NHL Daily: Niklas Hjalmarsson, Cody Hodgson, Derek Stepan

Apr 15, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) is seen during game two of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center. The Blackhawks won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) is seen during game two of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center. The Blackhawks won the game 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Daily: Blackhawks D Niklas Hjalmarsson Suspended For Hit on Ty Rattie, Cody Hodgson Will Work With Little Preds Learn to Play Program This Season, Rangers Center Derek Stepan a Valuable Veteran Presence, 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: Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson received a suspension for his hit on St. Louis Blues forward Ty Rattie, Cody Hodgson will spend this upcoming season helping teach at the Little Preds Learn to Play program, New York Rangers center Derek Stepan is a valuable veteran presence on Broadway, and much more!

NHL Daily: Morning Coffee Headlines

Hjalmarsson Suspended

Oct 1, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) and St. Louis Blues center Kyle Brodziak (28) chase the puck during the third period of a preseason hockey game at the United Center. Chicago won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) and St. Louis Blues center Kyle Brodziak (28) chase the puck during the third period of a preseason hockey game at the United Center. Chicago won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson has been suspended for the remainder of the preseason and regular season opener. The suspension is a result of a hit of St. Louis Blues forward Ty Rattie. Per GeneralFanager, Niklas stands to lose a little over $22,000 dollars for that single game. [ESPN]

Stepan a Valuable Veteran Presence

New York Rangers center Derek Stepan is one of the longer tenured players on the current roster. Michael Monti explores what makes the six-year NHL veteran such a valuable presence on Broadway. [Blue Line Station]

Calder Trophy: Rookies to Watch in the Atlantic Division

Hodgson Joins Little Preds Learn to Play Program

Nov 5, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Nashville Predators forward Cody Hodgson (11) carries the puck past Minnesota Wild forward Jason Pominville (29) during the third period at Xcel Energy Center. The Predators defeated the Wild 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Nashville Predators forward Cody Hodgson (11) carries the puck past Minnesota Wild forward Jason Pominville (29) during the third period at Xcel Energy Center. The Predators defeated the Wild 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Brooks Bratten announced via twitter that former Nashville Predators forward Cody Hodgson plans to work with Little Preds Learn to Play program this upcoming season. This following an unsuccessful bid to extend his NHL career in 2015-16. [The Province]

David Backes Will Be Intregral to Bruins Success

Boston Bruins big offseason addition was veteran forward David Backes. Brandon Share-Cohen over at Causeway Crowd discusses how the former Blues captain will be an integral piece to the B’s success in 2016-17. [Causeway Crowd]

Calder Trophy: Rookies to Watch in the Metropolitan Division

Las Vegas Hires Team President

Jun 22, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Bill Foley walks the red carpet during the 2016 NHL Awards at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Bill Foley walks the red carpet during the 2016 NHL Awards at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports /

Las Vegas hired Kerry Bubolz to be their team president on Monday. He most recently served as President of Business Operations for NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, but also spent time in Sales with the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes in the past. [Yahoo Sports]

Will Schroeder Ever Play in Minnesota Again?

On Monday afternoon, the Minnesota Wild announced that Jordan Schroeder will start the year with AHL Iowa after placing him on waivers. Danny Lambert at Puck Gone Wild wonders if fans will ever see Schroeder again in a Wild uniform. [Gone Puck Wild]

Calder Trophy: Rookies to Watch in the Central Division

Report: World Cup Generated $110 Million Dollars

Ian Thomas of the Sports Business Journal reports the NHL managed to generate upwards of $110 million dollars (original estimates were in the $90-100 million dollar range). Corporate sponsor revenue also generated an estimated $25 million. [Sports Business Journal]

No Need to Rush Flyers Prospects

Philadelphia Flyers fans are getting excited about the idea of Ivan Provorov and Travis Konecny potentially stepping up as productive rookies. Michael Appel attempts to level expectations, explaining why there’s no need to rush Flyers prospects. [Broad Street Buzz]

Next: Rookies to Watch in the Pacific Division

NHL Daily Morning Rant

Since we only have eight days remaining until a new NHL season, what better time to make 2017 playoff predictions for the eight participants in each conference (no particular order or ranking):

Eastern Conference

Buffalo Sabres
Florida Panthers
Montreal Canadiens
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Tampa Bay Lightning
Washington Capitals

Western Conference

Anaheim Ducks
Calgary Flames
Chicago Blackhawks
Dallas Stars
Los Angeles Kings
Nashville Predators
San Jose Sharks
St. Louis Blues

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