Here are all the links from around the hockey world, and what I’m reading, while it’s “game on” for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
*Interesting piece from Pro Hockey Talk about the contract years facing players on the 16 Stanley Cup playoff teams, and that includes the Nash boys, Rick and Riley, for the Bruins. It could be that both of those players end up somewhere else next season unless A) Rick Nash has a really good playoff run with the Black and Gold and B) Riley Nash is willing to take a hometown discount. Though he’s now hurt, Riley Nash had a career year and definitely should be able to cash in during free agency as an excellent two-way center in a league where those guys always have value.
*Optimism is high in Las Vegas as the Golden Knights are readying for the Stanley Cup playoffs in their very first season as an expansion franchise. What a great Cinderella story this is for the NHL.
*NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says in a radio interview that attacks on the NHL for their approach to concussions, and head injuries, is unfair.
*Apparently, embattled Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk is rooting for the Bruins in their first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Not sure that it’s a good omen for the Black and Gold.
*Speaking of the Senators, there’s a rebuild on the horizon in Ottawa and the real question is whether Erik Karlsson is going to be a part of it.
*Tyler Johnson and the Lightning know that they’re getting a second chance to finish Bolts business and they look ready to potentially do just that.
Boston Bruins
*For something completely different: Interesting think piece from “The Ringer” about what will happen to Sports Illustrated.