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.
• Via Sarah Baicker of CSN Philly, it's Sergei Bobrovsky's new mask for the Philadelphia Flyers, following in the tradition of James "Optimus" Reimer in embracing his silly pop culture nickname. The other side features Rocky, which is only slightly less clichéd than an image of Mike Schmidt eating a cheese steak. (Stick-tap to DXFlyers)
• Former Minnesota Wild coach Todd Richards talks about getting canned: "The one thing that's disappointing was when we were playing good hockey before went on that four-game road trip [to Nashville, Dallas, Vancouver and San Jose], I truly believed we were a playoff team, I really did. But we weren't playing great hockey and I think we missed Mikko [Koivu]. That was a huge injury [broken finger] at a real critical time for us." He also told the media he was going to see "Your Highness" today to get away from it all. As if things weren't already depressing enough. [Star Tribune]
• It's official: The Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers will open overseas next year, including the first NHL regular season game to be played in Berlin. Sadly, the Oilers are not a part of it, so no Bulin Wall in Germany. [NHL.com]
• The Anaheim Ducks have the RPG Line. The Nashville Predators have Weber, Suter and Rinne. Who wins? [On The Forecheck]
• Ken Hitchcock and Kirk Muller candidates for New Jersey Devils' coaching job? Can't help but think it'll be a veteran, command respect immediately type than an NHL assistant. But we'll see. [NJ.com]
• According to the Detroit Red Wings website, the Red Wings will win the Cup this season. [Red Wings]
"Canada's love of hockey trumps election debate." Awesome. [Y!]
• Jake Leonard of the San Francisco Chronicle makes the case that Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby should win the Hart Trophy. Not "should have won"; should win, for playing half a season. [SF Gate, via John Corton]
• The five dumbest things about the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Among them: "One of the most bone-headed moves in all of the Stanley Cup playoffs has always been the presence of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who gives a hammy speech and awards the Stanley Cup to the winning captain." [TruTV]
• Celebrating the Ottawa Senator with the annual EUGENE Awards! [Senshot]
• Alex Tanguay is hoping he remains a member of the Calgary Flames. [Flames]
• Wait, we still need to say that trading Jarome Iginla would be a bad thing? [Globe & Mail]
• Vancouver Canucks President and General Manager Mike Gillis announced today that centre Cody Hodgson and right wing Victor Oreskovich have been recalled from the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. [Canucks]
• Buffalo Sabres left wing Thomas Vanek, Tampa Bay Lightning center Vincent Lecavalier and Anaheim Ducks goaltender Dan Ellis have been named the NHL's 'Three Stars' for the week ending Apr. 10. [NHL]
• The Washington Capitals give Mike Knuble a 1-year extension ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. [Capitals Insider]
• Why John Carlson is Calder-worthy, but won't win the Calder. [Japers]
• Darren Dreger is wondering about concussion protocol on the postseason: "how long will it be before opposing teams start squawking at the officials or complaining to the league about protocol not being exercised to the letter of the law - especially in the playoffs?" [TSN]
• Via reader Jeff Herman, it's coverage of the Nordiques Nation invasion of Times Square: "By sheer chance I was in Manhattan Saturday, en route to Westfield, NJ from Long Island. I decided to drop off at the NHL store, like I usually do when in the city, and saw that there were more Nordiques fans than usual there. Someone told me about a Times Square rally for the Nordiques at 2PM, and I remembered I heard something about that from your blog a few weeks ago. When I got to time Square, I was truly floored by what I saw. 1600 Nordiques fans lined the sidewalks outside the Foot Locker at the intersection of Broad and 7th, chanting 'Nordiques Nation!'"
• Dangerous Hockey makes their bid for the Minnesota Wild coaching job. Can't imagine he won't get it, having secured that Fax number. [DH]
• Dion Phaneuf, Luke Schenn and James Reimer will all play for Team Canada at Worlds. [CP]
• As was reported a few weeks back, Bob Hartley will not be among the names available for coaching vacancies, as he's committed to coach in Zurich. [Sporting News]
• If you've not read it: George Will writes about the Phoenix Coyotes and Glendale. [Will]
• Dave Stubbs, doing his part to stoke the flames of the Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens: "Eighteen days ago, Recchi said he'd reach out to David Mulder, the Canadiens' veteran head team physician and chief surgeon, to apologize for suggesting the Montreal medical unit had embellished Max Pacioretty's injuries. Maybe Recchi will do so in person, because he's not made a call." [Gazette]
• If you're looking for playoff pool fun, do check out The Pensblog for Rinkology. [tPb]
• We've finally reached a point, as a society, in which we must rise up with one voice and tell NHL.com that the puns must stop. [The Royal Half]
• Finally, more Classic Jack Edwards, as the Boston Bruins announcer offers his Ode To The Composite Stick (stick-tap to Phillip Lancaster)