On the Draft Lottery …
Bob McKenzie: “Just saw the NHL’s format/timing for Saturday’s draft lottery. Picks 15 thru 4 between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. ET, picks 3 thru 1 in the second intermission of an 8 p.m. ET game. Huh. I suppose we should be happy they aren’t doing one pick a day for two weeks.”
On the Carolina Hurricanes …
Blake Price: Laurence Gilman said he didn’t see eye to eye and is no longer an active candidate for the Hurricanes vacant GM position. He wasn’t offered the “GM” position.
On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Aaron Portzline: Dan Milstein, Artemi Panarin agent said that Panarin suffered a sprained knee in Game 5 against the Capitals. He’ll stay in Columbus for a couple weeks before heading back to Russian. There is no indication at this time that he requires surgery.
On the Edmonton Oilers …
Bob McKenzie: The Oilers will be making some assistant coaching moves as early as today. Jay Woodcroft is expected to be named the head coach of their AHL team in Bakersfield. No other replacement hirings are known yet.
On the Nashville Predators …
Nashville Predators: The Predators have signed goaltender Miroslav Svoboda to a two-year, entry-level contract.
On the New Jersey Devils …
New Jersey Devils: Forwards Nico Hischier and Pavel Zacha won’t be playing in the World Championship because of injuries. The Devils medical staff will continue to monitor them.
New Jersey Devils: Zacha suffered a right thumb/wrist injury at the end of the regular season. He won’t require surgery but the injury will need to be immobilized for two to four weeks.
New Jersey Devils: Hischier has been bothered by a chronic left wrist/hand injury all season. His injury also doesn’t require surgery but does need two to four weeks of immobilization.
On the Philadelphia Flyers …
Bill Meltzer: GM Ron Hextall said that prospect Tanner Laczynski is planning to return to Ohio State next season for his junior year. Wade Allison is leaning towards returning to Western Michigan but his plans are not finalized.
On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Pens Inside Scoop: Coach Mike Sullivan on Evgeny Malkin: “It’s great for our team and great for Geno that he’s on the ice and skating. That means he’s that much closer (to playing).”
