-- Up top, Bob McKenzie discusses the kind of deals the Vegas Golden Knights will be pursuing ahead of the expansion draft.
-- Speaking of the expansion draft, don’t blame the NHL for keeping each team’s protected list private. Blame the general managers instead, writes Greg Wyshynski: “These are the general managers thinking they’re doing right by their players. Trying not to hurt feelings. Trying not to open certain guys up for social media finger pointing. And, obviously, they’re trying to keep the lists away from fan scrutiny so their own decisions aren’t ridiculed.” (Yahoo Sports)
-- Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News remembers the first time he saw Josh Ho-Sang play. And given Ho-Sang did “something really stupid” on that occasion, it’s fair to say the 21-year-old Islanders prospect needed some time to mature. Ho-Sang scored his first NHL goal Tuesday against the Oilers. (The Hockey News)
-- Did you know Beau Bennett can play the piano? Devils coach John Hynes didn’t, until Bennett sat down at a piano in a hotel lobby in Minnesota. “He was fantastic,” Hynes said. “I don’t remember what he played, but I do remember it was pretty good.” (New York Times)
-- A list of five guys who could be gunning for revenge against their former teams in the playoffs. Claude Julien is one of them. And yes, a Canadiens-Bruins series would be absolutely riveting. As it stands right now, a second-round meeting is definitely possible. (Sportsnet)
-- An Irish hurler (it’s a sport) did an exchange with the Vancouver Canucks, then went home and said he was shocked at the NHL’s drinking culture. Though his claims have been called into question, we do wonder if “calling a change-up” will become part of the hockey lexicon from now on. (Irish Times)
Enjoy the games!