dlbalr

I think he meant 32. The Habs pick 33rd as it stands. However, with New Jersey making the Conference Finals, they're likely to forfeit their 1st rounder (part of the Kovalchuk circumvention penalty) meaning that the Habs would be picking 32nd.

The Bulldogs will have a new captain next season as Alex Henry has signed in Germany. http://www.deg-metro-stars.de/servlet/PB/menu/1017047/index.html

And we now know for sure it won't be Quenneville, it was confirmed that he is staying on in Chicago.

We'll know more about Quenneville tonight. He and Bowman will be doing a conference call at 7 PM EST, presumably to discuss the shocking dismissal of assistant Mike Haviland. It's believed he and Quenneville didn't see eye to eye so I'm guessing the call will affirm his status as Chicago's coach. Haviland has a pretty solid coaching resume too (doesn't speak French though I don't think).

Right now, he is the Asst. GM (he was unofficially interim GM before last week).

That is correct. However, a team (MTL) could in theory make a trade with the team they're getting the guy from (TOR) that is slightly in their (TOR) favour as a way around it.

Welcome aboard. Vincent is a name on my top-10 list in the one we're trying to assemble for the coaching poll on the site, he's someone I think will get a call. I'd hope that they have a coach in place by the draft. Not only will decisions have to be made on buyouts that would benefit from the input of the coach but they most definitely need one by free agency (who wants to sign with a team where no one knows the style of play they'd be using)?

A quick tidbit from Dudley: http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/article/1174024--cox-rick-dudley-s-leaf-exit-strategy-has-nhl-draft-implications?bn=1

Baltimore beat Boston in 17 innings today. Why am I mentioning this? The winning pitcher for the O's was their 1st baseman who was DH'ing to start the game, he threw 2 shutout innings. As for the losing pitcher? The backup left fielder who served as a pinch runner and the DH before allowing 3 runs in his lone inning. Both teams went through all 7 relievers.

There is an out clause in his deal. I don't know the specifics but a lot of those are permitted over a certain period of time (between x date to x date each year). If the Leafs were smart, they'd have put the terms of the out clause after the draft in case of a situation like this happening. In that case, the Leafs would be holding him to the terms of the contract; the fact there is a negotiation of sorts despite no compensation existing for executive transfers suggests there has to be something like this in play.

There's a difference between giving scouting reports on players versus inside information on a rival's draft strategy especially when the teams are picking so closely together. I think Toronto is well within their right to request this and I'm sure most Hab fans would want the same if they were in the same boat.

He's been with the Leafs for less than a calendar year, I wouldn't worry about their culture affecting him too much. Dudley also has experience in a winning culture back with Chicago in 2010.

Darren Dreger is reporting that Rick Dudley will be named Assistant GM. As he has done a lot of work for the Leafs on their draft philosophy, they may not let him go until after the draft though. http://twitter.com/D...188864810754050

Not surprisingly, Lowe is denying the second part of my statement. Here is a tidbit on that theory, some comments about Murray, and a Hab tidbit among the stuff towards the end. http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/Murray+making+strong+case+pick/6573567/story.html#ixzz1u6ZIQle9

That's a bit of a loaded stat...he did win all of his draws but he took all of 2 as he played most of the game on the wing.

Beaulieu had a goal, a +2 rating, 4 PIMS, and was named 1st star as Saint John won Game 1 in double OT. According to the QMJHL statsheet, he also wore the C in yesterday's game which is odd considering he normally isn't listed as being one of the alternates.

Pacioretty was named player of the game for the US in their win today. Plekanec had a good day as well. Day 1 stats are now in the StatTracker.

Why exactly would he 'pollute' the younger players in the AHL? It's not like that has happened with guys like Redden, Finger, even Souray (and he was pretty vocal about what happened); I think Redden is now the captain in Connecticut even. By all accounts he's a good guy in the room and would be a good veteran to have on what will be an incredibly young Hamilton squad, one that will really need a few productive veterans. Also keep in mind that any player re-assigned to a European league has to expressly give consent; if he doesn't want to go he doesn't have to.

Did he make the team or did their GM, who works for Edmonton, just want a closer look at him?

And the call is...out?

It looks like Pacioretty will be on the top line for the USA playing alongside Paul Stastny and Bobby Ryan. I'll have the annual StatTracker up later tonight.

The CFL sure has an odd way of trying to promote itself. A mid-week draft date is curious in itself but at mid-week draft 3 PM Eastern??? That's insanity. OL Ben Heenan went #1 to Sask.

Sounds like he was speculating it could be an option, not that it's being discussed.

Torres is appealing (appeals are to Bettman alone), first time in a while I can recall someone formally going through the appeals process.

To be fair (I just realized this myself), that cap hit includes bonuses as he's stuck signing an ELC. In all likelihood he won't make the full amount unless he has one heckuva year...in which case he'll be worth the money.