Okposo reviews The Dark Knight Rises; Breakfast at Quick’s; Enstrom extended (Puck Headlines)

Quick

• Breakfast at Jon Quick's house. Clearly, they knew the spread would be overshadowed by the gaggle of trophies, so they hardly tried. Bagels and muffins? Lame. [Kevin Westgarth]

• The Winnipeg Jets have agreed to terms on a multi-year extension with Tobias Enstrom. [TSN]

• Kyle Okposo reviews the Dark Knight. The Islanders need to make this a regular feature. [Islanders]

• Don Levin, the owner of the AHL's Chicago Wolves, is pretty serious about getting an NHL team into Seattle. How serious? He went to Bellevue. [Seattle Times]

• Here's a neat article on what it's like to be the host family for a future hockey star like Jimmy Howard on Patrick Kane. The interviewer sounds legit. "I basically treat the boy like my son. I do for him exactly what I would do for my sons. I go to all home games and try to go to any away games that are possible. I make sure they are fed properly. I even have little chores for them to do when they aren't on the road." [Patch]

Looking at where Alex Semin fits on the Carolina Hurricanes, as well as this tidbit on the package the Blue Jackets were asking for Rick Nash: "The Canes pursued free agent Zach Parise and offered up a trade package for Rick Nash, but fell short on Parise (signed by the Minnesota Wild) and bowed out on the Nash bidding (the Blue Jackets apparently were asking for Jeff Skinner and another top-nine player; Zac Dalpe and another prospect and two first-round draft picks)." [Canes Now]

• Cam Charron compares the treatment of Rick Nash to the treatment of Alex Semin. [Backhand Shelf]

• Great obscure moments in Leafs playoff history: that time Pat Quinn screwed up the lineup card during a playoff game. [Down Goes Brown]

• Rick Nash discusses a phone call he had with John Tortorella. "[Tortorella] called me right after the deal went down. He seemed really intense but he seemed really helpful." I imagine Torts was like, "Welcome to New York, Rick, Let's make a blood oath." [North Jersey]

• In case it wasn't clear Shane Doan's agent is pumping the market like a boss, here he is on whether or not Shane is anxious to get something done soon: "I don't think Shane is anxious," said Bross, who represents many baseball players. "I'm used to free agency in baseball where we drag it out ridiculously long." I'd wager, then, that these delays have less to do with waiting for Phoenix, as they say, and more to do with strategically upping demand. [The Province]

• According to Aaron Ward, the Red Wings appear to have figured this out and dropped out of the running for Doan's services. [Kuklas's Korner]

• Sad news: Kevin McIntosh, a fixture in Windsor hockey since the 1970s, steps down from his position as general manager of junior's LaSalle Vipers because of Parkinson's disease. [Windsor Star]

• Minnesota Wild prospect and Gophers leading scorer Erik Haula was cited for disorderly conduct last weekend after urinating in a public place. In the best report ever, the officer noted that Haula was turned over to a friend who was "somewhat sober". [Sacbee]

• USA Hockey takes you back to when ice hockey was a summer Olympic sport. [USA Hockey]

• Should the NHL have a disciplinary appeals board? [Edmonton Journal]

• The Kings appear in no rush to trade Jonathan Bernier. [Fox Sports West]

• A fond farewell to Fabrian Brunnstrom, who returns to Europe. [Defending Big D]

• Have a chuckle at the best tweets about Tim Thomas's support of Chick-fil-A. [PITB]

• Dan O'Toole's intro to TSN Sportscentre's latest update on the NHL's CBA negotiations is pretty much perfect.

Shane Doan meets with Habs; Steve Staios retires; Nail Yakupov is rich now (Puck Headlines)

Reddit Hockey

• Brandon Dubinsky reacts to his trade to the Blue Jackets. [Reddit]

• Now that they've spent all the money in the world on Shea Weber, how do the Predators manage their roster and budget going forward? [On the Forecheck]

• By being drafted 1st overall, Nail Yakupov made $1.65 million US more than Sarnia Sting teammate Alex Galchenyuk. [Edmonton Journal]

• The Nashville Predators prove they mean business. By spending all their money on one asset, like any good business. [The Hockey Writers]

• Here's an article on CBA talks where, somehow, no one manages to say anything at all. [Toronto Star]

• Steve Staios has retired, and will join the Toronto Maple Leafs staff as a player development advisor. [USA Today]

• The Niagara Falls Reporter steps in to defend Lenny Palumbo, who revealed himself as a big ol' homophobe last week. [Niagara Falls Reporter]

• .... And Battle of California responds, hilariously. [Battle of California]

• Shane Doan will be meeting with the Montreal Canadiens, because why the Hell not. [The Globe & Mail]

• With Rick Nash off the table, what's next for the Sharks? Probably not much. [CSN Bay Area]

• Dustin Penner, on his target weight for training camp: "I'm going to be pretty specific here and say less than what I weighed-in at for last year's camp." [Mayors Manor]

• The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette chats with new Penguin Brandon Sutter. Here's a quote taken out of context: "They were rubbing it in pretty good. Hopefully I can rub it back at him." [Post-Gazette]

• What should the San Jose Sharks expect from a healthy Michal Handzus? [Fear the Fin]

• Take a look at James van Riemsdyk and Luke Schenn in their new uniforms. As Pension Plan Puppets noted, now Schenn looks really like a pylon. [The Backhand Shelf]

• Do yourself a favour and check out this collection of stills from EA's NHL games through the years. Seriously, you guys, we live in the future. [Reddit Hockey]

• Hindsight, extenuating circumstance, blah blah blah, but the Leafs gave up more for Phil Kessel than the Rangers did for Rick Nash. [Vintage Leaf Memories]

• Dillion Donnelly takes blame for breaking the Memorial Cup. Apparently, he dropped it. Presumably into a wood chipper. [Mile High Hockey]

• Since I know you have time because it's the offseason, here's the entire pilot for a Canadian comedy about a minor hockey team called the Ramsay Downholers.

Why Shane Doan should go; Stanley Cup witnesses marriage proposal (Puck Headlines)

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.

@kwesty19

• Kevin Westgarth of the Los Angeles Kings shows us exactly what 76,000 pages of NHL financial documents looks like. [@KWesty19]

• "The Players' Association still has not received all the financial documentation -- primarily the independently audited information for the league's clubs -- requested from the NHL and has no intent to submit a proposal until that information is received and then analyzed." [ESPN New York]

• The Detroit Red Wings announced that Slava Fetisov, Sergei Fedorov, Vladimir Konstantinov and Igor Larionov will participate in the Winter Classic alumni festivities. Fetisov, Fedorov and Larionov will take part in the Alumni Game against the Maple Leafs. Konstantinov will serve as an ambassador. [Red Wings]

• Bourne with a strong take on why Shane Doan should move on from Phoenix. [Backhand Shelf]

• P.K. Subban was reportedly offered a 2-year, $5.5 million contract that his agent quickly shot down, adding nothing is imminent. It's Aug. 2 and Subban is still a restricted free agent. Where are the offer sheets? [Hockey Inside/Out]

• Bruce Ratner, a real estate developer who's currently building a state-of-the-art arena for the Brooklyn Nets, on the potential of luring the New York Islanders there: "I am trying like hell to get the Islanders to make Barclays Center their new hockey home." The Islanders' lease at Nassau Coliseum is up in 2015. [NY Daily News]

• USA Hockey announced that its 2012 Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held in Dallas. Among this years nominees includes Mike Modano. How fast will tickets go now? [USA Hockey]

• Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown will be the honorary starter at the Finger Lakes 355 NASCAR race at Watkins Glen next weekend. [Syracuse.com]

• It's almost fantasy hockey season. Speaking of that, who are the top fantasy hockey players of all-time? [NHL.com]

• Please welcome Not Another Hockey Blog to the blogosphere. [NAHB]

• If you could choose only one, would it be Pavel Datsyuk or Joe Thornton? [Eye on Hockey]

• An adult rec league hockey game in Texas ended when a player hit an opponent in the face with his stick after a baseball-style swing. The player was later arrested under suspicion of assault. [KHOU]

• The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed college free agent Jayson Megna to a 2-year, $1.87 million deal. The 22-year old scored 13 goals and 31 points last season at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. [Penguins]

• Do you like novels? Do you like romance novels? Do you like hockey romance novels? Then Daniel Wagner has a Top 5 list for you. [Backhand Shelf]

• After losing his brother, Detroit Red Wings forward Jordin Tootoo is supporting the Aboriginal Youth Council as they try to help prevent youth suicide. [CBC]

• Off-season winners and losers in the Pacific Division. [Fear the Fin]

• Finally, Justin Williams' brother-in-law decided to propose to his girlfriend with the Stanley Cup in their presence. The couple then celebrated with a drink:

Rick Nash trade reaction; Kane, Jets closer to extension; RIP McQuaid’s mullet (Puck Headlines)

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.

YLE News via @AnaheimDucks• Anaheim Ducks forward Saku Koivu was among the Olympic torchbearers this morning in London. [@anaheimducks]

• Mark Spector is not a fan of the return Scott Howson got for Rick Nash: "In many ways, the Rick Nash deal so perfectly sums up what has been a total loser of a franchise in Central Ohio. We waited, they talked about the largesse it would take to acquire Nash -- and when it's over it's like another Blue Jackets season. Lots of hype. Very little delivered." Ouch. [Sportsnet]

• More on Howson from Sean Gentille: "It took five months, but Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson eventually climbed into the bed he made for himself." [Sporting News]

• Why what the Blue Jackets got in return wasn't all that bad. [Backhand Shelf]

• Scott Howson did pretty good. [Fear the Fin]

• In other Blue Jackets news, 2012 first round pick Ryan Murray has signed his 3-year entry level contract. [CBJ]

• Amid all the Rick Nash hubbub on Monday, Sergei Kostitsyn and the Nashville Predators avoided arbitration and agreed to a 2-year, $6 million deal. [Tennessean]

• As we wait for the Lubomir Visnovsky hearing regarding his trade to the New York Islanders, this from Arthur Staple: "They could still try to make a deal with the Ducks for Visnovsky, who has told friends he would still be open to playing for the Islanders even if he wins his case." Um, so what's the problem? [Newsday]

• The family of Jessica Redfield has set up a fund to help support a journalism scholarship. [Official Jessica Redfield Fund]

• Evander Kane and the Winnipeg Jets are moving close to a 6-year, $29 million deal, according to Gary Lawless. [Winnipeg Free Press]

@LAKings

• The LA Kings had their Stanley Cup championship DVD premiere Monday night and their Twitter feed ruined the ending for everyone.

• Shane Doan has reportedly given potential Phoenix Coyotes owner Greg Jamison until Friday make progress in the sale of the team. "If Doan can't get serious assurances that the Coyotes sale will happen he will look at signing outside of Phoenix and will narrow that list down." [Phoenix Business Journal]

• Farewell Adam McQuaid's mullet. We shall miss thee. [Days of Y'Orr]

• It's the end of July and Mike Knuble's phone has yet to ring. [CSN Washington]

• Down Goes Brown on the pros and cons of matching the Shea Weber offer sheet: "PRO: The Predators have been receiving revenue sharing payments from the league's wealthier clubs for years, and Maple Leaf fans would probably enjoy seeing MLSE's money go towards signing a big name free agent for once." [DGB]

• Zach Boychuk and Jay Harrison re-sign with Carolina. [Canes]

• Same goes for Colin Wilson and the Nashville Predators who agree to a 3-year, $6 million extension. [On the Forecheck]

• The Latvian Hockey Federation has extended Ted Nolan's contract through the 2012/13 season. Should Latvia manage to qualify for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, the contract will expire in May 2014. [IIHF]

• Finally, our new favorite "History Will Be Made" parody, featuring M.V.P.:

Laviolette extended; Evander Kane update; Malhotra to march in Pride parade (Puck Headlines)

@thektshow
• This hockey hair sketch is really cool. [kate foo vs. the internet]
• Canucks' centre Manny Malhotra will march in the Vancouver Pride parade next week, alongside Patrick Burke and mascot Fin.  [You Can Play]
• Fun piece here, as Scott Burnside takes you inside the life of the Stanley Cup's babysitters. [ESPN]
• Evander Kane update from Gary Lawless: he's stalling for some reason. "GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has put a six-year contract worth close to $29 million on the table and Kane's people have had it sitting in a desk drawer for a number of weeks now. [Winnipeg Free Press]
• The Flyers have officially agreed to an extension with coach Peter Laviolette, which is good, because he's good. [Broad Street Hockey]
• Breaking down Patrick Kaleta's new three-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres. [Die By the Blade]
• A con man has been sentenced to 12 years in jail for his scams, one of which was bilking former NHLer and 1999 14th overall draft pick Jeff Jillson out of $83,850. [Valley Breeze]
• The top five things Capitals fans should watch for in August. Sadly, Ovechkin droppin' his latest single, "My single is droppin'", isn't one of them. [CSN Washington]
• Two Saskatchewan men are trying to bring the up-for-auction war medals of Edward Abbott, one of Saskatchewan's most decorated First World War heroes, back to the province. He's also a former hockey star and the Abbott for which the Abbott Cup was named. The trophy was awarded every year between 1919 and 1999 to the winning Junior A hockey team in western Canada. [News 1130]
• Sergei Kostitsyn starts a charity to bring hot Russian girls to America. The title of the blog is "Real Hockey News", so you know
this is real. [Real Hockey News]
• I'm enjoying Hockey Wilderness's hockey movie character tournament. [Hockey Wilderness]
• Super misleading headline alert: "Toews still learning the ropes in pro hockey." [Brandon Sun]
• The evolution of John Tavares. [The Hockey Writers]
• The Canucks have had some discussions with Jason Arnott, but when it comes to filling their old man hole (gross), Shane Doan remains Plan A. [Vancouver Sun]
• Why the Northwest division continues to be the league's worst division. Turns out there's more to it than just having the Flames and Oilers. [The Hockey News]
• Cory Schneider is known for his excellent impressions of teammates, and as this video demonstrates, there's a reason he isn't known for any other impressions.

Nash says goodbye; Messier gets paid; Please don’t boo Fedorov (Puck Headlines)

• Ryan Suter and Alex Radulov may be gone, but one staple of the Nashville Predators remains: ice. Watch them install it for the 2012-13 season in this cool time-lapse video.

• Rick Nash took out a full-page ad in the Columbus Dispatch to thank fans for their support. [Blueshirt Banter]

• You guys, please don't boo Sergei Fedorov at the Winter Classic alumni game. That wouldn't be cool, you guys. [CBS Detroit]

• NHL labour update: nothing is happening. [USA Today]

• We're all gigantic homers, as this excellent survey proves. [Broad Street Hockey]

• Mark Messier just won an arbitration hearing with the Canucks that says they have to pay him $6 million dollars more. He deserves the money, but could Canuck fans possibly hate this guy any more? [Vancouver Sun]

• And here's videos of Mark Messier being punched in back of the head, to make those Canuck fans feel better. [Pass it to Bulis]

• Debatable sentence: "Not enough of it was made at the time, but the Senators blew it by not re-signing defenceman Matt Carkner." [Ottawa Sun]

• Good stuff here on how Seattle could fit into the NHL. [SB Nation Seattle]

• The greatest NHL games of all time, but the fact that last year's barn-burner between Philadelphia and Tampa Bay isn't on here renders this list moot. MOOT I SAY. [Kukla's Korner]

• Tuukka Rask, on Tim Thomas: "I look at things a little differently because he's a friend of mine. I don't really care what he says on Facebook or whatever. We don't talk about that kind of stuff and he's always been good to me." [CSNNE]

• This is fun: The LA Kings assemble four bloggers and ask them questions about next season. [Kings]

• P.K. Subban is still unsigned for some reason. [Backhand Shelf]

• Which Tampa Bay Lightning logo is best? [Raw Charge]

• Ten points on the Oilers from Jonathan Willis. True fact: I originally read "ten points" as "tan pants" and thought this article was in support of my opinions on the Leafs' Winter Classic jersey. Disappointing. Anyway, still a good read. [Oilers Nation]

• And finally, enjoy footage of NHLers at Smashfest 2012, the most aptly-named charity ping pong tournament to raise money for concussion research ever.

Why Shane Doan should go; Stanley Cup witnesses marriage proposal (Puck Headlines)

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.

@kwesty19

• Kevin Westgarth of the Los Angeles Kings shows us exactly what 76,000 pages of NHL financial documents looks like. [@KWesty19]

• "The Players' Association still has not received all the financial documentation -- primarily the independently audited information for the league's clubs -- requested from the NHL and has no intent to submit a proposal until that information is received and then analyzed." [ESPN New York]

• The Detroit Red Wings announced that Slava Fetisov, Sergei Fedorov, Vladimir Konstantinov and Igor Larionov will participate in the Winter Classic alumni festivities. Fetisov, Fedorov and Larionov will take part in the Alumni Game against the Maple Leafs. Konstantinov will serve as an ambassador. [Red Wings]

• Bourne with a strong take on why Shane Doan should move on from Phoenix. [Backhand Shelf]

• P.K. Subban was reportedly offered a 2-year, $5.5 million contract that his agent quickly shot down, adding nothing is imminent. It's Aug. 2 and Subban is still a restricted free agent. Where are the offer sheets? [Hockey Inside/Out]

• Bruce Ratner, a real estate developer who's currently building a state-of-the-art arena for the Brooklyn Nets, on the potential of luring the New York Islanders there: "I am trying like hell to get the Islanders to make Barclays Center their new hockey home." The Islanders' lease at Nassau Coliseum is up in 2015. [NY Daily News]

• USA Hockey announced that its 2012 Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held in Dallas. Among this years nominees includes Mike Modano. How fast will tickets go now? [USA Hockey]

• Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown will be the honorary starter at the Finger Lakes 355 NASCAR race at Watkins Glen next weekend. [Syracuse.com]

• It's almost fantasy hockey season. Speaking of that, who are the top fantasy hockey players of all-time? [NHL.com]

• Please welcome Not Another Hockey Blog to the blogosphere. [NAHB]

• If you could choose only one, would it be Pavel Datsyuk or Joe Thornton? [Eye on Hockey]

• An adult rec league hockey game in Texas ended when a player hit an opponent in the face with his stick after a baseball-style swing. The player was later arrested under suspicion of assault. [KHOU]

• The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed college free agent Jayson Megna to a 2-year, $1.87 million deal. The 22-year old scored 13 goals and 31 points last season at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. [Penguins]

• Do you like novels? Do you like romance novels? Do you like hockey romance novels? Then Daniel Wagner has a Top 5 list for you. [Backhand Shelf]

• After losing his brother, Detroit Red Wings forward Jordin Tootoo is supporting the Aboriginal Youth Council as they try to help prevent youth suicide. [CBC]

• Off-season winners and losers in the Pacific Division. [Fear the Fin]

• Finally, Justin Williams' brother-in-law decided to propose to his girlfriend with the Stanley Cup in their presence. The couple then celebrated with a drink: