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Never shy with an opinion, Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur is not a fan of the bushy beards of Joe Thornton and Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks.

“I think it’s a disgrace for hockey. I hate it. It’s not a good image for the NHL,” said Lafleur. “I don’t mind a guy wearing a beard, but to his belly … enough is enough. The team’s managers should put their foot down.

“They can’t see the puck,” Lafleur added with a laugh. “That’s why they’re struggling.”

There are a number of quotes from Lafleur in the article worth checking out, including whether or not he thinks it’s important for the coach of the Canadiens to speak French.

There’s also an anecdote about what Yvan Cournoyer told Lafleur about P.K. Subban that you’ll want to read.

Source: Stu Cowan, Montreal Gazette

Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur still quick with a zinger

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Interesting look here at how the inception of the unrestricted free agent interview period has impacted the notion of a team trading the rights to one of its pending UFAs for draft picks.

In general, the ability for teams to speak to free agents before July 1 has had a tangible effect on how the opening of free agency unfolds.

“I’ve had teams offer five years, $20 million, and 10 minutes later say, ‘OK, six years, $28 million’ in the old days. Panic, desperation, a little bit of paranoia. These guys would be falling all over each other, one team outbidding another,” said agent Allan Walsh.

He added, “Now, there is no panic. There is no desperation. Teams are going into July 1 with their deals in hand. The players are pretty much signed by the end of the interview period, and July 1 is pretty much a formality now as opposed to a frenzy. And the word frenzy is a great description of what used to happen on July 1.”

Source: Luke Fox/ Sportsnet

Why you shouldn’t bet on many UFA rights being traded

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Walsh also spoke with Fox about one of his clients, 40-year-old Patrik Elias.

“He desperately wants to play one more year,” Walsh said. “We’re not talking to other teams. If Patrik is able to play at the level he expects himself to play, if he can contribute to a team, I think New Jersey would very much love to have him back.”

Source: Luke Fox/ Sportsnet

Devils’ Patrik Elias taking Selanne’s approach to free agency

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Bill Foley was still in the dark last night as to what the NHL’s executive committee had decided on the Las Vegas expansion front at its New York meeting on Tuesday.

“I wasn’t there,” Foley said. “I wasn’t invited to the meeting. Nobody has said anything to me.”

Source: Steve Carp/ Las Vegas Review-Journal

Las Vegas gets no word from NHL after executive committee meeting

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Nichols’ Notes runs weekdays, linking you to stories of interest from around the NHL.