Your savory breakfast links:
- The League announced yesterday that the schedule through November 1 has now been cancelled, which can only be considered mildly surprising… and then only because of the relatively small number of dates s-canned this time around. [Puck Daddy, WaPo, CSNW, PHT]
- It sounds as if the lingering contractual deets have been ironed out and Nicklas Backstrom is all systems go in Moscow, where the gap-toothed chairman of the welcoming committee is doing his thing. [RMNB, Alex Ovetjkin (and again), Dynamo (pics), CSNW, USA Today, VChillin]
- News and views from Lockoutland, where I believe we’re at PUCKCON 2:
- Bad faith negotiating, unsurprisingly, does not advance the ball, err, puck. [Puck Daddy]
- But if you’re looking for reasons for optimism, look at actions, not words. [mc79hockey]
- On the leaders, Gary Bettman… [Sportsnet]
- … and his chief adversary, Donald Fehr. [Globe and Mail]
- Other assorted interesting reads abound (one of the few positives of the lockout – good writing about it). [Backhand Shelf (and again), NHL Numbers, Hockey Analysis]
- Wojtek Wolski made his debut back in Poland. [eSanok, gwizdek24 via Google Trans]
- The Kettler crowd is shrinking. [CSN]
- A game worn Alex Ovechkin sweater from the Winter Classic can be yours if… the price is right. [Classic Auctions]
- Speaking of Ovi’s gear, a look at his rather fitting – like a glove, in fact – tribute to his late brother. [RMNB]
- ESPN’s KHL ratings, like the product itself, is rather “meh.” [Puck Daddy]
- Braden Holtby is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury in Hershey, so Philipp Grubauer has been called up (and could make his AHL debut this weekend). [Capitals]
- Speaking of the Bears, they got their first win of the season, thanks to a big time performance in net from Dany Sabourin. [Dump ‘n Chase, Patriot-News, SHoE]
- Oh, and it sounds as if Dmitry Orlov blew up some dude with a hip check early in that tilt. [Stucc’s Glove and Blogger]
- Finally, happy 34th birthday to Mike Farrell.