from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- Can’t remember an NHL team basically banishing its backup goalie this close to the playoffs but the Leafs are doing the right thing — albeit late — with Garret Sparks. On one hand, he’s not good enough to play in the NHL right now. On the other hand, if the Leafs need their backup in any way in the opening round against Boston, that means they’re going to lose anyhow.

- Glen Sather, who has unofficially been retired for years, is officially stepping down as president of the New York Rangers. Twenty or thirty years ago, he was a figure of significance in the NHL.

- GM Jimmy Rutherford has a way of picking up lost defenceman and adding them to the Pittsburgh Penguins roster. This year Erik Gudbranson, last year Jamie Oleksiak, the year before Ron Hainsey, before that Justin Schultz. Cheap, effective, unlikely. Rutherford has a keen eye for spare part backliners.

- David Krejci turns 33 years old later this month and, for some reason, he never seems to get anywhere near the kind of attention he is deserving of with the Boston Bruins.

But Krejci is an historical big-time performer, normally at his best in the post-season where he has led the Stanley Cup playoffs in scoring twice in his career — which by itself is rather remarkable considering he has never had more than 73 points in any NHL season....

more on Krejci and other topics too...