Here are all the links from around the hockey world, and what I’m reading, while celebrating my son’s fourth birthday this weekend. Man, time really does fly.
*Luke Fox spent some time at the Biosteel camp up in Toronto, and here are the top 25 things he came away with at the end of the summer training program used by so many of the NHL’s best and brightest.
*The New Jersey Devils signed Drew Stafford to a one-year deal worth $800,000, officially closing the door on any possible return to the Bruins. My impression on this one is that the Bruins would have only wanted Stafford on camp on a tryout agreement as they give long looks to Danton Heinen, Jake DeBrusk and Anders Bjork for open wing spots. A guaranteed deal for a veteran player like Stafford could have stood in their way of progress. We're only talking about a player that scored eight goals and 21 points last season. Sure, he played pretty well after coming to Boston, but there are many different Stafford-level veterans still available on the free-agent market if the B’s decide they need some veteran help entering camp. Good for Stafford to get a guaranteed deal and have a place with an up-and-coming New Jersey team this season.
*The Hockey News has some advice on how the Winnipeg Jets can go from good on paper to actually “good” on the ice next season.
*In case you’re into this sort of thing, here are the top 50 NHL players when it comes to fantasy hockey rankings.
*Loui Eriksson will be under pressure after a terrible first season for the Vancouver Canucks after signing a big deal there in free agency. Who predicted that this would happen after he got comfortable with a large contract? Oh yeah, that was me.
*For something completely different: What in the wide, wide world of sports is going on with this Kyrie Irving trade and Isaiah Thomas’ hip?
Boston Bruins
