Backes' next contract; 'real test' for Las Vegas (Puck Headlines)

Here are your Puck Headlines: A glorious collection of news and views collected from the greatest blogosphere in sports and the few, the proud, the mainstream hockey media. Have a link you want to submit? Email us at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com.

• The Tucson Roadrunners will be the new AHL affiliate of the Arizona Coyotes. [AZ Central]

• David Backes is a franchise type player looking at one big deal to close out his career. He’s coming off another solid season where he wasn’t the guy or a top line forward and still produced a 20-goal season. [St. Louis Gametime]

• Thoughts on a potential trade of Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. During the playoffs, 22-year-old rookie Matt Murray took over as the team’s starter and Fleury appears expendable. [Pensburgh]

• Detroit Red Wings forward Darren Helm will have many suitors if the team doesn’t re-sign him before free agency. Helm is 29 years old and is one of the better two-way forwards in the NHL. [Detroit Free Press]

• Sami Vatanen’s four-year $19.5 million contract extension is a good deal for the Anaheim Ducks. [Anaheim Calling]

• Martin Jones manning the San Jose Sharks’ goal means the team will be Stanley Cup contenders for many years to come. [Examiner]

• The Arizona Coyotes have acquired the Sharks’ 2016 fourth-round draft choice (120th overall) and the Sharks’ 2017 third-round draft choice in exchange for forward Maxim Letunov and a 2017 6th round draft choice. [Arizona Coyotes]

• Will NHL expansion work in Las Vegas? The third season will be the "real test" of the market. [Las Vegas Sun]

• The story behind the Gordie Howe statue at SaskTel Center in Saskatoon. [Saskatoon StarPhoenix]

• The Chicago Blackhawks signed 2014 first-round draft pick Nick Schmaltz to an entry-level contract. The hope is he can potentially replace Teuvo Teravainen. [Chicago Sun-Times]

• How the Vancouver Canucks can acquire more draft picks. The Canucks have two selections in the first 100 picks of the upcoming NHL Draft. [Canucks Army]

• University of North Dakota forward Tyson Jost is colorblind: “It's not ‘full out’ color blindness, Jost says, because he can see more than just black and white. ‘But it's bad,’ he said." [Grand Forks Herald]

• Young Pittsburgh Penguins forward Daniel Sprong will be out 7-8 months following shoulder surgery. Sprong was a second-round pick of the Penguins in 2016 and played 18 games during the season. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

• The NWHL’s Boston Pride selected many talented players across the board at the league’s draft. [Today’s Slapshot]

• How NWHL organizations view their teams after the first-round of last weekend’s draft. [Sports Illustrated]

• A chat with the NWHL free agent forward Hayley Williams who played last season with the Buffalo Beauts. [The Hockey Writers]

• Alex Nylander wants to be picked higher in the 2016 NHL Draft than his brother William went in the 2014 NHL Draft. The Toronto Maple Leafs picked William eighth overall. [Buzzing the Net]

• The fastest rising prospect defensemen from a fantasy perspective. [Dobber Hockey]

• Looking at the life of Philadelphia Flyers great Reggie Leach. [The Canadian Encyclopedia]

• Gordie Howe’s career in hockey cards: "Because his career was so long — 26 years in the NHL and 6 years in the WHA — Howe had many trading cards released during his wonderful career." [Puck Junk]

• On Barry Trotz and his season as the head coach for the Washington Capitals. [Japers’ Rink]

• Finally, Want to be an NHL official? It's not an easy job.

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