A collection of the latest news from around the world of hockey:
When Alex Ovechkin isn’t scoring goals, he’s either throwing questionable hits, or doing this: [Puck Daddy]
Wayne Gretzky thinks hockey is lacking creativity because of all the shot blocking and defensive systems. [TSN], [NY Times]. He’s probably right.
It wasn’t actually Shane Doan’s idea, but this is an interesting way to stop teams from tanking. [Sportsnet]
More bad news for the Islanders, as they lose Anders Lee to a leg fracture. [Lighthouse Hockey]
Injuries suck, but they also provide opportunity for other players. Jonathan Drouin got called up to the Lightning, and promptly scored the game winner. [CBS Sports]
With the possibility of Steven Stamkos leaving for another team, Tampa could use the services of Drouin. Now that he’s back with the team, is there a chance that relationship can be salvaged? When all the drama went down, I’m sure no one excepted he’d play another game for the Lightning. [TB Times]
Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston had this to say on Drouin: “I’m not 100 per cent sure that we’re going to see this guy traded after all this. He’s going to start on the second line for the Lightning, and we’ll see how this goes.” The plot thickens.
Should Ben Bishop be in the running for the Vezina Trophy? [Along the Boards]
As suggested on TSN’s Insider Trading, expect Marc Bergevin to confirm Michel Therrien’s return as Habs coach either on wknd or next week.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) April 8, 2016
(Habs fans are going to be thrilled).
Charlie Lindgren picked up the win in his first game with the Canadiens. [CTV]
3 on 3 overtime actually seems to be working according to plan. [Ottawa Sun]
Brent Burns deserves to have his name in the Norris Trophy conversation. [Mercury News]
The Eastern Conference playoff race will literally go down to the wire. [The Hockey News]. The Flyers did themselves no favors by losing to the Maple Leafs. [Toronto Star]
Will the Russian doping scandal affect those players draft statuses? [Globe and Mail]
Which defenceman are the Oilers likely to have a shot at? [Beer League Heroes]. If you were the GM, what moves would you make? [Edmonton Journal]
And finally, Crosby and the Penguins are absolutely smoking heading into the playoffs. [Pensburgh]
