Top Line: Seabrook saves Hawks and the NHL; Tortorella fallout; more links
Brent Seabrook (center) went from coach's doghouse to emotional penthouse during the course of the series. (AP)
An annotated guide to this morning's must-read hockey stories:
• "When I have that much room, I usually screw up or trip and fall," said Chicago's Brent Seabrook of his Game 7 overtime heroics.
• If not for Seabrook's goal, the NHL was on the path to ridicule and scorn as a result of Stephen Walkom's Denkinger-esque blown call.
• Seabrook was a fitting hero for a Chicago team that had been written off after going down 3-1 in the series.
• Blackhawks fans had better take this opportunity to catch their breath. It's not going to get any easier from here.
• There are no good ways to lose a Game 7. But this one could not have ended more brutally for the Red Wings.
• One of the best parts of Detroit's playoff run was the chance to read the hockey thoughts of the great Mitch Albom. Here he is on Game 7.
• A brilliant coaching job by Mike Babcock makes him the only choice for Team Canada at Sochi. Yes, every hockey story in Canada somehow revolves around Sochi.
• Here's your first look at the Blackhawks vs. Kings Western Conference Final. Might be a good one, eh?
• Here's the best column I read on the firing of John Tortorella, by the always solid Nick Cotsonika.
• John Tortorella was a man of many moods while coaching the New York Rangers. Here's a look at some of his personal highlights. Pro tip: this exceeds your daily recommended dose of snark.
• There hasn't exactly been an outpouring of support for Torts in the wake of his dismissal. A few former players, including the always quotable Sean Avery, shared their thoughts.
• No one will remember his early struggles if Tyler Seguin shows up for the Eastern Conference Final. So, it might be a good idea for someone to let him know the this thing's kind of important, OK?
• If the Bruins are going to make it a series, they need to amp up their physical play, especially on the man advantage.
• Bring it on, says Jarome Iginla. Iggy's been fine to this point in the playoffs, but this was the series the Pens acquired him and Brenden Morrow for. Watch 'em shine.
• "I don't want to think about it," said Marc-Andre Fleury about his cloudy future.
• Their Game 7 loss to the Kings left the Sharks wondering what they have to do to take the next step.
• In Toronto, they're saying the only difference between the Maple Leafs and the Eastern Conference finalist Boston Bruins is Zdeno Chara. The Leafs need a similar franchise-altering free agent signing to take the next step.
• What rivalry? Top draft prospects Seth Jones, Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin have formed a mutual admiration society.
• The Columbus Blue Jackets won't just look different next season. They'll sound different, too.
• It's come to this: Canada's goaltending crisis has sparked serious talk about banning European puckstoppers from playing in the CHL. Considering how few opportunities there are for young Canadian netminders, this is likely to gain traction fast.