MapleLeafs.com / TorontoMarlies.com columnist Mike Ulmer weighs in on the decision on whether to extend a qualifying offer to goalie Justin Pogge, who is a restricted free agent as of July 1. The Leafs goaltending situation still has plenty of question marks, with GM Brian Burke pursuing Jonas Gustavsson, and Pogge’s performance in three years with the Marlies being average, at best.
The second round of the NHL playoffs begins today as the lone remaining Canadian team the Vancouver Canucks host the Chicago Blackhawks. Goaltender Roberto Luongo and former Leaf captain Mats Sundin are players who will be counted upon to rise to the occasion.
At the World Championships, Canada faces the Czech Republic this afternoon.
In opening game of the OHL Final, the Brampton Battalion were demolished 10-1 by the Windsor Spitfires. There is no typographical error in that sentence. The Battalion will try and redeem themselves tomorrow night at Powerade Centre.
Here are the hockey headlines in the news this morning:
Leafs-Marlies News
- Decision On Pogge Looming TorontoMarlies.com
Eastern Conference Playoffs
- Series driven by star power Toronto Sun
- The NHL’s dream ticket The Globe And Mail
- Bruins tuned for Hurricanes AP
- Bruins channel hop AP
Western Conference Playoffs
- It’s make or break time for Luongo Toronto Star
- Sundin’s Time to deliver National Post
- Ready to roar The Globe And Mail
- Blackhawks blueliners ‘a challenge’ for Canucks The Globe And Mail
- Bad blood brewing Edmonton Sun
- Wings, Ducks set to collide Windsor Star
NHL, OHL and World Championship News
- Upset vs. Consistency MaxHockey.com
- NHL playoff preview: Round Two Toronto Star
- Bruins, Canucks On Collision Course FAN 590
- Offside Thursday — Stanley Cups and beer cups … Scary Gary Toronto Sun
- Everywhere else, it’s the goaltenders Toronto Sun
- Torts laments New York’s woes in scoring goals AP
- Big Bert blow divides fans Toronto Sun
- Iron Mike vows bench return Calgary Sun
- Russians have Hart CP
- NHL tries to allay fears Coyotes dying in desert Toronto Star
- Battalion left to clean Hall’s mess in rout Toronto Star
- Canada to add trio for Czechs CP
- Footage of Great One highlights new DVD Toronto Star
