from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- Connor McDavid has played himself into a crowded Hart Trophy conversation that includes Nathan Mac­Kinnon, Nikita Kucherov, Matthews, David Pastrnak, Artemi Panarin, Sam Reinhart, Quinn Hughes and, if Pittsburgh Penguins make the playoffs, Sidney Crosby. And how do you whittle down that list of nine to five on a ballot and eventually three finalists?

- Jason Botterill, former Sabres general managere, former Pittsburgh assistant and current Seattle assistant GM, is an inside hockey favourite to replace the fired Jarmo Kekalainen in Columbus. Other candidates include Chris MacFarland from Colorado and Mathieu Darche in Tampa Bay. And why is it no seems to mention Mike Futa for these jobs when he used to get rumoured for every opening.

- Keefe continues to talk up Tyler Bertuzzi and all that he can do for the Leafs. Which is nice. But if I’m GM Brad Treliving, I’m considering buying and selling at the trade deadline. Buying defensive help: Seeing if you can’t turn Bertuzzi into an asset from another club.

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