Top Line: Teemu Selanne calls for tougher punishments; more links
Teemu Selanne wants to see stronger punishments to help clean up the game. (Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)
By Allan Muir
An annotated guide to this morning's must-read hockey stories:
• Teemu Selanne, perhaps the most respected player in the league, says recent NHL disciplinary actions haven't been strong enough and that it's time for the league to finally hand out a big suspension so players can no longer afford to play so recklessly. He'd also like to see coaches, general managers and owners held accountable. That would change things in a hurry, wouldn't it? And it's also the sort of punishment that wouldn't be dictated by the CBA. What do you think... is Teemu on to something here?
• Suddenly, the team regarded as the league's most notorious divers isn't flopping around so much anymore. It might have something to do with the new coach...which doesn't say much for the old one.
• This column won't go over well in Nashville, but Adam Proteau is absolutely right: the Predators could be better served by making the bold decision to trade Shea Weber. Properly executed, that's the sort of deal that could give the franchise the traction it needs to move out of neutral and into the league's upper echelon.
• The Bruins needed the best of Tuukka Rask and a bit of luck to beat the swarming, snarling Sharks.
• Things are about to get really ugly for Carolina. Already playing without backup goalie Anton Khudobin, the 'Canes lost starter Cam Ward for up to a month with a lower-body injury. Anyone out that way feel good about Justin Peters carrying the mail for an extended period?
• The situation might be more grim in Nashville, where Pekka Rinne also is out for a month. That puts all the pressure on a pair of goaltenders who have three games of NHL experience between them.
• The Wild won the game, but lost the red-hot Josh Harding indefinitely to a lower-body injury. That's a tough break for the Masterton-winning goalie who is off to the best start among NHL goalies this season.
• What a great play last night from Matt Cooke to get Dany Heatleyoff the schneid. He still might be hated around the league, but Cookie is earning respect from teammates and fans in Minnesota.
• Kari Lehtonen is like 132 cans of Flex-Seal to the Dallas Stars, according to the delirious Mike Heika.
• The Blackhawks managed to do something they haven't done since opening night and got the benefit of another bizarre own goal, but couldn't pull a win out of Tampa.
• Everything was perfect for Saku Koivu's emotional homecoming in Montreal...except the final score. The story includes a nice side note that speaks to the improving condition of George Parros.
• He might be pleased with his steady recovery, but Parros isn't too happy with his name being front and center in the fighting debate.
• Are contract talks heating up between the Habs and P.K. Subban?
• Justin Bourne argues that employing a goon like John Scott or Parros doesn't necessarily mean a coach is trying to start up a gong show. This is a smart piece.
• By scoring his second of the season, defenseman Braydon Coburn became Philadelphia's second-leading goal scorer. Pretty much sums up how this season has gone in Philly, doesn't it? But hey, at least the Flyers won a game for a change, right?
• The IIHF web site takes a look at Team Canada's Sochi hopefuls.
• Alex Ovechkin scored again, but the bigger news in Washington's win in Edmonton was that all four goals came at even strength. If they can get the offense going at five-on-five, this becomes a much more dangerous team.
• Apparently, the Oilers spent whatever rage they felt over being labeled a junior hockey team against Montreal. Nail Yakupov was a big minus-4 on the night. Might be another night or two in the press box ahead.
• This might be the best story ever involving a hockey player and a metal detector.
• If you've ever wondered what Brazilian race car drivers think about hockey players, this is the link you've been waiting for.
• One of the NHL's most puzzling slumps finally came to an end last night. Oh, and Dwight King scored a hat trick. Dwight King.