--There are currently five head coaching vacancies in the NHL (Dallas, Florida, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Vegas), and USA Today’s Kevin Allen ranks them from best to worst. The Stars may have given up a ton of goals this season, but thanks to forwards like Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin, they’re at the top of the list. (USA Today)
--As the Toronto Maple Leafs get ready to face the Washington Capitals, the Toronto Sun put together a list of five facts that you may not know about the Caps. Here’s a fun one: Owner Ted Leonsis used to vacuum lawns for a living. True story. (Toronto Sun)
--Maple Leafs teammates Jake Gardiner and Nazem Kadri perform trick shots in the “Ultimate Trick Shot Challenge”. They lift random objects out of a car using nothing but their hockey sticks and also hit targets placed in the trunk of a car. (Top)
--Evander Kane has one year remaining on his current contract, so the Sabres have to make a decision about keeping him long-term or parting ways with him in the near future. (Buffalo News)
--Patrick Eaves hasn’t been a member of the Anaheim Ducks for long, but he feels like he’s really fitting in well in his new surroundings. “It was just a very easy situation to walk into. That makes everything a lot better. It’s a big unknown when you are traded. But everyone made it so easy. I was very fortunate. It was an easy transition. If you can get comfortable early, it transfers right over.” (NHLPA.com)
--Claude Julien and Alain Vigneault have been good friends for a while, but their relationship took a hit after the 2011 Stanley Cup Final when Julien’s Bruins took down Vigneault’s Canucks. Things are good now though. “If I’m being very frank, obviously losing Game 7 put a little damper in it for a little bit of time. That’s a tough thing to get over. But it’s over, and I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for him as a person first. He’s a great coach, I know that he’s gonna prepare his team real well.” (New York Daily News)