If the Chicago Blackhawks bring home Lord Stanley’s Cup tonight with a victory over the Boston Bruins in Game Six, it will trigger a chain of events that will mark the official opening of the NHL off-season. 48 hours after the Stanley Cup Finals are decided, the NHL’s compliance buy-out period will begin, with several notable players expected to be among the cap casualties.
The Montreal Canadiens are expected to use their buy-out on long-time Maple Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle. Kaberle has been with three teams in three years after spending thirteen seasons in the Toronto Maple Leafs system. After playing a season each for the Boston Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes, the Canadiens got Kaberle for two years, but are expected to end that commitment after only one. [CBC]
The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to buy-out a former Montreal Canadiens defenseman too, just to return the favor. Once a fairly sought after commodity, Mike Komisarek is expected to become an unrestricted free agent as well. One of many additions to the Toronto Maple Leafs during the Burke era that failed to meet expectations, Komisarek should be able to find work with a new team that needs veteran defensive help. [CBS]
With Dallas Eakins now coaching the Edmonton Oilers, they are expected to be the front runners to land Paul Ranger from the Maple Leafs, another underachieving member of the Maple Leafs defensive depth. Eakins coached Paul Ranger with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, and helped revive his career there. [Edmonton Journal]
The Toronto Maple Leafs have outbid the Philadelphia Flyers for the services of Los Angeles Kings backup goaltender Jonathan Bernier. The Leafs sent Ben Scrivens, Matt Frattin, and a second round draft pick in either 2014 or 2015 for the talented understudy of Jonathan Quick. [TSN]
John Tortorella has received his first major endorsement as head coach in Vancouver, as Canucks great, and one-time New York Ranger, Markus Naslund has spoken up in support of the controversial coach. “He is more intense, both on the bench throughout the games and between periods and stuff,” he told the Vancouver Sun. “But in a good way. In my experience, and that’s only half a season, I thought he was honest and straightforward. And as a player I appreciate that, even if sometimes it’s stuff you might not like to hear.” [Vancouver Sun]
The Chicago Blackhawks are hoping to see Jonathan Toews suit up for the game tonight. Not only is he irreplaceable in the Blackhawks lineup, but he’s also the captain. It’s always nice to have your captain suited up to accept the Stanley Cup at the end of the game. [ABC]
There’s still an outside chance that Patrice Bergeron is going to suit up tonight for the Boston Bruins, spleen and all. He’s currently listed as day-to-day, but he’s a hockey player, so anything can happen. [Daily Press]
The widow of legendary enforcer Bob Probert has set-up an annual charity motorcycle rally in honor of her late husband. This year, it was an overwhelming success, and has raised over $200,000 in it’s first three years of existence. [Windsor Star]
In honor of Probert’s memory, and all the charitable work his family is doing since his passing, today’s video is a collection of some of Probert’s most memorable moments as a Detroit Red Wing. The man was a beast. May he rest in peace.