Here's one from the awkward father and son conversations file. Kingston Frontenacs GM Doug Gilmour traded his son Jake along with goalie Blake Richard and a conditional 12^th round pick in 2015 on Thursday to the Niagara Ice Dogs for their 12^th round pick in 2015. Gilmour apparently made the move because it was in his son's best interests, but it still must have felt weird. Then again, the Frontenacs did get a huge haul in return with that 12^th round pick.

*

I can't recommend buying this year's guide enough. The updates that are provided as we progress through the summer and the blocks and hits projections really make it stand out for me. You can grab it here for just $9.99. I don't want to oversell it, but it may or may not be the greatest piece of literature of all-time. Just saying.

*

Nice move by Pittsburgh bringing in Jacques Martin as an assistant coach for next season. Martin has a ton of experience and will help the Penguins on the defensive side of things, which has been his forte over the years. Who knows, with all the talent on Pittsburgh, Martin may even crack a smile every now and again.

*

Here is another reason to like Matt Duchene. He chipped in to buy a game-worn jersey at an auction for a young girl who was being bullied at school. Not only that, but the jersey wasn't even his or another member of the Avalanche, it was Zdeno Chara's.

*

So the Toronto Maple Leafs still haven't signed Nazem Kadri and Cody Franson yet. Kadri's deal is going to be interesting because it is definitely going to get done, but what type of contract will he get? His situation isn't all that different than P.K. Subban's was during the last off-season. The Canadiens played hardball and gave him a bridge deal at $2.8M a season, instead of locking him up to a longer term at maybe $4 or $5M per campaign. Now he's coming off a Norris Trophy and will be a free agent again in a year, so he's likely going to get a lot more than that now.

I'm not saying Kadri is going to win the scoring title or anything next season, but if Toronto believes he is the future of the franchise, finding some middle ground as opposed to a bridge deal may be wise. Of course Franson remaining unsigned certainly complicates things. Despite the fact that Dave Nonis may not believe it, in a salary cap world a GM always has to be thinking years ahead.  

*

This week was the 25^th anniversary of the trade that saw Wayne Gretzky get dealt to the Los Angeles Kings, and media outlets were on full display with plenty of overkill coverage. With that being said, the best video I have seen on the deal still remains ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary entitled Kings Ransom. If you haven't seen it yet and have some time this weekend I recommend checking it out.

*

Awesome piece by Sean Mcindoe on ways to improve the current National Hockey League product. Some humorous suggestions as well as some that really make sense. Here is a small sample:

Change how they determine draft position

So we’re going to institute Adam Gold’s idea, presented at the 2012 Sloan Conference, which rewards winning while also ensuring that the league’s worst teams aren’t left behind.

Here’s how it works: The top draft positions will be awarded based on points earned after playoff elimination. Once a team is officially out of the playoff race, it starts the clock on amassing points toward its draft position. Bad teams still get an advantage (because they’re eliminated earlier), but now the emphasis is on winning, not just on riding out the string. It’s relatively simple, and it’s brilliant.

This idea is great and it would eliminate teams from tanking down the stretch.

*

I'll be interested to see what Sean Couturier can do offensively this year for the Flyers. He has already established himself as a good two-way forward that can play in a checking role, but Couturier posted two 96 point seasons in junior, so the offensive ability is there. The Flyers lost Daniel Briere, but added Vincent Lecavalier this summer, meaning Couturier's place on the depth chart probably hasn't changed all that much.

If you look at his line combos from last year he never really got a shot to play with a consistent group for any more than 9% of the time. One combination from that list that stands out would be the brief time he spent with Matt Read and Wayne Simmonds. I like the idea of using those two as wingers on the same line since the Flyers are stocked at the right wing position, and if they can move some of them around it could give them more balance.

*

Teemu Selanne is still deciding on whether to return for another NHL season. The 43-year-old has an interest in playing in the Olympics next winter in Sochi and that could be a factor in his decision. His role diminished a little last year during the post-season with the Ducks, but it was just two years ago he posted an 80-point campaign. 

*

Keep an eye on Carolina's Drayson Bowman as the Hurricanes are fairly thin at left wing. He might be a long shot to make it into their top six, but he is just an injury or two away of getting there by default. Bowman hasn't been able to translate his offensive abilities from junior to the pro level, but he had 55 hits and 68 shots in 37 games in 2013.

*

The Rangers say it "shouldn't be too difficult" to sign Henrik Lundqvist to an extension. A statement that wouldn't exactly fill me with confidence if I was a fan of the squad. I'm not sure there is a player in the league who means more to his team than Lundqvist.

*

Sabres legendary broadcaster Rick Jeanneret will call it quits after the 2015-16 season. Calls like this will be missed.

Feel free to follow me on Twitter at @amato_mike