Hockey Topics This Week

from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, - If there was a Hall of Fame for news conferences, Paul Maurice would be a shoo-in. But it’s tough for an NHL coach to get Hall recognition. Joel Quenneville, Mike Keenan, Barry Trotz, Mike Babcock, Darryl Sutter, Tom Watt and Bryan Murray all have Hall credentials, but no entrance to date. It’s a little easier for a GM to get in. Among those currently working, but already in the Hall: Lou Lamoriello, Ken Holland and Jim Rutherford. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the retired David Poile gets elected this year. - The Hall of Fame will announce its Class of 2024 later this month without sure things. Personally, I’d like to see Curtis Joseph and Alexander Mogilny acknowledged. After that, Pavel Datsyuk. After that, maybe Shea Weber. It’s the first time Datsyuk and Weber are eligible. - How long has it been since the best offensive player in the NHL gone head-to-head with the best defensive centre for the Stanley Cup? This year, it’s Connor McDavid versus Aleksander Barkov. The last time it happened came in 2008 and 2009 when Sidney Crosby and Datsyuk went head-to-head in Cups won by Detroit and then Pittsburgh. - In an absolute one-sided deal, Holland fleeced the Nashville Predators, giving up Tyson Barrie, Reid Schaefer, a first-round draft pick and another pick for Mattias Ekholm, the steady hand, steady mind on defence for the Oilers. many more hockey topics...