Dave Poulin: The NHL’s busiest eight days of the summer are putting the pressure on the league’s GMs

The expansion draft. The entry draft. Free agency. There’s never a day off in the front office anymore.

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Dave Poulin: It’s tempting to say ‘blow up the Leafs,’ but patience is the smarter play

This year’s team was the best in several years on paper. Many of the questions after recent disappointments had been seemingly answered, and yet it didn’t work. It doesn’t always translate from paper to ice, and lessons were learned, Dave Poulin writes.

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Dave Poulin: Why the Leafs’ Zach Hyman is the perfect plug-and-play linemate — soon to be reflected in his pay

Beyond the necessary physical skills, it’s the mental side that separates Hyman. He takes on any role with supreme confidence plus a humbleness that comes with being a late-round draft pick. There is an understanding that he has earned everything he has received, Dave Poulin writes.

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Dave Poulin: Auston Matthews has that look. He expects to score, and the Hart Trophy buzz is real

The Leafs’ centre seems to introduce something new every game. His shot release is otherworldly, he changes things up and regularly confuses world-class goalies. And in his pursuit of NHL hardware he looks stronger on the ice than he ever has, Dave Poulin writes.

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Dave Poulin: Funny. Caring. Special. Every George Armstrong story has a common thread

The long-time captain of the Maple Leafs, who died one week ago, made everyone feel good all the time. He just had that knack, Dave Poulin writes.

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