Early April Hockey Notes
from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,
- The reason they’re getting by, Jack Campbell. The question on Campbell isn’t whether or not he can play. He’s answered that. The question is: can he play four games in seven nights in a playoff series and remain healthy? If he can, he gives the Leafs the best goaltending opportunity they’ve had in years.
- Somewhere I can hear Scotty Bowman muttering: nothing for nothing. In the past 18 games, Patrik Laine has scored one goal for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Pierre Luc Dubois, traded to Winnipeg for Laine, has scored three for the Jets.
- The state of the Vancouver Canucks with COVID-19 is so serious that the NHL might have to consider shortening their season.
- The NHL trade deadline is April 12 and a number of general managers I’ve spoken to are concerned about the upcoming negotiations.
It isn’t so much the negotiating with their compatriots they’re worried about; it’s negotiating with their owners. Which is what pro sports have become in the pandemic.
Some GMs, looking to improve their teams, have already been told by ownership that they can make trades, but can’t increase payroll in any way post-deadline....
more on the last topic plus other notes, mostly on the Leafs......
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