Top Line: Luongo's sensational debut; new Goal of the Year video; more
It looks like Roberto Luongo is settling in to playing in the Sunshine State again. (Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
By Allan Muir
An annotated guide to this morning's must-read hockey stories:
• Roberto Luongo earned his franchise-record 27th shutout in his return to Florida to lead the Panthers to a 2-0 win over the Sabres.
• Martin Brodeur doesn't fear hanging around the game too long. He fears leaving too soon. This is Nick Cotsonika with a fantastic look into the motivations that drive the legendary goaltender to play another year in the NHL.
• The health of Montreal prospect Tim Bozon has taken a turn for the worse, forcing doctors to place him in an artificial coma. Keep this kid in your thoughts, folks.
• Mike Modano's number goes to the rafters of the AAC in Dallas tonight. Now's a good time to invest in Kleenex and look back at what made him one of the greatest American-born players of all time. Here's the view from Minnesota where he started his career, and from the Lone Star state where Tim Cowlishaw considers the three moves that defined Modano and helped the Stars reach their destiny.
• Daniel Alfredsson hasn't made a final decision on next season yet, but if he comes back for another year he hopes it will be with the Red Wings. Considering the impact the 41-year-old has had this year, they'd probably be happy/lucky to have him.
• Ottawa coach Paul MacLean didn't have a problem with Chris Neil and Jared Cowendropping the gloves and throwing punches at practice. He just wants to see more of that energy between the whistles.
• Ryan Callahan has one thing in common with Martin St. Louis: They're both self-made stars.
• They've been the hottest team in 2014. Now, the Colorado Avalanche have a chance to pass the Blackhawks in the Central by beating the one team that's owned them this season.
• I mentioned red-hot draft prospect Nikolaj Ehlers in this piece yesterday. Now here's a deeper look at his sensational season from Willy Palov.
• A new film mythologizing Russian legend Valeri Kharlamov takes a truncated look at hockey history.
• Ten years after being viciously assaulted by Todd Bertuzzi, Steve Moore still seeks closure with the incident that ended his hockey career and changed his life forever.
• Olympic gold-medalist Shannon Szabados is turning pro with the Columbus Cottonmouths of the Southern Professional Hockey League. It's an unusual arrangement, but it's not a publicity stunt. The Team Canada star won a Canadian college championship with three members of the Cottonmouths just last year, so she should be able to compete at that level.
• Here's a look back at the five women who paved the way for Szabados in men's pro leagues.
• Now that the trade deadline is passed, it's time to ask the tough question: what does it all mean for my hockey pool?
• You might not see a sicker goal all year than this one from Carolina Hurricanes prospect Sergei Tolchinsky. Good lord, those hands...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbeoNdT2sQg&feature=youtu.be
• Twigs are for scoring beauties like that, not for robbing convenience stores.