2021 NHL Draft: Needs and mock draft, part 3

 The third installment of the needs and mock draft continues, and this is where trades figure into the equation. Every team is still getting covered, in order of original draft position, but the mock draft will go as planned, as well as the first picks of teams without a first round pick. 

16. St. Louis Blues

A team that may not go into free agency much this offseason, the Blues now have to consider moving on from Vladimir Tarasenko, who requested a trade. Depth pieces up front and blue line help are possible needs.

Projected pick: Mason McTavish, C, Olten

A team short on high end talent if Tarasenko does get traded, McTavish can provide goal scoring and a big body down the middle for a team that needs to harder to play against, something that has been missing since 2019.

17. Winnipeg Jets 

Offense up front is a major need, especially since Pierre-Luc Dubois is not a guy that can replicate the goal scoring totals Patrik Laine had. That is where replenishing the wings can be a factor. Having fewer worries about free agents in their own end should help the Jets zero in on getting scoring help there, either through draft or free agency. 

Projected pick: Oskar Olausson, LW, HV71

The Jets can afford to develop another player if Cole Perfetti and Kristian Vesalainen both make the leap next season. Olausson has upside that can be worked with for a couple more seasons, as he's signed with HV71 until 2023.

18. Nashville Predators 

The search for a top center continues, and there isn't a top guy available in the draft, much less where the Predators are drafting. As for free agency, it's going to be about shedding either Ryan Johansen or Matt Duchene's contract through the expansion draft.

Projected pick: Fyodor Svechkov, C, Togliatti Jr.

Probably the safest pick if you take away the Russian Factor, Svechkov projects as a middle six player, at worst, thanks to the overall balance in his game.

19. Edmonton Oilers 

The search for wing men that can play alongside either McDavid or Draisaitl continues, as depth once again, became an issue. Blue line help is also a problem, but acquiring Duncan Keith should help the younger players mentally, even if Keith is no longer the player he was even a few years ago. Goalie help is also needed, as there's no sure fire starter now, nor is there a guarantee the prospects will develop as promised. 

Projected pick: Sebastian Cossa, G, Edmonton (WHL)

Goalie is the thinnest spot in the Oilers prospect pool, as they drafted all forwards last season, and they're expecting Evan Bouchard to try for a spot next season. Keeping Cossa in Edmonton would be a boon, as they can keep an eye on him as he looks to continue to post great numbers for a strong Oil Kings squad.

20. Boston Bruins

An aging core will need much more than just David Pastrnak up front and Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo on the blue line. Depth continues to be a major problem, even as Patrice Bergeron continues to play at a high level and Taylor Hall is a possibility to resign with the team. Down the middle is a worry that could be solved in free agency while the blue line needs a more sure thing.

Projected pick: Aatu Raty, C, Karpat

A top 10 projected pick prior to this season, his confidence was rattled at times and he missed the cut for the 2021 WJC tournament, due to no practice for the Finnish squad prior to the start. He still has the tools, and could be an eventual replacement for David Krejci.

21. Minnesota Wild 

Even as they move on from the Parise/Suter era, the Wild need to continue to fill holes in their prospect pool, especially defensively, where only Calen Addison is a top 10 prospect. Their most important thing on the to-do list is getting Kirill Kaprizov signed. 

Projected pick: Sean Behrens, D, US NTDP

A mobile defenseman that got overshadowed by teammate Luke Hughes, Behrens has upside to an already good all-around game and projects to more of a sure thing than 2018 pick Filip Johansson.

22. Washington Capitals

The Capitals first round pick was traded to Detroit in the Anthony Mantha deal, and while Mantha had his moments, not having that first round pick means they don't draft until late in the second round. Their biggest concern is what to do with Alex Ovechkin, who is a UFA. Whether they think they can win one more Cup is going to be a factor in the decision making for at least a couple seasons. Beyond that, they could use another above average prospect in the system, especially up front, as Ovechkin won't easily be replaced by one player.

Projected pick (Detroit): Nikita Chibrikov, RW, CKA

His game is bent more towards offense, and with both size concerns and the Russian Factor, it's easy to see Chibrikov fall. Still, his offense is better than most players in the draft.

Projected pick (Washington): Brett Harrison, C, Koovee Jr.

An offensive threat with consistency issues that were exposed when he had to head to Europe when the OHL season was ultimately canned, Harrison should benefit by returning to Oshawa this coming season, where he performed well. If he can use his size more to his advantage, his potential is higher.

23. Florida Panthers 

Defense is a sore point depth-wise, as evidenced by Aaron Ekblad's injury. Cutting ties with Keith Yandle further reinforces this idea, and with a decent amount of cap space, they can add another player there, if needed, although they did commit 3 million per year for three years to Anthony Duclair.

Projected pick: Scott Morrow, D, Shattuck-St. Mary's 

Far better offensive starter than in his own end at this point, Morrow has the desire to improve upon his weaknesses. It helps that he is a bigger player than the trendy smaller, yet mobile defender some teams take a chance on.

13 and Counting...

 I originally was going to post about the Buffalo Sabres firing Ralph Krueger right after it happened yesterday. However, I decided to give it a day before making this post. In perhaps the least surprising result, the Sabres lost again, this time, 4-1 to Boston. Also, the picture you see sums up the Sabres' chances of winning at all this month. Before you ask, I cannot take credit for the picture. 

Let's rewind back to Tuesday. They had a 2-1 lead halfway through the game against New Jersey. New Jersey would score two unanswered goals to win 3-2, thus sealing Krueger's fate. Wednesday, Krueger and assistant coach Steve Smith were shown the door, and Don Granato was named interim coach, with Matt Ellis and Dan Girardi being interim assistants. Given these were hires under Krueger's watch, you would think this has potential for disaster. Tonight, at least, it was proven right, as the Sabres showed little resistance, only netting a Kyle Okposo goal in the first period. Okposo hadn't scored since February 23, 2020. That actually made it 1-1 before Boston ripped off three straight goals to end the game.

So, where does the streak end? Their month has Boston twice, the Rangers, and both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia twice. Their month of April begins with the Rangers, so it's entirety possible that the losing streak reaches 21. Their pointless streak sits at 5 right now, as they have in their current losing streak, made overtime twice.

I Watched This Game: Lake Tahoe Edition, Part 2

 

Welcome back to another edition of I Watched This Game, and we're still at Lake Tahoe for a matchup between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Boston Bruins. This is a matchup of two of the top teams in the East, and like most non-Canadian teams, both have had games postponed. They are no strangers to each other, with Boston having the upper hand thus far in their meetings this season. 

Originally scheduled for 2 PM CST, it was moved up an hour, but because of the Vegas-Colorado game having issues with the sun, the Flyers-Bruins game is now playing at 6 pm CST.

Due to more delays, the game finally begins at 7 pm CST. Pentatonix sings the national anthem, and now, I finally understand the hype surrounding them.

First period

• Carter Hart and Tuukka Rask are in net to start the game.
• 34 seconds in, Brad Marchand Carrie's the puck into the zone and finds David Pastrnak cutting towards the net. A picture perfect pass and shot put Boston up 1-0. The play gets set up by a strong defensive effort by Patrice Bergeron.
• A dump and chase finds a carrom from the corner, and Joel Farabee charges in to slide one past Rask to tie it. James van Riemsdyk and Sean Couturier get assists at 6:41.
• A Couturier trip of Marchand leads to a Boston power play at 12:34. Nothing comes of it.
• However, Couturier hustles out of the box in time to begin a mad scramble in front of the net. He eventually finds the puck again, and back doors it to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead. Kevin Hayes and JVR get the assists at 14:48.
• The previous goal was helped by a Charlie McAvoy broken stick that essentially left Boston short handed. He gets a shot at redemption, as Marchand goes around the Flyers net, feeds McAvoy, who lets one fly from the point to tie it at 2. Connor Clifton has the other assist at 15:27.

An entertaining first period ends all tied at 2. Boston gets some bad news, as Jeremy Lauzon left after his first shift due to injury and was ruled out for the rest of the game.

Second period

• Boston wastes no time scoring again, as Nick Ritchie carries the puck into the zone. He finds Pastrnak, who threads the needle over Hart's glove side to give Boston a 3-2 lead. Urho Vaakanainen also gets an assist at 46 seconds.
• Philadelphia shoots themselves in the foot, as they are whistled for too many men on the ice at 6:18.
• This is where the wheels fall off for the Flyers, as they have a bad turnover, and one Craig Smith to Charlie Coyle connection later, it is 4-2 Bruins at 16:14.
• It gets worse for the Flyers, as Andy Andreoff cross checks a Bruins player after the goal, a big no-no.
• At 16:47, the Bruins score again, this time, before the previous goal could be announced, as Trent Frederic scores from the point to make it 5-2. John Moore and Clifton get the power play helpers.
• Just as that goal gets announced, you guessed it, Boston scores again. Moore's shot from the point gets tipped by Ritchie and past Hart to make it 6-2. Smith also gets an assist at 17:53.
• At 18:16, Anders Bjork gets called for holding. 

Boston broke this one open, thanks to both a 15-3 shots on goal advantage and the Flyers bring undisciplined. This would also spell the end of Hart's night, as he gets pulled after the period.

Third period

• Brian Elliott takes over in goal for the Flyers.
• Bjork goes into the box again, this time, for hooking at 9:31.
• Interference from Brandon Carlo at 12:37 leads to a Flyers power play. Seven seconds later, JVR redirects a shot past Rask to cut the deficit to 6-3. Ivan Provorov and Hayes with the assists.
• At this point, the Flyers should be opening a bakery because they love making turnovers. Jack Studnicka capitalizes on this, and finds Pastrnak at the dots. Hat trick, 7-3 Bruins at 17:04.

7-3 is the final, and the Bruins go home with 2 points. Yes, the Flyers were without their entire top line and a couple of other key forwards due to protocols, and yes, neither team got in practice before the game. That doesn't excuse the undisciplined play the Flyers showed. Boston minimized their mistakes, and Pastrnak was dominant on the scoresheet. 

Boston plays the Islanders on Thursday and Philadelphia gets the Rangers on Wednesday. 

NHL Mock Draft: picks 24-31

The last section of the NHL mock draft is here, and just like every other section, there is unpredictability abound.

24. Nashville Predators-Philip Tomasino, C, Niagara (OHL)

A solid all-around player that has elusiveness, Tomasino could be a sleeper in this year's draft, since the Ice Dogs were trying to load up on their OHL run, pushing Tomasino around the lineup. With some of those players graduating, he figures to have the same impact that Barrett Hayton and Morgan Frost did in their respective post-draft years.

25. Washington Capitals-Jakob Pelletier, LW, Moncton (QMJHL)

Size is an issue with Pelletier, who will need to gain a few pounds, but everything else about him grades out to the next level. Speed and hockey sense are what will get him into the NHL, but so too, will his possession game despite his size.

26. Calgary Flames-Matthew Robertson, D, Edmonton (WHL)

More of a stay-at-home defender, Robertson has offensive potential that could be on the level of a Shea Weber. He already has the size and is surprisingly good at skating for a guy his size. Where Robertson could elevate his game is on the physical side, where his size will be a major factor.

27. Tampa Bay Lightning-Cam York, D, US NTDP (USHL)

Victor Hedman's injury that led him to being out of the first round against Columbus this season exposed a problem with the Lightning's blue line depth, as they didn't have the puck mover that was needed to push their offensive game. York isn't as big, but he has all of the ability to start the offense from his own end and can slot in on the power play.

28. Carolina Hurricanes-Brett Leason, C, Prince Albert (WHL)

Passed over twice, Leason appears to be taking the same route as another player that had been passed over twice in Tanner Pearson. Given a chance to shine on a loaded Raiders team, Leason put up great numbers en route to helping them win the Ed Chynoweth Trophy. He could be an immediate contributor on the Hurricanes right now, and at worst, may need a year in the AHL.

29. Anaheim Ducks (from San Jose via Buffalo)-Philip Broberg, D, AIK (Sweden)

Blue line depth, much like forward depth, is in need, as the Ducks will need to eventually rebuild there, especially since Shea Theodore and Sami Vatanen are gone and Cam Fowler had injury issues while Hamphus Lindholm was not great. Broberg provides a big body that can skate, but will need work on puck moving.

30. Boston Bruins-Lassi Thomson, D, Kelowna (WHL)

A work in progress in his own end, Thomson has the ability to let one go from the blue line, and his puck moving skills are above average, things that could play well once Zdeno Chara finally hangs it up and Thomson is ready for the NHL.

31. Buffalo Sabres (from St. Louis)-Bobby Brink, RW, Sioux City (USHL)

The offense is definitely there for Brink, who will head to Denver for college. His skating will need work, but he is a great playmaker who showed that he could score, too, ending the USHL regular season as the league's player of the week three times in a row.

Stanley Cup Finals Preview

Two months of playoff hockey have whittled the field down to two teams. The final games begin Monday, and it's plenty of time to dissect the teams.

(2)Boston Bruins vs. (3)St. Louis Blues

The Bruins had to outlast Toronto, Columbus, and Carolina to get to their third final this decade. On the strength of Tuukka Rask in goal and a combination of veteran talent such as Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and Zdeno Chara, as well as youth such as Charlie MacAvoy and Danton Heinen, the Bruins are poised to bring another championship back to Boston. Where they need to succeed is with Brad Marchand, who frequently straddles the line on his play, but can also hurt you on the scoresheet.

The Blues survived Winnipeg, Dallas, and a blown call against the Sharks in game 3 to make the Finals for the first time since 1970. Ironically, it's against the team they last saw when they made the Finals. Jordan Binnington is the team's backbone in goal, but it is longtime stalwarts such as Alex Pietrangelo and Jaden Schwartz who have propelled them here, as well as newcomers Ryan O'Reilly and Tyler Bozak. The Blues need Vladimir Tarasenko to get untracked if they want to bring home a championship to St. Louis for the first time in hockey.

Prediction: Bruins in 6

NHL Conference Finals Preview

The NHL playoffs keep getting exciting, and with four teams remaining, it's a time to be alive. Which teams are still in it and what could happen? Let's sort through the mess.

(3) St. Louis Blues vs. (2) San Jose Sharks

The Blues are once again on the doorstep of making the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1970, and this time, it is on the back of some timely scoring and sterling goaltending from Jordan Binnington. They outlasted the Stars, as they had to make a comeback from a 3-2 series deficit. Jaden Schwartz continues to be an unsung hero, but it is the resurgence of the likes of Alex Pietrangelo and Vladimir Tarasenko that continue to push the Blues forward.

The Sharks are still inconsistent, but keep finding ways to win, thanks to contributions from the likes of Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture. Getting Joe Pavelski back after missing all but the last game of the Colorado series was a shot in the arm. Where the Sharks desperately need to improve is contributions from the back end, as Brent Burns has been quiet and the team is still waiting on Erik Karlsson to contribute. Martin Jones still has consistency issues, but rises to the occasion when things are on the line.

Prediction: Blues in 6

(2) Boston Bruins vs. (4) Carolina Hurricanes

The Bruins are still the physical team that can wear down opponents to win, as evidenced by their series win over Columbus. However, they are also a team that can outscore opponents, as needed, with David Pastrnak and David Krejci leading the way. The team has done well despite little in the way of offensive output from Brad Marchand. Defensively, this is a unit that is getting healthy at the right time, with Charlie MacAvoy and Brandon Carlo pushing the unit forward with a guiding hand from veterans such as Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug. Tuukka Rask continues to hold down the fort in goal, with more consistency in his numbers.

Carolina has solid depth all around, and though the output from Sebastian Aho hasn't been as great, it has been the likes of Teuvo Teravainen, Nino Niederreiter, and unsung hero Warren Foegele who have pushed the offense forward. Defensively, they suffered a blow when Trevor van Riemsdyk was announced to be out for the rest of the playoffs, but others have stepped up, and that will continue to be the case here. Where the Hurricanes could be vulnerable is in goal, where Petr Mrazek missed the last two games to injury, and though the Hurricanes have had time off, it remains to be seen if he can be 100 percent if he comes back during the series. In the interim, Curtis McElhinney held down the fort well, and he will be a key if Mrazek is unable to go or isn't completely healthy.

Prediction: Hurricanes in 7

NHL Conference Semi-finals Preview

That was fun, wasn't it? All four division leaders were eliminated in another exciting first round, and the party is just getting started. What will the next round hold? Let's find out, with at least a series kicking off as I write this.

(2) Boston Bruins vs. (4) Columbus Blue Jackets

The Bruins once again make it to the Conference semis at the expense of the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team they have not lost to in the playoffs since 1959. Though the Bruins have some injury issues still, there is depth and players still step up when needed. The question here is whether the Bruins will have the offense necessary to match the Blue Jackets.

The Blue Jackets didn't just win a playoff series for the first time in their existence, they did so in rather convincing fashion. Sure, the Lightning all but gave up after game one, but it should be noted that Sergei Bobrovsky had his best playoff series since joining the league in 2010. It has also helped that Seth Jones is looking more and more like a top defender while Matt Duchene and Artemi Panarin were major contributors offensively. Where the Blue Jackets face questions is how much the time off will affect them and whether or not they can replicate the success of the first round.

Prediction: Bruins in 6

(2) St. Louis Blues vs. (4) Dallas Stars

The Blues were one of the hottest teams entering the playoffs and they did little to dissuade that notion in the series against the Jets. Jordan Binnington is still as good as ever, and key players such as Jaden Schwartz, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Brayden Schenn are finding their games at the right time. Their defense is coming together, and they are showing no signs of a letdown.

The Stars seemed to have woken up during the playoffs, as their top line of Alex Radulov, Tyler Seguin, and Jamie Benn did most of the damage up front against Nashville. Defensively, there are still some holes in their own end, but offensive production from the likes of Miro Heiskanen and John Klingberg more than make up for it. In goal, Ben Bishop showed that he is the team's last line of defense. What Dallas can do past their first line is what remains to be seen.

Prediction: Blues in 6

(2) New York Islanders vs. (4) Carolina Hurricanes

The name of the game for the Islanders is defense, and they did a great job in shutting down the Penguins in a sweep. It begins with the duo of Robin Lehner and Thomas Greiss, who showed why they were the William Jennings Trophy winners for lowest team GAA. Defensively, this is still a largely no-name unit that will be tested with Johnny Boychuk out for some time, but this is where a guy like Ryan Pulock can step up. Up front, they are led by the likes of Matt Barzal, Anders Lee, and Jordan Eberle, but they must do something about their power play or else trouble could be brewing.

Carolina was another hot team coming into the playoffs, and certainly, their home record thus far is one of the biggest reasons for them being in this spot right now. Petr Mrazek still has consistency issues, as shown in the Washington series, but he has the ability to steal games as needed. Like the Islanders, their defense is largely no-name, with Dougie Hamilton being the lone player with some recognition. Up front, it's Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, and Nino Niederreiter who lead the top line, with possibly a recovering Andrei Svechnikov coming back. Consistency is still an issue, particularly away from PNC Arena, but the Hurricanes have shown their resiliency when their backs are against the wall.

Prediction: Hurricanes in 7

(2)San Jose Sharks vs. (4) Colorado Avalanche

San Jose also has consistency issues, putting them down 3-1 against Vegas before rallying to take the series, and even then, they also had to overcome a 3-0 deficit with 10 minutes left in game 7. Martin Jones needs to be more consistent, and their defense still has to figure out their chemistry, something that could be fatal against Colorado. Up front, it seems like a new hero steps up every night, with Tomas Hertl emerging as a go-to guy, but Logan Couture is still reliable. What the Sharks have to answer is how they will fill the likely void of Joe Pavelski.

Colorado was actually the hottest team entering the playoffs, and other than a game 1 hiccup against Calgary, the Avs proved that a superior top line will win if left unchecked. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen are the team's offensive firepower, with Gabriel Landeskog along for the ride. Defensively, there are still some issues, but the baptism by fire of Cale Makar has proven to be beneficial, as he's given that unit a shot in the arm. In goal, it's Phillipp Grubauer who has seized the starting role.

Prediction: Avalanche in 7

2019 NHL Playoffs: Eastern Conference preview

Another regular season is in the books, and although the top team was never really in doubt, the rest of the league had some interesting battles. The playoffs are a different time where things are amplified. What does the Eastern Conference bring?

(1) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (4) Columbus Blue Jackets

The Lightning were the best team in the league all season, having clinched the Presidents Trophy long before anyone else ever claimed a playoff spot. Nikita Kucherov leads a high-powered offense and though Steven Stamkos is no longer the offensive focal point, he is still a force, as are Brayden Point, Tyler Johnson, and JT Miller, among others. Defensively, Victor Hedman was the best player there, with Mikhail Sergachev, Ryan McDonagh, and Anton Stralman all playing solid in their roles. Goaltending shouldn't be a question mark, as Andrei Vasilievsky was great and Louis Domingue was good when he had to fill in for a few games. Given that the Lightning wrapped everything up by mid-March, will they find their motivation fast enough?

The Blue Jackets are all in this year, as they chose to hang onto both Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin despite neither having any stated intentions of remaining with the team once their contracts expire after the season. To further amplify that point, they traded for the expiring contracts of Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel while giving up a hefty sum to the Senators in separate trades. The continued development of Pierre-Luc Dubois is going to be important, as will whether or not Bobrovsky can finally shake off the playoff bugaboo that's plagued him in his entire career. Defensively, there should be no problems, as Seth Jones and Zach Werenski lead a very good group while Cam Atkinson also provides offense in addition to Duchene, Dzingel, Panarin, and Dubois.

Prediction: Lightning in 5

(2) Boston Bruins vs. (3) Toronto Maple Leafs

The Bruins were solidly the second best team in the East despite a rash of injuries that took out key players at varying points in the season. Brad Marchand has become the super pest that can both get under players' skin and score 40 goals in a season. He's not alone offensively, as David Pastrnak enjoyed a breakout season while the likes of David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron, and Jake DeBrusk also contributed offensively. Defensively, Zdeno Chara showed no signs of slowing down even as he is going deeper into his 40's. The key defensively, however, will be the youth, as both Brandon Carlo and Charlie MacAvoy both need to be healthy to allow the Bruins a chance at a deep playoff run. In goal, Tuukka Rask doesn't seem to get enough respect with his own hometown team despite putting up solid number this season. Having a seasoned vet in Jaroslav Halak behind him is nice.

The Maple Leafs were the trendy favorite to possibly win it all after a hot start. Then, their defense fell apart, and now things aren't looking as rosy. Still, any team that can boast the likes of John Tavares, Auston Matthews, and Mitch Marner should still be a force to be reckoned with. Where the fate of the Maple Leafs' playoff hopes lie is William Nylander, who has yet to live up to his new contract. Even with the addition of Jake Muzzin, there are still massive holes defensively, as only Morgan Rielly shows any signs of being the defender the team desperately needs. Travis Dermott is good, but nowhere near the level of even Muzzin. In goal, Frederik Andersen was inconsistent, and now that Garrett Sparks is out for the series due to off-ice issues, that puts a lot of pressure on the team.

Prediction: Bruins in 7

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (4) Carolina Hurricanes

The Capitals waited until the final week of the season to once again, reign supreme at the top of the Metropolitan Division. While the Caps weren't dominant at all during the season, it should be noted that they were also not dominant heading into last year's playoffs, and they ended up winning it all then. Any team that begins with Alex Ovechkin should be considered a threat to repeat, and throw in Niklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Jakub Vrana, and the Capitals are very good in scoring. John Carlson leads the way defensively, and though the Caps are largely unknown behind him, this is still a very good group that can play well as a unit. In goal, Braden Holtby was more consistent during the regular season, and that should bode well for him heading into the playoffs. He'll likely never be the Vezina winning goalie of a few years ago, but he also showed that he does indeed have an extra gear in the playoffs.

The Hurricanes were near the bottom of the division at the end of 2018. Somewhere along the way, the team started to win, and win some more, with PNC Arena becoming more favorable to the team, although the road was also good to them as well, having won 22 games away from PNC. Sebastian Aho is the best scorer on the team, with Teuvo Teravainen and Andrei Svechnikov not far behind. Justin Williams is the leader the team desperately needed, and he still has the reputation of being clutch in the playoffs. Defensively, this is largely a no-name group, but don't discount the contributions of Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce, Justin Faulk, and Trevor van Riemsdyk. In goal, it is now Petr Mrazek's team, now, with Curtis McElhinney providing a good backup option. The Hurricanes come into the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the league.

Prediction: Hurricanes in 7

(2) New York Islanders vs. (3) Pittsburgh Penguins

Everything that the Islanders did this regular season compared to last year can be attributed to a team-wide buy into what both Barry Trotz and Lou Lamoriello were selling. This team wasn't supposed to be good with John Tavares leaving for Toronto, but they nearly ended up winning the division thanks to an Anders Lee that was out to prove that his numbers weren't merely a product of playing with Tavares. The likes of Matt Barzal, Anthony Beauvillier, and Brock Nelson were also helpful. Defensively, the personnel didn't really change, but the results did, as a team that was dead last in that category actually finished first in team GAA, as Robin Lehner and Thomas Greiss had bounce back years after being dreadful in Buffalo and the Island, respectively, the year before. It helped that the team in front of them were more committed to team defense. Ryan Pulock, Scott Mayfield, and others helped spearhead a revival there, and with more youth on the way and finally pointed in the right direction, the Islanders could surprise now and in the future.

Pittsburgh mostly sleepwalked through the season, as key players had injuries, and only Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel played anywhere near expectations. Still, the team played well enough to make it again thanks to timely goaltending, and a defense that knows when to turn it on. Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel are going to be important to get untracked, as Malkin had a dreadful +/- despite good point totals while Kessel wasn't the same Kessel of old. Defensively, Kris Letang will need to show that last year's playoff showing isn't a sign that he's losing a step while the rest of the unit will need to step up. In goal, it's still Matt Murray's crease, but how long before his playoff magic finally runs out? It showed signs last season, but was it an aberration or just the beginning?

Prediction: Islanders in 7

Serving the Youth

BOSTON BRUINS

2017-18 record: 50-20-12 (112 points)
Lost to Tampa Bay in Conference semi-finals
Captain: Zdeno Chara

What was supposed to be another season of transition for the Boston Bruins became an accelerated rebuild, as their youth became major contributors from the word go. They finished just behind Tampa Bay in the Atlantic Division, and as their playoff run showed, they still have some things to shore up before they can get back to Lord Stanley.

One of the pleasant surprises has been where the offense has come from, as Brad Marchand, super pest, has become a regular 30-goal scorer. David Pastrnak has also emerged as one of the offensive leaders on the team, and he's  not even close to his prime. They are still relatively top heavy when it comes to scoring, something that was exposed when last year's rental Rick Nash didn't pan out as expected. Improvements in that regard are expected to come from within, as they're counting on a healthier Patrice Bergeron and a declining David Krejci to rebound, as well as continued maturation from Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen and possibly Ryan Donato making the roster. Defensively, the torch may be passed down soon, as Zdeno Chara could fold any minute. Fortunately, there is depth, as Charlie MacAvoy has become a solid defender and only figures to get better, health permitting. Similarly, Brandon Carlo is banking on health becoming less of an issue as he figures to at least fill the defensive part of the Zdeno Chara talent pool. Depth got better thanks to signing John Moore to fill in as a third pairing defender who can step into the second pair if needed. For all that's been good, the goaltending has been somewhat ordinary, as Tuukka Rask hasn't been as dynamic as he was a few years ago. Part of the problem has been overuse, something the Bruins hope they fixed when they signed Jaroslav Halak to be the backup.

Prediction: 3rd in the Atlantic Division

Tampa Bay still has a loaded roster and Toronto got better down the middle thanks to signing John Tavares, which makes Boston's hopes for a division title look small. However, they should be comfortable in knowing that they are a playoff team that could surprise people despite not adding much to the roster.

NHL Free Agency: Burning Money Edition

July 1 is known as a money burning day, as the first day of both NBA and NHL free-agency begins, as well as the New York Mets' tradition of giving long-gone Bobby Bonilla a million plus interest a year until 2035. So, how will the NHL make me laugh this time?

• The big shoe that needed to drop, did, as John Tavares announced that he would be taking the Toronto Maple Leafs' offer of seven years, and an annual amount of 11 million. It's a steep price for Toronto, and it still doesn't solve their defensive woes, but Tavares potentially shoves both Auston Matthews and Nazem Kadri down a slot, which improves their offensive output. The big concern would be what happens next offseason, when both Matthews and Mitch Marner are coming off their ELCs.
• The Maple Leafs' 11 million dollar gamble wasn't actually the worst move made. No, the worst happened this morning, as the Calgary Flames decided to throw five years and an annual cap hit of 5.75 million at James Neal. You might say that's better than what Washington threw at TJ Oshie, but even four years is excessive for a 30-goal scorer that is on the wrong side of 30, has major streaks of production and non-production, and may be headed for a steep decline ala Dany Heatley. The Flames also threw over 3 million to some guy named Derek Grant. Have fun with the RFA contracts of Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin.
• Los Angeles did the expected, and signed Ilya Kovalchuk to a three year deal. The hit carries a 6 million dollar price tag a year, and it had been announced that the Kings intended to make him the focal point of their offense. If you're paying him that much, he better be, and if he can still score 30 goals per year, it's not bad. So, where are the Kings screwed? The eight year extension that will be carrying an 11 million dollar hit that is going to Drew Doughty. The Kings learned nothing from the Dustin Brown and Marian Gaborik sagas. The Kings will be in Cap Hell even after Kovalchuk is gone thanks to the ridiculous contracts being handed out.
• Detroit likes to kick the can down the road, and signing both Jonathan Bernier and Thomas Vanek to deals, as well as re-signing Mike Green to a new two year deal is proof. On a contending team, these signings would actually be praised. However, Detroit is not even close to contending. I know there's the albatross contracts of Justin Abdelkader, Darren Helm, and Jonathan Ericsson, but there is no way they are a Jonathan Bernier away from playoff contention.
• Chicago actually didn't do badly with signing Cam Ward to one year, as he proved that he had something left, although that wasn't necessarily by choice in Carolina, as Scott Darling self-immolated. Brandon Manning is just a warm body on defense while I absolutely don't understand how Chris Kunitz will fit with the team.
• Vegas made moves, as they slightly overpaid for four years Paul Stastny and inexplicably threw 2.75 million a year for two years at Ryan Reaves.
• Pittsburgh signed Jack Johnson. The issue with Johnson isn't money, as about 3 million a year is sensible, but term, as five years is a little long. They also brought back Matt Cullen because I don't know.
• Boston signed Jaroslav Halak for two years and a 2.75 million annual deal. Halak had a bad year, but he should rebound somewhat, since Boston is a stronger defensive team and he won't have to be overextended, as he backs up Tuukka Rask. The Bruins also signed John Moore to the same 2.75 million a year hit, but for five years. I don't know if Moore is worth that much money-wise, but he's still relatively young, and you can do worse than him if you're a Boston team that figures to be led by Charlie MacAvoy and Brandon Carlo in the future.
• Buffalo moved on from the volatile Robin Lehner in favor of an older, but calmer Carter Hutton. Hutton is getting three years, and 2.75 million per year. The bigger news is that they traded Ryan O'Reilly to St. Louis and are getting back Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka, and two draft picks. The change was needed for both Buffalo and O'Reilly, which showed cracks late season. O'Reilly instantly gives St. Louis a second line center and takes the albatross contracts of both Berglund and Sobotka off the books.
• Speaking of the Blues, they gave David Perron four years and four million per year to make his return for a third time. Inconsistent as he is, it isn't a bad number, and he showed that he has something left. They also gave Tyler Bozak a three year, 5 million a year contract because I don't know. The money is too high for what will amount to a third line center, especially now that Brayden Schenn and O'Reilly will be in front of him. They also picked up a year rental of Chad Johnson for 1.75 million. Again, too high of a price, given his lack of production lately.
• Vancouver continues to want to tread water, as they handed out identical four year, 3 million per year contracts to Jay Beagle and Antoine Roussel. Two years and just under 2 million a year for Tim Schaller and three years and 3.36 million a year to Sven Baertschi were also handed out. None of those are Loui Eriksson bad, which is good, but only the Baertschi signing makes sense, as he can still deliver on some of his offensive upside. Roussel, Beagle, and Schaller do provide a defensive presence up front that had been sorely lacking since Ryan Kesler bolted town.
• If I began with the Maple Leafs, I have to end with the New York Islanders, the team Tavares is leaving behind. I don't think Tavares leaving is a death blow, as Mat Barzal looks like he will be the best player on the Islanders by this time next year, but it certainly hurts. Saying that, the Islanders signed Leo Komarov to four years and 3 million per year. The term may be a little long, and Komarov isn't going to provide major offense, but he will provide leadership and at a reasonable price, the Islanders will have room to move. They also re-signed Thomas Hickey for four years and 2.5 million. Thought to have been a bust after failing to crack the Kings roster in the time after he was drafted in 2007, he's turned out to be a respectable defender with the Islanders, and he was one of the few bright spots on a blue line that was awful last year. The big problem was signing Valtteri Filppula for 2.75 million. It's only one year, but the Islanders did not need Filppula, who clearly has nothing left at this stage of his career.

If I didn't mention your team, it's because there weren't any good or bad moves made. 

NHL Conference Semi-finals Preview

The next round of the NHL playoffs begin tomorrow, and as I type this, the seventh game of the Toronto-Boston series is wrapping up. By the time I get to the Tampa Bay series, it will probably be concluded, as Boston is up 6-4 as of this writing. For the rest of the series, it's time to go.

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Pittsburgh Penguins

The Capitals had their struggles to begin the series against the Columbus series. Thanks to Alex Ovechkin putting the team on his back and Braden Holtby entering the series at game 3 and turning the clock back to last year's regular season, the Capitals are once again in the second round. Offense was never a problem in the series for them. However, they had some shaky moments defensively, and unless they can tighten things up there, it may be a short series. Holtby still has some issues, but he has looked his best all season, so he may be turning a corner.

Offense for Pittsburgh is on fire, as Sidney Crosby continued his dominance over Philadelphia. Their defense still has moments of lapses, but they did better this series. Matt Murray may be rounding into form once again, as he has each of the last two playoff seasons. Injuries to Evgeni Malkin and Carl Hagelin bear watching.

Prediction: Penguins in 6

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) San Jose Sharks

The Golden Knights were very good defensively, as they only allowed three goals all series against Los Angeles. Marc-Andre Fleury looks like he's also turned back the clock, and with a solid no-name blue line in front of him, the defense looks formidable. Offensively, they had some issues, but they made the goals when they counted, and look like they are just scratching the surface.

San Jose nearly matched the Golden Knights on defense, only allowing four goals to Anaheim in a sweep. They also showed some fire offensively, as they put up an eight spot in a game 3 win and also won by three in the first game of the series. Martin Jones looks every bit of the goaltender that the Sharks were hoping to get when they traded for him in 2015, and Evander Kane is producing on the ice for them. Like Vegas, though, the Sharks were rarely tested, so this should be a fairly even series.

Prediction: Golden Knights in 6

(1) Nashville Predators vs. (2) Winnipeg Jets

The Predators had their struggles against Colorado to begin the series, but once game 4 started, their defense began to tighten up, only allowing four goals in the last three games, and the Predators closing up the issue of slow starts that plagued them in the first three games. Though their defensemen were shut down offensively, as they only managed one goal the entire series, their forwards more than made up for it, especially the Austin Watson-Nick Bonino-Colton Sissons line.

Winnipeg had an easier time with the Minnesota Wild apart from a game 3 hiccup. Connor Hellebuyck is coming off consecutive shutouts, their defense is rounding into form, and like the Predators, they can kill you in many ways offensively. What it may come down to is which home ice advantage will win out.

Prediction: Predators in 7

(1) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (2) Boston Bruins

Just as I get to this series, Boston emphatically closes it out.

The Lightning had little trouble in disposing a Devils team that simply didn't have the depth or playoff experience to stay with them. Andrei Vasilevsky is coming out of a late-season funk, their blue line is looking better, and their offense is so good that Steven Stamkos isn't even the second best option to score.

The Bruins had their issues with a Toronto team that was even in terms of ability. In the end, the Bruins outlasted the Leafs and will be coming into the series with some momentum. Tuukka Rask may have some issues, as he hasn't always been at his best, but the blue line in front of him is still capable. Offensively, this may be their most surprising aspect, as they have guys not named Brad Marchand that can kill you. David Pastrnak is becoming a stud, and they are getting production from guys like Torey Krug from the blue line.

Prediction: Boston in 7

2018 NHL Eastern Conference Playoffs Preview

We've narrowed it down to 16 teams, and there's as always, going to be some exciting times in the hockey world. The playoffs begin Wednesday, and for the first time in a few years, I will not have to tie in my picks with a playoff pool. Saying that, let's begin:

(1) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (4) New Jersey Devils

The Lightning got exactly what they thought they were going to get from Andrei Vasilievsky, as he made the fans forget about Ben Bishop. Despite wearing down a little late in the season, mostly due to injuries to a rotating group of backup goalies, he is still a vital cog to the team's success. The blue line features Victor Hedman and Mikhail Sergachev, but depth worries me a little, as Dan Girardi does not inspire confidence if he's in the lineup. It showed, as the Lightning had a habit of letting teams back in some games. Offensively is where the Lightning can kill you, especially if Steven Stamkos is healthy. The good news is that he isn't even the best offensive player this year on his own team. No, that honor goes to Nikita Kucherov, who had a bigger coming out party this season, becoming the third Lightning player to score over 100 points. The X-factor here is JT Miller, who could be in line to have his own coming out party this postseason.

The New Jersey Devils were a major surprise this season, and much of that is due to Taylor Hall finally staying healthy for a full season and showing the offensive skills that made him the first overall pick in 2010. Beyond Hall however, there isn't much besides Nico Hischier and when healthy, Cory Schneider, although Keith Kinkaid did well when pressed into starting duty. Brian Boyle is the team's inspirational leader this year, and their no-name blue line did fairly well.

Prediction: Lightning in 6

(2) Boston Bruins vs. (3) Toronto Maple Leafs

The good news is that the Boston Bruins have depth up and down the lineup, with four scoring lines and a defensive unit that can go deep. It also helps that their youth is taking major roles on the team, with Jake DeBrusk, Brandon Carlo, Charlie MacAvoy, and Danton Heinen all having a hand in the team's success this year. Tuukka Rask has also returned to form. However, the Bruins did struggle down the stretch, missing out on a potential Atlantic Division crown in the final days, and their depth is being tested in a big way, with MacAvoy, Carlo, and Patrice Bergeron all missing time at varying points in the season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs went over the 100 point barrier despite not having Auston Matthews for a few weeks. Frederik Andersen played his best hockey this season, the offense rallied together to make up for any time Matthews missed, and the blue line held together well. The Leafs will be another year wiser in the playoffs, but will it be enough to mean a deep playoff run?

Prediction: Maple Leafs in 7

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (4) Columbus Blue Jackets

Washington is once again in the playoffs, and once again, it is Cup or Bust. Alex Ovechkin is still the engine that drives the unit, but this is the year where more than any other that depth, or the lack thereof, is going to hurt them. The more alarming thing here is that Braden Holtby had his worst season in a Capitals uniform, and this time around, it was Phillipp Grubauer that bailed them out. There are many questions that will have to be answered here, such as can the Capitals get past the second round, can they even reach the second round, and who starts in net.

The Blue Jackets have made the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history. Like last year, they had to ride a lengthy winning streak to get here, which may make their hopes more of a fool's gold. Sergei Bobrovsky's playoff yips do bear watching, as does a rather alarming lack of scoring depth behind Artemi Panarin. Giving up goals is not a problem here, as any John Tortorella team is usually good at stopping the opposition from scoring.

Prediction: Blue Jackets in 7

(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers

The Penguins may look ripe for an upset here, but if the last two seasons taught us anything, it is never to count them out. Between problems in goal, namely injuries and inconsistent play, and a blue line that largely spent more time on a milk carton, it's amazing that the Penguins were able to be the second seed in the Metropolitan Division. If you have to find someone to credit for keeping them afloat, it's Evgeni Malkin. He was thought to be a Hart Trophy candidate at some point in the season, and Sidney Crosby still doesn't get the credit he deserves.

If there is ever a team that no one can really pinpoint, it's the Philadelphia Flyers. They can either be really hot or really cold, and worse, all this happened despite another swinging door in goal, as players got hurt. The blue line should be better than what is assembled, but they are also still young at the position. Not having Wayne Simmonds hurts the offense, but having Claude Giroux step up in a big way was a big boon, as he not only topped the 100 point marker for the first time in his career, but did so while amassing his first career NHL hat trick in the process.

Prediction: Penguins in 6

Reaching the Deadline

With the NHL Trade Deadline approaching, teams are already making moves, and many of them made this season are already more impactful than last season's deadline, when very little happened in the way of blockbuster deals. Let's look at the deals made over the weekend and other potential players getting moved.

• The Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they were all in for a shot at a third Stanley Cup in a row when they were part of a three way trade. The basis of the trade is that they get Derick Brassard from Ottawa, Ottawa gets Ian Cole (more on him later) and Filip Gustavsson, and Vegas gets Ryan Reaves, with draft picks also being part of the equation. For Ottawa, they have signaled a rebuild, with the future of Erik Karlsson being an uncertainty past next season. Vegas gets fighter in Reaves who can also score on occasion while Pittsburgh gets the third line center that they had lacked since Nick Bonino defected to Nashville in the off-season.
• Remember Ian Cole? The Senators didn't hang on to him for long, as he was sent to Columbus for Nick Moutrey and a 2020 draft pick. Columbus gets more depth on the blue line, and they would later address the center depth, as in another three way deal, Nashville traded Pontus Aberg to Edmonton for Mark Letestu, and then flipped Letestu for a fourth round pick. Aberg gets a fresh start in Edmonton after he was squeezed out due to forward depth, which gets better with Mike Fisher coming back as of today.
• The New York Rangers are building for the future, sending Michael Grabner to New Jersey for Egor Rykov and a draft pick. Their biggest trade happened a few days later, as they sent Rick Nash to Boston. Ryan Spooner, Ryan Lindgren, Matt Beleskey, and a first round pick this year plus another draft pick were what they got in return. This was the trade the Rangers desperately needed, as Spooner can slot in as a top six forward while Lindgren is a solid prospect. The only hiccup, a necessary one to keep order in the salary cap, is Beleskey's albatross contract.
• Tomas Plekanec is leaving the only team he had ever known...and is heading to their biggest rival. That's right, he is going from Montreal to Toronto. All it cost was Kerby Rychel, Rinat Valiev, and Kyle Baun.
• Evander Kane, Alex Burrows, and Johnny Oduya are names that were either told to wait for trades or were placed on waivers, indicating that they could be on the move by the time the deadline passes in a few hours.

This year's trade deadline has been far busier than last year, when the only big name to get moved was Martin Hanzal. There will be at least a few moves made, many of them minor, but the ticker watching will happen.

The Search for Stability

BOSTON BRUINS

2016-17 record: 44-31-7 (95 points)
Lost to Ottawa in Conference quarrterfinals
Captain: Zdeno Chara

The Boston Bruins have been a team in transition for the last few years, and despite being inconsistent again, they did have more hot streaks and managed to give Ottawa a run for their money in the first round of the playoffs. However, the Bruins did little in the way of free agency, and are banking on their youth to make meaningful contributions.

Offensively, this is Brad Marchand's team, and though he has ramped up his offensive output, he also remains a pest, which puts the Bruins in trouble if he heads to the box. Having David Pastrnak step up is not only helpful, but also takes some of the pressure off of Marchand. The drawback here is Pastrnak is a RFA, which could be problematic if he misses any time to start the season. They could use another offensive defender to go along with Torey Krug, and that is where Charlie McAvoy has the potential to step in, as they Bruins are looking to go younger with Zdeno Chara about to hit 40 and Adam MacQuaid being a perpetual injury risk. Without any major free agent additions, it will be up to McAvoy, Pastrnak, and Brandon Carlo, among others to seize the opportunities afforded to them. In goal, Tuukka Rask had a good enough season, but was overused again, and unless the Bruins can figure out the backup situation, as Anton Khudobin didn't answer the question well enough, the Bruins could be one and done again.

Prediction: 5th in the Atlantic Division

The Bruins will be in tough to make the playoffs once again, with Tampa Bay unlikely to crater again after injuries decimated their unit and Florida having a sense of stability once again, but their core is still intact, and if the youth steps up in a major way, they could surprise.

NHL Mock Draft: Picks 16-31

With Adidas revealing all 31 teams' new (sort of, for some teams) uniforms, I'm expediting the mock draft.

16-Calgary Flames: Kailer Yamamoto, RW, Spokane (WHL)

The Flames have had success with players like Yamamoto, as they have his contemporary height-wise in Johnny Gaudreau. Super skilled offensively, and Sam Bennett still needs wingers that can score.

17-Toronto Maple Leafs: Cal Foote, D, Kelowna (WHL)

Toronto could always use another defensive prospect, as they remain thin at that unit, a fact exposed by their third pairing of Matt Hunwick and Roman Polak getting repeatedly torched. Foote isn't a game-breaker, but he is reliable in his own end and has a little more offensive than his dad Adam, a former Colorado defender.

18-Boston Bruins: Nic Hague, D, Mississauga (OHL)

The Bruins have tried preparing for the eventuality of Zdeno Chara finally hanging it up, and though Charlie McAvoy, last year's first round pick, looks like a sure thing, the first round pick from 2015 Jakub Zboril is not as certain to be great. Hague has the size and may provide solid two-way play to go along with McAvoy's offensive prowess and Brandon Carlo's stay-at-home abilities.

19-San Jose Sharks: Pierre-Olivier Joseph, D, Charlottetown (QMJHL)

The Sharks need young defenders in the pipeline, especially since they just gave up on Mirco Mueller living up to his potential. Joseph is a puck mover that needs to gain weight, but is checking off the boxes in most other areas.

20-St. Louis Blues: Klim Kostin, RW, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)

St, Louis got pushed around a lot last year, and despite an off-year thanks to injuries and a lack of playing time in the KHL, Kostin showed what he could do when given the time to show. Provides a physical element that was missing last year.

21-New York Rangers: Erik Brannstrom, D, HV71 (Sweden)

The Rangers are getting old on the blue line, and though they just parted ways with Dan Girardi, they still have decent ability there. The future doesn't look too bright beyond that, and Brannstrom would not only be a body on the blue line, but also a puck mover that they haven't had in a while.

22-Edmonton Oilers: Robert Thomas, C, London (OHL)

Though listed as a center Thomas can play anywhere up front, and he's likely the safest pick in the first round. The Oilers would like to have better depth up front, especially when it comes to the third and fourth lines, and Thomas can bring a two-way game to those areas right away if needed.

23-Arizona Coyotes (from Minnesota): Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G, HPK Jr. (Finland)

I fully expect the Coyotes to take a goaltender either here or with their second round pick. Presuming they do like what they see in that category, it's down to Luukkonen or Jake Oettinger. Luukkonen has the higher upside, and I think he's a little closer to NHL ready.

24-Columbus Blue Jackets: Kole Lind, RW, Kelowna (WHL)

The Blue Jackets are sound defensively, but they didn't have nearly enough firepower to go toe-to-toe with Pittsburgh in the first round. Sadly, this year's draft doesn't have much in the way of offensive talent, but Lind is one of the better options available. Plus, going down the wing, the Blue Jackets could use another guy there.

25-Montreal Canadiens: Urho Vaakanainen, D, JYP (Finland)

The Canadiens just traded away Mikhail Sergachev, leaving their defensive pipeline a little less stocked. Reliability is what he will provide, but he may require a few years to develop his hockey sense a little more.

26-Chicago Blackhawks: Isaac Ratcliffe, LW, Guelph (OHL)

A project, Ratcliffe has the size that Chicago desperately needs, as they've been lacking in that lately and were pushed around by St. Louis and Nashville in recent playoff tilts, teams with at least one physical presence. He can provide a little offense, but once he gets a little more weight, his size will be his greatest asset.

27-St. Louis Blues (from Washington): Jaret Anderson-Dolan, C, Spokane (WHL)

Anderson-Dolan rose up the draft board thanks to his tournament play in the World Under-18s, and he is just now scratching the surface of his potential. With Dan Lambert now coaching Spokane, it will be interesting to see how much offense he can really provide.

28-Ottawa Senators: Jason Robertson, RW, Kingston (OHL)

Robertson could afford to improve his skating, which seems to be a theme with most draft picks this year, but if any team knows about offensive talent that needs improved skating, it's Ottawa, as Robertson draws comparisons to Mark Stone, who's done pretty well in Ottawa. Work ethic is something to watch, but the offensive skill is there.

29-Dallas Stars (from Anaheim): Kristian Vesalainen, LW, Frolunda (Sweden)

The offensive upside is there with Vesalainen, but he also had an up and down season, as he moved quite a bit. Size suggests power forward, but he may be a few years away.

30-Nashville Predators: Ryan Poehling, C, St. Cloud State (NCHC)

Assuming the Predators don't trade this pick in pursuit of a center like Matt Duchene or Tyler Johnson, the Predators go with the draft route, taking Poehling, who could end up a Mike Fisher clone, as in not great offensively, but very good in many areas, and can play a shutdown role if needed.

31-Pittsburgh Penguins: Timothy Liljegren, D, Rogle (Sweden)

Liljegren's stock took a tumble, and with Pittsburgh needing to figure out a plan in case they don't keep Justin Schultz and/or Derrick Pouliot doesn't pan out, Liljegren would fit the Penguins system perfectly, as his offense is way ahead of his defensive game.

Black Monday in the NHL

The day after the NHL regular season ended, a few coaches and General Managers found themselves out of a job, making the term "Black Monday" an appropriate one. Let's look at where the axe fell, where some coaches and front office people managed a short reprieve, and which teams may be in trouble down the line.

First, the casualties:

• The Dallas Stars announced that Lindy Ruff would not return next season as head coach. In four seasons, Ruff led the team to the playoffs, but it was clear that in the just completed season, he could never solve their defensive woes and his message wasn't getting through. Gerard Gallant is rumored to be a name on the Stars' list for the next head coach.
• Tom Rowe was relieved of both head coaching and General Manager duties, and Dale Tallon was reinstated as General Manager, effectively meaning that owner Vincent Viola admitted the error of his ways after the previous season. Bad trades, an ill-timed firing of coach Gerard Gallant mid-season, and Rowe being in over his head in both roles now have the Panthers back at square one.
• Vancouver ended the Willie Desjardins experiment after three seasons, and in the process, canned assistants Doug Lidster and Perry Pearn. Desjardins led the team to the playoffs in his first season, but manipulating lines with little success and the second-worst record this season led to his ouster.
• The big bomb of the day belongs to the Los Angeles Kings, who fired head coach Daryl Sutter and General Manager Dean Lombardi. Luc Robitaiile and Rob Blake were moved up in the front office, with Blake assuming the General Manager role. Three years after the Kings won their last Stanley Cup, poor trades, salary cap mismanagement, and the inability to adapt to play in the NHL the last three seasons mean that the Kings' opportunity to win is now closed.

Now, let's look at who avoided the axe for now:

• Colorado was dead last in many categories, yet as of this writing, they have not announced whether coach Jared Bednar or VP of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic will be let go. Given that the Avs were in a bind about two months before the season, thanks to Patrick Roy leaving the head coaching job prior to this season, it would not be surprising if both were given one more year.
• Arizona still employs Dave Tippett as head coach despite a fifth straight season of playoff-free hockey. The Coyotes took a major step back this season, and one would think that it's time to look into a new head coach.
• The Buffalo Sabres were another team that took a step back. However, one could point to injuries as a reason for their decline, though one does have to wonder if Dan Bylsma should look over his shoulder soon. 
• The Winnipeg Jets were a streaky team this season, often on the wrong kind, though a strong finish to the season should render Paul Maurice safe for now.

Teams that will possibly look for permanent replacements:

• The Boston Bruins made the playoffs, and depending on how far they go could determine if Bruce Cassidy gets the interim label taken off.
• The New York Islanders missed out, but under Doug Weight's watch, they played markedly better than under Jack Capuano. Whether or not Garth Snow remains as General Manager is most likely going to determine the coaching job's fate.

Eastern Conference Playoffs Preview

Another NHL season is in the books, and now, the real fun begins with the playoffs beginning Wednesday. First up is the Eastern Conference preview, and there have been a few surprises to go along with some expected results thus far.

(1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (4) New York Rangers

The Canadiens survived a coaching change, which mirrored an earlier change in 2003, to claim the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Carey Price was healthy once again, and as it always seems to be, everything will go through Price. It's not just Price that makes the Canadiens go, as Shea Weber has provided a solid presence on the blue line and while they're still looking for answers up front past Max Pacioretty (think Alex Galchenyuk and his health), the Canadiens are looking to make a deep run.

The Rangers are in this spot thanks to a rather tough Metropolitan Division that sees them get the short straw despite finishing with over 100 points on the season. Sure, Henrik Lundqvist is still in goal, but this is about as offensively driven of a team as you will find, as Mats Zuccarello leads the way. Of course, their defense could be better, as could the consistency of some players such as Michael Grabner, who fell off after a hot start to the season.

Prediction: Canadiens in 5

(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (3) Columbus Blue Jackets

It was another wild season for Pittsburgh, as Sidney Crosby continues to lead the way, winning the Rocket Richard for most goals in a season, yet missing out on the Art Ross Trophy (more on the winner in the next piece). For the success though, injuries have played a role in their sometime struggles, as they will be without Kris Letang for the playoffs and both Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray have had bouts of either inconsistency, injury, or both.

Columbus rode a hot streak in the middle of the season to the playoffs, and certainly, a healthy Sergei Bobrovsky was a big reason why the Blue Jackets are back in the playoffs. The Blue Jackets have also bought into coach John Tortorella's system, which explains their second best defense ranking. They will need that if they hope to fend off Crosby and company.

Prediction: Blue Jackets in 7

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (4) Toronto Maple Leafs

The Capitals are going all in this year. Stop if you've heard that one before. Goaltending is a major strength, as Braden Holtby and Phillipp Grubauer hold down the fort there, and in spite of Alex Ovechkin having a down year, the rest of the team has picked up the slack.

The surprise entrant of the playoff picture, the Maple Leafs have been as inconsistent as you would envision them to be, particularly since they're led by a bunch of kids who are not quite of drinking age in the U.S. Auston Matthews has been everything as advertised, but he's had help, too, as Mitch Marner led the team in assists. Defensively, the health of Frederik Andersen is one to watch, as he's been what the Leafs have hoped for. Still, this is a young group, so this may be nothing more than an opportunity to experience hockey at its best.

Prediction: Capitals in 5

(2) Ottawa Senators vs. (3) Boston Bruins

The Senators had a fair amount of adversity, from Craig Anderson taking time away to attend to his ailing wife to late-season nagging injuries to captain Erik Karlsson. While the offense struggled, as they ended up a -1 in goal scoring differential, goaltending and defense were strong, as Mike Condon helped keep the Senators afloat until Anderson came back. Now, with two good goaltenders, it will be up to them to help compensate for an offense that still needs work.

The Bruins were left for dead when they changed head coaches mid-season. However, a late-season surge puts them back into the playoffs. They aren't the same Bruins of earlier this decade, but goaltending has been a strong suit once again. When it comes to scoring, it's now David Pastrnak's team now. This Bruins team is more balanced to the point where they don't need to rely on one aspect to carry them.

Prediction: Senators in 7

ELC Madness

As the college hockey season comes to its conclusion with the Frozen Four, there are more players who will likely be signed to entry level contracts (or ELCs) in the coming days and weeks. Four players who were taken in the first round the last two years have already done so, and either have or will make their NHL debuts soon.

Brock Boeser was the 23rd overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Vancouver Canucks, and was widely regarded as a pure goal scorer. He played in North Dakota for two seasons before signing with the Canucks at the conclusion of North Dakota's season last week. He made his debut in his home state of Minnesota, where he scored on a tap-in that proved to be the game winner against the Wild on Sautrday.

Boeser's teammate at North Dakota Tyson Jost was taken 10th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2016 NHL Draft. He won silver with the Canadian Junior National team and was one of the bright spots on a North Dakota team that didn't quite fare as well as the previous season, when they won it all. Jost was signed yesterday to an ELC by Colorado and will likely make his debut soon.

Clayton Keller was a former US-NTDP taken 7th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2016. He went on to college at Boston University and shined during the WJC tournament, where he helped lead the United States to gold. The Coyotes need more skill up front, which was why they were willing to sign Keller to an ELC earlier this week. Keller made his debut on Monday in St. Louis, an area where he played his youth hockey.

Charlie McAvoy was the 14th overall pick of the Boston Bruins in the 2016 NHL Draft. He had already played a season with Boston University when he was drafted, and was also on the U.S. squad that won gold at the WJC tournament. He actually signed an ATO with Boston and will begin play with their AHL affiliate in Providence. It is likely that he will sign an ELC before next season.

Bridging the Gap

BOSTON BRUINS

2015-16 record: 42-31-9 (93 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: Zdeno Chara

Another season of just missing out on the playoffs for the Bruins happened, and in rather embarrasing fashion, as they were given a beating at the hands of an Ottawa team that was eliminated a week earlier. Despite another playoff-free spring, the Bruins decided to keep Claude Julien on as head coach. He will be entering the season with the best center depth he's ever had as the Bruins coach, but questions abound on the blue line and in goal do remain.

Up front, despite losing Loui Eriksson to free agency, they did pick up David Backes, who figures to slot in as the third line center at worst. Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci hold down the top two spots in the middle, and Brad Marchand set career highs in goals, though he does have a little work in keeping out of trouble, as he missed a couple of games due to suspension. It's going to be a by-committee approach as far as offense beyond those four, and if anyone has to step up, it must be the young players, particularly Ryan Spooner and David Pastrnak, who are the best they have that are under 25 right now. Defensively, what was a strength when they were winning the Stanley Cup five years ago is now suddenly a major question mark. Zdeno Chara is still their best player there, but he's also nearing 40, and he's not the player he was even during that Stanley Cup run. Torey Krug is clearly the second best player there, but after that, look out below. Adam McQuaid can't stay healthy, Joe Morrow still needs to prove himself, and Colin and Kevan Miller haven't locked up regular NHL duty yet. In goal, Tuukka Rask has seen his number take a dive, as the 2.56 GAA represents a spike from the 2.00 GAA of 2013. Part of the problem has been the reluctance to use the backup, as Anton Khudobin returns to the Bruins after three years away. In that time, Niklas Svedberg, Chad Johnson, and Jonas Gustavsson have kept the backup seat warm, to little success. Last year's numbers were also an indication of an unstable blue line, that in large part due to injuries, never really established itself, and Rask figures to have to compensate for it once again. At the very least, special teams isn't a worry, as the power play ranked in the top ten while the penalty kill finished just outside the top ten.

Prediction: 5th in the Atlantic Division

The Bruins aren't quite bad enough to be in the Nolan Patrick sweepstakes next June, but they are also not quite good enough to get back into Stanley Cup contention. Until they stabilize the blue line, it will be up to the front lines and goaltending to go beyond their norms to succeed.

Restoring the Roar

It's that time of the year when hockey stories generally dry up, and other than Las Vegas naming their first General Manager in George McPhee and a few superstars locking themselves up for the foreseeable future with their current teams, this is where I reach for stories.

I'm in luck, as the team that is trying to get its "Big Bad" image back to life is at the center of the discussion. Yes, the Boston Bruins have fallen on some hard times since winning the Stanley Cup in 2011, from a missed opportunity to win their second in three years to the salary cap mess that left them unable to keep many of the players that are flourishing elsewhere to Don Sweeney (pictured) trying his best to clean up the mess his predecesor Peter Chiarelli left behind when he was canned in 2015.

So, that brief history is established, and now, let's look at how Boston got to this point.

• The Tyler Seguin trade of Summer 2013: there had been rumblings of Seguin and his affinity for the nightlife during the 2013 playoffs. While there wasn't anything truly alarming, the Bruins sought fit to trade Seguin along with Rich Peverley to the Dallas Stars for Reilly Smith, Loui Eriksson, and Joe Morrow. While Seguin has put up the offensive numbers expected of him when the Bruins drafted him in 2010, Smith never really established himself and was traded to Florida prior to last season while Loui Eriksson signed with Vancouver recently after some bouts with inconsistency, with injuries playing a role in that. If Boston is to salvage anything now, it's up to Morrow, who has still yet to crack the regular six on the Bruins' blue line.
• The ornerous contracts handed out to the likes of Milan Lucic, Dennis Seidenberg, and Zdeno Chara. While those were looking good when the Bruins were doing well in 2011-2013, it became an albatross by the time Chiarelli was fired in 2015. Lucic was traded in one of Sweeney's first moves as General Manager while Seidenberg was recently bought out. Chara is still around, but at 39 years old, is losing the battle with Father Time.
• Sweeney's first moves were trading Lucic and Dougie Hamilton for draft picks, as well as Martin Jones, who didn't stick around long enough to even get a number. The Lucic/Jones and draft picks trade would have been great, but the Bruins still have Tuukka Rask in goal, and Jones wasn't about to unseat him, so they flipped Jones to San Jose for a first round pick in 2016. Jones only went on to help lead the Sharks to their first ever Stanley Cup Finals appearance while Rask was at home once again for the playoffs. As for Hamilton, any goodwill that was left over from the Phil Kessel Trade of 2009, which includes Seguin, died with the Hamilton trade. While Hamilton was slow to adjust to his surroundings in Calgary, he did show signs of life. Boston could have used him, as depth is now suddenly an issue.
• The contract given to Adam McQuaid happened around the time Hamilton got traded. While McQuaid is the kind of player Boston covets, he's also been rather injury prone and isn't more than a good third pairing player.
• The draft picks dating back to 2011: Of the picks in 2011, only Alexander Khokhlachev remains in the system, and he's been grumbling about his place in the Bruins' system. 2012 has been slightly kinder, though Malcolm Subban is still in the AHL. Seth Griffin and Matt Grzelcyk also remain, and both figure to compete for a spot on the Bruins this season. 2013 was far less kind, as no one's really stepped up there. 2014 produced David Pastrnak, who is looking for his breakout year while 2015 and 2016 figure to be a litmus test on just how well Sweeney can pick out the talent.
• The David Backes contract earlier this month. They overpaid here, but he provides leadership and depth down the middle. Losing Eriksson will hurt, but it does open the door for Pastrnak here, as he figures to get the ice time that Eriksson had last season while Backes figures to at least make three lines with strong centers, provided David Krejci can remain healthy.

To say the Bruins have had an interesting slide from the top of the mountain in five years is an understatement. Obviously, getting themselves out of a bind with the salary cap was priority one, which they did, though some moves were more questionable than others. Now, it's about finding out if the Bruins will have a smoother transition to life after Chara and Patrice Bergeron, though Bergeron still has at least five good years left.