The hockey world has been shocked again, as new of Wednesday’s shocking death of Wade Belak, the third player to die this summer. Now, NHL’s Gary Bettman and NHLPA’s Donald Fehr are beginning the process of figuring out “whether concrete steps can be taken to enhance player welfare and minimize the likelihood of such events taking place.”

Wade Belak (Left) and Derek Boogard (Right) fight each other. Both have been found dead this offseason

Belak’s tragic passing come a mere 16 days after the death of Winnipeg Jets’ forward Ricj Rypien, who had been in a well-documented battle with depression during his career.

On May 13, New York Rangers enforcer Derek Boogard died in his home in Minnesota after ingesting, what officials say, a toxic mix of alcohol and the painkiller oxycodone. Boogard’s death was ruled accidental by the Hennepin County (Minn.) Medical Examiner.

These deaths have prompted both the league and the league’s Player’s Association to look into ways to help players:

“Everyone at the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association is profoundly saddened by the loss, within a matter of weeks, three young men, each of whom was in the prime of his life.

“While circumstances of each case are unique, these tragic events cannot be ignored. We are committed to examining, in detail, the factors that may have contributed to these events, and to determining whether concrete steps can be taken to enhance player welfare and minimize the likelihood of such events taking place. Our organizations are committed to a thorough evaluation of our existing assistance programs and practices and will make immediate modifications and improvements to the extent they are deemed warranted.

“It is important to ensure that every reasonable step and precaution is taken to make NHL Players, and all members of the NHL family, aware of the vast resources available to them when they are in need of assistance. We want individuals to feel comfortable seeking help when they need help.

“NHL Clubs and our fans should know that every avenue will be explored and every option pursued in the furtherance of this objective.”

All three of these players were enforcers, players whose role is to protect the other players through hard hits and fighting. Former enforcers Keith Primeau and Georges Laroque believe that being an enforcer could be playing a part in these events.

“Listen, they have to step up,” Laraque said. “Now more than ever, people have to realize that the job that we did is a really stressful job. Mentally, it’s one of the hardest things. There’s so many guys that have demons and problems with that. We have to do something.” … Added retired NHL star Keith Primeau: “My own personal feeling is I believe there’s a direct correlation with the line of work that they’re in.”

These comments come from The Star. Maybe it is time for the NHL and the NHLPA look to changing how fighting is placed in the league. I am not saying do away with it, but curb it.

Now that the free agency periods has fallen to a stand still, and teams are preparing for arbitration hearings and training camps, it is time to take a look back and see who were the winners and losers from this offseason, so far. You will also notice there were definitely more winners than losers.

Prized free agent Brad Richards poses after his press conference.

WINNERS:

New York Rangers:
They signed prized free agent Brad Richards, and only for about a $6 million cap hit. That meant that they could grab Ruslan Fedotenko and re-sign Artem Anisimov, Brian Boyle, and Brandon Dubinsky. Ryan Callahan is heading to arbitration. But they have gotten better offensively, and they still have Henrik Lundquist under contract.

Chicago Blackhawks:
They may not have signed any of the “high-profile” free agents, but they did not need to. What they needed to do: eliminate cap-room and sign role-players that they did not have a year ago … and they did just that. They traded away high-contract players of Brian Campbell and Tomas Kopecky; and signed D-man Steve Montador, and role-players of Andrew Brunette, Jamal Mayers, Sean O’Donnell, and Sami Lepisto. They also re-upped offensive players of Viktor Stalberg and Michael Frolik. Most importantly, they re-signed their young star goalie Corey Crawford. They did all this and they still have about $5 million in cap room.

Colorado Avalanche:
They traded for RFA G Semyon Varlamov and then signed Milan Hejduk, Matt Hunwick, Jan Hejda, Ryan O’Byrne, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, and Shane O’Brien. They are still young, but their nucleus of players has gotten better and what’s around them have gotten much better as well. Because of this, coach Joe Sacco has only to blame himself if he cannot use this team to compete for a playoff spot.

Columbus Blue Jackets:
Front-office problems, what front office problems? Yes, they lost prospect Jakub Voracek and Scottie Upshall, but they radically improved their team. They helped star Rick Nash by getting Jeff Carter in a trade with Philly. Their backend got radically stronger by signing James Wisniewski and Radek Martinek (if Martinek can stay healthy). Their young talent coming up can only make them better. But for them to really make this a success, goalie Steve Mason needs to find his swagger again and they need to compete in a tough Central Division. But Jackets have had a great offseason.

Minnesota Wild:
They traded for Devin Setoguchi and Dany Heatley and only lost Martin Havlat. By getting these two, and having a stellar draft, the Wild are looking like a team that can be a surprise team this season. If their role players improve, their energized fan base could be in for a treat.

St. Louis Blues:
TJ Oshie and Matt D’Agostini are the two youngsters they needed to re-sign. Then they brought in Roman Polak, Vladimir Sobotka, Jamie Langenbrunner, and Jason Arnott. They alos gave Jonathan Cheechoo a shot, which could potentially be the steal of the offseason. The entire Central Division is capable of making the playoffs, but there might be two disappointed teams because of how stacked the division is.

Washington Capitals:
Yes, they lost Jason Arnott, Semyon Varlamov, and Marco Sturm. But they surprised everyone by getting G Tomas Vokoun and then signing Mike Knuble, Brooks Laich, Jeff Halpern, Roman Hamrlik, Joel Ward, and Troy Brouwer. They didn’t just sign players, they attempted to sign the right players that fit into their system and will help them win now. But if they do not reach the Stanley Cup Finals, then this season will be a failure and coach Bruce Boudreau will be out of a job.

Losers

Buffalo Sabres:
They drastically overpaid for Ville Leino, which will most likely prove to be a bust. They lost D-man Steve Montador who is critical to their backend. They did sign Drew Stafford, Nathan Gerbe, and Christian Ehrhoff, but they were not able to really make themselves better.

Ilya Bryzgalov may finally be the goalie Philly is looking for. But did they give up too much in order to sign him?

Philadelphia Flyers:
Yes, they signed Ilya Bryzgalov, but only time will tell if they have finally answered their goalie problems. But in order to give Ilya his 9 year $51 million dollar contract they lost both Jeff Carter and Mike Richards, but also Darrol Powe, Danie Carcillo, Sean O’Donnel, Ville Leino, and backup Brian Boucher. Also, there are now rumors that they are going to trade up-and-coming goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who only had a great season last year. They also overpaid for aging Jaromir Jagr, and how much will they get out of him? Philly lost so much that I don’t think there is any way they can compete for a long playoff run.

Toronto Maple Leafs:
They offered top free agent Brad Richards more money, but he opted for the Big Apple for a chance to hoist the Cup again. The then brought in oft-injured Tim Connolly and re-signed Clarke MacArthur and traded for Matt Lombardi (also oft-injured). If Connolly and Lombardi can play to their potential then they could be steals, but it just looks like that the Leafs will be looking at the draft lottery again. They have so many holes that I do not see the playoffs in their future.

After a blizzard of moves on day 1, day 2 saw less action but three big name free agents found new homes. Here is what happened on Day 2.

Brad Richards, F: Signed with the New York Rangers
The top free-agent on the market found a new home, signing a nine-year, $58.5 million dollar deal. The deal will reportedly carry only a $6.5 million cap hit, which is not bad. He also reportedly turned down more money from Toronto to come to the Big Apple. And it appears that the Rangers have found a top-line center; while the Calgary Flames look for someone to pair with Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay.

Matt Gilroy, D: Signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning
The Bolts added more depth on the backend, signing the former Hobey Baker Award Winner, who turns 27 at the end of the month. He went undrafted out of Boston University and was also a walk-on for a couple years while with the Terriers. He is a defenseman that can play at both ends of the ice.

Rob Niedermayer, F: Signed with HC Lugano of the Swiss National League A
The 36 year old, who spent last season in Buffalo, is heading to Europe. This means that the league will no longer have any of the Niedermayer brothers, Rob and Scott, playing in the league.

Anthony Stewart, F: Signed with the Carolina Hurricanes
The 6’3 230 26-year old singed a two-year deal. He will make $880,000 this upcoming season and then $1million in 2012-13. He is not going to Winnipeg, and had a career year last season, with 14 goals and 39 points for the now defunct Atlanta Thrashers.

Simon Gagne, LW: Signed with the Los Angeles Kings
Since the Kings lost out on the Brad Richards sweepstakes, they wasted no time in finding someone else. They signed former Tampa winger Simon Gagne to a two year deal. He will make $4.5 million this upcoming season and then $2.5 million in 2012-13, for a $3.5 million dollar cap hit. If he can bring some of his scoring touch out west, the Kings could be looking decent in the Pacific Division.

Tim Connolly, C: Signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs also missed out on Brad Richards, so they signed Tim Connolly as their consolation prize. He agreed to a two-year deal worth $9.5 million. He has had some major concussion problems earlier in his career, but he had 13 goals and 42 points in 69 games for the Buffalo Sabres last season, a season after his career-best 65 points in 2009-10.

Tomas Vokoun, G: Signed with the Washington Capitals
The Caps got two draft picks when they traded away goalie Semyon Varlamov to the Colorado Avalanche. But they do have two capable goalies in Michal Neuvirth and Brent Holtby. But it looks like Vokoun will be their no.1 for one year at $1.5 million. And Vokoun has been wanting to play for a contender ever since he started playing for the Florida Panthers.

Those are the biggest moves on Day 2, we will see if anything else happens on Day 3.

You may not want to ask who signed, but who did not sign on he first day of the 2011 NHL free agency. A 1,500 point player returns to the NHL, to a surprise team, and many teams made addition, and subtraction.

And there are reports that top free agent Brad Richards has agreed to a nine-year deal with the New York Rangers.

Here is a look at the biggest moves in day 1 (in the order of when they signed):

F Sean Bergenheim: Signed with the Florida Panthers
Bergenheim made a name for himself with his impressive postseason. He lead the league in goals through the first three rounds. He is a former first round pick of the New York Islanders and is only 27. If he is used in the right way, being put with a play making line, he can flourish. Also note, the Panthers are doing a lot of their moves because they need to add money to just reach the ground floor of the salary cap.

C Michal Handzus: Signed with the San Jose Sharks
Handzus is still a solid third-line center. Someone that will work well with the youth and still has a touch with the puck. The biggest question with him is, how many years does he have left at age 34?

G J.S. Giguere: Signed with the Colorado Avalanche
Since the Avalanche acquired Semyon Varlamov for a first and a conditional second, Giguere will be a very capable backup out west. He will be able to help the Colorado team try to make the playoff and get out of the Draft lottery.

LW Tomas Fleischmann: Signed with the Florida Panthers
GM Dale Tallon might be the busiest GM in the NHL this offseason. And now he adds a left winger that is similar to a lot of the secondary players that he had when he rebuilt the Chicago Blackhawks. Fleischmann will help the youth that the Panthers will bring in, and give them a veteran leader that can also help if and when they make the playoffs.

F Alexei Ponikarovsky: Signed with the Carolina Hurricanes
Ponikarovsky signed a hefty contract when he went to the LA Kings. His offensive numbers were dismal, he was close to being non-existent for a Kings team that made the playoffs. If he can find his scoring touch, especially since the Canes lost Erik Cole, then he will be a bargain.

F Marco Sturm: Signed with the Vancouver Canucks
When the Capitals added Sturm at the deadline, he had barely played a game. But he was a pivotal pivot playing on both of the top-two lines of the Caps. The Canucks did want to get younger, but Sturm’s playmaking and leadership will be a welcome addition to an already powerful offensive team.

F Ville Leino: Signed with the Buffalo Sabres
6 years, $27 million are the numbers the Sabres are paying the young scorer. To me that says that they expect him to be a top offensive man, and someone that they will rely on to get them past the first round of the playoffs. They have lost offense since they let Danny Briere go to the rival Flyers. He made what could be called a smart move going away from the changing Flyers, but can he live up to the pressure?

RW Michael Ryder, RWr: Signed with the Dallas Stars
He is a player that will continually give you twenty goals and twenty assists a year. He is a speedy player that is reliable in any system. He is starting to get up there in age, but if his postseason was any indication, he still has something left in the take.

Mathieu Garon, G: Signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning
Put this in the same column as the JS Giguere signing. Dwayne Roloson re-signed for another year, and this gives them a more than capable backup. Garon was with Columbus last year, and he even took the starting job away from Steve Mason more some of the year. If Rolly doesn’t live up to what he did last year, then look for Garon to step in.

Mike Smith, G: Signed with the Phoenix Coyotes
The Yotes lost their all-star goalie Ilya Bryzgalov to the Philadelphia Flyers, and Jason LaBarbera is really just a backup right now. Mike Smith came in for the games that Roloson did not play well in, and was a rock. If he can up his game another notch, the Coyotes may have found a steal in a weak Goalie crop and they could forget about Bryzgalov’s departure.

Jeff Halpern, F: Signed with the Washington Capitals
Halpern used to be a dynamic goal scorer … and that was when he was in Washington. He is returning for a second stint in the nations capital, and if he can be like a Michael Ryder, then he will earn every cent that he signed for. Especially now that he is 35.

Andrew Brunetts, LW: Signed with the Chicago Blackhawks
He will be turning 38 in August, but he is an ice-time eater, averaging over 19 minutes a game. He has also had at least 46 points since prior to the 1999-2000 season. Quenville coached him during his time with the Avalanche, and he probably hopes that he can provide a veteran presence, and someone that has no question marks when it comes to what he can and cannot do.

Sean O’Donnell, D: Signed with the Chicago Blackhawks
He is turning 40 this October, but he is a reliable d man, and someone that will provide a physical presence that the Hawks have not had on the backend since Dustin Byfuglein was traded. Don’t expect him to put up a lot of offense, but he grit and experience is what they signed him to do.

Ed Jovanovski, D: Signed with the Florida Panthers
Put this signing in the same column as the Jeff Halpern signing. Ed Jovanovski made a name for himself in Florida and then when he moved to the Vancouver Canucks. Since the Panthers got rid of Bryan McCabe, they have been missing a big-time backend player. Jovanovski is a big-body who is no slouch handling the puck. He will provide immediate help for the Florida team, and will mentor their incoming rooks.

Maxime Talbot, F: Signed with the Philadelphia Flyers
Maxime Talbot score the game-winning goal for the Pens in 2009. He is a physical presence that is also a solid secondary scorer. The Flyers only gave him a total salary of $9 million, and he will be someone that they can count on in their new-look offense. But the loss of their top scorers, Richards and Carter, does mean that they might not be as potent as they were last season.

Marcel Goc, F: Signed with the Florida Panthers
The Panthers are the team that made the biggest splash, at least in the number of players that they signed (and they also signed solid players), and they got another solid player in German Marcel Goc. He was the pivot on the first-line of the Nashville Predators. He season was cut short by a shoulder injury, but if he stays healthy, he could be the center pivot of their offesnse.

Steve Sullivan, F: Signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins
If he stays healthy this could be the steal of the free agent class. A five-time all-star that has scored over 20 goals seven times in his career. he can be a person that plays with Sidney Crosby and Evegeni Malkin. This is definitely a risky move, but one that is worth the risk for the Pens.

Joel Ward, F: Signed with the Washington Capitals
The feisty forward who played with the Nashville Predators and was a physical presence. The only question is, can he become more than just a big body. He has only played three seasons, but has only scored 35 points in his best season. The jury is still out on this signing.

Roman Hamrilk, D: Signed with the Washington Capitals
The have Tom Poti, John Carlson, Mike Green, and now they have Hamrilk. This means that they have two solid lines of D and this will only make the Caps better. But how better? If they cannot make it to the Cup finals, then it means that all of the moves that the Caps did would be for not.

Erik Cole, F: Signed with the Montreal Canadiens
He is getting up there in age, but that does not mean that the 35 year-old does not have something left in the tank. He is a big body that will help out one of their top two lines. The only question is can he stay healthy, he has had some injury problems, but that does not mean that the Habs should not have made this move.

Here are a list of Trades involving NHL players and/or picks in the NHL Draft.

June 1st:
New York Rangers receive Tim Exton, D, and a 2011 Fifth-Round Pick from Calgary for F, Roman Horak and 2 2011 Second-round picks

June 7th:
Philadelphia Flyers receive Ilya Bryzgalov, G, from the Phoenix Coyotes for F, Matt Clackson, 2012 thrird-round pick and future considerations

June 23rd:
Columbus Blue Jackets receive F, Jeff Carter from Philadelphia for F, Jacub Voracek 2011 first-round pick (eight overall) and a third-round pick

Los Angeles Kings receive F, Mike Richards from Philadelphia for F, Brayden Schenn, F, Wayne Simmonds, and an undisclosed draft pick.

June 24:
Buffalo Sabres receives D, Robyn Regehr from Calgary for future considerations

Florida Panthers receive D, Brian Campbell from Chicago for F, Rostislav Olesz

Minnesota Wild receive F, Devin Setoguchi, F, Charlie Coyle, 2011 first-round pick (28th Overall) from San Jose for D, Brent Burns and 2012 second-round pick.

Washington Capitals receive F, Troy Brouwer from Chicago for a 2011 first-round pick (26th overall)

Toronto Maple Leafs receive John-Michael Liles, D, from Colorado for a 2012 second-round pick

Ottawa Senators receive 2011 first-round pick (24th overall) from Detroit for 2 2011 second-round picks (35th and 48th overall)

Toronto Maple Leafs receive 2011 first-round pick (22nd overall) from Anaheim for 2 2011 second-round picks (30th and 39th overall)

The new Winnipeg franchise announced that their team will indeed be called the Winnipeg Jets. A logo and uniforms will be announced at a later date.

Here is what happened in Round 1

1. Edmonton Oilers: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Red Deer

2. Colorado Avalanche: Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Kitchner

3. Florida Panthers: Jonathan Huberdeau, C, Saint John

4. New Jersey Devils: Adam Larsson, D, Skellefta (Sweden)

5. New York Islanders: Ryan Strome, C, Niagra

6. Ottawa Senators: Mike Zibanejad, C, Djurgarden Jr. (Sweden)

7. Winnipeg Jets: Mark Scheifele, C

8. Philadelphia Flyers: Sean Couturier, C, Drummondville

9. Boston Bruins: Dougie Hamilton, D, Niagra

10. Minnesota Wild: Jonas Brodin, D, Farjestad (Sweden)

11. Colorado Avalanceh: Duncan Siemens, D, Saskatoon

12. Carolina Hurricanes: Ryan Murphy, D, Kitchner

13. Calgary Flamses: Sven Baertschi, LW, Portland

14. Dallas Stars: Jamieson Oleksiak, D, Northeastern (NCAA)

15. New York Rangers: Jonathan Miller, C, USNTDP

16. Buffalo Sabres: Joel Armia, RW, Assat (Finland)

17. Montreal Canadiens: Nathan Beulieu, D, Saint John

18. Chicago Blackhawks: Mark McNeill, C, Prince Albert

19. Edmonton Oilers: Oscar Klefbom, D, Farjestad (Sweden)

20. Phoenix Coyotes: Connor Murphy, D, USNTDP

21. Ottawa Senators: Stefan Noesen, RW, Plymouth

22. Toronto Maple Leafs: Tyler Biggs, RW, USNTDP

23. Pittsburgh Penguins: Joe Morrow, D, Portland

24. Ottawa Senators: Matthew Puempel, LW, Peterborough

25. Toronto Maple Leafs: Stuart Percy, D, Mississauga St. Michaels

26. Chicago Blackhawks: Phillip Danault, LW, Victoriaville

27. Tampa Bay Lightning: Vladislav Namestnikov, London

28. Minnesota Wild: Zack Phillips, C, Saint John

29. Vancouver Canucks: Nicklas Jensen, LW/RW, Oshawa

30. Anaheim Ducks: Rickard Rakell, RW, Plymouth

The NHL Awards were handed out at The Palms in Las Vegas Nevada. Comedian Jay Mohr served as host for the second straight year. His jokes poked innumerable fun at the expense of the Edmonton Oilers, who said “win 30 games and you won’t be in the monologue next year.” He poked fun at Alexandre Burrows, the Vancouver riots, Tim Thomas, and many others.

Here are the winners for this year:

Norris Trophy (Most Outstanding Defenseman): Nicklas Lindstrom, Detroit Red Wings

Art Ross Trophy (Regular Season Scoring Leader): Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks

Mark Messier Leadership Award: Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins

Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward): Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks

Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year): Dan Bylsma, Pittsburgh Penguins

Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year): Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes

Jennings Award (Fewest Goals Allowed): Roberto Luongo/Corey Schneider, Vancouver Canucks

GM of the Year: Mike Gillis, Vancouver Canucks

Rocket Richard Trophy (Most Regular Season Goals): Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks

Ted Lindsay Award (MVP as Voted by the Players): Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks

Bill Masterton Trophy (Perseverance and Dedication to Hockey): Ian Laperriere, Philadelphia Flyers

King Clancy Award (Leadership and Humanitarian Contributions): Doug Weight, New York Islanders

Lady Byng Award (Skillful and Gentlemanly Play): Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning

Vezina Trophy (Top Goalie): Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins

Hart Trophy (MVP): Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks

With less than one week to go, the rumors are swiriling about what is going to happen in this year’s NHL Entry Draft. There is a unanimous number 1 pick, and there are rumors that the potential number 2 pick could stay in his country to play for one to two more years, despite being NHL ready. While there are only 30 players that will be taken in the first round, there are potentially as many as 50 players that have the potential to be first round picks.

“It might look like a team at 13 or 14 might feel cheated, but there are a couple of wild cards,” one scouting director said about this year’s draft class.

Three of these “curveballs” are the top three goalie prospects: John Gibson, Christopher Gibson, and Samu Perhonen. John Gibson, the top American goalie prospect, who spent his junior career in the United States National Development program (USNDP) has signed a letter of intent to play for Red Berenson at the University of Michigan. However, so did Jack Campbell, who was taken no. 11 last year by the Dallas Stars and decided to play for the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League.

There is a rumor the Toronto Maple Leafs’ GM Brian Burke is trying to package picks to move up in the first round, he has two picks. The Phoenix Coyotes might be doing the same.

Here is a look at how the first round could shake up:

1. Edmonton Oilers: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Red Deer (WHL)
He is the unanimous number one pick across all of the experts’ drafts. He is a playmaker who could be in between Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle. Some people say that he is not physically ready for the NHL, but he is really athletic. But there was another number one pick who had the same knock against him, Patrick Kane, and we know how that pick has played out. If Nugent-Hopkins has a good hockey sense and anticipation, he could be ok until he gains strength.

2. Colorado Avalanche: Adam Larsson, D, Skellefta (Sweeden)
A defenseman who could one day be setting up shots for Matt Duchene and the other young players for Colorado. People think that he is more NHL ready than Victor Hedman was when he was drafted. But there is the potential of this player sliding down the boards, as Larsson may stay in Sweeden for a couple more years.

3. Florida Panthers: Jonathan Huberdeau, C, Saint John (QMJHL)
He is a “go-to-guy” who has the potential to be the first-line center the Panthers need. GM Dale Tallon is probably hoping this guy will be his Jonathan Toews for his new club. You might see this guy in a few NHL games this year, and then have him go back to Juniors when their season starts up.

4. New Jersey Devils: Ryan Strome, C, Niagara (OHL)
Stome has made a lot of strides in his games this year, and might be one of the highest risers since last year’s draft. It would have been a shock to find this guy at the top of draft boards at this point last year, and it would also be a shock if he winds up in the NHL this year, but crazier things have happened.

5. New York Islanders: Sean Couturier, C, Drummondville (QMJHL)
The Islanders are in need of a center so that young-star Jon Tavares can move to his natural position of winger. Couturier has nothing to prove by going back to juniors, and it might hurt his game-just look at Jason Spezza-and he was also a number one potential pick earlier, so you might see the Islanders move up to take him.

6. Ottawa Senators: Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Kitchner (OHL)
This player could be the needed successor to Daniel Alfredsson. He is a reliable player that also possess the leadership skills that could make him a stud.

7. Winnipeg: Mika Zibanejad, C, Djurgarden (Sweden-Jr.)
Mika has been the highest rising prospect in this crop. He had a stellar year this year and an amazing combine. What is even more impressive is that every NHL team has contacted Mika, everyone but Detroit did at the combine-they did it in Sweden. The new GM has been good at finding players that can come in and play in the NHL right away.

8. Columbus Blue Jackets: Sven Baertschi, LW, Portland (WHL)
Sven has been a creative forward and projects as the player that many thought Nikita Filatov was to become. This could potentially become another one of the prospects that the Blue Jackets sign, that have a lot of potential and then fall short of that potential. But it could also become the case that Baertschi plays with former Portland teammate Ryan Johansen, a great pick last year that will be in a Columbus uniform next year.

9. Boston BruinsFROM TORONTO: Nathan Beaulieu, D, Saint John (QMJHL)
A defenseman who make a great first pass on the offensive breakout, and possess the puck-handling skills that they thought they were getting when they acquired Tomas Kaberle. The potential that Beaulieu has makes him a great choice for Boston.

10. Minnesota Wild: Ryan Murphy, D, Kitchner, (OHL)
He is a player that could become the catalyst for a struggling offense. But, there are a lot of people out there that think that he is just too small to be a defenseman in the NHL. But is he any smaller than Brian Rafalski was when he was drafted?

11. Colorado AvalancheFROM ST. LOUIS: Tyler Biggs, RM, USNTDP
Tyler lives up to his name with the size that he brings to the table. There is a chance that the Avalanche will tap Huberdreau rather than Larsson at No. 2, which would make it even more likely that he will come off the board at No. 11.

12. Carolina Hurricanes: Dougie Hamilton, D, Niagara (OHL)
He has the most “high-end” talent of all of the defenseman in the draft. Scouts think that he looks similar to some of the defensemen that they drafted last year. However, he possess way more skills that the picks they had last year.

13. Calgary Flames: Mark Scheifele, C, Barrie Colts (OHL)
He has the potential to become a first-line center that the team has been in search of since the team made it to the Cup Finals in 2004. Scouts are high on his character, as he played insanely hard for a weak team last year. The Flames might be tempted to bring him up this year, but that would be way to quick.

14. Dallas Stars: Jamieson Oleksiak, D, Northeaster, (NCAA)
A back-ender who has an imposing force as players come down his side of the ice. He says that he is going back to Northeastern for another year, but if he is not flexible on that then he might slide down draft boards. His stock is rising because of an impressive combine and good interviews.

15. New York Rangers: Jonathan Miller, C, USNTDP
He is a playmaking center that has the potential of a Chris Drury. Miller did fall 10 slots to No.23 in the Central Scouting Services’ final list, but a good performance at the World Under-18′s gave his stock a bump. The Rangers have drafted heavily on defensemen the last few years, and need help on forward. Miller could be in the NYC as soon as the fall of 2012, after he plays for the North Dakota Fighting Sioux of the WCHA.

16. Buffalo Sabres: Mark McNeill, C, Prince Albert (WHL)
A tough-nosed center that projects that he will start out as a third-liner and move into a second-line role. He could work well with 2009 first-round bruiser Zack Kassian. He would make the Sabres tougher to play against, and that is something that GM Darcy Regier is desiring out of his club.

17. Montreal Canadiens: Jonas Brodin, D, Farjestad (Sweden)
He is a smooth puck-handling D man who could be needed if and when Andrei Markov isn’t playing for the Habs. Brodin probably needs another year in Sweden and another year in the AHL before he makes the jump to the big time. The Habs were patient with PK Subban, and look how that turned out.

18. Chicago Blackhawks: Nicklas Jensen, RW, Oshwa (OHL)
A great skater that has the ability to stretch defenses when he comes up ice. Teams are going to take him with the amount of upside that he has, and that is based on the belief that he will do better after his first year playing in North America.

19. Edmonton OilersFROM LOS ANGELES: Connor Murphy, C, USNTDP
This is a high-risk, high-reward player that only a team with multiple first-rounders could afford to take. Connor has a lot of offensive upside, even compared to his father Gord Murphy. He is also a more dynamic player. He will be a member of the Miami (OH) University Red Hawks next year, and if he stays healthy, he could then move into the NHL in 2012.

20. Phoenix Coyotes: Joel Armia, RW, Assat (Finland)
A big winger that can create space and plays for a first-line center. The team that drafts him will have a tough decision on whether or not to bring him over this year to the NHL. He is physically ready to play in the North American leagues (AHL), but putting him in a junior league does not seem to make sense for his game.

21. Ottawa SenatorsFROM NASHVILLE: Tomas Jurco, RW, Saint John (QMJHL)
He is a skilled winger that can create finish on his own. If he picks up from where he left off, playing in the Memorial Cup, he could make it hard for the Sens to keep him in St. John. But he would be best served with a another year in the QMJHL.

22. Anaheim Ducks: Ty Rattie, RW, Portland (WHL)
Rattie is most definitely a rink rat, who will bring that to his line when he make is to the NHL. He will be back in the WHL for another year. He is physically not ready for the league. But he does have stellar hockey sense.

23. Pittsburgh Penguins: Matt Puempel, LW, Peteborough (OHL)
He is a soft-handed winger who has the potential to set up a center. He did have hip surgery, which would mean any chance of bringing him to the NHL is out of the question. But he does need a change of scenery from Peteborough, to a more Championship-caliber team.

24. Detroit Red Wings: Vladislav Namestnikov, C, London (OHL)
People believe he could bring back memories of Igor Larionov. He is playing for a great development team up in London (they had Patrick Kane, John Carlson, and Corey Perry). The only question is will he sign.

25. Toronto Maple LeafsFROM PHILADLPHIA: Boone Jenner, C, Oshawa (OHL)
He is a two-way center that will start out in the third/fourth-line and may make it up to the second or first-line. This is definitely a development project, he needs another year in juniors and then up to two years in the AHL before they would even consider giving him a NHL chance. The one question, GM Brian Burke wants to move up, and to do so he would have to trade away this pick, so will the Maple Leafs even have this pick remains to be seen.

26. Washington Capitals: Phillip Danault, C, Victoriaville (QMJHL)
He is a center who will bring stellar hockey sense and reliability. With all of the talent that Washington has, they could wait for Danault. You can’t have too many players with the hockey sense and reliability that Danault has.

27. Tampa Bay Lightning: Zach Phillips, C, Saint John (QMJHL)
He is a center with some swagger and savvy, whose average skating could be unnoticed if he is surrounded by the talent that Tampa has. If he is willing to change positions, then there is a chance he could make it to the show earlier than advertised.

28. San Jose Sharks: Duncan Siemens, D, Saskatoon (WHL)
A tough defenseman that is needed when you play like the Sharks do, and against the teams that they do. Siemens is almost physically NHL ready, but a 2012 arrival seems a little hazy.

29. Vancouver Canucks: Scott Mayfield, D, Youngstown (USHL)
He will start the youthful integration of blueline talent. When he makes it to the NHL, likely 2013, Sami Salo will be gone. Andrew Alberts, Kevin Bieksa, Dan Hamhuis, and Keith Ballard will all be over 30. With this in mind the Canucks need to find more youthful back-end help.

30. San Jose SharsFROM BOSTON: Stuart Percy, D, Missassauga St. Micheal’s (OHL)
When this player is ready, he will join Luke Schenn, 2009 first-rounder Jesse Blacker, and first-rounder Jake Gardiner. He seems perfect for this team. His game would compliment and aid the players he plays with.

It may have taken three games sevens, 798 shots on Tim Thomas in the playoffs (238 in the Finals), and a 39 year wait, but the Boston Bruins are Stanley Cup Champions for the 2010-2011 season. Blanking the Vancouver Canucks 4-0.

The Boston Bruins became the first NHL team to win three Game 7s to win the Stanley Cup. They are only the third team in any of the four major sports to do that, the first since the Los Angeles Lakers in 1988. Tim Thomas stopped an NHL Playoff record 798 shots in the playoffs, and a Stanley Cup Finals record 238 of 246 shots faced. Thomas won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Playoff MVP, and I believe he would have won it even if the Bruins lost Game 7. Thomas finished with a staggering .967 save percentage in the finals, and a 1.98 goals against average and a .946 save percentage for the entire playoffs! And he’s 37 years old!

“I think I went even further than I thought,” Thomas said. “I was scared, I won’t lie. I had nerves yesterday and today, and I faked it as best as I could, and I faked it all the way to the Stanley Cup.”

Well, it sure did not look that way, especially for a play that started the year as a backup. And he was the cornerstone of a team that willed its way to a Cup, beating a more talented team and team that was the number 1 offensive club.

“We never, never quit, and that’s what I’m proud of,” Boston Coach Claude Julien said. “They’re so deserving of what happened here. It’s not a fluke. It’s something they earned.”

Brad Marchand finished his rookie season with 2 goals and an assist in Game 7, and Brad Marchand also netted two of his own. German defenseman Dennis Seidenberg also added two assists of his own, as the Bruins silenced the 18,860 crowd.

The home team had won every game until Wednesday’s Game 7

“It’s tough right now,” said Canucks center Ryan Kesler, who had been having a stellar postseason, but only earned one point in this series. “It’s really though.

One player, 43 year old Mark Recchi is going out on top. Earning his third Stanley Cup, when he announced his retirement on ice after the game.

“It’s the end for me,” Recchi said. “I’m going out on top and I couldn’t be happier with this group of guys. Regardless of what happened, this was going to be one of the best groups I have ever played with. We’re fortunate to win and we’re going to enjoy this.”

Brad Marchand attempted to put into words why the Bruins were able to persevere against this Canucks team.

“I think they got really cocky and they thought they were just going to roll over us,” said Marchand. “We took pucks and bodies to the net and we were abel to pull it off.”

It is yet another failed season for both the Canucks franchise and the highest paid goalie in the NHL, Roberto Luongo. He seemed to be a little bit of head-case throughout the season, especially after the “pumping tires” comment, and never seemed to be consistent.

“What are you going to do? We all want to be better,” Luongo said. “That’s the bottom line. We’re not going to point fingers at one individual. I think as a team, if we all could’ve stepped up a notch, starting with myself, we could’ve gotten that job done.”

He may never live this down. The fans have been critical of him, the media, and other players, both past and present, have all had their criticisms. He is due $6.8 million next year, and has three year left on his contract. One of the biggest questions of this offseason may be, does Roberto Luongo return to Vancouver?

“At the end of the day, you’ve got to give credit where credit is due. Boston played a real strong game,” Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said. “They have great goaltending and they were able to score a couple of tough goals around our net and they deserved to win.”

The Canucks also came out the stronger team, putting the Bruins on edge, even outshooting the Bruins. But the Bruins were able to score the first goal, and being outshot 21-13 through two frames. But Boston had the better goalie, and that can make all the difference.

“It was one of the best [performances by a goalie] I’ve ever seen-from day 1 when he played that exhibition agains the Czech Republic until the final game, I’ve never seen that throughout the course of the year.” Recchi said of Thomas.

Ironically, Zdeno Chara may have made the save of the game, not Thomas. About nine minutes into the second period, Alexandre Burrows took a Chara turnover to the front of the Boston net and waited until Thomas came out far from his crease before putting the puck on the net, which looked like a sure goal and would put Vancouver back into the game 2-1. But Chara got in front of the shot and went down on one knee to stop it.

Boston’s sports teams have now won all four major championships over the last 6 years. It started with the New England Patriots, then the Boston Red Sox, and the Boston Celtics. Now, the Boston Bruins, the second original six team to win in two years and the third in four, are Cup Champions.

“We know it’s been since 1972 and they’re dying for a hockey championship team in Boston,” Julien said. “We are finally able to deliver that to them.”

The parade is scheduled for Saturday.

Since the implementation of Rule 48, fans, players, everyone has seen a headshot that makes them cringe. Whether it is Zdeno Chara on Max Pacioretty, or the recent hit of Aaron Rome on Nathan Horton. Because of this the rule committee is trying to pass a new and expanded Rule 48.

This came one step closer when a the committe of players, owners, and GMs agreed with the recommendation to the new rule. But the league executive, and new discipline czar, Brendan Shanahan and NHLPA executive Mathieu Schneider need to finalize their new rule before the NHL governors meeting at the end of the month.

“We’re definitely headed down the right path in expanding Rule 48,” Schneider said after Monday’s meeting. “What it’s coming down to is getting the wording down on paper properly and Brendan and I will continue to talk over the next few days and try to nail something down.”

Neither of the two, Shanahan or Schneider, believe that there is any problem heading forward, since the committee basically all but approved the new rule.

“In the end we all want the same thing, we all want to make the game as safe as possible,” said Shanahan, “We know it’s a physical game, we know there’s always going to be injuries and there will always be concussions, but we want to make the game as safe as we possibly can.”

The GMs suggested the change to rule at their June 8 meeting, wanting them to take out the term “blindside” out of the existing rule. This would allow for more penalties and even more suspensions. In the new Rule 48, any hit that targets the head is the “target” and the “principle” point of contact will be illegal. Under the Rule 48 that was in existence this season, only blindside hits were deemed illegal.

“It’s very similar to what we talked about at the GMs meeting in the sense of broadening the rule,” league exec Rob Blake said after the Monday meeting. “The exact interpretation will go forward. But we had a good understanding that the union, the players, and the NHL together want to go forward for the safety of their players.”

Ex-NHLers Rob Blake, Brenden Shanahan, Steve Yzerman, and Joe Nieuwendyk were the ones that drafted the new rule change and then presented it to the GMs last week.

“I just think the people have to realize the goal in all of this was to make the game safer,” said Niewendyk. “We don’t like some of the hits we see and we don’t like the results of those hits … That was the goal in mind and I think there’s a broader spectrum of hits that will fall into this category now. And I think the big think is the education process to the players and how the referees will call this. So there’s still work to be done.”

To me, the last part of the quote is the one that makes this new Rule 48 really confusing. The referees will now have yet another thing to focus on. There is the possibility of a new Hybrid Icing rule, where the referee makes a decision on whether or not to allow the players to fight for the puck, and whether or not to have the touch-up icing. Combine that with all of the other types of hitting calls: boarding, charging, interference, holding, the obstructing calls, etc. Now the referees will have to make a new interpretations on whether the player is going after the head.

But at least it is a start, and hopefully there will be a clear cut interpretation of what the call will be. And the players seem to like it. If the players want it, the by all means there should be an expansion to Rule 48. There are hits that need to be eliminated, but an expansion to an interesting rule may not be the answer.

“I like the discussion today,” said Montreal’s Mike Cammalleri, who joined the Competition Committee along with Chicago’s Chris Campoli, Chris Clark, Buffalo’s Ryan Miller, and David Backes on the NHLPA side, replacing Mathieu Scheider and Mike Commodore who retired. “I like where we’re going today. For me I like the idea that we’re going, I think our game’s plenty exciting and plenty physical and I think we can do that and still have a game that’s safe and a game that parents want to watch with their children, a game they want their kids participating in so we’re moving in that safer direction for sure.”

“There were hits this year that we saw that we want eliminated from the game,” said Scneider. “And we need to make sure that we don’t end up back in this situation next year. WIthout getting real specific, players and managers want keep the physical play in, want to put some onus on guys who are on the ice, but at the same time I think there are hits that we want to rid ourselves of and by expanding Rule 48 we’re hoping to be able to do that.”

“I think we’re putting some parameters just to make things simpler, more I guess black and white so that it is a safer game for everybody to play and I still think we’re covering the excitement that everybody wants see,” said Cammalleri.