Puck Headlines: Richards on ‘Dry Island’; Caps fans on Kilimanjaro
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.
• This year's Edmonton Corn Maze design is a tribute to the the World Junior Championships to be held in Alberta this winter. The maze will be open beginning Friday through mid-October and smart navigators can make it through in 30 minutes. Once closed, it will serve as the place where Oilers GM Steve Tambellini will send Nikolai Khabibulin should he get off to a poor start. [Edmonton Corn Maze]
• Mike Richards downplayed the "Dry Island" story from earlier this week saying, "Unfortunately, things get blown out of proportion and things get said and taken out of context too. I'm not sure if people are trying to get a sense of it or trying to convince other people that it was the reason, but at the same time, it's not true at all." [TSN]
• New York Islanders bloggers are teaming up in order to help spread the word about next Monday's arena referendum by holding a contest for readers. You don't need to live in New York to participate. [Lighthouse Hockey]
• Yet to be given a title, Kris Draper will take a role in the Detroit Red Wings organization to learn the business side of hockey. [Freep]
• How Brendan Shanahan can be an effective head of NHL discipline: "Realistically anything longer than five years is probably too much. The game (changes) quickly and as it changes how discipline is handled has to change too. But the longer a person has been in this position the harder it becomes to reinvent the system. In a lot of ways they are too close to the problem to even see that there is a problem. It's not easy to adapt and (Colin) Campbell's inability to do just that was a big part of his downfall." Right. On. [Copper & Blue]
• Comparing NHL free agent signings this summer to the employees you'll find at your local gentleman's club. Brilliant. [Dirty Dangle]
• A look at the NHL playoffs if the top 16 teams qualified regardless of their spot in their respective conference. [On Goal Analysis]
• The NHL's CBA expiration date of Sept. 12, 2012 is a little worrisome compared to the NBA and NFL's, which gave those leagues more time to come to an agreement. [SenShot]
• Two Washington Capitals fans spent part of their summer climbing to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa to "Rock the Red". Here's Bryan Tropeano's note:
"I wanted to send you a picture of my brother and I, Andrew and Bryan Tropeano, on the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa with some Capitals Gear. We're longtime season ticket holders and just summited on July 7th and wanted to make sure the Capitals made it to the top as well!!"
• Turns out that alum Jamal Mayers played the middle man between his former coach Andy Murray and Western Michigan University. [MLive]
• Former NHLer Pat Conacher was hired yesterday as the new coach of the WHL's Regina Pats. [Regina Leader-Post]
• After spending seven seasons coaching in the U.S. national program Ron Rolston will now be the new head coach for the Rochester Americans of the AHL. [Democrat & Chronicle]
• They've only been gone for a few months, but already Atlanta Thrashers gear can be found in the NHL Shop's "vintage" section. [Shop NHL s/t Puck Buddy Alex S.]
• What the Buffalo Sabres salary cap situation and Jochen Hecht could do for the San Jose Sharks. [Fear the Fin]
• Comparing "quick-strike" goals from the 2010-11 season and how they affected your favorite hockey team. [The Checking Line]
• Justin Pogge inks a 1-year, two-way deal with the Phoenix Coyotes. [Coyotes]
• Finally, if you're need of a motivational speaker, Bill Clement (hands of cement) is available to tell you about the dangers of "energy vampires":
