BHN Daily Links: Jim Playfair Joins Tippett, New Rules In Effect

Tonight marks the official open of the NHL off-season. All 31 teams will be inside of Rogers Arena in Vancouver for the first round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. With 31 front offices cramped onto one floor, conversations are bound to happen. With those conversations usually come trades. Expectation is there will be some tonight. The Bruins could be involved in those talks. Boston has the 30th overall pick and is willing to move it. More on that in a little bit. Here are the top stories from around the NHL on Friday, June 21st.

Jim Playfair is back behind the bench. The former assistant coach with the Calgary Flames and Arizona Coyotes and head coach of the Flames and AHL’s Abbotsford Heat is reuniting with his former boss in Edmonton. Playfair is the second official hiring for Dave Tippett’s Edmonton staff, joining Glen Gulutzan. Playfair’s last NHL job was as an assistant to Tippett in Arizona. (The Oilers Rig)

Big news from the NHL late on Thursday night. The league announced numerous rule changes following the GM meetings that took place in Vancouver yesterday. In addition to on-ice rule changes, the league also made an adjustment to the video review process. All rule changes will be in place for the 2019-20 NHL season. (NHL.com)

The Boston Bruins will select 30th overall in the NHL Draft, for now at least. GM of the Year Don Sweeney is, according to BHN’s Jimmy Murphy, willing to trade his first round selection. The Bruins didn’t have a first in 2018, last picking in the top round in 2017. The club is also focused on signing their pending restricted free agents. (Boston Hockey Now)

If the Bruins stay at pick 30, could they add a center? Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci aren’t getting any younger. There are four centers that could be on the board at pick 30 that make a lot of sense for the club. (Boston Hockey Now)

The Anaheim Ducks are rebuilding. The club bought-out the contract of Corey Perry earlier this week, the biggest sign of change yet. At least one veteran is sticking around however. The club announced a one-year contract for goalie Ryan Miller late yesterday afternoon. (NBC Sports)