From the Branches: To spear or not to spear

The other day, Katya linked me to an article entitled, "Why Don't More Men Hit Each Other Below the Belt?" (Because the women of this site spend a lot of time scratching their heads about male athlete behavior.) The article draws the conclusion that in the performative masculine space of sports, it's important to show nothing but strength. That very obvious, middle-of-the-body weak spot that is the "sensitive groin area" is kind of like the ventilation shaft of the Death Star: hit it once, and the whole show of strength crumples.

I bring this up because Nazem Kadri clearly didn't get the memo.

Milan Lucic absolutely destroys Kadri, then gets a stick to the groin pic.twitter.com/5tENfikiUM
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) January 8, 2016

Fair, or not fair? I'd say that given the fact that hockey players wear thick protective cups, it's entirely fair to remind a guy that smaller players shouldn't be tossed around like so much, uh, salad. Anyway, on to the links.

Leafs Links

Maple Leafs 1 - LA Kings 2: Reimer returns, but Leafs can't score | PPP
The Maple Leafs lost the second game of a back to back, but Reimer has shown he's ready to take the crease once again.

Lecavalier & Schenn Chip In, Kings Win | JFTC
It's so good to see Vinny back in the saddle.

Who is where: A look at the Maple Leafs vertical roster moves | PPP
Get on the bus! Which bus, though?

2016 Women's World Junior Championships Preview | PPP
One more chance for Canada to win the gold this season!

Marlies Nylander, Leivo, Brennan join coach Sheldon Keefe at AHL All-Star Game | PPP

On the ground in Winnipeg with two All-Stars. @jleivo17 and T.J. Brennan. #MarliesLive pic.twitter.com/NaQzY0is5T
— Todd Crocker (@HockeyCrock) January 7, 2016

Dymtro Timashov traded to Shawinigan Cataractes | PPP

New acquisitions help Kings top Maple Leafs | Reuters
Said Lecavalier, "It feels great. It was just a good team effort tonight. The support for this team and the way they play is impressive, so it was nice to be a part of it today. Everybody worked really hard, and it paid off."

WATCH: Kings' Drew Doughty snaps on Maple Leafs' Leo Komarov | CBSSports
What a game!

Leo Komarov developing into All-Star, locker room jester with Maple Leafs | Fox
"Even Komarov himself said he was surprised by the All-Star nod, as he told the Toronto Star that he had already planned a trip to somewhere warm where he could sit on the beach for the All-Star break."

Leafs’ Leo Komarov is an all-star character: Feschuk | The Star
I know I know Feschuk, but the story of his Finnish traffic ticket was interesting.

Other Hockey News

Where did they go? The 2004 Stanley Cup winners | Raw Charge

Stamkos leads seven to watch as trade deadline nears | NHL
Yeah, yeah.

Chychrun leads roster for Top Prospects Game | NHL
Prospect Plan Puppets will certainly follow this story!

2016 NHL All-Star snub squads: East vs. West | Sportsnet
Shrug dot gif

NHL passes on adding Crosby to All-Star Game | TSN
Crosby noticeably not upset at all?

Mike Richards not offering apology as he moves forward with Caps | ESPN
Playing hockey made him addicted to painkillers, so what's to apologize for?

Mike Richards: Weighing the Risks | Japer's Rink
"Lacking any sort of ability to predict the future, this signing does seem like a risk a team like the Caps should take at this point in the season."

Roy puts on goalie pads, practices with Avalanche | NHL