Brad Penner-Imagn Images
1. Nobody in Rangerville is talking about it, but the fast-developing Will Cuylle could be lost to the Blueshirts if some gambling team goes for an “Offer Sheet” deal. (I got this tip via Salt Lake City, of all places.)
2. A couple of other “Offer Sheet” targets could be Matthew Knies of Toronto and Gabe Vilardi of the Jets
3. The Maven sees Edmonton bulldozing its way to The Cup. I see an Oil win tonight based on better 5-on-5 play, better goaltending, more muscle and McDavid.
4. For the team’s sake and the player’s well being, I wish that Chris Drury had never dumped Jimmy Vesey off the roster. (Bad, bad move and unnecessary.
5. Can anybody – I ask you, anybody – see Peter Laviolette returning to the NHL. Bruins? Hmmmm? (And Pistol Peter never said good-bye to Gothaml. I wonder why.)
6. It’s easy to say that the Rangers are in a “rebuild mode.” But as one NHL executive points out: “Some teams (Detroit, Buffalo) have been on a full rebuild for a long time and they’ve never finished the build.”
7. I’d need a “show cause” order from anyone who can tell me why Dallas is going to win another game against Edmonton.
8. Ok; maybe this one can help. The erratic Stu Skinner will fall into his not-so-good-after-all mode in the Oilers goal.
9. The Maven says Rod Brind’Amour’s job was saved with last night’s Canes win in Florida.