Yesterday, El Seldo said to me, "Blueprint is going to have a special segment on Dave Keon, you'll have to read up on Leafs history!" ... So I did, of course, and in the process of researching I came across this quotation about Keon's 1975 contract negotiation:

"From all I’m told, he really wanted to stay," said Bill Watters, who’d become a high profile agent in the 1980s and Leaf assistant general manager. "It wasn’t an unreasonable contract request from Dave, nothing preposterous in terms of money. I don’t know why Harold [Ballard] (low-balled). Perhaps he was getting advice from someone else."Ironically enough, just after I read about how the Leafs' star walked away from the team due to Ballard's cheap approach to contract negotiation, I read a piece about Yzerman only offering Stamkos 8.5 million. Mmf. Hope it doesn't end in the same way. Or do I?

Anyway, on a lighter note, Keon was honored at last night's Leafs game, and it was lovely to see 1967's Conn Smythe winner back on the ice in Toronto.

Leafs News and Front Page Stuff

Dave Keon honoured to be joining Legends Row | CBC
Leafs legend will join alongside Turk Broda and Tim Horton.

History of the Keon vs. Leafs mess | Toronto Sun
"Full reconciliation is finally at hand for Dave Keon and the Maple Leafs. But what started this 40-year feud between the player some call the greatest Leaf ever and the team that once lionized its stars?"

Dave Keon discusses what it means to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs | Sportsnet
"I'd like to be alive when [getting honored] happens."

Supposed Cup Contender Needs Shootout to Beat Leafs, 3-2 | PPP
"The Leafs didn't deserve it, but took advantage of some puck luck to take the Habs to a shootout."

Canadiens vs. Leafs Top Six Minutes: The Habs end a long night with a big two points
"The Habs had their classic rivals on the ropes after the first, and despite surrendering a two goal lead, hung on to win the game in shootout."

Chris Bourque overtakes TJ Brennan for AHL Scoring Lead | Kuklas Korner

Checking in on the Kids: Jeremy Bracco | PPP Fanpost

Lupul throws shade at the Habs | PPP

Happy birthday, Brendan Shanahan! | PPP

Wickenheiser stirs up controversy at CWHL All-Star Weekend | PPP

Other Hockey Stuff

Ducks Destroy Sloppy Wings - Ducks 4 Wings 3 | WIIM
"I don't know what's wrong with the Wings at the Joe, but it needs to stop. They simply cannot win a game at home right now. Thankfully for them, the majority of their remaining schedule is on the road, but it's ridiculous to watch the product they put on the ice at the Joe."

Highlight Recap, Game #48- Blue Jackets at Bruins | Jacketscannon
The comeback comes up short, Blue Jackets lose in shootout in Boston

It's open season on Brian Elliott | SLGT
While the Blues have survived January to this point, they have given up a ton of shots. What's going on?

Claude Giroux has thoughts about the snowstorm | BSH
They are not positive thoughts.

Flames' Giordano: Women could coach in NHL | NHL
If anyone is misogynistic enough to say "but women haven't played the game," I will end you.

Snowstorm Postpones 2 NHL Games, Strands 2 College Teams | ABC News
"The players mostly got by on leftover pizza and Gatorade and watched movies, including 'Invincible.' And it was difficult for some of the players, who were quite tall, to sleep on the bus."

Dustin Byfuglien, Jonathan Drouin top list of NHL trade deadline candidates | CBS Sports
Meh.

NHL dodging another blow to image in concussion lawsuit | SI
A Minneapolis judge presiding over the class action concussion lawsuit brought by former players against the National Hockey League has ordered the unsealing of a series of "embarrassing" emails sent to and from league executives.

Most unusual NHL All-Stars in history | TSN
"[Peter] Sidorkiewicz went 4-32-3 for the Sens that year with a 4.43 goals against average and .856 save percentage, but given how bad the team was, it was a miracle his stats weren’t worst and was graced with the All-Star nod."

And:

From The Branches