Daily Links: Kovalchuk, Tavares Negotiations, and Orpik Lost a Finger

Hockey’s silly season is now officially underway. Draft prep, free agent news and the last of the Washington Capitals Stanley Cup run dominated today’s links.

–Washington: Brooks Orpik’s pink “kind of fell off”: Yahoo Sports

–The Capitals are also going to trade goaltender Phillip Grubauer: Washington Post

–Every team is watching the John Tavares situation in New York. If Tavares becomes a free agent, the ripples will be felt by nearly every team as the free agent market significantly changes. Why hasn’t he signed in New York yet?  A St. Louis Blues blog makes a good point: The Crest on the Front

–Illya Kovalchuk’s free agent dinner tour will hit Boston, as well: Sportsnet 

–Not everyone in Boston is pleased the Bruins may sign Kovalchuk: Cup of Chowder, Colin Beswick

–TSN’s Free agent frenzy tracker has Kovalchuk at No. 6, and David Perron’s stock is falling: TSN Free Agent Tracker

–Pittsburgh Hockey Now has begun previewing draft prospects which may be available for the Penguins at No. 53. If you have missed either preview, which was done with the help of the Red Line Report and Chief Scout Kyle Woodlief, check out PHN Extra (subscription required).

The first preview focused on tall, mobile defenseman Slava Demin in the BCHL. Dynamic defenseman Jordan Harris was next on the list.