Le roi est mort, vive le roi! The succession is complete.
- And it's official, Don Sweeney is the new Bruins General Manager. His bailiwick for the Bruins thus far has been in development. Alumni of St. Paul's and Harvard clap politely. [TheBostonGlobe]
- No rest for you, Don, there are a number of issues requiring your urgent attention... [BostonHerald]
- ...and don't forget for a minute who was the apparent top candidate, and in whose back pocket you remain. [PuckDaddy]
- Dennis Seidenberg is clear that he'd like to remain a Bruin, but has been around the rink long enough to be realistic. [ProHockeyTalk]
- Conjecture begins as to the look of the Bruins' new fourth line, and the existing Bruins and Providence Bruins who will get a look. [MassLive]
- Meanwhile, upstairs in the Bruins top six, Brett Connolly will look for a chance to make his mark after an abbreviated season. [BostonHerald]
- Remembering the comet that was Andrew Raycroft, and how Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask emerged for the Bruins from his ashes. Jeff Gorton's fingerprints were all over this one. [TheHockeyWriters]
- The ever entertaining Maxime Talbot will be answering questions on Twitter for NHL Network, details and the hashtag to use are here. It has been a big news day, and should be a lively exchange. [@AmalieBenjamin]
- This Czech article details the grumblings after host Team Czech Republic failed to medal at Worlds. Jaromir Jagr was shuffled all up and down the lineup, David Pastrnak was not invited to play, Tomas Hertl was benched for late arrival Tomas Plekanec , and the usual questions about Ondrej Pavelec arose. (Google translation from Czech) [sport.tn.nova]
Elsewhere around the rink:
- The Blackhawks evened it up against the Ducks in their Game #2 out West, and the triple OT win devolved into a game of survival on deteriorating ice. [PuckDaddy]
- Revisiting the Rangers / Bolts remarkable Game #2, in which one Lightning player struck thrice. [Grantland]
- Dig into Thirty Thoughts as all eyes turn to Mike Babcock, six degrees of UND, and biding your time until a July 1st announcement. [SportsNet]
- If playing it safe is your thing, pay close attention to these 10 defensemen who should be the best bets in the first round of the NHL draft. [TheProjectionProject]
- So far in the NHL playoffs, these individuals have underachieved. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the "All-Bust Team!" [Grantland]
- Have another look into the NWHL camps held in Boston and New York. Many big names in women's hockey were in attendance. [TodaysSlapShot]
- Well wishes go out to Senators owner Eugene Melnyk, who successfully received a liver transplant. But it begs the question, is it ethical to make a public appeal and skip to the head of the line for a donor? [TheGlobeAndMail]
- Meanwhile, in the WHL, the courts have ruled that major junior hockey players are amateur athletes, and not employees. Some find this... curious. [TheHockeyNews]
- Mike Babcock should take the money and shuffle off to Buffalo- here're the reasons why. [SportingNews]
DAMN ASS FECES