Here are the links from around the hockey world, and what I’m reading, while wondering where this Kevin Durant heel turn is coming from. That was some cold-hearted stuff he had for Drake in his postgame interview last night after the Canadian singer did his Spike Lee imitation on the sidelines at the Raptors game.
*Elliotte Friedman has his always easily digestible 30 thoughts for the week, including a deep dive on the NHL’s potential participation in the 2018 Olympics.
*Eric Staal is turning out to be the steal of the NHL free agency period as one of the leading scorers for the Minnesota Wild.
*Good piece by FOH (Friend of Haggs) James Mirtle on the army guys, and outside-the-box thinkers, helping to build up the Florida Panthers, though their 8-7-1 start to the season hasn’t been one to thump their collective chests about.
*PHT writer and FOH (Friend of Haggs) Jason Brough has Steven Stamkos out indefinitely with a knee injury, and the Lightning just looking to get through it.
*Speaking of injuries, Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau has a broken finger that will require surgery and keep him out of the lineup for a longer period of time as well.
*At least the Rangers have some good injury news with Chris Kreider close to a return to the Blueshirts lineup.
Boston Bruins
*Michael Felger thinks things seem to be different for the Bruins this season, and there is ample evidence to back that up.
*For something completely different: a look at the first two albums of Stevie Nicks’ solo career that have been reissued over the last month. She was excellent as the headline act with the Pretenders at TD Garden the other night.