BHN Puck Links: Bruins Banking On Forbort; Rask too? RIP Derek Sutton

The Boston Bruins are banking on Derek Forbort to be that physical minute’s eater on the blue line but are they also banking on a Tuukka Rask return between the pipes?

Would Charlie McAvoy have been drafted 14th overall by the Boston Bruins at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft if Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato didn’t get a late phone call before he selected the 2013-14 USNDP team?

Could the Pittsburgh Penguins try to pry Boston Bruins defenseman, Connor Clifton, off the NHL trade market?

Wednesday was the birthday of one of the most famous hockey players in Hollywood history. 

That and more in another evening edition of the BHN Puck Links:

Boston Bruins

A lot of Bruins and NHL fans laughed at me when I suggested that new Boston Bruins defenseman Derek Forbort could become Charlie McAvoy’s partner on the team’s top defensive pairing this season. Trust me, Joe Haggerty and I disagree on stuff but this one is just too predictable folks. Haggs explains why in his latest BHN+ column. (BHN)

Make no mistake, I am a huge pro-Tuukka Rask guy but the idea of him returning to play for the Boston Bruins this season just seems strange after they signed 28-year-old goalie Linus Ullmark to a five-year, $20 million contract last month. That being said, from GM to head coach to players like defenseman Charlie McAvoy, the Bruins seem to think Rask will play for the Bruins this season. (BHN)

Speaking of McAvoy, a cool tidbit on how he almost didn’t get selected for the USNDP team back in 2013 from Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato with FOBHN (Friend of Boston Hockey Now) Andy Strickland and former NHL enforcer Cam Janssen on the latest ‘Cam and Strick Podcast’. (Cam and Strick)

National Hockey Now

In case you missed it, the Pittsburgh Penguins have hired now-former NHL agent Alec Shall as their new Director of Hockey Operations. As our buddy and pretty damn cool boss Dan Kingerski (not looking for a pay raise, I promise), pointed out, Schall’s primary responsibilities will be aiding with player contract negotiations, managing the salary cap, and assisting with other hockey-related duties. 

Oh, by the way, Schall was representing Boston Bruins defenseman Connor Clifton until he took his new gig. Clifton, as you may recall, was left exposed for the NHL Expansion Draft and has been rumored to be on the NHL Trade market. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now). 

Ryan Gilbert thinks that Philadelphia Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher’s prints are finally on the Flyers’ roster. (Philly Hockey Now)

Elizabeth Mantha, the sister of Washington Capitals winger Anthony Mantha, will be a referee at the 2021 Women’s IIHF World Championships that kick off this Friday in Calgary and run until August 31. (Washington Hockey Now)

Could the Detroit Red Wings continue their long tradition of NHL Draft steals and see the 2021 sixth-round pick (166th overall), Pasquale Zito become a valuable part of their future? (Detroit Hockey Now)

Who’s the best first-round pick in San Jose Sharks history? (San Jose Hockey Now)

Has former Boston Bruins Asst GM and current Vancouver Canucks GM Jim Benning had one of the best offseasons in 2021 for the Vancouver Canucks? (Vancouver Hockey Now)

NHL

The NHL and NHLPA have decided to allow jersey ad patches for the 2022-23 NHL season. I seriously have no issue with this and if you’re a Boston Bruins fan, you shouldn’t either because that will make it easier for the Bruins to absorb the massive cap hit that McAvoy’s contract will carry after this season. That being said, the response from Bruins and NHL fans has been quite amusing! (Twitter)

Are the Buffalo Sabres so spiteful towards Jack Eichel that they may take less to avoid trading him to the New York Rangers? (Sportsnet)

Finally, today would’ve been Patrick Swayze’s 69th birthday. RIP Derek Sutton.

PS, I completely forgot that Keanu Reeves was in this hockey classic, much less playing a French Canadian!