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.
• That is what you think it is: Winnipeg Jets Dustin Byfuglien jersey. Too soon? [via Daniel Skolovy]
• Ken Campbell reports that the final obstacle has been overcome for the sale of the Atlanta Thrashers to True North: "Bruce Levenson will reportedly receive $20 million of the $60 million relocation fee that is included in the purchase price." Why that's $20 million for every Thrashers playoff appearance! [THN]
• The mayor of Winnipeg believes the announcement will arrive this week about the NHL relocating to his far city. Also, based on this photo, it appears he's been hit with the Joker's Smilex gas. [Winnipeg Sun, via Illegal Curve]
• Gary Bettman on the Thrashers moving to Winnipeg: "Nobody's announced anything, and frankly, if there is something going on, nothing is gonna happen until it actually happens, which means it may not happen. I think people need to take a deep breath and pause." Also: Find your Gary Bettman Decoder Ring to decipher what the hell any of that meant. [WDAE]
• Oh, Anson Carter could have totally saved the Thrashers. [SB Nation]
• Brian Rafalski on his retirement from the Detroit Red Wings: "The decision was made between my wife and myself, approximately two months ago. At the end of the day it came down to priorities with the top three priorities being: serving God, serving my family, and serving others. With hockey not being at the top, it's time to move on." Wait, he didn't mean Lidstrom in that first priority? [Red Wings]
• Speaking of Lids: "Most people in and around the Wings believe Lidstrom will return, but it will be interesting to see how the 41-year-old future Hall of Fame defenseman views losing his longtime defensive partner, Rafalski. Does Lidstrom see it as a step backward for the organization, or does he trust one of the game's great GMs in Holland to fill that hole and keep the Wings' powerhouse intact?" [ESPN]
• NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly to King 5 news about the NHL in Seattle: "We've had discussions with a group in Seattle. … Certainly people who are interested in having NHL hockey in Seattle. I would rather not get into specifics to be fair to that group, or the process." Everybody's going nuts over this, which forgets the fact that "discussions" are rather different than "negotiations." Example: True North is in negotiations to bring the Thrashers to Winnipeg. Hartford (!) was in discussions with the NHL about a return no less than two years ago. [King 5]
• Montreal Canadiens defenseman PK Subban has joined Twitter. This'll end. Not end well. Just … end. [@PKSubban1]
• It's only fair that the winner of this team takes Henrik Lundqvist. [The New York Rangers Blog]
• The fashion decisions for the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2012 Winter Classic. You're playing the New York Rangers; why not ask Avery? [Broad Street Hockey]
• Interesting postmortem on Scott Hannan of the Washington Capitals, who had a solid regular season and a not-very-solid playoff. [Japers' Rink]
• The May 22 tornado that destroyed much of Joplin, Mo., was the deadliest single U.S. tornado in nearly 60 years. The NHL is encouraging fans to donate to the Red Cross disaster relief fund to help victims. To help aid the relief effort, fans can donate via the League's NHL Green site or through the American Red Cross here. Donations can also be made via text message by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999.
• From Getty: "A fan entertains the crowd on the jumbo screen with his dance routine during the game between the Saint John Sea Dogs and the Owen Sound Attack in the 2011 CHL Mastercard Memorial Cup on May 23, 2011 at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Canada. The Sea Dogs defeated the Attack 3-2 in overtime." Hey, we're just happy to see Scott Gomez getting work in the offseason …
• Why going back to Dwayne Roloson for Game 6 is the right call for the Tampa Bay Lightning. [THN]
• Breaking down the totally confusing game-winning goal from Kevin Bieksa for the Vancouver Canucks. [Orland Kurtenblog]
• Speedy recovery to the man who inspired Stan Mikita's donuts. [Sun Times]
• Has the NHL opened the door to some restricted free agent poaching this offseason? [Sporting News]
• Nerd Alert: Sports Illustrated, NHL GM's and Corsi Blindness. [HOTH]
• Turns out Oskar Osala was KHL bound after all. [Canes Country]
• In case you were wondering, a full breakdown of teams that did or did not touch the conference championship trophy and their playoff fates. [NHL.com]
• Empty Netters and The Pensblog look back at the 20th anniversary of the Pittsburgh Penguins' first Stanley Cup.
• The Tampa Bay Lightning, in conjunction with Yacht Star Ships and the Florida Aquarium, will "charge" the Garrison Channel blue on Wednesday, May 25 at 5 p.m. prior to Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Bruins to show support for the team as it continues its quest for the Stanley Cup. Ask Chicago about dying water in the playoffs.
• Finally, this is creepiest [expletive] thing we've ever seen. OK, seen this week. (PG-13 Language Warning)
Hockey Comedy - Montreal and Boston Fan at Hockey Game from DJ Tommy on Vimeo.