Whether you're feeling the effects of a big win and the celebration that followed, or you're just crushing as much caffeine as you can to make it through the day, everyone needs a good buzz in the morning. Here are your links, images, bad Photoshops, out-of-context quotes and wild generalities for Friday, February 17, 2012.
Vancouver Canucks News & Notes
As Zandberg posted last night, Keith Ballard's injury appears to be serious, as the club has recalled D Chris Tanev from Chicago. [Canucks]
Previewing tomorrow's big matchup against the Maple Leafs. [The Province]
Nice subtle jab here by the Sun with the article title and lead image. [Vancouver Sun]
8 months and 2 days later, the first "Stanley Cup rioter" has been sentenced to 17 months in prison. Ryan Dickinson, 20, was on bail at the time of the riot, which ended up adding an extra month on his sentence. [CBC]
Unfortunately that doesn't bring an end to the ugliness; Milan Lucic's church was vandalized yesterday. Thomas Drance wrote a great piece about it and the ugly side of Vancouver. [Canucks Army]
Tony G. with a few points to consider. He just won't let the topic of Cody Hodgson's icetime die, will he? He is absolutely right about Dan Hamhuis though, who in my opinion has been the Canucks MVP after Luongo this year. [The White Towel]
Also from the G-Man, he compares the style in which the Canucks have been winning games lately to that of the living dead. The Sedins are the main reason the team has the energetic, high-scoring image that they do, and they've been quiet lately, so that's a huge part of it. [The Province]
Also a factor: the NHL is creeping back into the Dead Puck era, and the Sedins have noticed. [Backhand Shelf]
The Radio Caller User's Guide. Very handy in Vancouver. [Legion of Blog]
Jordan Schroeder is having a fantastic season for the Chicago Wolves, and Jeff Angus believes he is ready for the big time. [Canucks]
Christopher Jordan writes children's hockey books, and the Canucks' Derek Jory really hates him. Here's why. [Fort Nucks]
Today in Canucks History
[Feb 17, 2003] Dan Cloutier was named NHL Player of the Week for the period ending February 16th.
NHL News & Notes
Losers of 9 in a row, the Chicago Blackhawks came out like a cheetah with its ass on fire last night, scoring 3 goals on the New York Rangers in the first four minutes, and ended up ending their skid with a 4-2 win. [NHL]
Pavel Kubina is going to be traded very soon, this we now know. [TSN]
Check out the ridiculous OT winner Mike Ribeiro scored against the Flames last night:
The latest on Seattle's bid for a new arena that could house an NHL franchise one day. [PHT]
The Flyers have acquired D Nicklas Grossman from Dallas for a 2nd and 3rd round pick. There's your Pronger replacement! [Puck Daddy]
Is Jack Johnson trade bait for the LA Kings? [Sportsnet]
The Boston Bruins, LA Kings, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and San Jose Sharks are reported to be on Rick Nash's "approved list". Cue the insanity in TO. [The Province]
Alex Ovechkin responds to Olaf Kolzig's "rock star" comment. George McPhee, for the record, agrees with Kolzig. Public bickering between people employed by the same organization is about as unprofessional as it gets. [National Post]
Today in NHL History
[Feb 17, 1923] Ottawa Senator Cy Denneny becomes NHL's all-time scorer (143 goals) at the time.