Here are the links from around the hockey world, and what I’m reading while disappointed that Thor is out of the playoffs after one epic play-in game.
-- The Florida Panthers are looking like contenders after a ton of offseason changes, and a young core group that’s locked up for a long time.
-- Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka is bringing the talent and smarts to his work running the Coyotes, but his “brand of hockey” on the ice is still evolving.
-- It would appear that a young, very talented Boston University hockey team has an excellent captain in Doyle Somerby.
-- Down Goes Brown gives us five players who might be next in line to captain their respective teams. I’ll save him the suspense on the Bruins: Patrice Bergeron will be Boston's captain within the next two to three years (perhaps sooner rather than later), succeeding Zdeno Chara in that role.
-- Some battles underway for the final few roster spots with the St. Louis Blues as the regular season looms.
-- For something completely different: It’s great to hear that WCVB sports anchor and FOH (Friend of Haggs) Bob Halloran is doing better after his second major surgery.