I’m never able to get very excited about the NHL draft. Very few draftees have an immediate impact, so it’s hard to get psyched about players you probably won’t see for a while.
Greg Logan had an interesting piece about if teams should take the player they value most highly or the one the market values. [...]

One way you know it was a great game seven is that there just wasn’t much to say about it. It completely spoke for itself. The Penguins were flawless for two periods and strong enough for the third.
Defenseman Brad Stuart, whose turnovers and pinching led to both game seven Penguin goals, says he’d like a [...]

I suggested coach Dave Tippett would have a short leash in Dallas with new GM Joe Nieuwendyk, but I didn’t think it would be this short.
The Stars are expected to announce the Tippett-ectomy today. Marc Crawford is rumored to be the next coach of the Stars. Crawford’s up-tempo, forecheck heavy style, which he’s coached since [...]

If/when the Flyers sign goalie Ray Emery, it will represent a tremendous step backwards for the franchise.
The Flyers’ Marty Biron goalie years represented a recognition that a modern, post-lockout NHL franchise needs a strong presence in goal. And to be honest, you really needed a strong goalie before the lockout, too. One of former Flyers [...]

So what did Pittsburgh do right in their win over Detroit?
Quite a few things.
Their powerplay was finally effective against the Wings.
They managed to get pucks deep in the Red Wing zone.
They kept the Zetterberg/Lindstrom match-up out on the ice for longer shifts, plus lots of ice time in general.
I think getting the Crosby match-up forced [...]

I’m shocked Washington’s Sergei Fedorov would leave the NHL for the KHL.
Sure, his best days are behind him, but he was a pretty important part of the Capitals playoff run, serving as a calming influence on the ice. I really thought Washington would try and keep him and Fedorov would try and stay. After all, [...]

So apparently, Mike Richards played this season with torn labrums in both shoulders.
I don’t know where or what labrums are, but it’s got to hurt. Mike Richards is tough.
Speaking of tough, does anyone else think game seven of Ducks/Wings should take place in a steel cage?

It’s very interesting to see how the Flyers view their status as a heavily penalized team. Tim Panaccio asked Mike Richards about the Flyers signing someone who can set-up in the crease as well as clear the crease, and Richards said the Flyers can’t afford that kind of player given the amount of penalties they [...]

Wow. Poor Columbus. They’ve looked like a deer in headlights against Detroit.
The only thing remotely working for the Blue Jackets is R.J. Umberger, who’s scored all of their playoff goals and two of their three points.
Columbus goalie Steve Mason is having problems dealing with all of the Red Wing traffic in front of him [...]

When I saw the Isles won the draft lottery, my first thought was that the NHL should step in and not let them trade it, as the Islanders are a little bit like Jack from JACK AND THE BEANSTALK. If any other GM offers them some beans for the pick, the Islanders are all in.
If [...]