Winter Classic update; revisiting Johnson, Shattenkirk trade; Canada’s Cup drought (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.
• In the wake of the Ottawa Senators' much-criticized letter to their fans, Sean McIndoe looks at other letters that NHL teams have recently sent out to their supporters. [Down Goes Brown]
• Not unexpected, but the NHL appears to be gearing up to announce that next year's Winter Classic will take place in Detroit and feature Detroit and Toronto, just like last year's was supposed to. [Toronto Star]
• Rick Nash's mystery injury will keep him on the shelf a little awhile longer. He didn't travel with the Rangers to Ottawa. [Blueshirt Banter]
• Revisiting the Erik Johnson trade, which now looks like a decisive win for the St. Louis Blues. [STL Today]
• This spring will mark the 20th anniversary of the last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup. Is that a big deal? (No. No it isn't.) [NHL]
• Enjoy this brief exchange between Charlie Sheen and Ryan Miller's "dooshy teammate" Christian Ehrhoff. [Buffalo News]
• Speaking of the Sabres, Andy Boron explains why Nathan Gerbe's "heart" isn't enough for the Sabres right now, by way of the greatest analogy of all-time. [Die by the Blade]
• Not unexpected, but Jannik Hansen faces a hearing for his hit on Marian Hossa. [NHL]
• Darren Dreger on the San Jose Sharks: “Depending on who you talk to, there are teams that say some big names are potentially in play. Certainly the Sharks are willing to consider just about anything. San Jose is willing to part with a defenseman – Dan Boyle's name, believe it or not, has been thrown out there – but they would need to get a forward in return and preferably someone who could fit in their top nine.” [CSN Bay Area]
• Jack Johnson and James Wisniewski, who have been a pair since last season, have been split up by Columbus Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards. The issue? Richards would like more defence from his defence. "“Wiz and Jack have great offensive ability, but sometimes you need that guy – that calm guy – on the back end who can let his partner go out and do different things.” [Blue Jackets Xtra]
• Jesse Spector interviews Teemu Selanne. I get the sense Selanne will be back next year. [Sporting News]
• Give Ken Anthony the hockey bag innovation award, which should most certainly exist: his hockey bag includes a patented drying rack. Anthony explains the design: “So the top rung you put your gloves on, the next rung you put your socks, the next one your elbow pads, and at the very bottom, because of the weight, is your skates.” [Chronicle Herald]
• 16-year-old Justin Mendes had his neck broken in a check from behind Tuesday night in Toronto. Doctors say he's lucky he can still walk. [CTV Toronto]
• The Detroit Red Wings need Valtteri Filppula needs to be better. [Detroit Free Press]
• Via reader Craig McKinnon, here's Sidney Crosby: sharpshooter. An awesome gif. [Reddit]
• Why the NHL needs a coach's challenge. [Last Word on Sports]
• The Bridgeport Sound Tigers have become the first pro hockey team to sponsor a You Can Play night. It goes Saturday, February 23. The club also just released their PSA pledge:
