from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- Since the Leafs added Dave Hakstol to Mike Babcock’s coaching staff, they have brought in three players with Hakstol connections. Matt Read and Michal Neuvirth played for him with the Philadelphia Flyers. Defenceman Jordan Schmaltz played three years for Hakstol at North Dakota. Hakstol wasn’t involved with the acquisition of Schmaltz, but he did answer questions before the Leafs signed Read and Neuvirth to training camp contracts.

- If I’m Ron Francis, my first big hire in Seattle is Paul Fenton, his former Hartford teammate, who ably assisted David Poile in Nashville with just about the smallest NHL front office for years.

- I wonder about an owner, Craig Leopold in Minnesota, who fired Fenton, his GM, after 14 months and I wonder about him even more when he interviews Peter Chiarelli and wants to interview Don Waddell for his current opening. If it was me, I’d have hired Ron Hextall or Mark Hunter already. If John Ferguson’s name comes up for the job, I’ll just scream.

a few more hockey notes