Vanek innocent, per agent; Flyers sign Colaiacovo; Scrivens talks mental health awareness masks (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.
• Forget the costume and the two other Musketeers: Ovi. Mustache. [Instagram]
• "Vanek’s agent, Steve Bartlett, told the Star Tribune Friday that 'Thomas is not in any way, shape or form involved in any illegal activities or in trouble here.' Vanek bet on football and was paying off a gambling debt, according to Bartlett." [Star Tribune]
• The Flyers have signed free agent defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo as their regular defense group continues to drop like flies with injuries. [Philadelphia Flyers]
• Sara Murray, daughter of former NHL coach Andy Murray, has been selected as head coach of the Korean women's national team as they make a run for gold in PyeongChang at the 2018 Olympic games. [IIHF]
• Bobby Ryan has purchased a private suite for local youth and their families to attend Senators games for the next eight seasons. Very cool. Wonder if he got an employee discount... [Ottawa Senators]
• Ben Scrivens chats about his awesome series of masks supporting mental health awareness and his new program 'Ben's Netminders'. [Oilers Nation]
• It appears Willie Dejardins has the buy-in of his players in Vancouver, and they're playing like it. Here's a look at the mild mannered coach's career and the impact he's made on his current team. [Van City Buzz]
• Connor McDavid is going to have one fancy practice facility as Buffalo prepares to open the doors to the $172-million HarborCenter. "The complex includes 11 locker rooms, a full training facility and several classrooms for film study and team meetings ... " [USA Today]
• Kevin Westgarth has made the move to Europe, signing with the Belfast Giants. [Belfast Giants]
• Instead of continuously pouting about being sent to the AHL (in order to get loads of ice time), Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko is making the best of the opportunity. [Buffalo Hockey Beat]
• Rookie center Andre Burakovsky has impressed coach Barry Trotz. So much so that the rook is now centering some guy named Alex Ovechkin. No pressure, Andre. [Washington Post]
• A familiar question is being asked and answered in Winnipeg: "Does GM Kevin Cheveldayoff have a plan for the Jets to be a playoff team? And if so, when?" [Jets Nation]
• Sean McIndoe looks at the "eight surprises in the NHL (so far)". Everyone loves surprises! [Grantland]
• Fancy stats comparison of the good and the bad starts to the season around the NHL. [Sportsnet]
• Senators forward Mika Zibanejad scored his first goal of year on Thursday against the Blackhawks. Should his very slow start be a cause for concern? [The 6th Sens]
• Fantasy frozen forensics for Ryan Suter. [Dobber Hockey]
• Predators prospect Brendan Leipsic, currently playing for the Milwaukee Admirals, is known as the 'most annoying prospect in hockey', and he embraces the label. [Fox 6 Now]
• University of Denver defenseman Joey LaLeggia has the most Goodfellas-esque nickname in the world "Joey Legs". Ironic considering he's a svelt 5'10", 180 lbs. In a league where the players are getting bigger, faster, and stronger each year, Joey Legs is adjusting his game to fit. [Denver Post]
• Assessing the Penguins versus their foes in the Eastern Conference thus far. [Pens Initiative]
• Seth Griffith rescues a falling puppy (more or less). [Stanley Cup of Chowder]
• One of the funniest things seen on this Halloween, the scariest NHL trading cards. [Puck Junk]
• Finally, should this insane shootout goal by Aaron Laishram of the Belleville Bulls count? The Magicians Alliance would concur... [Buzzing the Net]
