You love hockey. You love SB Nation. You love reading hockey at SB Nation. Search your feelings. You know these things are true. But life’s too busy to browse the whole network for news. So, we’ll send hockey news to your inbox every morning. All you need to do is subscribe.
Morning Skate: The NHL says goodbye to Pavel Datsyuk and hello to the rumor mill
The offseason churn is well underway.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Lace ‘em up. Time for the Morning Skate.
* * *
THE NHL DOESN’T CARE ABOUT YOUR HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Because it’s the offseason, and news doesn’t stop. Here are a handful of items that dropped while you were trying to relax:
- Pavel Datsyuk is gone. The "Magic Man" decided to skip the last year of his contract in Detroit and head home to Russia with his family. All power to him. The league will obviously miss his talents greatly.
- Of course, that leaves the Red Wings on the hook for $7.5 million of dead money this year. Any takers? Yes, in fact!
- The Ducks locked up top defenseman Sami Vatanen as well. Anaheim Calling sure likes the deal, but it makes you wonder how they'll pay for Hampus Lindholm and a shiny new winger they keep talking about. I expect the Ducks are far from done.
MOCK DRAFT TIME
With the offseason upon us, our blogs are getting their annual mock draft underway. Follow every pick, every day, right here. The latest picks:
- Winnipeg took another player in the first round. How greedy.
- Florida takes Professor X’s son.
- The Ducks took ... I can’t think of a joke.
HOPE YOU LIKE BIRDS
As if there weren’t enough teams named after avian species, we got two new AHL teams named after them in the last week.
- Meet the Thunderbirds! Which isn't actually a bird.
- Meet the Roadrunners! Which is hilarious because their NHL team is the Coyotes.
OFFSEASON RUMOR CORNER
Here’s a handful of tidbits from across the league:
- Here's a pretty great article by Pensburgh on what a potential Marc-Andre Fleury trade would look like.
- A rumor about the Oilers trading for Zach Bogosian was floated around this weekend, and Die By The Blade wonders if it makes any sense.
- David Backes might be a worthwhile target for the Canadiens.
- Put down your rumor gun. The Avs say Tyson Barrie is going nowhere.
- The Blackhawks locked up one of their top prospects.
- Frans Nielsen should be a priority for the Islanders this summer.
- The Flyers are buying out the guy they traded Scott Hartnell for.
NEWS AND NOTES:
- Winging It In Motown looks back on Dylan Larkin’s rookie year of fun.
- Who should the Leafs protect in the expansion draft? Hint: His name rhymes with Thames Ran Team-Strike.
- Fear The Fin names the top Sharks draft picks of all time. Hint: One of their names rhymes with Nab A Cough.
- One of the Flames sent a dumb tweet about the Cavs last night and got roasted for it. Hint: His name rhymes with Moe Forlorn.
- Blueshirt Banter grades a pretty “meh” season for a Rangers player who rarely has those. Hint: His name rhymes with Nick Rash.
See More:
