- Craig Custance of ESPN: Player size is gaining more importance to teams, and some teams have to catch-up with the trend.
“When I took this job, we decided on a style of play that resulted in great success. Clearly the landscape has changed, and we have to address those changes moving forward,” said Canucks GM Mike Gillis during his season-ending press conference. “It’s quite clear the league is going in a direction that we have to recognize and adapt to. It doesn’t just happen in one playoff series.”
“You can’t have all big guys; you can’t win with all small guys,” he said. “Character comes into play. I don’t care how big you are, if you have no character you’re not going to succeed.”
- Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello is still completing his interviews and evaluatation process.
Lamoriello said “everything is open” as far as bringing back unsigned players “no decisions have been made on anything.”
Defenseman Marek Zidlicky will be a UFA and the Devils would like to have him back.
“We’d certainly like to have him back,” Lamoriello said.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: It’s not looking like the Avalanche will have a new head coach any time soon. The Avs may wait and see what happens with Coyotes coach Dave Tippett, whose contract expires June 30th. Lindy Ruff could also be an option. Sakic may not want to hire someone straight from Junior, so Patrick Roy could be out.
- Shelly Anderson: Penguins lines at practice yesterday: Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis, Neal-Malkin-Iginla, Morrow-Sutter-Cooke, Adams-Vitale-Kennedy, Bennett-Jokinen-Glass (Jeffrey)