Phil Kessel speaks: No Stanley Cup for Toronto this summer

The Phil speaks - he’s not bringing the Stanley Cup back to Toronto for a second straight summer.

Looking at why Conor Sheary’s season ended poorly, perhaps a nagging injury? Could be, but if it wasn’t bad enough to miss time... [Hockey Buzz, Wilson]

Love to see Lambert run down the Caps and praise Evgeni Malkin. [Puck Daddy]

Hobey Baker winner Will Butcher reportedly won’t sign with Colorado and will be a free agent (the Vesey special) on August 15th. Where could he end up?

• Toronto perhaps? [Pension Plan Puppets]
• Or maybe the Wisconsin native takes his talents to Chicago? [Second City Hockey]
• It would be great for Pittsburgh, but the choice is the kid’s. The Penguins can’t offer an immediate NHL job, but do have a great history of success signing college free agents and giving them opportunities when earned (Ben Lovejoy, Conor Sheary, Brian Gibbons, Jayson Megna and maybe one-day Zach Aston-Reese). Sometimes it works well, sometimes not so much. We shall see. I would assume Pittsburgh would have interest to touch base, but certainly for the best player in the NCAA last year, I’d assume every team in the league will as well. Some could have more intriguing situations for Butcher, depending on what he wants (geography, childhood favorite team, where his buds are playing or them/family/agent advice, immediate NHL playing time [i.e. sign with a bad team]).

A look at the Jets off-season to date, the fans up there are reasonably happy. [Arctic Ice Hockey]

Hockey Canada is interested in Jarome Iginla and Shane Doan for the Olympics if they don’t sign in the NHL. [TSN]

Ryan Spooner back in Boston for 1 year, $2.8 million, which I guess this signing might cross him off a list of potential sleeper candidates for the Pens 3rd line center hole. [Stanley Cup of Chowder]