Montreal News and Notes:
- Carey Price looks to re-focus and use the off-season to prepare for the 2018-19 campaign [Montreal Canadiens]
- Options opened up for the Canadiens after landing the third overall pick in the NHL Draft, as it could be a coveted trade asset. [Montreal Gazette]
- Rinat Valiev, acquired in the Tomas Plekanec trade, is reportedly heading to the KHL next season, joining several Russian players:/
.@Sport_BO: Following players coming to #KHL this offseason – Nikolay Kulemin (#NYI), Anton Slepyshev (#Oilers), Viktor Antipin (#Sabres), Nikita Soshnikov (#Blues), Rinat Valiev (#Habs), Sergej Tolchinsky (#Canes), Radel Fazleev (#Flyers), Andrei Pedan (#Pens), cont. #NHL
— vorky (@vorkywh24) April 29, 2018
Around the League and elsewhere:
- There were a couple of shakeups in front offices around the NHL, starting with the Carolina Hurricanes terminating the contract of GM Ron Francis. [Sportsnet]
- The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that Lou Lamoriello will not return as General Manager next season. [theScore]
- EOTP’s own Patrik Bexell joined WRG 550 Buffalo radio to talk about Rasmus Dahlin, and what he could bring to the team that selects him [WGR 550]
- The Nashville Predators’ catfish throw has become a staple in the NHL playoffs, and we get a little insight into how these fish actually make it onto the ice. [ESPN]
- Harrison Browne, the first transgender professional hockey player has retired from the NWHL in order to take the next steps in his physical transition. [The Athletic | The Ice Garden]
- Team Canada has named Connor McDavid as captain for this year’s World Hockey Championship. [theScore]
- More content coming from your fellow EOTP writers, as Julian McKenzie had Arpon Basu of The Athletic on his podcast./
- Garret Sparks of the Toronto Marlies makes an unbelievable (and gutsy) save with his bare hand. /
.@TorontoMarlies‘ goalie @GSparks40 loses his blocker making a save, goes on to make a save with his bare hand. WATCH @ https://t.co/KfDRDoYF1S pic.twitter.com/usol31jW0C
— BarDown (@BarDown) April 30, 2018