Updates on Max Pacioretty, Eddie Lack, Jonas Hiller, Mathieu Perreault, Phil Kessel and more in your NHL Canadian Corner.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens winger Max Pacioretty (upper-body injury) participated in practice but isn’t expected to be in the lineup when the Canadiens open their series against the Ottawa Senators.
OTTAWA SUN: The recent passing of Ottawa Senators assistant coach Mark Reeds has provided the Senators with another rallying point. Reeds, 55, succumbed to cancer earlier this week.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Reeds’ family and to the Senators organization.
Eddie Lack could get the start for the Canucks in Game One of their series against the Flames.
TSN.CA: It appears backup Eddie Lack will get the start in Game One of the Vancouver Canucks’ opening-round playoff series against the Calgary Flames. Starter Ryan Miller is still trying to regain his form after returning from a knee injury. This will be Lack’s first taste of NHL playoff action.
CALGARY HERALD: Jonas Hiller is expected to be the Flames’ starting goalie for Game One of their upcoming series against the Canucks.
WINNIPEG SUN: The status of center Mathieu Perreault (lower-body injury) remains uncertain as the Jets prepare for their first-round series against the Anaheim Ducks.
TORONTO STAR: Dave Feschuk believes the Maple Leafs need to push Phil Kessel, not push him out the door. Feschuk thinks the time to cash in on Kessel’s cachet as a goalscoring star has come and gone, and it’s in the club’s best interest to retain him and push him to improve his play.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I agree with much of Feschuk’s points, but I think team president Brendan Shanahan has made up his mind that Kessel must go.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Drafting and developing quality defensemen is the only way the Edmonton Oilers can improve their blueline corps.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Agreed. Trying to acquire a proven top-two defenseman via trade will only cost them young assets. It’s very difficult to lure top free-agent talent to Edmonton, and doing so will cost a boatload of money. Of course, it would help if the Oilers could properly develop young talent.
Its time to stop referring to certain players as “locker room cancers” not only is it an overused term by people who have absolutely no idea of what goes on in the locker room, it to me imo shows a great lack of respect for not only some of the guys around the league but the thousands of people who have to battle this disease and those of us who have lost loved ones to it.
RIP Mark Reeds.
@Shcticky
I agree with you that it is time to drop that analogy out of respect to all those that have suffered or know those who have.
I propose we change it to :
” Ewww , that guy is supposedly a Phaneuf in the dressing room ! “
It’s true Edmonton has trouble attracting free agents but that’s because the franchise has been run into the ground by a bunch of clowns who couldn’t manage an Easter egg hunt let alone a professional hockey team. It’s not because of the city. If they had competent management and the team was in a position to compete for the cup they would have no trouble attracting free agents. It must be very discouraging for Oiler fans to see some teams have begun to make changes to their management personnel while there’s not a peep out of Edmonton.
I think lyle knows that.oilers need to sake lowe and his cronies but the owner friendship is getting in the way.honestly think it a faust type of story where I see lowe tell mr.katz that everything is good and what he should do with the organization.
Odd conspiracy therory but I think mr katz will finally fire them when he has a run in with some very smart fan or his son get bullied by some one
kessel should not be around for the leafs rebuild shanny knows that the leafs need some good guys in the dressing room for the rebuild
Shanahan to Kessel: You want to be a god? You want people to worship you? Get your butt to the gym, and let me see you top physical shape at the draft. You can do that then you stay here, and when we win a cup by the end of your contract you will be loved and adored by all for all time. Streets, children, cars, pets will all be named after you…
@ Jello Re : Kessel
Yeah , not sure you want him around a young rebuilding team , rumour is he can be a “Phaneuf” in the dressing room.
Happy Schticky ?