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Happy Independence Day to our southern neighbours.
Cody Franson and Tyler Bozak headline the remaining FA and trade talk, PPP nails Simmons for fabricating the Phil Kessel hot dog anecdote, and more in the links.
Saturday Links:
- Chemmy: Did Simmons fabricate the Kessel Hot Dog Story (PPP)
Let’s be frank: the problem with calling someone out using facts is that facts can be verified. On Thursday night a birdie whispered in my ear that he didn’t think Phil Kessel lived near Front and John. He thought Phil Kessel lived near Bay and College.
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Lyle Richardson: Rumor Roundup — Shattenkirk, Lecavalier and Bozak trade talk continues (THN)
Sportsnet’s John Shannon believes there are “plenty of moves to be made” by the Leafs. He expects center Tyler Bozak could be gone this summer. The 29-year-old center has three years remaining on his contract at an average cap hit of $4.2 million.
I - David Staples: Where will Cody Franson end up? Toronto Maple Leafs? Edmonton Oilers? Calgary Flames? (Edmonton Journal)
“Franson was a victim of being a good defenseman in the wrong situation. All of his underlying numbers were phenomenal: When adjusting for score, he saw 56% of all total shot attempts go towards the opposing goaltender, more than any other Preds defenseman. He also was only on the ice for 23.85 shots per 60 minutes, the fewest of any blue liner since joining the team….Still, the mistakes he made were glaring and they added up, which was reflected in his ice time. Peter Laviolette seemingly did not trust Franson at all, sometimes playing him 10 minutes a game or less.
I - EricTheHawk: Dave Nonis Joins Ducks Front Office (Anaheim Calling)
The man who was general manager in both Vancouver and Toronto following Brian Burke is now a consultant and scout for General Manager Bob Murray. Nonis’ son Nic will be taking part in his second consecutive Summer Development Camp with the Ducks.
I - Alec Brownscombe: Gord Dineen staying on with Marlies, Leafs sign Byron Froese (MLHS)
It’s a nice little story considering where Froese started the season at. It’s doubtful even Froese, when he was playing for Cincinnati in the ECHL at the beginning of the year, thought an NHL contract was in his immediate future, but here he is just six months later with one (soon to be) in hand heading into 2015 training camp.
I - Dejan Kovacevic: Kessel: ‘I’m just so excited, man … I really am’ (DK on Pittsburgh Sports)
Spoke with Phil Kessel just a bit ago by phone. Outstanding conversation. Can’t say enough about how professional, fun and genuinely moved he sounded to be coming to Pittsburgh. The highlights: • On the trade: “Oh, I’m just so excited, man. I really am. For it to be Pittsburgh … with everything that franchise has…
