from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- There are few issues that have been as divisive between NHL management and the league front office than the likely moving of the NHL draft to early June. Some general managers don’t mind it. Most hate it. That’s an internal problem. The NHL doesn’t seem to care what the GMs think, altering its own rules and putting trades aside by having a junior draft of players before the season is even completed. Among those who have been traded at the draft: Mats Sundin, Zdeno Chara, Roberto Luongo, Wendel Clark, Todd Bertuzzi, Tuukka Rask, P.K. Subban and Patrick Marleau. The NHL doesn’t have enough trades to begin with. Eliminating the draft-day trade is another sign greed and economics take precedence over the interest of fans.

- Many are expecting a new Collective Bargaining Agreement to come out of this NHL break period. It’s time, in other words, for the players to use this ability to get participation in the Winter Olympics back in the agreement.

- The relationships between the NHL and PA have never been closer, many say, which isn’t something a lot of players agents are happy about. There is a real split within NHL players about the kind of leadership they are getting from Donald Fehr and the PA. And some wonder: Who, right now, is speaking best for the players and protecting their interests?

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