Truth & Rumors > NHL

03:17 PM ET 05.23 | The Ottawa Senators were trashed by the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference showdown on Wednesday despite hanging with the Pens for two periods of hockey. After the game, Senators head coach Paul MacLean spoke with reporters for roughly 13 seconds about his team's play in Game 4 and his wide-eyed look was proof the beating still hadn't fully sunk in yet. Perhaps the most surprising part of the post-game press conference was how passive MacLean was despite just having the Penguins knock them down and then stomp all over them in front of an Ottawa friendly crowd. Most coaches would go ballistic after such a loss and many have for losses that haven't even taken place in as meaningful a spot as this loss. Ottawa's facing elimination after the 7-3 loss and people around the club won't be as passive as MacLean if the season ends before a sixth and seventh game is reached.

Fansided

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03:30 PM ET 05.23 | The Phoenix Coyotes are finalizing a contract extension with general manager Don Maloney, according to a report of Fox Sports Arizona. Craig Morgan cites sources saying that the Coyotes, in conjunction with the NHL (the team's current owner), are finalizing the details of an extension. The specifics of the contract were not made available. Maloney's current contract will end on June 30. The NHL has had operational control of the franchise since 2009 and has been attempting to sell it since. However, no deal has successfully been finalized. Many believed this would impact the negotiations with Maloney and head coach Dave Tippett, whose contract also expires on June 30. While that might remain the case with Tippett, it appears as though that wasn't a factor for Maloney.

Fox Sports Arizona

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03:23 PM ET 05.23 | With the development of Brad Richards' status as a healthy scratch has come increased speculation about the chances of him receiving a compliance buyout this summer. The Rangers already used an accelerated buyout on defenseman Wade Redden prior to the 2013 season. This leaves the team with one buyout remaining, which they can use this summer or next. Richards will be entering the third year of a nine-year deal next season, that carries an annual average value of $6.6 million per year. Regardless of the salary cap dropping next season, it might be in the team's interest to get rid of the contract. Whether they do so remains to be seen.

New York Rangers Team Site

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03:19 PM ET 05.23 | New York Rangers forward Brad Richards confirmed that he is a healthy scratch for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal against the Boston Bruins on Thursday night. Richards told reporters after morning skate that head coach John Tortorella had called him earlier that morning to inform him of the decision. Richards has struggled in 2013 and only has one goal in 10 playoff games. In addition, his ice-time had been cut and he was demoted to the fourth line. Now, he finds himself in the press box for an elimination game.

New York Rangers Team Site

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03:06 PM ET 05.23 | USA Hockey has decided not to bring back Brian Burke as the general manager of Team USA for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, according to a report by Greg Brady on Thursday morning. Brady has learned from sources that USA Hockey is interested in hiring a general manager currently in the NHL. Burke was fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs prior to the start of the 2013 regular season and is currently employed as a part-time scout for the Anaheim Ducks. Many believe Nashville Predators general manager David Poile, Dean Lombardi of the Los Angeles Kings and Ray Shero of the Pittsburgh Penguins are the favorite for the position.

Puck Daddy

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