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.
• Brendan Shanahan will be back with the New Jersey Devils next season, agreeing to terms with the team yesterday. He's 40 years old; yeah, they might be in the "win now" mindset in Jersey this season. [Fire & Ice]
• Terrific stuff from San Jose Sharks beat writer David Pollak on GM Doug Wilson's anger over media leaks and criticism that he hasn't made "sweeping changes," as well as why the rumored Dany Heatley trade "within 48 hours" may not actually happen that quickly. Is the Ottawa Sun actually negotiating this trade for the Senators? [Mercury News]
• Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins will travel in a "light armoured vehicle convoy" as tens of thousands of fans greet him and the Stanley Cup in Nova Scotia. [Pensburgh, via Empty Netters]
• Versus is bringing the world professional roller hockey again. We demand Rollergators. [Simply Sensational]
• Fantastic collection of links and tweets on the New York Islanders Lighthouse Project rally yesterday. Did Gary Bettman ever just come out and say he's an Islanders fan? [Lighthouse Hockey]
U.S. & World
• Epic showdown between Pension Plan Puppets and Columbus Dispatch writer Aaron Portzline, who penned a snarky preview of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sample prose: "The Leafs' were 10th in goals for last season. It's true. I know that because I can navigate NHL.com which I can do because I don't live in Columbus." [PPP]
• The Washington Capitals media relations team put the following on Twitter: "Simeon Varlamov has changed the spelling of his first name to Semyon for the upcoming season. Please use Semyon in all references." [Caps]
• So, with that in mind: Semyon Varlamov has a lovely Russian girlfriend because, as he tells OK magazine: "I'm extremely fortunate that I met a Russian girl in America. It's difficult to look at a lot of the local women. You get the feeling that just don't take care of themselves! There are an awful lot of heavyset ones. But Russian girls have nice trim figures. I couldn't imagine myself being with an American girl." Guess we just found someone not watching that new dating show on FOX ... [Japers' Rink]
• Why does ESPN think the Carolina Hurricanes are the most fan-friendly team in the NHL and the fourth-most friendliest in all of professional sports? Bubba breaks it down; we're giving all credit to Ric Flair and the hurricane siren. [Canes Country]
• Finally, confirmation that the G-20 Summit is, in fact, more important than the NHL preseason. [Penguins]
• Buffalo Sabres defenseman Teppo Numminen retires, and The Tick is saddened by it. [Honk If You Love Justice]
• NOT HOCKEY, but may be relevant: The NFL declares war on players and media using Twitter in the preseason, and ESPN offers tweeting guidelines to its talent. [Rovell]
• Does John Tavares have enough of a supporting cast on Long Island to succeed next season? [THN]
• Uh, awesome: "The Columbus Cottonmouths are pleased to announce that Ultimate Fighting Championships star Forrest Griffin will be making an appearance for 'Fight Night' at the Snake Pit, thanks to our sponsors Premier Martial Arts, Play N Trade/GameLink, Flip Flops and Chester's Barbeque. Fight Night is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21, when the Snakes take on the Huntsville Havoc at 7:30 p.m." Again: A Southern Professional Hockey League team is actually having a "Fight Night." [SPHL]
• Brian Elliott signs a two-year deal to be the "back up plan" for the Ottawa Senators. [Sun Media]
• Tampa Bay Lightning co-owner Oren Koules has received the $3 million Len Barrie owed him, which studies have shown really goes a long way in mending friendships. [Lightning Strikes]
• From Puck Buddy Cory K., on this Chris Pronger Fathead that's on discount: "A couple things I noticed: Why the hell does it look like he's taking a dump and out of any picture they can take and make a Fathead out of, why that one? Second, is the only reason it's a 'special price' a.k.a. down 40 dollars because he was traded? And lastly, are people actually buying this and putting it on their walls? Jesus ..."
• Paul Kariya is healthy, feeling good and ready to put up huge numbers in a contract year help the St. Louis Blues to glory. [Dispatch]
• Really, really dig that Patrick Eaves signing by the Detroit Red Wings. [MacLeod]
• In the Phoenix Coyotes mess, there should be a ruling today about whether or not the auction for ownership of the team will be open to the bidders seeking to relocate the Yotes. Hint: His name rhymes with "Schmalsillie." [Toronto Star]
• Really interesting take on the Atlanta Thrashers scouting, and how one personnel decision could really make a difference for the franchise. [Bird Watchers Anonymous]
• Wondering if Mike Gillis is too timid to be the Vancouver Canucks general manager. [Sun Media]
• Video of a refocused Sean Avery talking about the New York Rangers. Keep up that attitude and you may not be scratched in the playoffs next year, bucko. [Blueshirt Banter]
• Must Read of the Day: Mike Chen's personal tribute to Jeremy Roenick's career. [Kukla's Korner]
• Finally, this plays into today's earlier post on Jeremy Roenick's top pop culture moments: TSN's top 10 Roenick soundbytes, including some of his outstanding work as a thespian.
