News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Bob McKenzie feels Chris Pronger should have been suspended.
2. The Raleigh News and Observer thinks Canadian teams get off easy in terms of suspensions, and they use math to prove it.
3. The QMJHL makes major changes.
4. The CHL Top Ten.
5. News from around the American Hockey League.
6. Terry Frei wants to see the home teams don the white sweaters again.
7. Ross McKeon updates the playoff races in each division.
8. Darryl Dobbs lists some skaters that fantasy hockey players should drop in the off-season.
9. The MJHL Division finals begin tonight in Winnipeg.
10. Jaromir Jagr discusses his future with the Rangers.
11. An entry from Mike Smith's blog.
12. By way of an update, Chris Pronger will have a hearing with the NHL today.
13. David Staples notes that the Oilers like to suck every 5 games or so.
14. The Slapshot blog is looking towards the playoffs.
15. Fanhouse offers tips on surviving the off-season for the fans of non-playoff teams.
16. Another article from Fanhouse, this one on the early departures of college players to the NHL.
17. Kukla with a funny take on how intermission interviews usually go down.
18. In the bottom news story of the day, Bridgestone is named Official Tire of the NHL.
19. Cory Wolfe interviews Billy Smith.
20. The Alaska Aces have recovered from the injury bug to creep back into the hunt in the ECHL.
21. The reality of injuries has derailed the Islanders season.
22. NHL.com catches up with Elmer Lach and Milt Schmidt.
23. Check out this story involving the Slovak Hockey Federation, Peter Stastny and some dirty commies. (2nd item down).
24. USCHO looks at the possible brackets for the NCAA Tourney.
25. Michael Farber discusses the Ovechkin cam.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. LZ Granderson tells us the Willie O'Ree is still trying to make a difference in hockey.
2. You want more Willie O'Ree? You got 'im.
3. Darren Dreger writes that the NHL and NHLPA are discussing the implementation of a declaration date for players to decide their playing fate.
4. Bob McKenzie says that the ideal situation would see Calgary make some trades to free up money for their impending free agents.
5. Pierre Lebrun writes that Ken Hitchcock didn't even get to see Rick Nash's spectacular goal, despite being on the bench.
6. The ECHL is inducting four into their Hall of Fame.
7. The NHL Notebook from the Globe and Mail reminds us its almost deadline time.
8. Nike is about to sell their Bauer division.
9. The Puck Stops Here examines who gains the most from long term contracts for young players.
10. Chris Chelios is saying that Rob Blake wants to be a Red Wing. Chelly must need someone to carpool with when its Senior's Night at Cracker Barrel.
11. Lets Play Hockey has a feature on Brady Hjelle of the Cedar Rapids Roughriders.
12. To help illustrate this slow news day, the papers in Philly are reporting that 76'ers forward Samuel Dalembert will attend his first ever hockey game, despite being a Canadian.
13. The Duluth News Tribune says that college players are feeling the pull to turn pro earlier than in the past. I've seen girls from Duluth before, I bet they feel the urge to pull something else rather than subject themselves to those lovelies.
14. A story on the US Pond Hockey Championships, set for this weekend.
15. Charles Wang is spreading good will through hockey, and hoping that the good will reaps benefits.
16. Fanhouse does a follow-up on the Chris Pronger furniture burning story.
17. St. Louis Blues fans werethisclose to getting free beer for attending a home game.
18. Allan Muir gives us the most bang for the buck team. Might I also suggest Regina girls if Illegal Curve fans are looking for more bang for their buck?
19. Dean McAmmond has an alter ego.
20. The latest cartoon from The Instigator.
21. CBC has a feature where you can send in questions to Commissioner Gary Bettman.
22. Ryan Dixon looks at the next wave of Swedish defensemen.
23. Ross McKeon examines Brett Hull in his new role as co-GM in Dallas.
24. Check out these hockey pictures from The Best Seat in the House blog.
25. Lowetide updates us on the Oilers 2004 draft choices.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Karl Alzer named captain of Canada's World Junior team.
2. Shawn Matthias, obtained by Florida in the Todd Bertuzzi deal, has inked an entry level deal with the Panthers.
3. David Shoalts has written what one can assume is only volume one in a series detailing the foibles of the Maple Leafs over the past 50 years.
4. Bernier and Mason are ready to be the tandem for Canada at the World Juniors.
5. Pierre Lebrun wonders if term limits on contracts will follow in the wake of the Dipietro and Richards deals.
6. Jason Jaffray was excited about his NHL debut, despite the loss to the Sharks.
7. The Philly-Pittsburgh rivalry has AHL roots.
8. Team Canada didn't waste any time in paring down its roster.
9. Bill Daly doubts that the NHL has a steroid problem, as least not to the extent seen in the MLB.
10. The new CBA hasn't had much of an effect on Detroit, who just keep on winning.
11. David Shoalts writes that Tomas Kaberle is starting to come around.
12. The NHL Notebook from Faceoff.com.
13. Friday's Water Cooler Notes.
14. Ernie Godden's goal scoring record still stands in the OHL.
15. The Stanley Cup gets in on the advertising blitz for the new National Treasure movie.
16. John Ferguson Jr. pleased with the Leafs winning, still being able to work.
17. The ECHL Report.
18. Oilspills.
19. The Hockey News feels that the NHL should be pro-active on the steroid issue.
20. NHLPA head Paul Kelly thinks most players will be wearing visors by 2011-12.
21. Adam Proteau's Mailbag.
22. Ken Campbell feels that the timing is right for the EIG to sell the Oilers.
23. On a related note, check out this profile that David Staples did on EIG Chairman, Cal Nichols.
24. Central Scouting's Preliminary Rankings for the 2008 Draft.
25. The Panthers recalled Anthony Stewart, but he played only 1:52.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior

News You Can Use Late In the Day

Due to time constraints, News You Can Use Will be abbreviated today.

1. Roberto Luongo is day to day with a rib injury, so the Canucks have recalled Drew McIntyre from Manitoba.
2. Sidney Crosby has won the 2007 Lou Marsh Award.
3. A profile on Angelo Esposito.
4. Cast your vote for Sportsnet's Athlete of the Year.
5. Brendan Morrison's consecutive games streak will end tonight.
6. The quotable John Tortorella.
7. The first day of Team Canada's camp has a few bumps today.
8. Eric Duhatschek wonders if Scott Niedermayer will start a trend amongst veterans.
9. The weekly release from the USHL.
10. Jonathan Tavares is the focus at Team Canada's camp.
11. An annonymous group of 4 NHL'ers is skating on Thermablades.
12. Pierre Lebrun says Sergei Zubov deserves some recognition.
13. Sheldon Souray returns to the Oilers lineup tonight. Allan Rourke will sit and Mathieu Roy is on waivers.
14. Your ECHL fix.
15. A profile on Tyler Myers of the Kelowna Rockets, a top prospect for this year's draft.
16. Ken Campbell writes that Sweden and Finland are likely to pull out of the NHL-IIHF transfer agreement.
17. The Czech roster for the World Junior tournament will have a CHL flavor.
18. Kukla thinks that the NHL needs to get back to playing wide open hockey, and forego the endless stream of proposed rule changes.
19. The London Knights are experimenting with Akim Aliu at defense.
20. Playing in Florida isn't all its cracked up to be.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Terry Frei of ESPN with an ode to Slapshot.
2. Jim Kelley with his Inside the NHL column.
3. Anton Volchenkov is expected to miss at least 4 weeks.
4. Pierre Lebrun of Sportsnet anticipates more schedule changes, as early as 2009-10.
5. Radek Martinek accuses the Rangers' Hollweg of trying to rip out his stitches.
6. Ed Jovanoski gets a one-game suspension for his hit on Marion Gaborik.
7. Scott Burnside recaps the Board of Governors' meetings.
8. The WHL gets a split with Team Russia and gives Canada the win in the ADT Challenge.
9. The Vancouver Giants are ready to take another run at the Memorial Cup.
10. Hockey thrives in Bakersfield, CA.
11. Speaking of Slapshot, did you know new Caps coach Bruce Boudreau was an extra?
12. Taking Note with details on the CHL Power Rankings, and the news that Pokey Reddick's son Bryce is playing in the BCHL and has committed to Michigan Tech.
13. The IIHF has voted to play all international tournaments scheduled for North America on NHL-sized rinks.
14. The ECHL report with word that the Ferraro brothers are alive and playing in Las Vegas.
15. Good hockey article from the Wall Street Journal. Wait, what?
16. NHL.com with its fantasy guide for the 1st week of December.
17. Theo Fleury is set to get his own reality show.
18. Fanhouse with video of the 8 year olds hockey brawl.
19. John Kreiser notes that the Bruins and Flyers keep winning despite being consistently outshot.
20. Adam Proteau's mailbag.
21. Gordie Howe has sued his former business associates.
22. The photoblog from the USHL's Robert Meyer.
23. Mark Recchi is a healthy scratch again, and may be on the move to Columbus.
24. Two Kingston Frontenac players and the trainer were hurt in a car accident.
25. Recalls include Mart Hartigan (Wings), Quintin Lang (Capitals) and Colin Fraser (Thrashers).

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. TSN wonders where Jarome Iginla fits in on the all-time list of Flamers.
2. Blackhawks winger Tuomo Ruutu was mistakenly taken into custody yesterday in Bensenville, IL after police mistook him for a robbery suspect.
3. No criminal charges will be laid in the 8-year old brawl fiasco in Guelph.
4. A bus carrying the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL was involved in a crash, seriously injuring the driver.
5. Alan Weiss with a report on prospects currently playing in the ECHL. (Hat tip, Rocky)
6. CHL News and Notes.
7. The American Hockey League announces its Hall of Fame Class for 2008.
8. Eric Duhatschek campaigns for a larger ice surface.
9. Are you sick of all the Leafs/JFJ talk? Me too. Go here for relief.
10. The Fan590 will retract its allegation that Sean Avery made disparaging remarks about Jason Blake.
11. Jim Matheson notes that the Oilers must make re-signing Tom Gilbert a priority.
12. A look around the American Hockey League.
13. Boy Devereaux satisfies his taste for music by starting up a music label.
14. Markus Naslund is enjoying a resurgence in Vancouver.
15. An artist has created nude paintings of Bobby Orr and Derek Sanderson. (Hat tip, Amanda)
16. The Lundqvist brothers are each other's biggest fans.
17. Shawn P. Roarke lists 10 Free Agents who might wish they had stayed at home.
18. Fanhouse notes that Kipper may be out of shape and Dion Phaneuf is full of himself.
19. Want old stats? David Staples has 'em for you.
20. Alex Kovalev happy with his production, but would like more even-strength goals.
21. James Duthie decries the trap, but notes that it is effective.
22. Mike Comrie says that dating Hilary Duff has gained him a lot of friends in the NHL.
23. The Avs recall TJ Hensick.
24. NHL Media Guides provide a wealth of info about players personal lives.
25. Check out the updates on the Hockey News Series about Roseau, MN. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

-Bobby Clarke feels Eric Lindros is a Hall of Famer. Thoughts?
-John Leclair: Canadien, Flyer, Penguin, Drunk Driver.
-The Canadian women win their first game at the Four Nations Cup, defeating Finland 4-1.
-Team USA wins a wild one over Belarus at the World Junior Challenge in Trail, BC.
-North Dakota recruit Ben Blood blogs on his experience at said World Junior Challenge.
-Mike Modano passes Phil Housley to be the highest scoring American NHL'er.
-The Sabres are looking to Ryan Miller to lead them out their funk.
-Ilya Kovalchuk tops the Hot List.
-The Junior Report from the NHL, which focuses on the USHL heavy US entry in the World Junior Challenge.
-A profile on UND Head Coach, Dave Hakstol.
-The Kamloops Blazers have fired head coach Dean Clark.
-A look around the QMJHL.
-Jeff Taffe is enjoying a resurgence in the AHL.
-You want ECHL news? You got it.
-Chris Higgins feels he has 40-goal potential.
-Elliot Pap looks at what ails the Canucks.
-Darcy Tucker feels he has the answer to the Leafs' defensive woes.
-Tortorella calls today's NHL players soft.
-The Kings play Amazing Race in Los Angeles.
-The Western Conference Report from the AHL.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior