Well whattaya know, for a mid-August day we've actually got enough going on to bring you a second bushel-full of hockey notes, starting off with a thorough examination of what Hal Gill went through in order to play on a broken legagainst the Phoenix Coyotes during the playoffs...

48-Hour Sale knocks 25-40% off NHL apparel | Hockey Gear HQ
This is the perfect sale to jump on if you're looking for back-to-school hockey items like hoodies, t-shirts, or other team-related gear. But hurry, it expires on Friday at 11 a.m. Central.

Nashville Predators News

The Quiet Room: Holy Hell, Hal Gill. | Backhand Shelf
"Yes, you can actually play hockey on a broken leg if you load it up with enough anesthetic. It also helps if you’re a badass, which Hal Gill apparently is."

NY Rangers a favorite to land Phoenix Coyotes forward Shane Doan - NY Daily News
Doan's agent says that "a team outside of New York has offered Doan a four-year deal worth at least $7 million per season". The rumor-mongers on Twitter (seriously, people?) are pointing the finger at Nashville, but boy, I sure hope it's not true. That's way too much money and term, even for an old-fashioned Canadian power forward like Doan.

14 Shades of Shea: Ranking Shea Weber's Career Highlights - The Hockey Writers
Another Predators blogger hits the internet...

Top Moments From 2011-2012 – #9: Kevin Klein the GOALIE | The Predatorial
Kris celebrates a time when Kleiner bailed himself (and Peks) out.

2012 U.S. WJC Camp: Previewing Day 5 Action — USA vs. Finland | The United States of Hockey
Preds draftee Jimmy Vesey was scratched today.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Hartnell on CBA talks: Owners pulled 'a 180' - CSN Philly
Scott Hartnell vents over the owners' bald-faced cash grab.

Jeff Skinner signs 6-year, $34.35 million extension with Hurricanes | Puck Daddy
Cha-ching!

On the realization that "Holy crap, I really want to watch the Carolina Hurricanes next season" | Backhand Shelf
Hey, I think they've become my Eastern Conference team to watch.

Joel Ward on awkward hernia moments and getting a call from the FBI - DC Sports Bog - The Washington Post
Dude, TMI!

A second Toronto team now makes almost too much sense (Trending Topics Extra) | Puck Daddy
This would be the slammingest slam dunk of all-time for the NHL.

Jeff Jacobs: Give Howard Baldwin Credit For Trying, But The NHL Dream Is Dead — For Now - Hartford Courant
One city you can cross off the list for getting back an NHL team is Hartford.

Understanding Turner's Acquisition Of Bleacher Report - Awful Announcing
How does a site loaded with crap content like Bleacher Report hit the $195 million jackpot? A veneer of credibility and soaring metrics explain a lot. If anyone wants to buy me out for, say, 10% of that price, I'm all ears.