Top Line: A calm look at advanced stats war, more must-read links
An annotated guide to Monday's must-read hockey stories:
• Matt Larkin has a great piece on the war between advanced stats acolytes and hockey's old guard. If you've been looking for a calm, level-headed approach to the debate, this is it.
• Toronto hockey fans penned letters to Gary Bettman hoping to convince the commish to bring a second team to Hogtown. So much gold here.
• Repercussions from the Justin Schultz deal in Edmonton could be felt around the league, including in Colorado, where promising offensive defenseman Tyson Barrie remains unsigned.
• Don't like the lack of activity from the Red Wings over the summer? Don't worry, says general manager Ken Holland in this lengthy interview. It's all part of the plan.
• Everything's cool when Tegan and Sara are part of your team.
• Jori Lehtera's name not ringing a bell? Then maybe you need to read this list of fantasy hockey sleepers.
• This news should encourage everyone to avoid the internet for the next few weeks.
• It may be the only country in the world to give greater support to its women's hockey team than to its men's program, but then China has always done things its own way.
• We have more details now on the passing of NHL vet Carol Vadnais.
• Is former first-rounder Ian Coleon his last life with the Blues? There's lots to like about his game, but he hasn't been able to assert himself as a full-time NHLer on a stacked St. Louis team. This could be his last chance.
• The Stanley Cup has shown up at some unexpected places over the years, but this one ranks among the most awesome. The link is worth clicking for the photo alone.
• Tuukka Rasktook to the streets for a bit of road hockey over the weekend. He didn't allow a single goal-against. Of course, he wasn't in net so that kinda helps.