The Wild Days of the NHL | Great Debates

It has been an interesting week for the NHL with the draft coming and going and trade rumors swirling. With the free agent frenzy set to begin on July 1, I offer you these thoughts about what could be a very interesting few weeks for a league on a sudden upturn. 1. Rumor has it, fannation rumors that is, that the Boston Bruins are interested in Pittsburgh Penguins Forward Marion Hossa. If the Bruins indeed land the superstar, it will officially allow me to name one Bruin when asked at dinner parties. I just don't understand why a team so committed to playing suffocating, boring defensive hockey would be hot of Hossa. I mean, they need the scoring, but Hossa's 40 goals will not allow them to make significant headway among the growing powers in the East. I just don't know why a scorer like Hossa would go to team putting so much concentration on defense. I just don't want an offensive playmaker to disappear on a defensive team. Speaking of this, what is this rumor about the New York Rangers being interested in San Jose Sharks' defenseman Brian Campbell? Did the just Rangers realize they have the ton offensive playmakers and a great goalie conducive to playing an open style? Just a thought. 2. I was excited for the NHL Draft this past weekend. I attempted to get familiar with some of the youngsters in the draft, but really I was interested in possible deals. Here in the Buffalo, the big rumblings have been about the future of Sabres' forward Maxim Afinogenov. With a $3 million plus price tag for this season, it seems Buffalo's brass is looking to unload the speedster to a new location in order to open some cap space for a free agent. As the draft came and went, it was somewhat suspiring to see Max still be a Sabre by Sunday night. I am very much on the fence about Max. Though a classic example of a player in need of a new coach and a fresh start, Max's incredible speed makes it very hard to give up on him. 3. The Tampa Bay Lightning made the right choice by hiring Barry Melrose as head coach. Melrose gives the 'ing a face, a personality. It makes them interesting. When it comes to hockey in Florida, interest can sometimes be very hard to ignite. Plus, Melrose is already the most interesting coach in all of hockey.

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