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NHL Combine

It’s that time of year again. Over the next few days we’ll see plenty of shirtless teenage boys paraded in front of a conference room full of moderately overweight middle aged men. It’s the NHL Combine!

In a bit of a shakeup, the Combine will be held this year in Buffalo after spending many years in Toronto.

NHL’s star-studded prospect combine shifts to Buffalo’s HarborCenter - The Globe and Mail
After spending the past 25 years in stuffy and carpeted hotel and convention centre ballrooms in suburban Toronto, the week-long event is moving to the newly built hockey/entertainment HarbourCentre HarborCenter complex connected to the Sabres home arena.

2015 NHL Scouting Combine adds new testing to evaluate prospect - 2015 NHL Draft
The top prospects eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft will be put to the ultimate test June 1-6 at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo.

Memorial Cup

Memorial Cup Final recap: Oshawa brings it home - Pension Plan Puppets
Oshawa wins classic Generals-style game, 2-1, to take home the Memorial Cup.

Generals fly higher than Rockets, win Memorial Cup in OT - CBC
Anthony Cirelli's second goal of the game at 1:28 of overtime lifted the Oshawa Generals to a 2-1 victory over the Kelowna Rockets in the Memorial Cup final on Sunday night.

Stanley Cup Playoffs

2015 NHL Playoffs: Take pride in the "non-traditional market" title, Lightning fans - Raw Charge
The Tampa Bay Lightning have slashed through Original Six opponents in the 2015 NHL Playoffs and will play for the second Stanley Cup in franchise history. Now more than ever, Lightning fans should bask in the non-traditional glory.

Why this Chicago Blackhawks team is so important - Second City Hockey
In a city otherwise failing miserably to meet athletic expectations, the Blackhawks represent salvation for those in Chicago. ... again.

When You Care Too Much - Blueshirt Banter
Season ending emotions.

One of 29: Ducks Fell Short, But 2014-15 Was Another Season Of Improvement For Anaheim - Anaheim Calling
While it didn't end with a second title in Orange County, there's plenty to appreciate about what this season brought Ducks fans. Check out seven reasons to be positive about 14-15, and even more so heading in to next season.

Other news

Rangers Analysis: Martin St. Louis Must be a Cap Casualty.
The soon-to-be 40 year old has almost certainly played his last game as a Ranger.

The secret life and death of an NHL hockey analytics pioneer.
Fellow bloggers considered JLikens a trailblazer, but until he died they didn't even know his real name.

Terry Murray, Benoit Groulx and the latest speculation about Flyers assistant coaches.
Really a whole lot of nothing, to be honest.

Steve Spott, Dave Barr reportedly candidates for assistant coach positions.
Both candidates have served as assistant coaches for Pete DeBoer in the past.

5v5 Flyers Goals for, Breakouts, and the Cycle Game.
An analytical approach to review just how the Flyers scored their goals last season.

Elliotte Friedman Believes Caps Want to Lock Up Braden Holtby Long Term.

Bruins must gird for Dougie Hamilton contract threat.
One of the knocks on former Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli was that he overpaid for too many of his players.

Garth Brooks cancels Tampa concerts due to Stanley Cup playoffs.
TAMPA — Garth Brooks loves fans with signs, and Rachel Riley had hers all planned out.

Mermaid tails make a splash with swimmers, but some cities ban them
Woman planning to teach pool exercises in a monofin fights Edmonton ruling that says contraption promotes breathing habit that can lead to drowning.

Black bear spotted in Newmarket surrounded by police - Toronto - CBC News
York Regional Police have encircled a black bear that was spotted roaming through suburban Newmarket over the weekend.

Meanwhile the escaped peacock has not been seen since Saturday.

From The Branches