-- Up top, a reminder that Connor McDavid is the fastest kid alive.
-- David Pastrnak has 13 goals in his first 18 games of the season. He’s also a pending restricted free agent, which begs the question -- what kind of deal should he get from the Boston Bruins? The Globe argues for a long-term pact, and that may indeed be the best course of action, depending on the final cap hit. But the B’s already have a bunch of big contracts on the books, so you have to wonder if they might push for a bridge. That’s what Brad Marchand did in 2011, before cashing in on his next two contracts. (Boston Globe)
-- Could Marian Hossa become the next Jaromir Jagr? It’s a good question -- in fact, we’ve asked it before. The answer will become even more important next season when Hossa’s salary falls to just $1 million for the remaining four years of his contract. Hossa, 37, said prior to the current season that he was going to take things “year-by-year.” The way he’s played so far, it sure doesn’t look like he needs to retire. (Chicago Sun-Times)
-- Devan Dubnyk has been practically unbeatable in Minnesota’s crease. Among NHL starters, only Carey Price’s .947 save percentage is higher than his .946 mark. But Dubnyk doesn’t want to get too hung up on his numbers. “Obviously you can look at them all you want between games, but if you’re so worried about what they’re going to be it’s going to affect how you feel, and how you react to getting scored on during a game, because it’s going to bother you if you give up two on seven shots early in the game and you’re worried about improving your stats instead of just the next save, that could have an effect on what you’re doing.” (NHL.com)
-- Did you know Mike Richter was once a member of the Nashville Predators? Find out how that ever happened by reading this list of five NHLers you didn’t know got picked in expansion drafts. (The Hockey News)
-- The Arizona Coyotes don’t intend to lend winger Lawson Crouse or defensemen Jakob Chychrun to Canada’s World Juniors entry. Arizona prospect Dylan Strome was named yesterday to Canada’s selection camp, but he’s not on the Coyotes’ NHL roster anymore after being returned to his junior team earlier this month. (Arizona Republic)