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.
• The New York Islanders Ice Girls are authorities on parts. Oh, our mistake: They're in a commercial for Parts Authority. In any event, this commercial needs more jacking. And awarding-winning acting from Chris Campoli and Mike Sillinger.
• As the hockey world waits for Michael Nylander's seemingly inevitable trade to the Chicago Blackhawks, Steve Rosenbloom questions whether Nylander has the heart to play in Chicago. [RosenBlog]
• Headline of the day so far: "Wow! The Stars are terrible." [JJT blog]
• Mike Knuble has veteran-envy for the Philadelphia Flyers, as they continue to dance with Brendan Shanahan. "Would one guy be able to come in and change a lot of things? I don't know. We don't have one of those yeller-screamer personalities, but we have guys who step up and say the right things." [Courier Post]
• For those wondering why the San Jose Sharks' new all-black third jerseys are called "BlackArmor," it's a little thing called sponsorship synergy: "The branding of the alternate sweater coincides with Seagate's promotion of its BlackArmorTM product, the world's first safe portable hard drive." So are the jerseys water-resistant and virus-protected? [Sharks]
• With a hearing today about William (Boots) Del Biaggio III's frozen assets, the ownership quandary of the Nashville Predators could come into focus. An aside: Isn't it journalistically vital to mention the obvious ties to Kansas City when discussing Los Angeles Kings owner Phil Anschutz's loan so Boots could buy the Preds? [Globe & Mail]
• Can Rick Tocchet's line juggling for the Tampa Bay Lightning shake the Barry Melrose funk off the players? [Puck Update]
• Tomas Holmstrom and Johan Franzen of the Detroit Red Wings have had enough of these hits to the head, thank you. Franzen also recalls Gary Roberts punching him in the noggin during last year's finals. If he can recall it, it wasn't much of a punch. [Freep, via Snapshots]
• Mike Van Ryn of the Toronto Maple Leafs hits back at critics who say that he put himself in a position to be injured against the Montreal Canadiens. [Toronto Sun]
• Damien Cox spells out the difference between Brian Burke and Bryan Colangelo in Toronto. "Nobody who sits on the MLSE board would have the courage to articulate to Colangelo what they think the Raptors should be doing. Every board member, on the other hand, has an opinion on the Leafs. Or their spouse does. Or their brother, cousin or college roommate." [Toronto Star]
• On the one-year anniversary of his joining the Chicago Blackhawks, John McDonough reflects back. But Third Man In would like him to dial it back a little: "McDonough comes off as well-polished, insightful, ambitious and cordial in every interview. Part of his role as president is to be front and center, a public figure and face of the franchise. I'd just like him to back off a bit with the self-congratulatory nonsense." [Third Man In]
• Scotty Hockey has a great look back at Patrick Roy and Wendel Clark, as they prepare to be honoured by the Habs and Leafs this weekend. [Scotty Hockey]
• Theo Fleury: "I don't have an Allan Cup, I don't have a Memorial Cup and I don't have a world championship ring. Before I die, I'm going to get all three." So ... eBay then? [Sun Media]
• Very interesting story out of the Washington Capitals' locker room: "The NHLPA has filed a grievance against the Capitals because the team has denied players' association representatives access to the dressing room areas at Verizon Center, which the PA claims is against league policy." [Capitals Insider]
• Kevin Weekes will be in goal, but the New Jersey Devils may be without center John Madden against the New York Islanders this evening. That's a seven-point night for Doug Weight waiting to happen. [Fire & Ice]
• Ted Leonsis fires back at The Globe & Mail for supporting voter fraud in the All-Star Game. Glad we're back on the same side again, big fella. [Globe & Mail]
• Finally, counting down the Top 10 goalie masks in recent NHL history. This Marty Turco creation ranks No. 2; maybe the Dallas Stars goalie's new mask will put him over the top. We support the love for Antero Nittymaki's gangster mask, but find the disrespect for Kari Lehtonen's "Kill Bill" inspired effort misplaced. [Fan IQ]
