Quick Hits: Penguins, Lightning, Panthers, Hurricanes and Predators
  • NHL on NBC: Penguins players have won the Art Ross Trophy 15 of the past 26 seasons: Mario Lemieux 6, Jaromir Jagr 5, Sidney Crosby 2 and Evgeni Malkin 2.
  • Aaron Ward: “The NHLPA and State of Tennessee have reached a tentative agreement on the ‘privilege tax’ lawsuit relating to a performance tax paid to the State by players from 2009-2014. The estimated settlement of $3M+ to be paid by the State to the affected players in the lawsuit is pending players agreeing to the waiver and consent to settlement. Deadline set for later this month.
  • Marin Biron: “Marc-Andre Fleury changed from yellow to white gear in the middle of the 07-08 season after a Ottawa optometrist said yellow stands out more to the human eye than any other color. Players see the pads better in yellow and shoot around them. This year he’s brought back the yellow gear going 4-5-2 with a 2.92 GAA and a .901 S%. Way off his 2.26 GAA and .921 S% entering tonight’s game. White is best!!”
  • Jenn Menendez: The Penguins are in the process of bringing 1st round pick Kasperi Kapanen to the AHL by the end of this week according to GM Jim Rutherford.
  • Sports Illustrated: The Lightning are only allowing Florida residents to buy first round playoff tickets according to the Lightning’s ticketmaster pages.

    “Amalie Arena is located in Tampa, FL,” reads the Lightning’s ticket policy. “Sales to this event will be restricted to residents of Florida. Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside the selected area will be canceled without notice and refunds given.

    “Chase Club and Lexus Lounge ticket holders – please note that for all 2015 NHL Playoff Games at Amalie Arena, only Tampa Bay Lightning team logos will be permitted in these areas. Fans wearing visiting team logos will be asked to remove them while in the Chase Club and Lexus Lounge areas.”

  • George Richards: The Panthers have signed defenseman Mike Matheson to an entry-level contract.
  • Joe Smith: The Lightning have signed Matt Peca to a two-year entry level contract.
  • Chip Alexander: The Hurricanes sign Roland McKeown to an entry-level contract.
  • College Hockey News: Predators prospect Jimmy Vesey will be returning to Harvard for his senior season.