NHL Hockey Column: 2005 Amateur Draft Analysis

Jaromir Jagr RW - BOS: May 21, 12:29PM: Jaromir Jagr...

Jaromir Jagr didn't take part in Tuesday's optional skate but will play in Game 3 tonight. Claude Julien wasn't the least bit concerned, saying Jagr knows his body and his conditioning. Plus, it's not like Jagr hasn't been putting in on-ice work on his own time. The 41-year-old winger apparently hit the ice in the hours after Tuesday's Game 2 win to work on his shot and his stickhandling.

Dennis Seidenberg D - BOS: May 21, 12:18PM: Julien doesn't...

Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien isn't expecting Dennis Seidenberg (lower body) to return to the lineup for Tuesday's Game 3. Seidenberg was out on the ice for the second straight day but apparently still has a little ways to go before returning to game action. Wade Redden (undisclosed) also appears unlikely to play Tuesday night. The Bruins have been able to weather the injuries to their blueline thanks to the outstanding play of young defenseman Torey Krug, who's scored two goals through the first two games of the series.

Justin Williams RW - LA: May 21, 10:51AM: Justin Williams...

Justin Williams said the Los Angeles Kings need more offense from their top players. "It's going to take our best players, myself at the top of the list, to get more offense," Williams said. "Plain and simple, your guys who produced during the year need to produce just as much, if not more, during the playoffs." Williams has just two points in the playoffs -- a goal and an assist -- and nothing in the three games against San Jose. The Kings have a 2-1 series lead but have scored just seven goals in the three games. While Mike Richards and Jeff Carter each have three points in the series, regular-season scoring leader Anze Kopitar hasn't registered a point since May 8 and is likely one of the people Williams is not-so-subtly addressing.

Pekka Rinne G - NAS: May 21, 10:39AM: Pekka Rinne...

Pekka Rinne said he expects to be much better next season after undergoing hip surgery. Rinne wouldn't blame his sub-par year on the injury, but he was pretty clear about how much he expects it to help matters. "I'm positive it will be better," Rinne said Monday. "Right now I'm just happy it's taken care of and hopefully I can return stronger. I'm sure once I get back on the ice, I'll notice the biggest differences." Rinne is expected to remain on crutches for six more weeks and hopes to ready to play by the time training camp opens in September.

Jakub Kindl D - DET: May 21, 9:44AM: Jakub Kindl...

Jakub Kindl is finally getting a chance to be a regular defenseman and has three assists and a plus-3 rating in 10 postseason games. Kindl settled into his role midway through the regular season after spending the past two years as an extra defenseman. With Brad Stuart and Nicklas Lidstrom no longer in Detroit, the Red Wings needed the former first-round pick to step up. Kindl has been huge for us," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "He's found confidence." Kindl credits the new confidence to the lockout, when he played major minutes for a team in the Czech Republic. "Once the season started, I came here and was I ready," Kindl say.

Ray Emery G - CHI: May 21, 8:45AM: Blackhawks 'not...

Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said he won't talk about starting Ray Emery in Thursday's Game 4. "We're not talking about that right now. (Corey Crawford) is fine," Quenneville said after Crawford allowed three goals on 30 shots in Chicago's second straight loss. It's hard to disagree with Quenneville's logic despite the loss. Crawford has been excellent most of this postseason and Monday's loss was hardly all on him, but there will be some serious questions if Chicago loses Game 4 and heads home down 3-1 in the series.

Andrew Shaw C,RW - CHI: May 21, 8:40AM: Blackhawks livid...

The Chicago Blackhawks were adamant Andrew Shaw didn't interfere with goalie Jimmy Howard on what would've been the game-tying goal in Monday's Game 3. Shaw was called for goalie interference after it appeared that Viktor Stalberg scored to tie game 2-2. Unfortunately for Chicago, the referee called the goal off almost immediately after he ruled Shaw impeded Howard's progress by occupying the crease. While Stalberg was more diplomatic about the call, coach Joel Qunneville didn't mince words after the game. "I disagree with the call -- didn't touch the goalie," Quenneville said.