Game 1 analysis overload; MSM mishaps; Brodeur in Oshawa (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.
• Here they are, the Nordiques and North Stars jerseys to be worn by the Quebec Capitales and St. Paul Saints baseball teams. [Yahoo Sports]
• “They play a fast game,” Vigneault said of the Kings. “They can be physical when the opportunity is there. They’re a good team. But, saying that, I believe in looking back at it, for 40 minutes we went head-to-head with them. When they had a push, we had one guy that had a big push. Our goaltender permitted us to stay in that game. We were one shot away. So, I think our group can be better.” Ya think? [Ranger Rants]
• Eric and Jordan Staal have both experienced the feeling of winning the Stanley Cup. Now they're rallying for brother Marc to join the club, especially after his career nearly ended in 2013. [Pierre LeBrun]
• Cam Talbot, the regular backup for the Rangers, left warmup in Game 1 and hasn't practiced since. Alain Vignault isn't about to let the media know why. Now the Rangers are turning to journey-man netminder David LeNeveu to wear the baseball cap and towel. [New York Post]
• Watch out, MSM! The Royal Half is watching you and creating a database of your (hilarious) 2014 blunders. [The Royal Half]
• After a mediocre first period, Darryl Sutter consistently mixed up his line combos for the rest of the game, leading to the Kings outshooting the Rangers 29-14. [LA Kings Insider]
• Another look at Sutter's line juggling, with more emphasis on what happened in the third period. [Jewels from the Crown]
• For business of hockey nerds like myself, a really interesting look at the massive amount of revenue generated by the Kings this season. In SCF Game 1 alone, they broke a franchise record for single-game tickets sold (due to a dynamic pricing model) and merchandise purchased in a game. [ESPN Los Angeles]
• Me thinks Flames president of hockey operations Brian Burke wants a new arena, " ... We need a new building. Obviously, everyone knows that. We have the finest state-of-the-art 1988 building in the (National Hockey League).” In Burke's opinon, the only arena worse than the Saddledome is Nassau Colosseum, home of the New York Islanders. [Calgary Herald]
• WHEEL! WHEEL! WHEEL! The evolution of on-ice communication between players. [The Score]
• Brodeur signs with the Oshawa Generals likely to backup current goalie Ken Appleby. Oh, that's Jeremy Brodeur. Anthony's brother, Marty's son, eventual Devils draft pick. [Durham Region]
• Sharks GM already shipped off Dan Boyle to Long Island. Now he's trying to sign backup goalie, and pending UFA, Alex Stalock. [CSN Bay Area]
• Happy Friday, fancy-stat enthusiasts. An article on why plus/minus is the worst stat in hockey. [Arctic Ice Hockey]
• Congrats to friend-of-the-blog, Kevin Allen of USA Today, on winning this year's 2014 Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award for excellence in hockey journalism awarded by the Hockey Hall of Fame. Puck Daddy's nomination must still be lost in the mail. [USA Today]
• We send our condolences to the family of Cy Clark, a long-time Pittsburgh Penguins fan, who passed away from cancer this week. The name might not ring a bell, but the sight of him as Hulk Hogan in a 'Malkamania' jersey will. He will forever be associated with Flyers forward Scott Hartnell after this exchange. [Pittsburgh Post Gazette]
