BHN Puck Links: RTP/CBA Questions, Crazy Eichel Trade Ideas And More

We could get a yay or nay on the NHL Return To Play plan and new CBA Extension as early as today but until then we look at some lingering question marks about that and some asinine Jack Eichel trade scenarios here in your BHN Puck Links:

Lingering Questions As We Await NHL RTP And CBA Approval

While the NHL Return To Play plan and the new CBA extension could be ratified and approved by the end of the day today, there will still be some very important lingering questions to be answered. One interesting note in the RTP is that stats in the round-robin and qualifying rounds will be counted as overall playoff statistics. That means, thanks to that extra round, some playoff records that were not normally attainable in a normal four-round Stanley Cup playoffs, could be surpassed. Frank Seravalli of TSN looks at that and four other question marks. 

Eichel Trade Scenarios On Angel Dust

Earlier this month, we reported here that many NHL insiders (management, coaches, players, agents, etc.) won’t be the least bit surprised if Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel asks out of Buffalo in the near future. After firing General Manager Jason Botterill and cleaning house in their Hockey Operations department, the Sabres once again reminded us of how much of a bleep-show they are. Prior to that, Eichel once again expressed his frustration and the trade watch has been on ever since. Well, it WGR Buffalo host Joe Dibiase decided he had enough and showed his true fanboy colors suggesting absolutely asinine trade scenarios for Eichel to prove the point that Sabres fans are still trying to cling to, that Eichel won’t be traded. 

Can ‘Big Game’ Jake Strike Paydirt?

ICYMI. …Will Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk once again shine in the playoffs and prove his worth in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs? His agent Rick Vilette thinks so and he also believes DeBrusk’s proven ability to already play big when it counts should help him hit paydirt as a restricted free agent this offseason. That and more in an exclusive interview with BHN. 

Sneaky Cats?

Beware of the Florida Panthers! As new National Hockey Now writer George Richards points out in his latest piece for Florida Hockey Now, Sasha Barkov, Sergei Bobrovsky, and the skilled Panthers could be the Cinderella team of the playoffs. 

The Rutherford GM Tree Keeps Growing

Much like Bill Belichick in the NFL, Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford has an ever-growing tree of management disciples that have gone on to become GM’s with other NHL teams. On Thursday, former Penguins Assistant GM Tom Fitzgerald was named GM of the New Jersey Devils and became the third former Pens Assistant GM since 2015 to get an NHL GM gig. Colleague Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now looks at the Rutherford management tree. 

Remembering Colby Cave

For the first time since her 25-year-old husband and former Boston Bruins forward Colby Cave suddenly passed away on April 11 due to a brain cyst, his wife Emily spoke publicly about their short but wonderful life together and the tragic days leading into his death. Just heartbreaking stuff here.