from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- There isn’t a single defenceman of consequence under the age of 34 available in free agency come July.

- The only thing more foolish than the New York Rangers considering Mark Messier as coach next season is the belief that Wayne Gretzky wants the job also. So there’s Glen Sather having to decide on his coach and his two greatest players both want the job without any kind of real coaching credentials. At least the volatile Patrick Roy did a long apprenticeship in junior hockey before making the NHL step.

- A free agent who made himself some money with a strong playoffs: Damien Brunner of the Red Wings.

a few more hockey notes...