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Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:32 pm EST

Puck Headlines: Blackhawks' self-congratulation gets literary

By Greg Wyshynski

Here are your Morning 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 past 12 months, the Chicago Blackhawks didn't make the playoffs, fired a coach, spent $56.8 million for Brian Campbell and $22.5 million for backup goalie Cristobal Huet. The only thing they've won is Patrick Kane's Calder Trophy and a serious case of the back-pats for recapturing the hearts of Chicago fans after old man Wirtz kicked. Latest example: The release of the commemorative book "One Goal: Chicago's Resurgent Blackhawks." Senior Vice President of Business Operations Jay Blunk said: "One Goal captures the spirit of one of the greatest comebacks in modern sports history." Commit to the Hyperbole! [Blackhawks]

• Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi believes the paltry three-game suspension for John Zeiler is excessive, and adds this candid observation: "Every good army needs a couple of criminals." [Inside the Kings]

• Claude Lemieux signs a tryout contract with the San Jose Sharks, and will report to the Sharks' AHL affiliate in Worcester. So many fans have e-mailed us asking, "Why?" Well, one expects it's due to his friendship with GM Doug Wilson. But maybe the Sharks want to really, really up the ante for their expected showdown for the conference title with the Detroit Red Wings. [Sharks] 

• Former Tampa Bay Lightning associate coach Mike Sullivan has returned to the Tampa bench in the same capacity for interim coach Rick Tocchet. Emphasis on the "interim." [Bolts Report]

• Energizer: Your official battery of the NHL. At least in Canada. Your move, Duracell! [NHL]

• Today's ridiculous stretch for a lead paragraph premise award goes to Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Sun: "Every time the Oilers score at home this season, and it hasn't been very often, a Kid Rock song blares from the Rexall speakers - a tie in, perhaps, to the offence they were expecting from the Kid Line." Uh, really? Obviously, when the Devils used to play Gary Glitter, it was in honor of the convicted pedophiles on the team. [Sun]

• The New Jersey Devils have won four in a row, and injured players Bobby Holik, Brian Rolston and Andy Greene are all skating again. Now, if they can get three good periods out of either of their goalies, they'll be golden. [Fire & Ice]

• The good, the bad and the mediocre for the Buffalo Sabres this season. Guess where Thomas Vanek, Tim Connolly and team defense are placed. [Buffalo News]

• Rory Bolden of The Hockey News celebrates some of hockey's lesser-known but fun-to-watch players. For the huge Dan Girardi, Craig Anderson and Jason Chimera fans among us. That fan club could hold its meetings in a kitchen pantry. [THN]

• The Red Skate has witnessed the Washington Capitals' many injuries this season and recalls another team from about 10 years ago suffering through the same thing. [The Red Skate]

• Real conversation-starter from Stu Hackel of the New York Times: Why the instigator should stay. More on this later. [Slap Shot]

• A look at the absolute disaster of a season for Ottawa Senators goalie Martin Gerber. [Sun Media]

• A Leafs bloggers gets schmaltzy over yesterday's trade. "You know, I've never been good at saying goodbye. I'm an emotional cat, I get attached easily. Carlo Colaiacovo, Alex Steen, and me, we had big plans together. Big plans. It's a shame they'll never come to light." [Sports and the City]

• Fabulous look at the "proportional" goalie equipment changes in the NHL. [SENShobo]

• Finally, YouTube gold: A ProStars cereal commercial!

Related: Hockey Fans, Goons and Pugilism, Puck Videos, Rumors, scuttlebutt, innuendo

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41 Comments

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  1. carl_vs_mastershake
    1. Posted by carl_vs_mastershake Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:18 pm EDT

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    "Obviously, when the Devils used to play Gary Glitter, it was in honor of the convicted pedophiles on the team." Why do you think the Devils had to move a certain distance from their own home?
  2. colin c
    2. Posted by colin c Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:50 pm EDT

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    Zeiler's suspension is wrong, insane, and posturing for the media/avs fans. Will say it over and over, players are giving up their backs trying to pull penalties. Foote did it obviously, and you see it 50x a game now. noone takes the hit on the shoulder anymore/
    Hawks still suck.
  3. Wyshynski
    3. Posted by Wyshynski Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:21 pm EDT

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    @ colin c --
    You see the numbers, you hold up. And you don't plow the guy with your forearm. It's pretty cut and dry, and there's no way to defend Zeiler here. And you know I'm not some pacifist.
  4. carl_vs_mastershake
    4. Posted by carl_vs_mastershake Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:18 pm EDT

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    That was a good article by Rory Bolden. The little names never get that attention. If only there was a way to vote them into a game that could showcase their talent........Sorry I can't finish there are thousands of people screaming "don't go there" outside my door.
  5. Saro G
    5. Posted by Saro G Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:46 pm EDT

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    I was always a little miffed Wayne had the lamest abilities on Pro Stars.
  6. Anthrax Jones
    6. Posted by Anthrax Jones Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:42 pm EDT

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    The NHL suspended Zeiler...to posture to Avs fans.
    If the NHL cared what Avs fans thought, Darren McCarty would have been executed between periods of the Winter Classic last season, on live TV.
  7. herecomethehawks
    7. Posted by herecomethehawks Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:18 pm EDT

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    Ugh, that One Goal book smacks of congratulatory Cubs nonsense. I'm fairly certain the Cubs also put out a publication this year commemorating the end of 100 years of futility, only to lose in 3 games.
  8. Almost Lewboski
    8. Posted by Almost Lewboski Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:46 pm EDT

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    Hey Wysh instead of whining about the Blackhawks maybe you and your beloved Devils could learn a thing or two about marketing from the Blackhawk brain trust and fill the Rock for a change.
  9. jibblescribbits
    9. Posted by jibblescribbits Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:34 pm EDT

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    @ Colin C:
    If the league really wants to posture for me, they'd be better served having Carrie Milbank do the posturing.
  10. Al S.
    10. Posted by Al S. Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:51 pm EDT

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    I think I heard the Devs make a return to Gary Glitter through my TV screen one night. But anything is better than that prerecorded Ole chant that they used to play.
    Actually, I really happen to like the Hey song for hockey goals. Call me a purist, but it's what I grew up with, except for one year when the Devils went with "Whump there it is!"
  11. colin c
    11. Posted by colin c Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:50 pm EDT

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    I can certainly defend the suspension when you lok back at what others have gotten or not gotten. If you think an extended arm equals 3 games without an elbow i would say flower power to you. Also as posted over and over, the way the rule was written, it did not qualify either under hit from behind since Foote was aware he was coming and did not defend himself, as well did not qualify under intent to injure.
    Heck the ref's were not even calling it until Foote showed he was hurt.
    I thought McCarty deserved sainthood. Lemieux was a cheapshot punk and was overdue for a whoopin, plus that fight gave us almost 3 years of the best matchup in hockey history. until the Avs fell apart anyway.
  12. The KBBL Party Penguin
    12. Posted by The KBBL Party Penguin Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:04 pm EDT

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    @Saro G -
    But he had a Puck that could shoot Ink underwater! A Puck! That shoots INK! UNDERWATER!!!!!
  13. Jon A
    13. Posted by Jon A Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:11 pm EDT

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    Anthrax Jones:
    You and me have disagreed on a lot of things, but even as a Red Wings fan, that McCarty execution post was hilarious haha!
  14. Jamie C
    14. Posted by Jamie C Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:28 pm EDT

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    During the first 20 games of last season, the United Center in Chicago was a ghost town. You could walk up to the box office ten minutes before the game and get great seats at centre ice for under $20. That was Kane's and Toews' first year. At the time, the Hawks had approximately 3,000 season ticket holders. A year later, the Hawks have over 12,000 season ticket holders, have sold out every home game and lead the NHL in attendance. And last night they were 4th in the Western Conference. So I'd say there's a lot to be happy about. Sure, self congratulation is always offputting, but in this case, it is not undeserved.
  15. Sobu
    15. Posted by Sobu Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:31 pm EDT

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    Ironic that the Rexall Center put Kid Rock on as their goal song. Wasn't it just 3 or so years ago that the first face that was shown when teh Oilers lost the Cup was Kid Rock showing how much he loved the 'Canes?
    Maybe the guy who picked the song was from Calgary and was trying to stick it to the Oilers. (Not as if CGY has anything to be proud of this year. They're second only to swiss cheese Turco in goals against.)
  16. Adam Jones
    16. Posted by Adam Jones Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:45 pm EDT

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    Wysh- Devils are back playing the song written by Gary Glitter. Now if they could only make the red line out of Robert Reed's blood we'd be golden!
  17. Jon A
    17. Posted by Jon A Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:11 pm EDT

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    Jamie C
    Not to bring up a Wings/Pens debate, but your story sounds an awful lot like the fair weather Shytsburgh fans who went from almost being teamless one year to thinking they are the biggest hockey fans in the world after their beloved Crosby came to town. =)
  18. mr bbb
    18. Posted by mr bbb Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:06 pm EDT

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    Claude Lemieux can than fight Chelios - the oldtimers fight. Really, I just want Lemiex to beat up on all of those Euro players the WIngs have.
  19. BRIAN S
    19. Posted by BRIAN S Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    Foote probably shouldn't have turned away while heading directly into the boards. next time maybe he'll know better
  20. shrk33
    20. Posted by shrk33 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:21 pm EDT

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    I'm baffled the Sharks would sign Claude Lemiuex to a tryout deal. Why ruin a good thing right now with how the team is going?
  21. blurt
    21. Posted by blurt Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:34 pm EDT

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    Devils fan can't link to Girardi's profile...musta made the other 7 of you snicker...
    Hey Greg, checked out the blog Brodeur is a Fraud yet?
  22. Wyshynski
    22. Posted by Wyshynski Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:21 pm EDT

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    @ blurt --
    It's all auto-linking, and I think his name might be Daniel Girardi on Yahoo! Sports. Same thing happens when we write Alex Kovalev.
    And yes, I've seen the blog.
  23. Runnin up on ya !
    23. Posted by Runnin up on ya ! Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:47 pm EDT

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    as for lemieux. i got two words for him and they aint happy birthday or merry christmas.
  24. Jon A
    24. Posted by Jon A Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:11 pm EDT

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    I've got 1 finger for lemieux and it ain't thumbs up.
  25. Wilf
    25. Posted by Wilf Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:46 pm EDT

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    Jon A, find another song to sing or I'm going to send my dead sister after you. I think you know how to spell the name of the city Pittsburgh correctly.
    When I saw there was a book called "One Goal" I figured it was about the Lightning's nightly offensive output.

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Puck Daddy is an NHL blog edited by Greg Wyshynski. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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