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.
• Cap considerations and general concerns about fair value have evidently killed a potential trade of Michael Nylander from the Washington Capitals to the Chicago Blackhawks for power forward Dustin Byfuglien. Getting a second-line center and moving Patrick Sharp back to wing is pretty darn important; but here's the reality of the Blackhawks' surroundings from Third Man In: "Mike Comrie and Doug Weight on Long Island are probably available at the right price but Byfuglien and/or Cam Barker will be the going rate. And they always will be in each and every case until we get closer to the trade deadline ..." [Third Man In]
• In order to remain on Long Island, the New York Islanders desperately need a new arena facility. Also important: Not sucking. [Newsday]
• The Toronto Maple Leafs could open negotiations with Brian Burke this week. By the way: Congrats to Al Strachan for calling the Melrose firing on Hockey Night in Canada's Hot Stove segment (about 4:40 in); that helps balance out the blatant Canadian elitism in questioning why the Leafs are seeking to hire a no-good, hockey-ignorant American in Brian Burke when there so many great Canadians looking for management jobs. C'mon, Al: We're not all like Mike Milbury. [Globe & Mail]
• With Marian Hossa, Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen (if healthy), the Detroit Red Wings have the potential for three 50-goal scorers this season. [Snapshots]
• Razor on the Dallas Stars snagging Darryl Sydor from the Pittsburgh Penguins: "The re-acquisition of Darryl Sydor is one of those transactions that should be viewed as win-win-win-win. It's a quad of positivity." [Razor With an Edge]
• Uh, wow: "German international netminder Robert Mueller, who revealed last week that his brain cancer is incurable, returned to the ice to make a substitute appearance for the Cologne Sharks on Sunday." How do you even take a shot on goal with that guy between the pipes? [Reuters]
• Larry Brooks believes the New Jersey Devils should be sellers, and that Patrik Elias should be moved this season. Which would be dandy if (A) the Devils didn't commit millions to Brian Rolston last off-season to help make them Stanley Cup contenders or (B) Marty Brodeur will return from injury before the postseason or (C) Elias isn't exactly Tickle Me Elmo as far as rampant desire for acquisition goes. [NY Post]
• After the "Boots" Del Biaggio loan mess, the NHL had adopted a new rule that forces "owners to disclose any and all business and financial relationships between one another." We assume this includes the informal "What's the next crazy thing Oren Koules does?" pool the other 29 teams participate in. [Kuklas]
• Mike Comrie's girl Hilary Duff has signed a deal with NBC to develop a new series and to guest star on other NBC shows. Six words: Hilary Duff Dwight Schrute karaoke-off. [TV.com]
• So at what point does Joe Sakic's back situation for the Colorado Avalanche go from "problem" to "chronic?" [Avs Talk]
• Exactly how much would you pay for Pelle Lindbergh's tuxedo, the one he wore when he picked up the 1985 Vezina Trophy for the Philadelphia Flyers? Because someone in Sweden has it on eBay, and bidding seems to have hit the wall at $800 US. [eBay]
• With leadership and a competitive fire, John Tavares is trying to prove to critics that he still belongs on top of the board for next year's NHL Draft. Not so much talk about team throwing their seasons for this kid anymore, huh? [NHL]
• Losing Andy McDonald is basically a death-blow for the St. Louis Blues on several fronts. [Hockey Guy]
• Now that the San Jose Sharks' power play has come around, is there no denying that Todd McLellan is the coach of the year thus far in the NHL? For the sheer fact that Patrick Marleau is suddenly relevant again? [HLOG]
• Remember those bloggers that are working for Versus on its Web site? Well, a few of them participated in a conference call with Jonathan Toews of Chicago. While in their parents' basement, wearing nothing but underwear. We assume. [Sharkspage]
• Finally, this would appear to be former Boston Bruins goaltending draft pick Mike Brown, now playing for Schwenningen ERC in Germany and obviously auditioning via YouTube for a mascot position in the NHL. Please tell us beer was somehow involved. Ned Braden would approve, but alas Brown is fully clothed.
