Final 2013 Cumulative Draft Rankings

 With the 2013 NHL Entry Draft four days away, The Hart of Hockey is happy to release its final cumulative rankings for the season.

 As usual, TSN analysts Bob McKenzie and Craig Button's rankings are represented, as well as the International Scouting Services' (ISS). Just like last year, The Hockey News (THN) has joined the fold for the final rankings, too. For the first time, however, independent scouting publications Red Line Report (RLR) and McKeen's Hockey will be thrown in, as well. Those six entities will have their final rankings averaged for every player to get The Hart of Hockey's cumulative rank. In the event of a tie score, NHL Central Scouting (CS) will be used as the tiebreaker.

 Also, our rankings list 65 prospects for the first time.

 It's worth noting that this is not a mock draft, but more-or-less an indicator of who "the next best prospect" is according to several different scouting services. Since just about all NHL general managers draft under a "next best prospect available" policy, this list becomes an effective indicator of where a player will go on Sunday in Newark.

It Ain't Easy Bein' Bryzy

 Contrary to what Paul Holmgren had told the media for months, the Philadelphia Flyers GM released a statement Tuesday saying his team will buyout the remainder of goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov's contract after two seasons with the club.
 This is the second and final compliance buyout Holmgren will use (the other being Danny Briere,) which
means the Flyers will not be charged against the salary cap for the remainder of his contract, unlike a regular buyout would.

(Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

 Holmgren called the move "a difficult business decision" in the release on the Flyers' website, and no wonder. This move is the biggest contract buyout in NHL history according to the great CapGeek.com, and guarantees that Philly will pay Bryz a little over $1.6 million a year for the next 14 years.
 Bryzgalov, usually a very outspoken person despite an obvious language barrier, didn't have much to say about the team's decision, telling three Philadelphia beat writers on speaker phone, "Congratulations, you guys win," before hanging up and refusing to talk to them any further.
 Oh, Bryz.
 Bryzgalov will be an unrestricted free agent on July 5th now, making this summer's offseason much more interesting. Before we take a look into what the future holds for Mr. Universe, let's take a long, well-deserved look back on all the magical moments Bryzgalov gave us during his short tenure as the starting goalie in Philadelphia.

Remember Tim Thomas?

POTENTIAL LANDING SPOTS FOR POPPA BEAR

 One of the more bizarre stories of the offseason that predated lockout shenanigans was goalie Tim Thomas choosing to sit out the last season of his contract with the Boston Bruins. It's hard to blame Thomas, 39, for wanting to spend more time with his family, especially with looming uncertainty surrounding the status of the upcoming season, but it didn't make it any less peculiar of a decision. Now, with the Bruins in a best-of-three series for the Stanley Cup with stellar goaltending from Tuukka Rask, it is easy to forget that Thomas ditched the only franchise to really give him a legitimate chance as a starter in the NHL.

Tim Thomas wrastles in front with the Great Eight.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

 At the time of his departure, though, Thomas pointed out that this was not a retirement, and he had every intention of returning to hockey in 2013-14. Whether or not he sticks to that or not has yet to be seen, but if he does, he will be an unrestricted free agent. So with Poppa Bear Thomas potentially on the market this summer, what teams would be interested in his adding his services?

The Incomparable HARTY Awards

 The players and owners of the NHL fought an ugly battle during the most recent lockout. There were times when it seemed neither side would budge an inch on certain issues. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman worked to ensure the owners would make all the money in world, while Donald Fehr headed up the NHLPA working to ensure as many player rights (and cash) as possible. In the end, compromises were made to salvage what remained of a 2012-13 season, but they came at a price...
 As a result of the lockout, the players lost their trip to Las Vegas for the NHL Awards Show. Instead the NHL is presenting their annual awards on the Internet and on NHL Network between Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. Respected veterans like Jean-Sebastian Giguere understand how much players value their Vegas vacation, but this year, the league couldn't give it to them. What a disgrace.
 That's why this year, The Hart of Hockey will try to make it up to the athletes of the NHL with this year's HARTY Awards. I would like to extend a formal invitation to all of the winners of the 2013 HARTYs to come to lovely Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and meet at the Primanti Brothers location on Route 60 to receive your award in person! Of course, you'll have to pay for your plane ticket... and hotel... and anything else you decide to do for entertainment. But The Hart of Hockey would be more than happy to cover the expense of Primanti's sandwich upon the presentation of your award!
 With that generous offer on the table, this year's winners are...

NHL Prospects Playing in the 2013 Memorial Cup

 In the midst of a rollicking first round of the NHL playoffs, the CHL's Memorial Cup Tournament has arrived. The competition for the crown jewel of major junior hockey may have snuck up on you since the NHL's playoffs started a bit later than usual due to the lockout, but don't fret, because The Hart of Hockey has you covered. The field of four has been determined, so we already know what faces NHL fans and scouts will want to keep an eye on.

 The following is a list of all the NHL prospects and 2013 draft hopefuls participating in this year's Mem Cup. So see if your favorite team has any promising players in the pipeline, or get an idea of what will be available in Newark this upcoming summer at the draft when you tune into Memorial Cup coverage.