Quick Strikes for Monday, June 20

The 2016 NHL Draft is right around the corner, and the Tampa Bay Lightning hope to have continued success in unearthing that hidden talent they have been able to find over the past several years. [NHL.com]
One major prospect at the upcoming draft on June 24-25 will likely be sitting out until at least training camp in September. Finnish winger Jesse Puljujarvi had surgery in May to repair a knee injury, according to the Columbus Dispatch. [NHL.com]
Ahead of the draft, a few NHL scouts dished on what they look for when searching for that potential crown jewel in a pool of young talent. [The Hockey News]
The NHL Awards Show will be held in Las Vegas this Wednesday, but that isn’t the biggest headline of the week. After years of rumors, could the NHL finally be on its way to expansion? [Las Vegas Review-Journal]
The spring season hasn’t been too kind to the Detroit Red Wings, with Pavel Datsyuk announcing he is retiring from the NHL to head back to Russia. [Today’s Slapshot]
The Chicago Blackhawks have signed University of North Dakota forward Nick Schmaltz to a three-year, entry-level deal. The 2014 first round draft pick is giving up his final two years of collegiate eligibility. [College Hockey News]
There is a report out there that Ron MacLean will return as the host of Hockey Night in Canada. HNIC’s host since 1986 was ousted by George Stromboulopoulos when Rogers acquired the rights to the NHL in Canada in 2014. [Puck Daddy]
NHL legend Wayne Gretzky will head Down Under to promote hockey in Australia. The Great One will participate in a 4-on-4 game in Sydney on June 25, in part to raise money for the STOPCONCUSSIONS Foundation and Brain Injury Australia. [Pro Hockey Talk]
Ulf Samuelsson, new head coach of the AHL Charlotte Checkers, noticed some familiar names on his projected roster for the upcoming season. [Puck Daddy]
After coaching the Lake Erie Monsters to a Calder Cup championship, head coach Jared Bednar is getting some increased attention in the hockey world. [Today’s Slapshot]

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