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.
• Vancouver has incredible team chemistry.
• Penguins Eulogy due up later Thursday, as well as Canucks/Preds preview and our Round 2 picks.
• Detroit Red Wings Octopus Toss Arrest Update: The fan who was fined for and charged with disorderly conduct is fighting the system, pleading "not guilty" and claiming he'll be "lawyer'd up" in July for the hearing. [MLive]
• The Boston Bruins vs. the Philadelphia Flyers will be a battle of power-play mediocrity. Our lives wasted, two minutes at a time … [Broad Street Hockey]
• Speaking of terrible power plays, you know a fan base is upset when it goes the Fake Craigslist Ad route; eh, Pittsburgh Penguins? [On Frozen Blog]
• The "morning after" for Penguins fans. [The Confluence]
• Interesting bit of news from the Buffalo Sabres after their elimination: Ryan Miller had a concussion earlier this year, partially due to that Dion Phaneuf shot that we all figured rung his bell. [Die By The Blade]
• The NHL sends the city of Glendale a bill for $25 million to cover the Phoenix Coyotes' losses on the season, giving them until Monday to pay it. Because, you know, deadlines have been held so rigidly during this farce. [Arizona Republic]
• That said: Is May 6 the unofficial deadline for Matthew Hulsizer, Glendale and the NHL to come to an agreement? [SB Nation Arizona]
• Winnipeg mayor opens mouth, places foot in, smiles for the camera on claim Coyotes aren't moving. [Winnipeg Free Press]
• Interesting post from an Atlanta Thrashers blog that ends with a request for Thrashers fans on relocation rumors: "There's nothing I can do or say to change the behavior of Winnipeg fans or the Canadian media, but for Atlantans — hell, for other self-respecting hockey fans in general — I have a plea: stop. Stop following them. Stop retweeting them. Stop sending links to these rumor-mongering stories. Don't talk about it here or on social media sites. Don't comment on the stories. Don't comment on this story. ("Turn off your TV set!") Ignore the trolls. They won't go away, but I'm tired of giving them the attention." [Bird Watchers Anonymous]
• Cool find from Patrick Huffnagle: Visualizing The Stanley Cup, which is an interactive view of the different Cup champs and finals matchups. [Robby MacDonnell]
• S.O.B. on facing the Vancouver Canucks: "I'd be lying if I said I don't want to knock them out a little bit more [than other teams]. Obviously I do." [CBC Sports]
• Interesting bit on the Nashville Predators, who are using variable pricing in the playoffs: "The Predators reported a 30% increase in ticket revenue after launching dynamic pricing for NHL playoff tickets. Dynamic pricing adjusts single-game ticket prices through computer analysis of factors including team performance, opponent, weather, day of the week and gate giveaways." [SBJ, reg. req.]
• The New York Rangers will plan an exhibition game in the Czech Republic and "accidentally" leave Marian Gaborik there. [Rangers]
• Hey, turns out picking Corey Crawford over Antti Niemi was the right move for the Chicago Blackhawks. [Blackhawks Up]
• A tidbit that was no doubt lost in the Game 7 shuffle but that shows what a class organization the Pittsburgh Penguins are: "The Penguins gave a game puck to the Lightning's management following the game so it could be presented to assistant coach Wayne Fleming who is back in Tampa battling cancer. Lightning coach Guy Boucher thanked the Penguins for their class." [Empty Netters, via GlensGages]
• Novel idea for the Washington Capitals: Don't allow the Tampa Bay Lightning to force turnovers with their 1-3-1 system and tremendous transition game. [Capitals Insider]
• Why the second round of the playoffs are a battle of hockey good vs. hockey evil. [Pegasus News]
• The five alternate uses for Dustin Penner of the Los Angeles Kings. Scathing. [The Royal Half]
• Kings GM Dean Lombardi on the team's attitude: "I want guys pissed off. I've said it before. You know you're turning the corner when guys go home and they're pissed off. I sense that." [LA Kings Insider]
• From the NHLPA: "Following an exciting first round of the playoffs, the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF) are pleased to announce that the NHLPA Beard-a-thon has already raised over $50,000. The money raised goes towards the Foundation purchasing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for local hockey arenas and communities across Canada. As the second round is set to begin, the NHLPA will be matching the first $50 pledge that each beard growing participant receives prior to May 14."
• If you enjoy the many virtues of Kukla's Korner, then help a brother out. [KK]
• Yours truly contributes to a multi-media project by the Toronto Observer about the Return of the Jets. [Observer]
• Finally, via Houses of The Hockey: Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Thursday that the hockey club has signed goaltender Mark Owuya (oh-WOO-yah) to a two-year entry level contract. He's 21 now; back in 2006, he was a contestant on Swedish Idol. (Adult Content Warning — One Expletive.)