Top Line: Datsyuk talks playing in KHL; more must-read links
An annotated guide to this morning's must-read hockey stories:
• Pavel Datsyuk talks about returning to play in the KHL and Dominik Hasek takes the ice in a reunion with the 1998 Czech Olympic hockey team....and that's just the start of another busy Red Wings recap.
• Steve Simmons gives his two cents on the latest round of NHL expansion rumors and discusses the possibility of the Maple Leafs breaking up their top line in this week's Sunday notes column.
• Adam Proteau has uncovered the reason why ex-Flyers seem to do better in Los Angeles than in Philly. The saddest part about this for Flyers fans? The problem's not going to change any time soon.
• Fluto Shinzawa talks Kevin Hayes, the KHL on American TV, and the future of Ottawa's goaltending in this week's Sunday notes column.
• With NHL players typically reaching peak performance at age 29, Jason Kay wonders if there's any way to justify the eight-year free agent contract.
• Brent Burns ignited San Jose's offense with his direct, physical play after being inserted on Joe Thornton's wing last season. So what's behind the decision to move him back to the blueline for 2014-15? Sharks GM Doug Wilson explains.
• In other Sharks news, this defenseman is in line to replace Dan Boyle on the team's top power play unit. Probably a name you'll want to tuck away if you're in a hockey pool this season.
• Check out these two beauties. Maybe Hank can fill in for a sequel if John C. Reilly's otherwise engaged.
• How important is the usage of advanced stats to a team's success? Philly GM Ron Hextall says the numbers play a tiny role but in a league defined by parity, even a tiny impact could mark the difference between winning and losing.
• And this just in ahead of deadline: longtime NHL defensman Carol Vadnais has passed away at 68. I remember him taking the time to sign an autograph for me when I was seven or eight outside the old Olympia in Detroit. Dave Stubbs remembers something completely different.