from Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe,

- Every team would love to have Matt Martin. The Toronto widebody does not back down from anybody. He tramples opponents who get in his way. Anders Bjork bore a temporary Maple Leaf logo on his face when he ran into Martin. But Toronto made Martin a healthy scratch for four straight games, starting with its 3-2 win over Chicago on Jan. 24. The strongman is the latest example of a wrecking ball who now has to fight for ice time. Speed and hands rule, not physical play.

- Ryan McDonagh, signed through 2019 at $4.7 million annually, is a good example of the left-shot defenseman the Bruins would like. The 28-year-old Rangers captain would help in all situations. But given his performance, character, and value, the price would be astronomical: at least a young NHL player, prospect, and first-round pick — too high for the Bruins’ liking.

- Erik Karlsson looked awfully comfortable in Tampa during All-Star Weekend. The Ottawa captain would be an ideal acquisition for the Lightning’s Cup run. The Senators, facing the rotten situation of Karlsson walking for nothing after next year, could accelerate their rebuild by landing Brayden Point and futures from the Lightning.

- Props to Travis Zajac for challenging Radko Gudas on Feb. 1. Gudas had knocked out Kyle Palmieri earlier with a flying check. Zajac isn’t a fighter, but the Devils alternate captain sent a gloves-off message.

- Fish a quarter from your pocket and give it a flip. You now know how it feels to determine the outcome of a goaltender interference challenge.

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