. I’ll be careful. Evgeni thinks back. You’re never careful. At least Alex is here. The ship is of course referring to Washington Capital Alex Ovechkin, who is on the deck of the airship, fighting for his life.

Alex is the strongest ever, at least that’s what he tells people, he’s also deceptively fast and totally viscous. Ordinarily Alex ends fights with the cybernetic cannon in his right arm, but that is not an option when he is fighting demons several hundred miles above Washington on a wooden platform shaped like an eagle. Instead Alex grapples with the infernal menace. If it weren’t for the Toronto Maple Leafs he would be in trouble.

Connor Brown knocks a demon off the side of the airship with his spear. Josh Leivo slams a demon onto the deck even as three more try to claw through his impervious skin. Andreas Johnsson slices and dices through the demons with his sword hands, hacked limbs litter the deck. Par Lindholm stays by Evgeni, guarding the helm.

Evegeni is annoyed that the Leafs are on his ship but he is even more annoyed that he needs them. The storm is getting worse. The airship doesn’t like when the weather gets rough. We need to keep them away from all the people down there. Just a little longer. Evgeni is in no way obligated to keep the airship comfortable but finds it way more peaceful in his mind when he does.

A demon gets behind Connor and slams him in the back with a bone hafted hammer. The Leaf turns with a smile and releases the kinetic energy he absorbed in a single energy blast which cuts the demon in half. Josh gets his hands around a demons neck and twists its head off. Andreas slices through a hand, then a snout, then a knee, then a throat, spinning and smiling all the while. Alex smashes a demon into pulp with every swing of his fists, but they will never stop coming for him. Gwimmar Hag the demon lord will never be satisfied until one of them was dead.

It was Evegeni’s idea to get Alex up in the air to keep the city safe. And Alex was certain that if they kept killing demons Gwimmar Hag would eventually show up in person. If the Maple Leafs hadn’t been in town the Capitals would have been overrun by now. Demons materialize into the air around Alex ceaselessly, but Evegeni notices a change in them.

“They are getting smaller!” He shouts to Par above the noise of the storm.

The Leaf shouts something back but a crack of thunder swallows his words. Evgeni pushes the steering column forward hard and the airship dips its nose earthward just in time to avoid getting clipped by the lightning that lances out from the clouds. Blinded by the flash, Evgeni pulls back against the force of gravity. As his vision clears he sees that the tide of battle has shifted. The demon army is gone, the heroes are scattered about the deck of the airship and the great Gwimmar Hag stands in their midst. The airship wails at the terrible claws digging into the deck.

Ignoring the risk Alex unveils his cybernetic arm cannon and blasts the demon lord full in the face. Laughing, the demon steps forward and raises a massive fist, bringing it down with the force of an avalanche, hoping to crush his hated foe. Connor steps under the blow just before it lands. He absorbs the demons strength and uses it to fuel his own, holding Gwimmar Hag tight. Josh leaps into the demons head, pummeling his face. Gwimmar Hag grabs the pesky Leaf and bites him, thinking to tear him in half. Instead the demon breaks its teeth on Josh’s impervious skin. Andreas steps up close and begins cutting at the demon lords tree trunk legs. He doesn’t manage to hack one off, but Gwimmar Hag staggers under the onslaught. Par open fire with his assault rifle. His superpower is linked to the weapon, it doesn’t take a clip, instead it fires hard light projectiles that Par creates with a thought. The effect is that his stream of fire is endless. The beleaguered demon lord shudders as it struggles to maintain its hold on to physical existence.

Another blinding flash of light fills the sky, but this time it is not from the storm. Auston Matthews shines as he lands on the deck. His brilliance is directed at Gwimmar Hag and the demon writhes with agony under the light. Josh pulls himself out of the demons mouth, Par stops shooting, Connor and Andreas step back. Gwimmer Hag whimpers as its flesh begins to boil in the glare. Auston stabs his short sword down between the demon lords eyes. It shudders once and then the ancient horror is no more.

“Gross.” Auston says.

“I owe you one.” Alex says.

“You’re right you do.” Auston agrees.

The Leafs cheer, annoying Evegeni even more.        

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. Probably the most significant change is the squadron based tactics that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas have decided to deploy on the mean Toronto streets. Today we follow Otter Squad: The centers.

Auston Matthews and Dylan Larkin smash through the wall of the burning building together. The assassin inside opens fire on the two young heroes, forcing them to split up and take cover. The assassin empties her clip, then pours out the remnants of a bottle of liquor on her victim and sprints to the door. Dylan hurls one of his twin katana’s at the door and it sticks in the wood, quivering by the assassins hand. Her first yank does not free the blade, but she pulls harder and turns to face the Toronto Maple Leaf and the Detroit Red Wing.

“Hey there little heroes.” She stands in easy ready stance. “You’re not gonna like what happens next.” With alarming speed the assassin attacks.

She cuts quickly at Dylan on her right and blends the move into a stab at Auston on her left. Dylan steps back to avoid the cut and Auston sweeps a block across his body with his short sword. He pushes the assassin’s blade and slices at her neck. Dylan steps forward and stabs at her heart.

The assassin twists impossibly, leaping between the heroes blades and lashing out with her feet to land kicks on both their chins. As the Leaf and the Red Wing stagger back the assassin rolls through her landing and gets up running. She crosses the room and jumps toward the hole in the wall. Austons energy beam catches the assassin in the shoulder, flinging her into the wall. She hits the floor hard and doesn’t move.

“You promised you wouldn’t do that.” Dylan complains.

“Sorry.” Auston says. “I really didn’t want to chase her.”

Dylan moves to retrieve his sword and puts his fingers to the assassins neck. “Well we definitely won’t have to chase her, she’s dead.”

“Damn.” Auston says. “She was our lead. Well let’s get out of here.”

As fire trucks speed toward the burning building the heroes leave it. They already cleared all the civilians before they surprised the assassin. She had been one of two dozen killers hired to take out high value targets in the Detroit community. Civil leaders, activists, captains of industry, all targeted by a single brutal enemy. None of the assassins had been caught yet.

The heroes are silent as the walk along a rooftop. Nazem Kadri steps up out of the shadows with Jon Tavares close behind him.

“Any luck?” Naz asks. Auston shakes his head. Naz kicks an air handling unit, denting the steel. “Mother flipping flapper! This sucks! We have no idea who sent these killers out into the city. What do we do now?”

“Now, little Leaf, you die!” A dozen assassins drop out of the sky onto the roof and rush the heroes. Their leader is a giant of a man, at least eight feet tall. On his fists he wears claws, on his face a steel mask shaped as a dragon. “You all die!” The assassins rush forward.

The giant assassin explodes in a shower of blood. The remaining killers are ripped to shreds by a hail of bullets. Naz, Auston, Jon and Dylan turn, stunned, to see Ron Hainsey on his Toronto Maple Leaf mag-lift hover platform. Smoke billows from the authentic Napoleonic cannon that Ron has welded onto the platform and from the two SCAR assault rifles the defenseman wields.

“Wait what?” Ron says into his communicator. “Oh, you said to leave one alive? I thought you said to leave no one alive. Sorry, I’ll do better next time coach”

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. Probably the most significant change is the squadron based tactics that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas have decided to deploy on the mean Toronto streets. Today we follow Damasque Squad: Defence

Roman Polak and Connor Carrick are Dallas Stars. Neither hero is angry about this, just sad, not that they would ever let it show. They are kept busy on the streets of Dallas as the city is a rife with paranormal shenanigans. Tonight a coven of witches has kidnapped the mayor. Connor and Roman are not on the scene. They never are. In Big D it’s all about the big three, everyone else does patrol.

“It’s not so bad.” Roman says. “We get outside, see birds. Good life.”

“Yeah.” Connor has only been in Dallas for a week and a bit. He hasn’t gotten used to it yet.

“Plus, no snow, so no shovelling.” Roman smiles

“Why did you shovel snow?”Connor asks, certain Roman lived in a condo in Toronto.

“Is law.” Roman answers.

Before Connor can reply  there are screams from up the street. Hapless citizens flee in terror, the Stars run toward the tumult. A lone zombie shambles through the street. Several restaurants have emptied but so far the creature hasn’t killed anyone.

Roman bellows as he cuts the zombie in half with his greatsword, Samantha.

Connor burns the twitching corpse to ashes, releasing a gout of flame from his hands.

The action is over before it began. In the silence that follows Connor sees his future unfolding and sighs.

“Turn that frown upside down.” Says a familiar voice.

Delighted, Connor turns and sees Morgan Rielly, and behind him the Toronto Maple Leafs defense, Jake Gardiner, Nikita Zaitsev, Ron Hainsey, Travis Dermott, and him. Connor can’t help but wince when he sees Igor Ozhiganov, the man he blames for taking his spot. All that is passed, but the wound is still fresh. At least the big Russian has the decency to look embarrased

“What’s going on guys? Got time for some coffee?” Morgan asks after the bro hugs.

“We do patrol but… is quiet.” Roman says.

“There was some action going on uptown but I think Otter squad already handled it.” Jake says.

“Confirmed.” Morgan says. “John and Auston saved the day.”

Roman and Connor trade glances. “Alex won’t like that.” Connor says. He means Alex Radulov, one of the three.

“Looks like a new fight has broken out” Morgan continues  “Radulov, Seguin and Benn are fighting against Otter squad.”

“I guess you guys have to go and help them.” Connor is sad, knowing that this opportunity won’t come again.

“No worries.” Ron smiles.

“They’ll be fine.” Jake adds.

“Tell us about Dallas buddy.” Travis says.

For the rest of the night Connor and Roman forget that they are Dallas Stars. They bask in the reflected glory of their once and forever teammates. For one more night they are Toronto Maple Leafs.