"He's one of a kind," Polak added. "I don't see any other guy like him. I think I'm the opposite of him. I'm crazy but in a different way though. He's just a different level. It's just too far to reach."
According to Friedman, the Columbus Blue Jackets, who hired head coach John Tortorella from the Vancouver Canucks, are holding on to their 2016 second-round draft pick. Columbus has another two years to fork over a second-rounder.
Friedman also chimes in on the Edmonton Oilers, who owe the Boston Bruins a second-round selection for the hiring of general manager Peter Chiarelli.
Told "very unlikely" BOS gets EDM 2nd-rounder for Peter Chiarelli, meaning the Bruins would get the Oilers' second-rounder in 2017...
Wednesday was the deadline for Toronto to decide the fate of the 2016 pick, and their decision ensures the Red Wings will receive the Maple Leafs' 2017 third-round pick, while the Devils will receive Toronto's 2018 third-round pick.
The Maple Leafs have 12 picks in the coming draft, including the first overall selection.
Nick Bonino is becoming a household name. His surname in particular, actually.
The Pittsburgh Penguins forward is not only having the playoffs of his life, he's become a social media star thanks to Hockey Night in Punjabi's incredible calls of his goals, punctuated by repeated yells of "Bonino! Bonino! Bonino! Bonino!"
Here's the call from Monday's Game 1 of the Cup Final, if you (somehow) missed it:
— Hockey Night Punjabi (@HkyNightPunjabi) May 31, 2016
The Penguins have heard the calls and taken notice. In fact, they're shouting "Bonino! Bonino! Bonino! Bonino!" in their dressing room, writes Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
"We think they're great," head coach Mike Sullivan said. "We threw them on the game review for our guys to listen to. They got a kick out of it. It's entertaining, that's for sure. I hope we hear a few more of those."
Us too, coach.
"You'd be amazed at how often it gets called in this locker room," said defenseman Ben Lovejoy.
"I think it's awesome," added Olli Maatta. "It's even funnier because (Bonino) only scores big goals. That's when they get really fired up."
Harnarayan Singh is the "they" Maatta is referring to, and his calls have taken on a life of their own in Canada and the U.S. They're over the top, they're fun, they're in Punjabi, and they're bringing people together. Singh was on NPR recently to talk about how his calls have gone far beyond the Punjabi community.
Bonino, of course, is enjoying the spotlight. He's enjoying all of it - the goals, the calls, and the wins. Two of his four goals this spring have been game-winners - the first in overtime in the second round, and the second the margin of victory in Game 1.
"I told my family they should get the (call)" and make it their ringtone, Bonino said. "Then they know I'm calling."
A brilliant idea. Almost as good as the call. Say it loud, say it proud, and say it fast: "Bonino! Bonino! Bonino! Bonino!"
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Predators have signed forward Cody Bass to a two-year contract and goaltender Jonas Gunnarsson to a one-year, entry-level contract.
Both signings were announced Wednesday.
Bass' contract will be worth $575,...
The news comes a day after the team announced a one-year extension with head coach Ken Hitchcock and the departure of assistant coach Brad Shaw.
Blues general manager Doug Armstrong had offered extensions to all of the Blues' assistant coaches, noting that Muller could have been a successor for Hitchcock at the conclusion of next season.
Muller has head coaching experience, having served as bench boss for the Carolina Hurricanes from 2011-14, amassing a record of 80-80-27 in 187 games.
Washington Capitals super sniper Alex Ovechkin proved to be as deadly on the court as he is on the ice, draining a three-point shout during a charity basketball game in Russia last weekend, to help raise money for children with cerebral palsy.
Here's another look at his skills.
Alex Ovechkin is great at everything! Swishing shots at a charity basketball game in Russia last weekend. @Capitalspic.twitter.com/UGdZSYB5V8
A photo posted by Korovin Evgeny (@korovin_evgeny) on
Ovechkin captained the green team, named “Together We Are Brighter” and coached by two-time Olympic gold medalist Tatyana Ovechkina, who happens to be his mother.
Randy Carlyle has interviewed for the Calgary Flames' vacant head coach position, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman stated in his latest 30 Thoughts column.
Carlyle met with the Flames as well as the Anaheim Ducks - which was expected, according to Darren Dreger - on Tuesday at the NHL combine, according to Friedman.
The 60-year-old is the latest to interview for the position as Friedman notes the Flames interviewed former Edmonton Oilers head coach Ralph Krueger at the World Championship last month.
Carlyle signing in Calgary would see a reunion with president of hockey operations Brian Burke, who hired Carlyle as the Toronto Maple Leafs head coach when Burke was the club's general manager in 2012.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman sited a conversation with Nill in his latest 30 Thoughts column, where Nill closed the book on the suggestion the team could buy out his contract.
"No, we’re not buying him out," Nill said, according to Friedman. "That last game is not a full reflection of the season. Nobody remembers the game before where he stood on his head. He's disappointed, and the team is disappointed. We finished second overall, and everybody is focused on the playoffs. Something went right too, you’ve got to be careful."
The 32-year-old had a questionable postseason going 6-3-0 in 11 games posting a .899 save percentage and a 2.81 goals-against average. He fared slightly better in the regular season a .906 save percentage and a 2.76 goals-against average.
Lehtonen has another two years remaining on his contract, with a cap hit of $5.9 million per season.
Andrew Ladd appears set to become an unrestricted free agent, with a big decision to make in regards to his future.
Acquired by the Chicago Blackhawks prior to the NHL's most recent trade deadline, Ladd doesn't expect to re-sign with the club, mainly due to cap restrictions.
"When we spoke after the season, they said it would be tough," Ladd told Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet via a phone conversation Tuesday. "The likelihood is they don't have the room to make it work."
His criteria for a new team?
"Can the family go somewhere where my wife and kids enjoy life? That’s a big element. From my standpoint, I want to win and compete for a Cup."
Ladd added he's not closing the door on a potential return to Winnipeg, where he served as captain of the Jets up until the move to Chicago.
The 30-year-old is coming off a five-year deal that carried an average annual valuation of $4.4 million.