Of course the team that I rooted for yesterday ended up going all the way EXCEPT FOR the championship match. Congrats to the USA, though, and I hope Japan rises to become even stronger next time. I guess rooting for the obvious choice is boring? On to the rest of the things...

Weekend recap:

Nazem Kadri signs one year contract, is almost Tyler Bozak | PPP

Is Mitch Marner or William Nylander the Leafs' best prospect? | PPP

Marlies sign Rich Clune | PPP

Marlies sign 5 to AHL deals | PPP

Did Simmons fabricate the Kessel hot dog story? | PPP

(This article is getting infamous and cited on other sites, like Dobber Hockey.)

The Dead Money Blues | PPP

And more news:

The Reporters: Did the Leafs get enough for Kessel? | TSN

Nope.

NHL Overtime Team Rankings: Cup Finalists Both Elite | Too Many Men on the Site

NHL Power Rankings: Where Every Team Stands After Start of Free Agency | Beacher Report

Chronicles of Stanley: Players' days start, Scott Darling and dad get inked | Puck Daddy

Prior to Lord Stanley's arrival, Darling went to Michael Figueroa at Spider Tattooz to get a large black and white tattoo commemorating the win. Also included in the drawing of the Cup and the Chicago skyline is a 'CR' in honor of the Blackhawks late assistant equipment manager Clint Rief who passed away during the season.Summer with Stanley | NHL.com

Twenty-three players elect salary arbitration | NHL.com

Will anybody take a chance on Andrei Kostitsyn? | CBS Sports

Kostitsyn hoping for another chance in NHL | Sportsnet

[T]he odds haven’t kept Andrei Kostitsyn from clamouring for an opportunity to return to the NHL. He isn’t picky about where it happens. He’s willing to sign a cap-friendly, one-year deal. All he’s really asking for is a chance.NHL’s first Chinese draft pick represents hope for growth | Globe and Mail

Hockey has now swelled to more than 2,000 players in [Beijing], amid a nationwide arena-building binge that has made the smack of a puck an increasingly familiar sound in China. But Mr. Song’s drafting echoes louder than any slap shot, stirring excitement for a sport that sees in China major potential for growth.NHL concussion protocol puts players at risk | Chicago Tribune

When it comes to handling concussions, the NHL is miles behind the NFL — hardly the model on the issue. In the NFL, there is an independent injury spotter in the press box at every game, looking out for head injuries. If a spotter suspects one, he or she informs the team doctor and athletic trainers, who examine the player with an independent doctor present.Want to train like an NHLer? Beat the @#$% out of your body first | The Hockey News“I’ve been training guys now for 16 years, and I’ve yet to have a guy that’s come to me and said, ‘Yeah, I’m ready to go, 100 percent, no problems,’ – that doesn’t happen,” said Prentiss, whose clients include Jonathan Quick, Max Pacioretty and James van Riemsdyk. “They’re what I call ‘skinny fat,’ weak, toxic and injured – that’s pretty much what you’re getting. And the more minutes they play and the further they go in the playoffs, the worse they are.”

From The Branches