NHL Daily: Nikita Kucherov, Olympic Participation, Rookie Class
By Ryan Ritchie
NHL Daily: Nikita Kucherov Will Not Report to Lightning Training Camp, Understanding the Business Side of Olympic Participation, Top 20 Rookies to Watch in Training Camp, and More (Morning Coffee Headlines)
Grab your morning cup of coffee and join us here at Puck Prose for a compilation of NHL daily links that will help keep you updated with everything going on in the hockey world.
In today’s edition: Tampa Bay Lightning restricted free agent Nikita Kucherov will not report to training camp until a contract is signed, a better understanding of the business side of international hockey and why it’s important for both the NHL and IOC to do their part, top 20 rookies to watch in training camps, and much more!
NHL Daily: Morning Coffee Headlines
NHL, IOC Must Work Together to Grow Sport
Deidra Dionne at CBC delves into the business side of the hot topic debate regarding NHLers and Olympic Participation. She explains why it’s important for both the NHL and IOC to work together to help grow the game globally. [CBC]
Kucherov Will Not Report to Training Camp
Not surprising, news broke on Thursday that Tampa Bay Lightning F Nikita Kucherov will not attend training camp until he has a new contract. The only RFA without a contract currently in camp is Sabres D Rasmus Ristolainen, only after receiving special permission from GM Tim Murray. [Bolts by the Bay]
Wayne Simmonds: Underrated Fantasy Hockey Stud
Top 20 Rookies to Watch in Training Camps
CBS Sports released their top 20 list for rookies to watch in NHL training camps. Toronto Maple Leafs youngsters Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner occupy three of the top four slots. [CBS Sports]
Solid First Impressions for Zibanejad, Buchnevich
John Williams at Blue Line Station discusses how it took only one preseason game for fans to fall in love with two new incoming players. In fact, Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, and Pavel Buchnevich looks so good for the Rangers, they might have a chance to be New York’s second line once the season gets underway. [Blue Line Station]
Adam Larsson: Will Prove Naysayers Wrong in 2016-17
Top 10 Defensive Pairings
Allan Mitchell over at Bleacher Report breaks down his predictions for the top 10 defensive pairings for the upcoming 2016-17 season. Two Predators blue line duos manage to crack the countdown. [Bleacher Report]
Predators Sign Samuel Girard
On Thursday, the Nashville Predators announced they have signed 2016 second round pick Samuel Girard to a three-year entry-level contract. Girard is coming off an impressive 2015-16 in which he was named QMJHL Defenseman of the Year. [Predlines]
Hampus Lindholm: Holding Out, Seeking Multi-Year Deal
Human Hockey Puck
The Moncton Wildcats are getting creative with their entertainment during intermissions. James Upham is in charge of programming and he’s hoping his new “human hockey puck hovercraft” will catch on with fans. [Yahoo Sports]
Konecny Too Good for OHL
After nearly cracking the roster as an 18-year-old, it seems Travis Konecny is at it again in his second training camp. Marc Naples over at Broad Street Buzz discusses why Konecny is simply too good to return to the Ontario Hockey League. [Broad Street Buzz]
Next: Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy Winner Roundtable
NHL Daily Morning Rant
NHL Preseason Rookie Top Performers (Thursday Night’s Action)
F Paul Bittner (CLB) – 1 goal
D Zach Werenski (CLB) – 1 assist
F Michael McCarron (MTL) – 1 goal
F Artturi Lehkonen (MTL) – 1 assist
D Mikhail Sergachev (MTL) – 1 assist
F Miles Wood (NJ) – 1 goal
F Pavel Buchnevich (NYR) – 1 assist
D John Gilmour (NYR) – 1 goal, 1 assist
F Brayden Point (TB) – 1 goal
G Kasimir Kaskisuo (TOR) – shutout (so loss)
F Kyle Connor (WPG) – 1 goal
F Chase De Leo (WPG) – 1 goal, 1 assist
D Josh Morrissey (WPG) – 2 assists
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