Thursday Caps Clips: Progress is Progress

Your savory breakfast links:

• The latest labor-related news, non-news and assorted whatnot:
  • Talks continued past the midnight hour at NHL HQ, and the Union didn't play the disclaimer card... but still has options. [ESPN, NatPo, Puck Daddy, CBC, The Spin, Sporting News, PHT, Newsday]
  • Oh hey, NHL, remember that sweet deal you worked out with NBC? Without your product to showcase, the NBC Sports Network is a ratings disaster. [Awful Announcing, Deadspin]
  • In happier times, such as about 9:00pm EST yesterday, everything was possible - even a massive rivalry-intense season opener. [Puck Daddy]
  • This salary cap fits a bit too tight. Do you have something in a 7 3/8? [Puck Daddy]
  • Deal or no deal, you just know there's a Banker involved somehow. [ESPN]
  • Chipper Chimmer. [CSNW]
• It's almost not quite very nearly go time for Adam Oates. [CSNW]
• Ev'ry thing's coming up goalies in the Caps organization:
  • Congrats are in order for Hershey Bears goalie Braden Holtby, who had a lights-out December and was recognized as the AHL's best for that month ... [Patriot-News, SHoE, Glove and Blogger]
  • ... and also for Philipp Grubauer, who was named as the starting goaltender for the ECHL All-Star Game ... [WashCaps, ECHL]
  • ... and just for fun, here's some video from the Czechstraliga game in which Michal Neuvirth broke a skate blade. [sport.cz]
    
• In off-ice news, the engagement glow has not yet worn off Alex Ovechkin. [Alex Ovetjkin, RMNB]
• Every Hockey Fan Ever, let your voice be heard. Preach it, brother. [Backhand Shelf (video)]
• In which the 2012 Year in Hockey gets a well-earned kick in the keister. [Down Goes Brown]
• Over in Ufa, Riley Barber's two goal performance helped the US advance to the WJC semifinal against Canada. Of course, that game is already over... [Hockey's Future, RMNB]
• ... and we've got your result right here: Do you believe in improbable-but-hardly-inconceivable victories? YES! [SB Nation, Buzzing the Net, Backhand Shelf]
  
• Finally, happy 44th birthday to Steve Poapst and happy 39th birthday to Stefan Ustorf.