Here are your 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.
• In one of the coolest blog-centric developments of the season, Pucking Hilarious' Opitmus Reim logo for Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer actually made it onto the goalie's new mask. OK, so when does the MiikkaTron logo find its way onto Calgary Flames goalie gear? [Pension Plan Puppets, PH]
• Unable to rehab an injury, New York Islanders captain Doug Weight, 40, is done for the season and said he is leaning toward retirement. For context: March 17 was the 18-year anniversary of his trade from the Rangers to the Oilers for Esa Tikkanen. Yes, you're that old. [Newsday, reg. req.]
• In case you hadn't heard: No suspension or fine for Todd Bertuzzi for that elbow on Ryan Johnson last night, according to the Detroit Red Wings. He also apologized to Johnson between periods. [Red Wings]
• Sean O'Donnell on the state of the Philadelphia Flyers as they prepare for the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight, with the conference lead on the line: "After going to the Final last year, after getting the great start we had this year, some guys have kind of thought, perhaps not a conscious thing, but they're thinking 'let's save it' because the playoffs are a two-month grind to win the Cup. … But now it's time. We really need to start winning. We need a nice run here to make sure that come Game 1 in the playoffs, we're ready and this Pittsburgh game is a great test for us." [CSN Philly]
• As his rehab continues, more Sidney Crosby stick-handling porn. Wait, that didn't sound right. [NHL]
• Michal Handzus is the top line center for the Los Angeles Kings and slightly delusional after the Anze Kopitar injury: "That's why we have 23 guys on the team. Obviously it hurts, because he's our best player, but everybody goes through injuries, so it's not only about one guy." [LA Kings Insider]
• BizNasty and Dany Heatley of the San Jose Sharks have a mutual admiration society. [NHL]
• Nerd Alert: Bangin' Panger breaks down the "Goon Quotient" for the NHL through penalty stats. "Is there any correlation between goons and success? Being Charmin soft and making the playoffs?" [Bangin' Panger]
• Dater has a solution for the Colorado Avalanche between the pipes: "Should the Avs put that pick on the market for top young goalie prospect? Say, a guy like Cory Schneider in Vancouver or a Jonathan Bernier in Los Angeles? If the Canucks and Kings didn't want to part with those two, would they part with Roberto Luongo and Jonathan Quick instead?" [All Things Avs]
• This morning, we gave you the ugly side of high-school hockey from Texas. This is the opposite of that. [NJ.com]
• Forward Mark Letestu and goaltender Brent Johnson are back from injury for the Pittsburgh Penguins. [Empty Netters]
• Alex Ovechkin and Jason Arnott appear to be back from injury tonight for the Washington Capitals against the Carolina Hurricanes, although nothing's official. Ovechkin's missed the last three games. [WashTimes]
• The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed RPI junior goaltender Allen York to a standard two-year, entry-level contract. [AP, The Cannon]
• There's massive hype surrounding NCAA free agent Stephane Da Costa. Just like there was for Fabian Brunnstrom and Matt Gilroy? [Daily Faceoff]
• Meanwhile, making the case that Da Costa should take his talents to lovely … Ottawa. [Senshot]
• You don't want a piece of the Buffalo Sabres in the postseason. [Die By The Blade]
• No, seriously, you don't want a piece of the Buffalo Sabres in the postseason. [Globe & Mail]
• What, exactly, is it you're not understanding about not wanting a piece of the Buffalo Sabres in the postseason? [Post Media]
• Emily Hall with another History Will Be Made parody about Logan Couture of the San Jose Sharks. And here's another one worth checking out again Shawn Bates of the Islanders.
• Good bit here on Nate Thompson of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who is mightily underrated. [Bolts]
• Congrats to the Minnesota Wild for making the NBC Nightly News with Defending The Blue Line, an organization started by members of the Minnesota National Guard which assists families of all branches of the military with costs associated with hockey, and a charity the Wild has partnered with throughout the year and was the Wild's "Charity of the Month" for February. [NBC]
• Oh, where have you gone Dan Blackburn? Dallas, and the Goaltender Development Institute. Cool story. [D Magazine]
• The Japanese Ice Hockey Federation has informed the IIHF that, in view of the catastrophic developments in Japan, the JIHF was left with no other option than to cancel the respective national teams' participation in the three upcoming 2011 IIHF World Championship events. IIHF President René Fasel: "Although we regret the absence of the Japanese athletes at our championships, this is a time where sporting activities become almost irrelevant." [IIHF]
• The inspiration for Teemu Selanne's performance this season? Rebecca Black's "Friday," of course. [Distinct Kicking Motion]
• Blistering takedown of a Toronto Star article about anti-Leafs fans in Toronto. [PPP]
• Dirty Dangle invites Matt Damon to break down the Stanley Cup Playoff percentages. ."Wood drastically underestimates the impact of social distinctions predicated upon wealth, especially inherited wealth?" You got that from Vickers. [Dirty Dangle]
• Finally, via Daryl Jones of Ice Edge, here's a witty tale on the Phoenix Coyotes sale from a Winnipeg radio station.