Just a few things I find interesting that some of you may not have heard.

In the news, Mathieu Olivier has been named team captain of America's IIHF team......... Now, I have to admit that I was kind of surprised when I saw the news. Sure, I have expressed the idea of making Olivier captain of the Jackets, but that's locally. How often is a Blue Jacket recognized by the wider league and international hockey? Regardless of what happens in the world championships, this is going to show hockey fandom that the Jackets are a strong team and it's quite a feather in Olivier's cap. Don't think Waddell hasn't noticed, either.

Waddell is (supposedly) interested in signing Anthony Mantha........ I don't think so. Adam Fantilli, Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnson offer everything that Mantha does and they're younger, still developing and have much higher ceilings than Mantha. Better to use that money to sign Charlie Coyle or Mason Marchment. While they're both over 30, they have better all around games than Mantha. This silly rumor started because Mantha (finally) got 30 goals, his best ever number. That's the same kind of thinking that gave Elvis his ridiculous contract.

Austin Matthews may force a trade depending on Toronto's retool effort...... Here we go, again. Hasn't the Toronto media and fandom learned anything after driving Mitch Marner out of the city? All Marner has done is become on of Vegas' most important players and shined in the playoffs. Bloody Hell, Torts praised his play and we all know how rarely Torts singles out an individual player for praise. Now, the Toronto media has turned it's attention to Austin Matthews. Is it any wonder that the Leafs haven't won a Cup since the mid-60's? I wonder who Matthews will sign his next contract with.

Just a personal note. I'm enjoying Buffalo's playoff run. I think they've met their match in Montreal, but seeing them in the playoffs after 14 years gives me hope for our Blue Jackets chances of making the playoffs soon.