Let me begin by saying Tyler Seguin’s second period performance in Boston’s game two victory over Tampa Bay was one of the best playoff periods I’ve ever seen. Especially for a 19 year old teenager who isn’t even close to peaking as a NHL player.

How many NHL players still playing can honestly say they feel 100% phyiscally?

There is something to be said for a fresh 19 year-old who’s healthy after watching the two previous rounds from the press box. Seguin is 100% right now and it shows. He’s not carrying the same bumps and bruises or playing with one arm or on one leg like many of his teammates or others playing in the playoffs.

I would never take anything away from his performance though as he looks comfortable playing on the big stage. He’s a confident kid who acts like he belongs right where he is. The kid has great hockey sense and I love the confidence he’s playing with. How many 19 year olds have the ability to lift others around him? The backhand play he made out of the corner on Boston’s sixth goal was the most impressive play he made all game for me.

How predictable is it for people out of Toronto to bring up the Phil Kessel trade after Seguin’s game two performance? #Puh-leeeeease

Dave Cameron Headed to Ottawa?

There’s a growing sense that Mississauga Head Coach Dave Cameron is being strongly considered as the next Head Coach in Ottawa. Cameron has a very strong relationship with Senators Owner Eugene Melnyk which certainly helps. Success hasn’t come easy for Cameron at the pro level  as he missed the playoffs two of the three seasons he coached in the AHL with Binghamton during his run from 2004-2007.

Cameron lost the gold-medal game to Russia coaching Canada in the World Junior Championship in January and recently lost in the OHL finals to Owen Sound. He received an automatic birth to the Memorial Cup as the host team.

One source recently told me “Cameron is Melnyk’s guy” and it shouldn’t come as a surprise who owns the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors. You guessed it, Eugene Melnyk.

Gordon back in the mix?

Speaking to some USA hockey guys, they had nothing but positives to say about Scott “Flash” Gordon. This wasn’t always the case when he was coaching the Islanders.

He is respected enough around the hockey world to where he’s got a decent chance of returning behind tan NHL bench next season. Word is Minnesota and Florida are decent possibilities for Gordon to resurface.

 
Richards Back to Tampa Bay?

Seems odd but one source tells me not completely write it off either. Therefore I won’t even though I don’t see it happening. Expect the Rangers, among several teams, to make a push for Brad Richards.

Conklin Helps His Cause….

Ty Conklin played well enough at the World Championship to where he shouldn’t have any problems getting an NHL job.  His regular season record wasn’t bad either. I always say if your backup can play at .500 or better you should hang on to him. It seems doubtful though that he returns to St. Louis with Ben Bishop is waiting in the wings. The Blues spent the last several years developing Bishop so they should remain committed to him moving forward. If he’s willing to play for $525,000 it will certainly help his cause as well.

Spotted….

Team USA GM Paul Fenton having a long discussion with former Nashville Predator Alexander Radulov in Slovakia. Fenton is Nashville’s assistant GM.

Jagr Returning to NHL?

Jaromir Jagr can still play at a high level when he wants to. Can he be counted on to give an effort that warrants a $4-5 million salary? At this stage of his career he may only be a third line player on a contending team, $4-5 mill seems like a large price tag for a third line player. The scuttlebutt coming out of the KHL is that Omsk may not be as interested in bringing him back as one would think. Word is he pretty much ran the bench last season.

 
Shatty Shines…

He may not look like a hockey player on the outside but those who watched him play for team USA walked away glowing about Blues D-man Kevin Shattenkirk. Several USA representatives left raving about his unbelievable poise with the puck as well as his exceptional skating ability. The kid plays with passion and some fire in his belly as well which catches some off guard. 

No Mo Hockey….

I’m told Mike Modano will officially announce his retirement at some point before next season. He’ll obviously go down as one of the greatest players of his era.

Don’t be surprised if goaltender Chris Osgood does the same.
  

Go Blue!

Canadian Jr. A Player of the Year Zach Hyman has decided to attend the University of Michigan next season. He was originally headed to Princeton before the coaching staff picked up and left for Penn State. Hyman joins the likes of Kyle Turris, Dany Heatley, and Paul Kariya as recent Jr. A Player's of the Year. He's a former Florida Panthers 5th round draft selection.

More to come,
Andy Strickland
Strickland.andy@gmail.com