BHN Daily Links: Tippett In Edmonton, No Kakko In Buffalo

No games? No problem! NHL news was not hard to come by on Tuesday as the Edmonton Oilers named their 16th coach in franchise history and one the draft’s top prospects passed on this week’s scouting combine. More on that later. Game 2 is now on the horizon for both the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues, with the Bruins on the cusp of a stranglehold on the series. The city is one edge and is ready to explode after a rainy Tuesday. Let’s take a look at the news that made headlines on Wednesday, May 29th.

Ken Holland made his first official hire as the President of Hockey Operations and General Manager of the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. After weeks of rumors, he named Dave Tippett, the 16th head coach in franchise history. Tippett replaces interim bench boss Ken Hitchcock, who took over in November from Todd McLellan. (The Oilers Rig)

Kaapo Kakko has only impressed this season, whether it be at the World Juniors, in Finland or at the World Championships. He won’t be impressing the New Jersey Devils or New York Rangers at the scouting combine this week, as Kakko has elected to pass on the event. (ESPN)

Bruins’ legend Ray Bourque wasn’t surprised by Torey Krug’s hit on Robert Thomas in Game 1 on Monday night. The Hall-of-Fame defender raved to Jimmy Murphy about Krug’s hit, his overall play and the type of person he is off the ice. (Boston Hockey Now)

Lil Nas X took us down to The Old Town Road with his hit song this spring, but it appears that the road took the rapper to NHL fandom. After an appearance at TD Garden for Game 1 on Monday, Lil Nas X is officially a hockey fan. (Sportsnet)

The Buffalo Sabres and the NHL both have an interest in keeping the annual scouting combine in Buffalo for the foreseeable future. The event has been held at the state-of-the-art Harborcenter in the Hub of Western New York. (Buffalo News)

The Florida Panthers inked forward Rodrigo Abols to a two-year contract on Tuesday. The native of Riga, Latvia will come to North America this fall and take part in Panther’s camp. (NHL.com)