from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- The sooner Auston Matthews isn’t a candidate for the Lady Byng Trophy, the better off the Maple Leafs will be. Matthews hasn’t yet learned to take advantage of his size, his width and his strength, which he has in abundance. He’s a handful now for NHL defenceman. Add a physical element to his game, learn to use his backside a little better, and the 47-goal scorer becomes that much more dangerous.

- Who will be the star of NHL Zoom? The NBA is full of personality and personalities. But with Brett Hull and Chris Chelios long retired, Chris Pronger gone, Roberto Luongo gone, who becomes the most interesting man in hockey? … Some players on Zoom have that ‘I’ve been taken hostage, please help me’ look. It might be even worse if players start growing those confounded playoff beards. Then they’ll all look like side characters on Homeland.

- What’s this we’re hearing about out of playoff GMs furious about the possibility of a team tanking to get a one-in-eight shot at the first overall pick in the draft. Hockey players by nature aren’t the tanking types but GMs are conspiratorial so their concerns here are real is not necessarily imagined.

a few more hockey notes...