By Joe Haggerty
CSNNE.com
Looking forward to the four-day Milan Lucic homecoming set for Vancouver at the end of this week that will include his second career game against his hometown Canucks in the city he grew up in, thousands of bobble heads handed out at Milan Lucic Night on the Friday before the game and close to 10,000 fans crowded into the Pacific Coliseum to fete one of their favorite suns in scenic Vancouver.Lucic is trying to maintain a business-like atmosphere through a very important road trip for team-building and locking their team into place in the standings, but thats a challenge when so many once-in-a-lifetime type things are on tap for big No. 17.Its going to be a lot of fun, obviously, but more importantly we have a job to take care of while were out there, said Lucic. Thats what Im focusing on. Ive been here for four years and its only my second time going out West in Canada, so it doesnt happen that often. On to the links:
SportsNets Ian Mendes always shows off a pretty good sense of humor in his blog posts, and this week he creates the trades hed like to see made in the NHL purely for the comedic value. Interesting take from Vancouver Sunwriter Cam Cole after the Canucks shut it down for a day on their most recent road trip, and didnt allow any media access. I dont see things ever getting as dire as Cole does, but I guess Im just an optimist. Good piece by Friend of Haggs (FOH) Mike McMahon on Jordan Heywood and his amazing comeback this season at Merrimack College after playing through blood clots in his lungs during junior hockey. The Carolina Hurricanes retired Rod BrindAmours number last weekend, and the heart and soul of the Hurricanes deserved every second of the praise. A good look by ESPNs Pierre Lebrun at the future of outdoor hockey in the NHL, and what could be ahead for both the Winter Classic and the Heritage Classic after Sunday nights one-sided win for the Calgary Flames. Puck Daddy contributor Ryan Lambert learned that the Heritage Classic was a poor mans Winter Classic, and doesnt have the brightest of futures. It appears that Colorado coach Joe Sacco and GMGreg Sherman will survive whats becoming a pretty rocky collapse for the Avalanche, no pun intended, and a remaking of the team following the Erik Johnson deal. Former Northeastern University standout goalie Brad Thiessen is putting up big numbers between the pipes at the AHL level, and has become one of the top goalie prospects knocking on the NHLs door.A greatif overly colorful -- piece outlining etiquette and the proper way to act in the press box when its your first time. Everybody in the business has had their first day covering a pro sporting event at the highest levels, and this might just help you survive it in fine fashion.
Joe Haggerty can be reached at jhaggerty@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Joe on Twitter at http:twitter.comHackswithHaggs