Quick strikes and links for Monday, May 13th

Stadium Journey gives the Tampa Bay Times Forum a high ranking; the CHL has two of three conference champions; a Murray is a GM of the Year candidate -- and it's not the one that you're thinking of.

Tampa Bay Lightning News

  • In 2013 NHL draft speculation, the Bolts are impressed with Nichushkin, but is he coming to North America? [Tampa Bay Times]
  • The experience at the Tampa Bay Times Forum is ranked #3 (out of the 30 NHL teams) by Stadium Journey in their 2013 rankings behind Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota and Verizon Center in Washington D.C. [Stadium Journey]

Syracuse Crunch News

  • Tyler Johnson is good at the hockey; his hat trick was part of the Crunch's 5-3 victory over Springfield In game 2 of the AHL Eastern Conference Semifinals:

NHL and General Hockey News

  • Reflecting on the Pittsburgh Penguins / New York Islanders Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series [Pensburgh]
  • GM of the Year nominees were announced this morning: Ray Shero (Penguins) and Marc Bergevin (Canadiens) I can understand... Bob Murray in Anaheim is the third nominee? Not Bryan Murray in Ottawa? That seems a little odd... Then again, Murray the former did manage some major contract extensions earlier in the season. Murray, the latter, just happens to have a better team despite decimating injuries all season [Eye on Hockey]
  • Stanley Cup winning former NHL head coach "Iron" Mike Keenan is headed to the KHL to coach. [Puck Daddy]
  • Some people cling to the old NHL division names of Campbell, Norris, Smythe, Adams and Patrick... But who were these guys in NHL history? [Last Word on Sports]
  • In Junior news, the Portland Winterhawks have won the WHL and advance to the CHL championship tournament, the Memorial Cup [WHL.ca]
  • Likewise, the Halifax Mooseheads have won the QMJHL and also advance to the 2013 Memorial Cup [NHL.com]
  • The OHL finale is tonight; it's game seven between the Barrie Colts and the London Knights [OHL]