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Jacques Lemaire is re-uniting with Lou Lamoriello in Toronto, a good Phil Kessel story, and more in today’s links.
Friday Links:
- Staff: Report: Jacques Lemaire to join Toronto Maple Leafs (MLHS)
The Leafs are envisioning an “eye in the sky” kind of role for Lemaire. According to Gulitti, he watched most Devils games on video and would travel to take in the odd game in person. The Lightning and Panthers are in the Leafs’ division, and it’s a short flight up to Toronto from Florida.
I - Staff: Eight Maple Leafs make Pronman’s Top 100 Prospects List (MLHS)
ESPN insider Corey Pronman mentioned in yesterday’s interview with TSN 1050 that his second-place ranking for the Maple Leafs in prospect strength was based on a combination of their high-end prospects and quality depth, which includes a number of players in his top 100 prospects list.
I - LocksForWalls: I found a hockey net on Craigslist for my kids. When I went to pick it up, the seller turned out to be Amanda, Blake, and Phil Kessel’s mom and dad. This was their net growing up (Reddit)
The quick story is that I found this net on Craigslist and when I went to pick it up I learned that it belonged to Phil, Amanda, and Blake growing up. Their parents were moving, apparently. Mr. Kessel’s sister and Ms. Kessel gave me two signed pictures of Phil for my kids and said they wanted the new owners to remember where the net came from.
I - Josh Gold-Smith: Red Wings’ Franzen buys custom-made Babcock bed sheets for Nyquist (The Score)
Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen isn’t going to let Gustav Nyquistforget about their former head coach. Franzen posted the following to Instagram on Tuesday, poking fun at his younger teammate’s appreciation for Mike Babcock, who left this offseason to coach the Toronto Maple Leafs.
I - Greg Wyshynski: Phil Kessel slowly slipping on Penguins jersey is your moment of zen (Puck Daddy)
To truly appreciate the full Philness of Kessel’s wardrobe change, one must view this brief video sent out by the Pittsburgh Penguins. And then watch it again. And again. And again. And is anyone else unable to stop watching this goofball smiling like he just found that last bottle of Miller High Life in the back of the fridge, behind the week-old Chinese takeout? Just us?
I - Luke Fox: NHL off-season power rankings: Who improved most? (Sportsnet)
Pittsburgh won the Phil Kessel trade, make no mistake about it. But the Maple Leafs are all about culture change and long-term goals and stocking up draft picks — something the new regime of Mike Babcock(!) and Lou Lamoriello(!!) should be able to do if/when the Leafs trade some of their low-risk forwards (Daniel Winnik, Shawn Matthias, P.A. Parenteau, Taylor Beck, Marc Arcobello) at the deadline.
I - Joe Marraccino: Are the Bruins Playing The Waiting Game With Cody Franson? (THW)
It has turned into a chess match of sorts. Boston wants something short-term while Franson’s camp wants a long-term deal he has arguably deserved. It has been three weeks since his interview on TSN Radio and time continues to tick away; so too does the dollar amount on Franson’s new contract.I
