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PHT Morning Skate: Tom Hanks, Martin Short and OHL

By James O'BrienSep 17, 2015, 9:30 AM EDT
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PHT’s Morning Skate takes a look around the world of hockey to see what’s happening and what we’ll be talking about around the NHL world and beyond.

Plenty of bits in Elliotte Friedman’s latest “30 Thoughts” column, with one of the more intriguing bits being the Los Angeles Kings’ easier said than done goal of knocking Drew Doughty‘s ice time down from 29 to 25 minutes per game. Bold prediction: split the difference and expect 27. (Sportsnet)

As far as CSNNE.com’s Joe Haggerty is concerned, many (now-former) Boston Bruins were simply “too soft” in 2014-15. (CSNNE.com)

The five greatest moments of Simon Gagne’s career. (The Hockey News)

What we can gleam from the NHL’s first games ever. (Greatest Hockey Legends)

The lion really sells Jonathan Bernier‘s new mask:

Someone wants to make a fourth Mighty Ducks movie, but Disney apparently isn’t particularly interested. (BarDown)

From the “Um, What?” files: Martin Short and Tom Hank cheer on … the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs?

Michael Nylander joins OHL club as assistant coach

By Dhiren MahibanSep 6, 2015, 6:00 PM EDT
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After 24 years of playing professional hockey, Michael Nylander is turning to coaching.

The 42-year-old has joined the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads as an assistant coach, the club announced via Twitter on Sunday.

The move will bring Nylander, who spent the 2014-15 season playing professionally in Sweden, closer to his son William Nylander – the 2014 first-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nylander’s other son, Alexander, was the first-round pick of the Steelheads at the 2015 CHL import draft.

Originally a third-round selection of the Hartford Whalers (59th overall) in 1991, Nylander spent 15 seasons in the NHL with the Whalers, Calgary Flames, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks, Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers.

In 920 career NHL games, Nylander scored 209 goals and 679 points.

Former NHLer Luca Caputi turns to coaching

By Dhiren MahibanAug 10, 2015, 4:05 PM EDT
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Former Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Luca Caputi has turned to coaching.

Caputi, who appeared in 35 NHL games with the Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs, has been named an assistant coach with the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Storm.

“Its been an unbelievable seven year ride playing pro hockey. The experiences, friendships, and support from everyone involved has been amazing,” Caputi said via Twitter. “I’ve been blessed to play the game I love for so long. Just want to thank everyone who has supported me over the years. Its been unreal.

“That being said I’m very humbled, fortunate, and excited to begin my coaching career with a very respected, successful and professional organization in (Guelph). I can’t wait to start this new path in the game I love.”

The 26-year-old was originally a fourth-round pick of the Pens (111th overall) in 2007.

He scored three goals and six assists to go along with 20 penalty minutes split between the Penguins and Leafs.

Caputi spent last season with Oskarshamn IK in Sweden’s first division.

Canes sign Tyler Ganly to a three-year entry-level contract

By Dhiren MahibanJun 2, 2015, 12:01 AM EDT
1 Comment

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenseman Tyler Ganly to a three-year entry-level contract the cub announced on Monday.

The deal will pay Ganly $575,000 in 2015-16 and 2016-17 at the NHL level, and $650,000 in 2017-18. The contract also includes a $120,000 signing bonus and will pay him $60,000 per year at the American Hockey League level.

“Tyler had a good season despite missing significant time due to injury,” said Canes’ GM Ron Francis. “He was especially good in the playoffs and was a big part of his team making the OHL’s Western Conference finals.”

The 20-year-old had two goals and 14 assists to go along with a plus-15 rating in 38 OHL games with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The 6-foot-2, 196-pound blue liner added two goals and seven assists in 14 playoff games.

Ganly was Carolina’s sixth-round selection (156th overall) at the 2013 NHL Draft.

Report: Canucks’ prospect Cole Cassels could join AHL club

By Dhiren MahibanJun 1, 2015, 10:00 PM EDT
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Fresh off a Memorial Cup win with the Oshawa Generals, Cole Cassels could get his first taste of professional hockey with the American Hockey League’s Utica Comets.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that if the Comets advance to the Calder Cup final, the Canucks will consider adding Cassels to Utica’s roster.

The Comets currently lead the Western Conference Final against the Grand Rapids Griffins 3-2 with Game 6 schedule for Tuesday night in Utica.

Cassels had 30 goals and 81 points in 54 regular season games. He added 10 goals and 21 assists in 21 postseason games.

The 20-year-old was the Canucks’ third round selection (85th overall) at the 2013 NHL Draft.