from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet,

- Things are going to change quickly over the next couple of weeks, as the draft lottery determines some futures and other teams lose in the playoffs. Buffalo knows it is getting one of the two centres, but what about Arizona? What does it mean for the Coyotes if they fall to third? Will it change the futures of Don Maloney, Dave Tippett or Shane Doan? At three, you’re getting a good player, but not as impactful as Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel. The Coyotes go under the radar, but the more research you do into their season, the more you realize how deep this year’s results were felt by Tippett and Doan. (GMs like Maloney take a longer view than coaches and players.)

- Word on potential San Jose changes could come down at any time, but a few sources indicate one of Doug Wilson’s suggestions is creating another layer between him and the coaching staff. He becomes President with a GM in the middle or something like that. If Todd McLellan is let go, he’ll be a hot commodity. So would Peter Chiarelli and Claude Julien if out in Boston. Should that happen, Cam Neely is expected to have a greater role, with Don Sweeney alongside him. At some point, Ray Shero is going to become a factor in all of this.

- There’s no escaping the Eric Staal questions. He’s heading into the final season of his contract, and there are teams hopeful he is willing to move into a situation that is closer to contending. Francis says he’s got no indication of that, but it will be a topic as we get closer to the draft.

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