In what has become the overarching story of the 2011-2012 NHL season, concussions continue to affect key players on various teams. In Philadelphia, they're shutting down Chris Pronger for the duration of the season, and the same may hold true for Tampa Bay's Mattias Ohlund. Meanwhile, New York Islanders forward Brian Rolston is the latest to join the long list of concussed stars.
These notes kick off our league-wide hockey notes this morning, along with a call to action by a Hall of Fame goaltender for NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman...
Hockey sales & coupon codes for Friday, December 16 | Hockey Gear HQ
The hockey sales are changing on a daily basis as Christmas 2011 approaches, so here are the latest deals & discounts you can find online as we come down to the wire!
Nashville Predators News
Smashville 24/7: Around the Room: Who would star in ‘24/7’?
You know what I couldn't help thinking while reading this? Wade Belak would have been a superstar.
Smashville 24/7: One more thing: Power play stays hot
1-for-1 keeps the hot streak rolling.
Predators, Bridgestone pursue NHL All-Star game - The Tennessean
With Bridgestone being one of the NHL's top corporate sponsors (they're the title sponsor of the Winter Classic, remember), that bolster's Nashville's case.
Nashville Predators' defensive-minded Nick Spaling goes on offensive - The Tennessean
Hmm... maybe Nick Spaling didn't like
Postgame ponderings - Predators Insider
Things are getting downright giddy with the Preds riding a 4-game winning streak.
Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey
Chris Pronger out for the season: Crying and other initial reaction - Broad Street Hockey
Huge news out of Philadelphia last night, as they lose one of the game's dominant defenseman for the rest of the season, and possibly his career.
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mattias Ohlund might not play this season - Tampa Bay Times
Even worse than the news that their veteran defenseman is out for the foreseeable future, it sounds like assistant coach Wayne Fleming's battle with brain cancer is becoming more difficult.
Brian Rolston is the Most Recent and Least Obvious Concussion Victim | islanderspointblank.com
Add New York Islanders forward Brian Rolston to the All-Concussion Team.
Hall of Fame goaltender Ken Dryden on Sidney Crosby, Gary Bettman, and concussions in the NHL - Grantland
One of the brightest minds in hockey calls on Gary Bettman to step up the campaign to help prevent concussions among NHL players, and not wait until an exhaustive scientific study takes years to come to a definitive recommendation.
NHLers would face ‘number of hurdles’ in concussion lawsuit - The Globe and Mail
Just as some former NFL players have done, there's talk of some NHL alumni filing suit alleging that the league could have/should have done more to lessen the risk of brain injuries long ago. That's a steep hill to climb.
Mark Messier still looking for money from Canucks, report says - The Province
As if Canucks fans weren't already upset over how much money Messier made in Vancouver...
Where Division 1 Players Are Developing - Puck Worlds
The international development scene has certainly shifted quite a bit over the last 20 years.
Florida Panthers Ready for Road Game at Home: Team Asks Season Ticket Holders to Trade In Canadiens Tickets | On Frozen Pond
This one's a little odd - in preparation for a big home game against Montreal, the Panthers are asking season ticket holders to turn in their tickets if they don't plan on using them for that game, so the team can resell them.
Canes Now - Muller dips into Montreal playbook on PP | newsobserver.com blogs
Here's a look at some of the particular things that Kirk Muller is bringing to Carolina.
Saluting Niedermayer, on Eve of Devils Tribute - NYTimes.com
The New Jersey Devils will retire the jersey of Scott Niedermayer, one of the great defensemen of the last 20 years.
I Was Saying "Boo"rtuzzi: Predators 4 - Red Wings 3 - Winging It In Motown
They're frustrated in Detroit this morning, and understandably so.
Flyers 4, Canadiens 3: In Which The Flyers Take a Lickin' and Keep on Tickin' - Broad Street Hockey
The Flyers continue to hum along, even without their captain.
Sharks' comeback works in round two as they shock Avalanche 5-4 - Fear The Fin
San Jose played the comeback game, too.
Recap: Caps 1, Jets 0 - Japers' Rink
Thank you, Alex Ovechkin, my fantasy hockey team needed that!
Game 31: Calgary Flames at Tampa Bay Lightning - Raw Charge
Steven Stamkos rode to the rescue for Tampa Bay, scoring the overtime winner.
Bowman Comes Through: Hurricanes 4, Canucks 3 - Canes Country
Two goals from Drayson Bowman made the difference here for the Carolina Hurricanes.