Habs Nation: Introducing Alex Galchenyuk

For a prospect who only played two regular season games with the Sarnia Sting this year, what happened on Friday night speaks volumes about the type of player he really is.  Alex Galchenyuk was the third player chosen in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, going behind only Nail Yakupov, one of his best friends at Sarnia, and Ryan Murray, the top defenseman available.  Not to mention, he was one of only two forwards chosen in the top-10.

Leafs acquire Van Reimsdyk; Ship out Schenn & Gustavsson

Two players who were promised to be future stars by Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke were sent packing from the lowly NHL club on June 23. Defenseman Luke Schenn was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in return for James Van Riemsdyk and the negotiating rights to goalkeeper Jonas Gustavsson were shipped off to the Winnipeg Jets in return for a seventh-round pick in next year’s entry draft.

Penguins deal Jordan Staal to the Hurricanes

June 22, 2012 will be a day that Jordan Staal will never forget. Not only did he get married, but he was also traded to the Carolina Hurricanes, from the Penguins, to play with his older brother Eric. Staal has been a third line center with the Penguins for the past few seasons mainly because of the presence of Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby ahead of him on the Pens depth chart. Staal finished last season with 25 goals and 25 assists in 62 games for Pittsburgh and scored six goals and three assists in six postseason games.

Meet the Newest Leaf: Morgan Rielly

The Toronto Maple Leafs chose to add some depth to their blueline Friday night at Pittsburgh's Consol Energy Center, as they selected 6'0", 190 pound 18 year old defenseman Morgan Rielly with their fifth pick in the opening round of the 2012 NHL Draft.

On The Leafs Goaltending Situation

Since the end of the regular season we have already seen some significant player movement, with two notable netminders already switching cities in Anders Lindback and possibly the most desirable offseason option in Tomas Vokoun.  As well as the most recently resign UFA in Josh Harding.  All of a sudden, the list of available UFA options and trade targets between the pipes is significantly shortened heading into the draft this weekend.  So, where does that leave the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Wild resign Harding; Won't trade Backstrom

The Minnesota Wild have locked up 28 year-old goaltender Josh Harding for the next three years, a deal worth $5.7 million over that stretch. The contract is a raise for Harding over his previous deal which paid him $750K last season. The contract sets the Wild up for the future after starter Nicklas Backstrom, who at age 34 is scheduled to become a UFA next season.  But for anyone playing "Brian Burke - Home Edition," don't make the mistake of believing that Harding's new deal in Minnesota makes Backstrom an option via trade for the Leafs next season, or any other team for that matter. Backstrom won't be going anywhere.

Tampa Bay Lightning Acquire Goaltender Anders Lindback

The hockey world was well aware the Tampa Bay Lightning would be adding a goalie or two this summer.  Following the signing of Riku Helenius to a two-year contract, the Lightning were still searching for a goalie to play big minutes in Tampa this season.

And on Friday the Lightning made their move, announcing a trade with the Nashville Predators that saw goaltender Anders Lindback head to the sunshine state.

The Rick Nash Sweepstakes: Leafs, Rangers, Hurricanes in the mix

Barring a Don Draper-level sales pitch from John Davidson, should he eventually join the Blue Jackets organization, Rick Nash is likely in his last weeks with the franchise.  The NHL Draft next week in Pittsburgh will be the first round of auctioneering; and should there be a need for a second, it’ll be during the Free Agent Frenzy the following weekend.  Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reported on Friday that talks were heating up between Jackets GM Scott Howson and a few of Nash’s suitors: