Morning Bag Skate: Blackhawks prospects Matthew Highmore, Nathan Noel on verge of QMJHL championship

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Matthew Highmore had an assist in Saint John’s 2-0 win to take a 3-0 series lead in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s President Cup Final on Tuesday. Nathan Noel was held scoreless for the Sea Dogs, who look to finish off a sweep to claim the title and a spot in the Memorial Cup in Game 4 on Wednesday.

Alex DeBrincat and Erie will play Game 4 of the Ontario Hockey League’s Championship Series on Wednesday. The Otters hold a 2-1 series lead.

HAWKS

**Which IceHogs can help the Hawks next season? (SCH)

**Hawks need to address organizational goalie depth this offseason (SCH)

**Carcillo staying busy by helping out former players, future ones (CSN)

**2017 World Championship preview: Hawks edition (SCH)

CENTRAL DIVISION

**Preds are an offensive engine built with defensive parts (On The Forecheck)

**Stars acquire Bishop’s negotiating rights from Kings (Defending Big D)

**Why the Stars shouldn’t trade the No. 3 overall pick (Defending Big D)

**Schroeder sets career highs, but is still a tweener (Hockey Wilderness)

**Koivu excelled in new role (Hockey Wilderness)

**Blues say Tarasenko does not need surgery (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

**Blues want long-term deal for Parayko, who will play at Worlds (PHT)

**Allen silenced skeptics with 'absolutely incredible' postseason (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

**Gordo: Blues, fans have reasons to be excited (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

**Sakic: ‘There’s going to be a lot of turnover’ (PHT)

NHL

**Stanley Cup playoff schedule, matchups (SBN)

**RECAP: Karlsson leads Senators past Rangers into East Final (Silver Seven)

**Rangers to host Sabres in 2018 Winter Classic at Citi Field (New York Times)

**Vegas NHL Draft hats leak, offer jersey hint? (Puck Daddy)

**Something has to give in Penguins-Capitals Game 7 (Pensburgh)

**What’s going on with Crosby’s concussion situation? (Pensburgh)

**3 keys for Penguins to win Game 7 (Pensburgh)

**Ducks recall former IceHog Carrick for Game 7 (PHT)

**Kings re-sign Pearson for four years, $15M (PHT)

**Rangers sign WHL Everett’s Leedahl (Blueshirt Banter)

**Devils extend d-man Loov for 1 year, $650,000 (PHT)

**Darling’s contract shows ‘Canes GM Francis might be a ninja (Canes Country)

**Bruins expect Bergeron, Rask to be ready for next season after surgeries (PHT)

**Barclays, Islanders officially begin lease agreement negotiations (Lighthouse Hockey)

**Hughes: Keep former Kings GM Lombardi away from Flyers (Broad Street Hockey)

**Flyers’ Voracek injured in Czech Republic’s game vs. Finland at Worlds (Broad Street Hockey)

**NBA legend Barkley says Stanley Cup playoffs are more fun than NBA playoffs this year (SBN)

HOCKEY WORLD

**College Hockey Recruiting Process: 10 things to know (SBNCH)

**QMJHL: Saint John shuts out Blainville-Boisbriand for 3-0 series lead (Sportsnet)

**WHL: Brown stops 35 as Regina tops Seattle in Game 3 (Sportsnet)