Nicholson Stepped Down From Hockey Canada
Last week, Bob Nicholson announced that he was stepping down as head of Hockey Canada as of June 1.
It's been quite the legacy that Nicholson has had as head of Hockey Canada since he took over in 1998. From the Ice Hockey Summit in 1999, to leading Hockey Canada to multiple Olympic and World Championship medals (both men and women), to a World Hockey Summit in 2010, and being elected to the IIHF Council as well as IIHF Vice President.
While he steps down from his role in Hockey Canada, he will still continue in his roles within the IIHF. This should come as no surprise, as he has been rumored for years to be the next in line when Rene Fasel steps down. I think if (when?) Nicholson takes over has head of the IIHF, development of membered nations should be increased exponentially. He has shown that he wasn't satisfied with the attitude of the Canada Olympic Committee when he first took charge, and if that attitude can rub off some of the other heads of Hockey (insert nation here), then we could see better hockey across the board (especially in the lower divisions). Another upside with Nicholson in charge would be his relationship with the NHL. His relationship could help smooth over NHL-IIHF relationship when it comes to international (ok, Olympic) events.
Gillis Out, Linden In
It finally happened: Mike Gillis is out as the Canucks President and GM. It's been a long time coming for Gillis: his bad draft record, how Cody Hodgson was handled, the Loungo/Schneider and Lack ordeals, the Kesler thing during the trade deadline. In fairness, he did manage to take the Canucks to the Final, but has yet to re-create that success (mostly because he let the team's depth fall apart without rebuilding it). It's probably for the best that Gillis has free time now, he always looks like he needs to take a nap.
With Gillis out, the Canucks decided to make a move further up the totem pole, hiring Trevor Linden as their President of Hockey Ops. Instantly it looks like what Buffalo did with Lafontaine: hire a former player to settle the fan base down and hope to encourage ticket sales. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Linden hire the front office, sit back for a while, and quietly fade into the background as (new GM) takes centre stage. Until then, all the best to Linden.
Shanahammer Comes To Toronto
The Maple Leafs finally got...well...somebody. Yes, Brendan Shanahan goes from head of the NHL Department of Player Safety to President and Alternative Governor of the Maple Leafs. It initially comes as a bit of a shock, mostly because Shanahan isn't a former Leaf, but when you consider that the Leafs have been a disaster and the Canucks making a move like this, it seemed like the time to strike.
For the most part Leaf fans are sorta/kinda welcoming of the move, and it's hard not to be. Shanahan doesn't have any executive experience as an executive as a team, but he has held multiple executive positions around the NHL office and seems to have a good hockey mind. Right now, it seems like he can only improve the current situation, as the Leafs are once again in collapse mode.
Then again, the last time the Leafs signed a former Devil from Mimico it still doesn't look good.
Lineup Notables
New York Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens
New York R: Chris Kreider (hand) is out while Ryan McDonagh (shoulder) is questionable. Cam Talbot starts.
Montreal: Alex Galchenyuk (lower body), Lars Ellers (illness), Brandon Prust (upper body) and Travis Moen (upper body) are out. Carey Price is in net.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators
Shanny: Joffrey Lupul (knee), Dave Bolland (ankle), Carter Ashton (ankle) and Jonathan Bernier (strained MCL) are out. James Reimer might start.
Ottawa: Bobby Ryan (hernia) and Jared Cowen (lower body) are out while Mika Zibanejad is probable. Craig Anderson gets the start.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers
Linden: Mike Santorelli (shoulder), Chris Tanev (finger) and Andrew Alberts (concussion) are out. Jacob Markstrom is in net.
Farewell Ryan Smyth: Nail Yakupov (ankle), Boyd Gordon (shoulder), Ryan Jones (torn PCL), Jesse Joensuu (high ankle sprain), Luke Gazdic (shoulder) and Andrew Ference (pectoral tear) are out. Ben Scrivens starts tonight.
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