from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- Strange when you think about it, but some of the best goaltenders this hockey season — Tuukka Rask, Ben Bishop, Bernier, Sergei Bobrovsky, Steve Mason — were acquired in trades for next to nothing.

- I can’t see anyone but the Boston Bruins winning the East and I’m favouring the San Jose Sharks to win the West, which means you can pretty much rule out a Bruin-Sharks final.

- There is little doubt Phil Kessel is a Hart Trophy candidate this season.

The question is, how real of a candidate is he?

Kessel may be the perfect third or fourth choice on a voter’s Hart Trophy ballot, which is an impressive place to finish but wins you nothing but respect.

You pretty much have to vote Sidney Crosby first. He’s carrying the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have had all kinds of issues all season long. And he’s way ahead in the scoring race.

My second pick goes to Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks, who for most of the season has been the best player on the best team. You watch him and he controls the play like few others in the NHL...

more