It’s my Parting Shot for some Tuesday hockey Tidbits…..

What I didn’t mention yesterday is that I was on time off since June 30, with a lot going on in the sport I closely follow!

The start of the N-H-L Draft was a big surprise with consensus first overall pick Shane Wright and his cockiness getting knocked down a few pegs, taken fourth overall by Seattle instead of first by Montreal. The Canadiens went for big Slovak forward Juraj Slafkovsky who excelled in the Olympics and the World Championship as an 18-year-old against grown men! We’ll see if he can make that transition in the N-H-L as well!

The Habs made news throughout the Draft period, acquiring former Saskatoon Blades’ star Kirby Dach from Chicago. This is another instance where I find myself torn between liking a player and hating the Habs…but segments of rabid Montreal fans will bring me back around to despising them, I’m sure!

The Blackhawks, meanwhile, appear to be posturing to have the best shot at holding the first overall selection next year and taking Connor Bedard! Just a heads-up folks, Bedard and the Regina Pats are scheduled to be in Saskatoon on November 13, March 19 and March 24 at SaskTel Centre along with December 9, December 30 and February 17 at the Art Hauser Centre. Get your 20-dollar tickets now while you can, instead of paying over 200 bucks beginning next year!

And, welcome back to the reality of star American hockey players looking for any excuse to not play for a Canadian-based N-H-L team for any longer time than they can! Johnny Gaudreau took less money and less term from the Flames to return to end up in Columbus! Seriously?! If I’m a Canadian franchise, I stay away from American-born players and those of any certain pro-American team agents, no matter their country of birth, if they don’t want to be let down like, so-called, Johnny Hockey did to Calgary!

That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…..