Here are the morning papers for the teams that were eliminated from the first round:
- Brian Burke has decided to stay with the Anaheim Ducks.
- Don’t expect any big changes with the Bruins this off-season, writes Fluto Shinwaza. In injury news, Zdeno Chara does not want surgery on his shoulder but he may have to have it anyways.
- David Poile would prefer to not play with three goaltenders next season, writes John Glennon.
- George Johnson of the Calgary Herald wonders if it is going to be Mike Keenan or Miikka Kiprusoff? That aside, the Flames will need some secondary scoring next season. Here is a closer look at the entire Flames’ roster and whether they should stay-or-go for next season.
- Olaf Kolzig was nowhere to be found for the Capitals mandatory meeting on Wednesday, writes Tarik El-Bashir.
- Hugh Adami of the Ottawa Citizen believes the way the Senators lost to Pittsburgh does not bode well for next season.
Here are the morning papers for the teams that did not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs:
- Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford still won’t comment on coach Peter Laviolette’s future with the Hurricanes.
- Here is a closer look at the Blue Jackets’ farm team.
- Both Sam Gagner and Mathieu Garon have been named to Team Canada’s entry at the World Hockey Championships as extras.
- Panthers GM Jacques Martin claims he is in no rush to hire a new head coach.
- Damien Cox tells us that Brian Burke wanted to talk to the Maple Leafs about their open GM position, but his owner would not let him. Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun wonders if not Burke then who?
- Mike Gillis is the new GM of the Vancouver Canucks and Jason Botchford has the story. Meanwhile, Ed Willes of the Vancouver Province wonders about the process the Canucks used in hiring their new GM. It won’t talk long for Gillis to be put in a precarious position, writes Tony Gallagher.
For Illegal Curve, I’m Richard Pollock.
