Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
What’s going on with the Luke Hughes deal? “A trade must happen. However, over the last calendar month, and then some, there has yet to be a transaction of significance across the entire NHL. Suffice to say, this will get done. It’s a matter of when, not if. There are just a few dominos that are going to have to fall first. Whereas the holdup on an agreement appears to be term, it’s more likely that Hughes and Brisson are trying to maximize the payout on a three or eight-year contract.” [New Jersey Hockey Now]
It’s starting to get real:
An interview with Nico Hischier (and summary of said interview) on the recent European player media tour: [r/Devils]
Hockey Links
Some interesting CBA nuggets:
Quinn Hughes: “One thing I’m really good at — or have gotten good at — is I’m very present. I can’t even sign for another year, so there’s nothing I can do. As far as the noise (about his future), I can handle the noise. That’s why I’m the captain of the team, because I can handle these things and I can play at an elite level and it doesn’t matter what’s going on around me.” [Sportsnet]
Oilers GM Stan Bowman on Connor McDavid negotiations: “You have to approach Connor differently than anyone else because he is different than anyone else. He’s the best player in the world and, as a result, has earned the right to handle this the way he feels right to handle it.” [The Athletic ($)]
A ranking of the top 50 forwards in the NHL: [Daily Faceoff]
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.