• Randy Carlyle going over some tactics with his players.
• Evgeni Nabokov has signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the New York Islanders. Hey, remember when this guy refused to report after being claimed on waivers? Now he's re-signing there. And you say the Islanders have nothing to be proud of. [NHL]
• A rookie no one is talking about: Marcus Kruger, who has 12 points since the All-Star break, tying him for 3rd among NHL rookies in that stretch. [Chicago Now]
• Mikko Koivu returns to the Minnesota Wild lineup Thursday for their tilt with Calgary. Hooray, said Calgary. [Star Tribune]
• Like me, you may already be tired of hearing about Alexander Radulov, who doesn't skate -- he walks on water. But Dirk Hoag asks a valuable question: whose wing will he play on? [On the Forecheck]
• Here's another valuable question about the Predators: are they Stanley Cup favourites? [Sportsnet]
• After missing 44 games with a concussion and then a knee injury, Joni Pitkanen is back for the Carolina Hurricanes. [NHL]
• Benjamin Wendorf looks at the history of NHL helmets. [SB Nation]
• Super interesting: Hockey coaches are beginning to use Israeli Air Force technology, originally used to train fighter pilots, to develop players' awareness and ability to make fast-paced decisions. [Shalom Life]
• At right: It would appear that Patrick Kane has the day off today. (Seriously, who wears hockey sweaters to the ski hill?) [Katie Baker]
• Speaking of Katie Baker, she thinks the Detroit Red Wings home uniforms are the best in hockey. False. Philadelphia for the win. [Grantland]
• Today in infuriating Canadian justice news: Graham James was sentenced to two years, but he could be released from prison as early as this fall. [CBC]
• Stu Hackel weighs in on the staged fights at Madison Square Garden on Monday. [SI Red Light]
• Scott Burnside and Pierre Lebrun on who won't be returning if the San Jose Sharks don't make the playoffs. I blame Jason Demers. Get. Him. Out of. Here. [ESPN]
• Linus Omark's usage would indicate that the Edmonton Oilers don't think too highly of him. They should trade his rights to YouTube. [Edmonton Journal]
• The Canucks have signed NCAA goaltender Joe Cannata, their 6th pick in 2009, to an entry-level contract. [Canucks Army]
• Is it harder to score goals late in the NHL season? [Broad Street Hockey]
• Don't worry, everyone: the Avalanche players don't mind playing second fiddle to Peyton Manning. I know you were all really worried about that. [Calgary Herald]
• Do yourself a favour and watch "2nd place", a motivational video that will get you totally stoked to not lose.