from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- If the world was a perfect place, Henrik Lundqvist would be traded to Colorado on Monday and go on to lead the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup.

It would be his only Stanley Cup win.

If only the world was just a little more perfect …

Odds are, Lundqvist isn’t going anywhere and his final days with the New York Rangers will play out rather uncomfortably, just as they are playing out now.

- Best player in the NHL nobody talks enough about: Artemi Panarin of the New York Rangers. He’s fourth in scoring, first in even-strength scoring, first in plus-minus among forwards. He’d be a Hart Trophy favourite if he played for a team heading to the playoffs.

- Years ago coaches would privately wonder if Phil Kessel’s lack of training would eventually catch up to his immense skill. Kessel is 32 and playing this season like he’s at the end. He scored 82 and 92 points the last two seasons in Pittsburgh. He has 35 this season and has two years left on his contract … Kessel was drafted by Boston, 5th overall in 2006. After taking Milan Lucic in the second round, the Bruins selected this undersized winger in the third round. His name: Brad Marchand. Has anyone ever had a better draft than that?

more on topic one and other hockey mentions...