Links, News and Notes: More Celebrities, A Depth Signing, and Leafs On The Brink of Elimination

• Everyone wants to buy the Sens, apparently. The latest celebrity to join the bidding war is Toronto-based singer The Weeknd, who has ties to Ottawa. Gary Bettman also said recently that celebrity-affiliated bids need to stand on their own merit but are certainly a plus. At this point, it feels like a celebrity will have to be involved either way, but it would be incredibly on-brand for the NHL to choose a bid that doesn't have a big name attached to it.
• The Sens made a minor signing this week, bringing in Jiri Smejkal of the Swedish Hockey League. It's a low-risk, low-reward signing that should provide them with more options in the bottom six.
• In less good news, Sens prospect Viktor Lodin has reportedly signed a 2-year SHL contract with IK Oskarshamn. The Sens retain his North American rights. He could still technically come back, but this makes it seem like he's decided to spend some times overseas.
• The New York Rangers have parted ways with head coach Gerard Gallant.
• The most anticipated NHL draft lottery since 2015 takes place tonight at 7pm on ESPN, Sportsnet and TVAS. Reminder that the Sens can move up to 2nd overall. If they don't move up, their pick goes to Arizona. ESPN's Emily Kaplan has a great piece about this year's consensus first overall pick.

Playoffs

• Edmonton Oilers (5) vs Vegas Golden Knights (1) - Series Tied 1-1

I don't know why the Oilers insist on losing the first game of every series they play, but I'm sure their fans must be happy with such a decisive victory in response. As expected, McDavid and Draisaitl led the way in this victory. As long as that keeps working for the Oilers, they could continue to be a force in these playoffs.

• Carolina Hurricanes (4) vs New Jersey Devils (8) - Carolina Leads Series 2-1

The Devils are doing it again. After getting demolished in the first two games of their second round series, they surged back in game 3. It was a wild one, with the Hughes brothers leading the way for the Devils, and four shorthanded goals being scored - one by New Jersey and three by Carolina.

• Toronto Maple Leafs (2) vs Florida Panthers (3) (OT)  - Florida Leads Series 3-0

The Leafs just keep finding ways to embarrass themselves. After getting goalie'd in games 1 and 2, Toronto's stars completely failed to show up for a pivotal game 3 in Florida, digging themselves into a massive hole and putting themselves on the brink of perhaps the funniest possible outcome for the team's first second round appearance in 19 years.

• Dallas Stars (2) vs Seattle Kraken (7) - Seattle Leads Series 2-1

The Seattle Kraken simply cannot be stopped.