What we learned this past week in the NHL

What we learned from the past week in the NHL:

• Could 20 NHL teams be wrong?

At least that many teams reportedly pursued defenseman Justin Schultz when he became a free agent in 2012 after refusing to sign with the Ducks, who had drafted him 43rd in 2008. The Edmonton Oilers got him. Then-general manager Craig MacTavish later said Schultz “has Norris Trophy potential, and I don’t think there are too many people who disagree with me in that regard.”

MacTavish is now a former general manager and Schultz, who never developed a solid defensive game or learned to make quick, smart decisions, is a former Oiler. He was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins last week for a third-round draft pick — and the Oilers had to keep half of his salary cap hit.

• The Toronto Maple Leafs, well along in their plan to dump talent, accumulate draft picks and finish as low as possible in the standings to increase their draft-lottery odds, got another push toward the bottom when it was determined that forwards James van Riemsdyk (foot) and Joffrey Lupul (hernia) won’t play again this season.

Trading goalie James Reimer to the San Jose Sharks continued that pattern, and gives minor leaguers Antoine Bibeau and Garret Sparks a chance to prove themselves. The Maple Leafs called up five young forwards Monday before facing the Tampa Bay Lightning; among them was Kasperi Kapanen, son of former NHL player Sami Kapanen.

• It’s not wise to try to fool Mother Nature. A fluffy, cottony material was used to simulate snow at Coors Field for Saturday’s outdoor game between the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche, and it looked appropriately wintry. But when the wind picked up, bits of white stuff flew around and became a hazard.

Incidentally, the game-time temperature was 65 degrees, three degrees warmer than for the 2014 Kings-Ducks outdoor game at Dodger Stadium. The Coors Field game was a good show, but it might not have topped the Friday alumni game between players who engaged in some bloody playoff battles in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

• Tampa Bay is making a serious run at overtaking the Florida Panthers for the Atlantic Division lead. The Lightning won its seventh consecutive game Monday by beating the Maple Leafs, 2-1, in Toronto. The win tied Tampa Bay in points with Florida at 78.