from Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe,

- Had the Penguins done right by coach Dan Bylsma and fired him May 16, the same day they said goodbye to general manager Ray Shero, it’s possible the Capitals could have interviewed him to replace Adam Oates. Instead, Pittsburgh retained Bylsma until June 6. Owner Mario Lemieux didn’t think enough of Bylsma to let him coach another year. But by letting him hang for almost a month, the Penguins showed they were worried enough about a division rival improving under Bylsma’s watch. The move backfired. Barry Trotz, Oates’s replacement, is a better coach than Bylsma. It also didn’t help the Penguins’ reputation around the league.

- From June 25-30, teams may interview unrestricted free agents, before the July 1 opening of free agency. The interview window overlaps partly with the draft, which will take place June 27-28 in Philadelphia. Some of the teams may choose to conduct interviews in Philadelphia, as all of their hockey operations personnel will be in the city in preparation for the draft. While teams can agree to terms with players within this period, no contracts can be signed until July 1.

- The Canadiens gave their players three offseason tasks: rest, work out, and study the World Cup. It helps to learn the art of diving from the best in the business.

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