News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Bob McKenzie says the NHL will be playing an outdoor game next year.
2. Pierre Lebrun breaks down the races in the Eastern Conference.
3. Sidney Crosby will miss the Buffalo game with a sore ankle.
4. Rick Nash has been named the Captain in Columbus. Lets hope this Captain Columbus can navigate towards the playoffs.
5. Spector sees reason for optimism in LA.
6. Larry Brooks doesn't like the NHL schedule.
7. Andrew Cogliano highlights this week's Hot List.
8. Need a primer on the SEL playoffs? Well wait no more!
9. An update on the Dan Cloutier situation in Los Angeles.
10. The CHL Power Rankings and WHL Fines race, courtesy of Taking Note.
11. Eric Duhatschek likes the idea of playing at outdoor game at Yankee Stadium.
12. Meghan Agosta and Sarah Vaillancourt are finalists for the Patty Kazmaier Award.
13. The other Nik is turning heads in Detroit.
14. Hockey.com has a soft spot for the old buildings of the NHL.
15. The Nolan-Dipietro relationship has soured a little.
16. Kesler and Burrows are trying their best to keep Vancouver in the playoff hunt.
17. The Penguins will play Jokerit in an exhibition game next fall.
18. Allan Muir of SI says the Red Wings will succeed in this year's playoffs because of past adversity.
19. The NHLFA has now been around for 10 years.
20. Mike Brophy writes that Wayne Gretzky has broken the trend that sees great players become bad coaches.
21. Another Top 10 Names list.
22. Ryan Dixon notes that Jonathan Cheechoo and Thomas Vanek have rediscovered their scoring touch.
23. An update on the Hottest Ice Girls poll.
24. The Puck Stops Here gives its opinion on what Tampa should have done with Brad Richards.
25. The list is kind of dated, but here is a rundown of hockey players past and present with famous girlfriends.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. This is a little old now, but check out the hockey lookalikes.
2. Marian Hossa admits that the chances of him staying in Atlanta are very slim.
3. John McGourty calls Modano and Roenick national treasures, presumably for their hair and mouth respectively. No word on Nicolas Cage's continuing search for both players.
4. Sportsnet needs your votes on a variety of questions.
5. News from the East Coast Hockey League.
6. Rod Brind'Amour is out 4-6 months with a torn ACL.
7. News and notes from the WCHA.
8. Jeff Gordon (no, not that Jeff Gordon) profiles the top young talent in the NHL.
9. Taking Note gives us a run down of who holds influence in the WHL.
10. Another article about possible Canadian expansion into NCAA hockey.
11. Scott Burnside is of the opinion that the Rangers can improve themselves by dealing Jagr.
12. Allan Muir of SI gives us his Inside the NHL column.
13. Thermablade has expanded its testing efforts in the NHL.
14. Eric Duhatschek with an excellent article about what it takes to win in the NHL.
15. Mathew Barnaby said there was a limit to the trash talking he would do.
16. Joe O'Connor catches up with Wendel Clark.
17. Habs old-timers are not impressed with the shenanigans of the current team. Shenanigans.
18. Ken Campbell says the Islanders have some tough decisions to make come deadline day.
19. Sam McCaig sees GT's in the Oilers future, but is lacking in knowledge of provincial drinking ages.
20. Mark Seidel previews the 16-30 picks in the upcoming draft.
21. Wicked Wrister calls for an end to the shootout. Illegal Curve advocates a 3 on 3 OT following 5 minutes of 4 on 4.
22. Puck That Hit, a lone voice of sanity, calls for a restriction on Mats Sundin stories.
23. Pierre Lebrun captures the essence of the blatantly obvious when he notes that Brind'Amour's injury has caused a change of plans in Carolina.
24. There is some speculation that Sergei Fedorov could return to the Red Wings.
25. Some Finn discusses how the NHL is viewed in Europe.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. The Senators have made a splash in the trade market, acquiring Mike Commodore and Cory Stillman for Joe Corvo and Patrick Eaves.
2. Michigan is back on top of the INCH college hockey rankings.
3. Pierre Lebrun says that making a splash at the trade deadline has its risks.
4. Ryan O'Byrne, fresh off a call up to the Habs, allegedly steals a woman's purse in Tampa. Must have been trying to fit in better with the Canadiens.
5. Bruins fans see a little Cam in Milan.
6. NHL.com with its 6-Pack of games to watch this week.
7. A profile on the Manchester Monarchs Danny Taylor.
8. The Hot or Not List from the CHL.
9. Al Strachan writes that a complete rebuild of an NHL team no longer makes sense.
10. Ken Campbell jumps on the Ken Holland to Toronto bandwagon.
11. Interesting story about the resurgence of hockey in post-Katrina Biloxi, Mississippi.
12. Fanhouse writes that Evgeni Malkin is thriving in the vacuum left by Sidney Crosby's injury.
13. Damien Cox makes an excellent point, further contributing to the possibility that the end may be at hand.
14. Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province believes that the NHL-UFC marriage is not good for hockey.
15. The Capitals may have found the cure for Sean Avery.
16. Luke Decock (best name ever?) says its time to have a Best Defensive Defenseman award. Kyle TheWang agrees.
17. Michael Farber takes a shot at NHL refs and picks the 2010 US Olympic Team.
18. Former Michigan Wolverine defender Kevin Quick has signed an AHL deal with Norfolk after allegedly stealing a credit card and racking up charges. Note the quote by Wayne Gretzky at the bottom of the article.
19. Stephen Valiquette is making a name for himself on Broadway.
20. Spector discusses the current trade rumours from around the NHL.
21. Former NHL'er Rob Cimetta details the story of how he survived the 9-11 Attacks.
22. The Puck Stops Here has an interesting study on why the number of high scoring Americans is going down while the number of American players continues to rise.
23. Scott Burnside tells us that the SE Division race might be a fight to the finish, as all teams have a chance to take it.
24. The Zapruder film of a brawl involving RIT and Canisius College.
25. Why does Rowbear Nilsson dress like a douche?

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. The Senators have something to prove tonight. Like why the hell they are stopping the economic stimulus package.
2. The staff at TSN try to choose the best pest in the NHL.
3. JP Dumont has inked a 4 year extension with the Predators.
4. Guy Lafleur wants his case to be held by a jury of his peers. Because if there is one place you can find 12 chain smoking guys with nicknames like "The Flower", its Montreal.
5. John Kreiser looks at 5 good and 5 not-so good trades.
6. A look back at the Bruins-Rangers blockbuster trade from 1975.
7. A look at Greg Puhalski, coach of the Wheeling Nailers.
8. Mark Recchi still making a contribution in Atlanta.
9. The Oilers have traded Dick Tarnstrom to Columbus for left winger Curtis Glencross. This is a good move for the Oilers, whose depth on the 3rd and 4th lines was limited to about 23 or 24 role players.
10. Pierre Lebrun suggests 10 trades that would help out both teams invovled.
11. Jim Kelley of Sportsnet airs his grievances with the NHL. A Festivus for the rest of us!
12. A profile on Michigan Tech of the WCHA.
13. Eric Duhatschek examines the all-important race for the basement in the NHL.
14. Former Wisconsin Badger Robbie Earl will make his debut against the Senators tonight.
15. Simon Gamache has officially left the Maple Leafs.
16. Scott Cullen of TSN with a complete list of NHL rumors.
17. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette breaks down the number of former first rounders by team.
18. The unofficial USHL power rankings.
19. Team Rbk takes down Team CCM in the USHL All-Star Game.
20. Fanhouse tells us that NCAA hockey is considering adopting overtime.
21. Check out this video of Marty Turco pimping Matt Niskanen's ride, a Pontiac Sunfire, of all things.
22. A note on the prospects that are coming out of US High School hockey.
23. A sure sign of the coming apocalypse, Edmonton and Calgary join forces to bid for the World Junior Championships.
24. Georges Laraque eyes a career in fitness training after his NHL career is over.
25. Another installment in the Hockey News feature on Roseau.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Montreal has demoted Carey Price and Kyle Chipchura to Hamilton of the AHL.
2. The Carolina Hurricanes have claimed Sergei Samsonov off of re-entry waivers.
3. Al Strachan gives us the good, the bad and the ugly from the NHL.
4. Hall of Fame Referee John Ashley has passed away at age 77.
5. Chris Chelios will become the 2nd oldest player ever to lace 'em up in the NHL sometime this week. I believe he is also 77.
6. The Moose Jaw Warriors have acquired Ty Wishart from the Prince George Cougars.
7. Eric Duhatschek says the Wayne Gretzky should be the leading candidate for the Jack Adams trophy. I don't see a problem with this. The Coyotes have a record above .500 with 19 guys you have never heard of and that guy the Oilers should have drafted instead of Steve Kelly.
8.The New York Rangers will have a younger lineup tonight, with Greg Moore, Nigel Dawes and Parenteau drawing into the lineup.
9. The Toronto Maple Leafs tried using Alex Steen as a defenseman at today's practice.
10. Ken Campbell lists the top UFA's for next summer. Watch for Mike Comrie to sign in California. He's not much of a golfer, though I hear he likes to Duff every so often. (Booooo to myself for that one).
11. Jim Kelley gives us his mid-season award winners, Sportsnet style.
12. A profile on Tyler Ennis of the Medicine Hat Tigers.
13. This week's ECHL profile takes a gander at Swiss goalie Daniel Manzato.
14. Andrew Ference tackles global warming. Does anyone else find it funny that he travels around in the off-season to encourage people to be carbon neutral? Does his plane fly on happiness and gumdrops?
15. The Lightning Strikes blog wonders if the Bolts would benefit from missing the playoffs.
16. John MacKinnon feels that it is unfair to deny NHL shooters a statistic for shootout goals.
17. Mason Raymond will take Markus Naslund's spot on the Canucks top line.
18. Brian McGrattan and Ray Emery make up via text message. Like, OMG! Ru cmng to dinner? Plz??? Letz b BFF's 4ever. Cul8er. Hugz, Razr
19. Pierre Lebrun looks at the first half surprises from the NHL.
20. Interesting story about Jeff Bes, member of the 1993 World Junior team for Canada.
21. Terry Koshan of Sun Media gives us a very early draft preview.
22. The starting lineups for the 2008 All-Star Game in Atlanta.
23. Check out this article and video on bubble hockey.
24. Michael Farber of SI notes that teams are riding their high prices goalies (thats what she said?) more than ever before, in the modern era.
25. Kevin Allen of USA Today gives us a list of draft eligible players who helped their cause at the World Junior Championships.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Team Canada goalie Steve Mason has been traded from London to Kitchener.
2. The NHL may have caught Rick DiPietro with illegal pads. I am sure there is a joke in here somewhere, but I don't have the time to think it through today.
3. Cal Nichols has resigned his position with EIG so that he can legally support Darryl Katz's bid to buy the Edmonton Oilers.
4. Pierre Lebrun feels that Canada's fascination with the World Juniors is misplaced. He lost me after he said he was named after Pierre Trudeau. Maybe this Pierre should also take a long walk in the snow.
5. Mark Bell has been sidelined with a head injury after a fight with Ryan Malone. Cue up the DUI checkstops, Bell will have some time off.
6. Who's Hot and Who's Not in the CHL.
7. The Globe and Mail annoints Jarome Iginla 1st half MVP.
8. Canada has been awarded the 2010 World Juniors after Switzerland pulls out. Tournament interuptus? Thats what she said? So many good ones to use here...
9. PS, Canada wins again, plays for Gold tomorrow.
10. Check out this video featuring James Wisniewski.
11. Check out the first paragraph of Taking Note, for what is likely the quote of the day.
12. Check out this new website. Lots of interesting content and links.
13. Fanhouse has the 1st Half Rookie Review.
14. A profile on current Omaha Lancer, Nico Sacchetti. What kind of a nickname is Sac? Was Scrotum already taken?
15. Atlanta and Carolina will swap broadcasters for the 2nd period of tonight's game. Should make for an interesting listen.
16. A look around the NHL with faceoff.com.
17. The canoe.ca blog answers the question about what team was the first to pull their goalie. This started a trend, as guys have been pulling their goalies ever since.
18. The latest installment in the Hockey News feature on the Roseau Rams.
19. The Score with a mid-season review and second half forecast.
20. The Hockey News blog with the 10 Ten moments from the Winter Classic.
21. The Hockey News profiles hot prospects from the World Junior tournament.
22. A look at U. Mass-Boston, playing in NCAA Div. III.
23. Simon Gamache would like to return to Switzerland.
24. Spector takes a look at some potential deals as the trade deadline approaches.
25. A look at the Lightning's prospects from Hockey's Future.

EURO CURVE

Euro Curve chronicles the latest international hockey news.

Writers Note: Euro Curve has been appearing sporadically as of late on www.illegalcurve.com, as I have been enjoying my vacation, which has consisted of me youtubing 1990's WWF home videos. Don't fret Euro Curve readers ( Kyle and a passionate fan from Iceland), a busy December schedule will keep my keyboard busy. With the upcoming 2008 World Junior Hockey Championships, the 2008 Spengler Cup, and rumblings of a Russian Super Super? League, please stay tuned to the hottest column in the blogosphere.

- Pierre Lebrun of the Globe and Mail writes about the IIHF/NHL transfer agreement, and the potential new league in Russia.

- Russia won the Channel One Cup on Sunday, part of the European Hockey tour, defeating the Czech Republic 5-1. Russia also won the Karjala Cup, the first tournament of the Euro hockey season. Russian won all three of their games, and only surrendered two goals, while scoring 11. Fedor Fedorov, Sergei's younger brother, scored twice in the final game.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Ezra Ginsburg.
(ezra.ginsburg@gmail.com)

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Team Canada has an intra-squad game tonight, which is expected to draw many spectators.
2. Bob McKenzie blogs to clarify a trade rumor attributed to him.
3. Stamkos and Tavares are looking to be the first 17 year olds since 2001 to make the World Junior team.
4. Pierre Lebrun wonders if Sidney Crosby can win the Lionel Conacher award.
5. Mathieu Schneider and Francois Beauchemin are drawing the most interest as the Ducks look to make a trade.
6. Craig Hartsburg has the task of weeding out the best of the best.
7. A look at Germany's Under-20 team.
8. Milan Lucic says thats its tough being out of the lineup
9. Double OT says the Lightning must make a deal.
10. Marc-Andre Fleury is out 6-8 weeks with a high ankle sprain.
11. Team Christmas from Inside College Hockey.
12. The Hockey News blog notes that the Penguins have a goalie problem.
13. Sergei Samsonov headlines the group of NHL forwards still looking for their first goal.
14. Taking Note tells us that former Red Wing goalie Greg Stefan is the new head coach of the Plymouth Whalers.
15. 6 Former USHL'ers are up for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.
16. Michael Farber of SI says that the NHL has the power to get its product back on ESPN.
17. Fanhouse notes that Hillary Duff has a thing or two to learn about hockey.
18. Mark Recchi has something to prove.
19. Allan Muir thinks the NHL should allow teams to have first dibs on homegrown talent. I am sure Atlanta is thrilled!
20. In case you missed it, check out this sick goal.
21. SI's Power Rankings.
22. The Oilers are scoring in bunches now, but also letting in a steady stream of goals.
23. Pascale Leclaire's play has cooled considerably.
24. The undrafted Jason Jaffray is on his way to NHL, joining the Canucks in California.
25. Leland Irving wants the #1 job with Team Canada.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior

The HD Corner - HNIC's The Headliner

Well, it’s official. The Headliner on HNIC has been terminated. Tragic, I know. *Tear. No more riveting Scott Oake interviews with Steve Moore about how his NHL career is basically over after that fateful Vancouver evening (Steve Moore had an NHL career? Could have fooled me). No more features with Lou Lamorello showing his office with a chart of every NHL team’s roster. No more stories about Gary Bettman’s failed attempt for hockey to become popular in the U.S. Sunbelt. How on Earth will I be able to survive the hockey season without these informative segments? In all seriousness, The Headliner will be replaced by two new segments called “Inside Hockey” and “Viewpoint”. Both of these new additions sound like they will be pretty much composed of the same content as The Headliner (ie: complete crap).

The biggest news of the day appears to be the fact that The Satellite Hotstove is staying on the air during the 2nd intermission for another season, after some off season rumours that it might be removed from the lineup. Definitely a smart move. Nothing is better on a Saturday night than seeing Pierre LeBrun’s pudgy face crammed into a small quadrant of my TV screen. Unfortunately, CBC will be adding some new personalities in the form of former players and league execs, in addition to the usual journalists normally featured. The best part of the Hot Stove was hearing the latest rumours from all the journalists’ hockey connections. I find it hard to believe that a former player such as Brett Hull would know of any insightful rumours, other than where a new Krispy Kreme franchise is possibly opening.

Finally, William Houston raises an interesting point from his most recent article about analogue vs. digital TV feeds on HDTV’s. NERD ALERT! Basically, what it comes down to is analogue signals on HDTV’s aren’t the greatest but do come out cleaner than digital signals on HDTV’s (I thought this would be the opposite, but what do I know. Sorry…I don’t work at Speaker City). Now that explains why Joe Bowen’s face looked like an old catchers mitt the other night. I knew there had to be some plausible explanation.