Oh. Oh dear.

Beyond Checkerdome Quick Shot: Un-Hitched - St. Louis Game Time
Our colleagues in St Louis react in podcast form

The Return of Game Time Mailbag - St. Louis Game Time
...and also in mailbag form. Warning: not as fun as a Fulemin Mailbag and possibly longer

Blues’ GM Armstrong says team has become collection of ‘independent contractors’ - The Globe and Mail
Doug Armstrong says poor record not just the fault of fired head coach Ken Hitchcock or the team’s goaltenders, but reflects the whole group losing its grit and identity But of course it's not in any way Doug Armstrong's fault, amirite?

ICYMI

The Expansion Draft is a giant, dampening field on the NHL trade market
Katya explains everything.

Mitch Marner named NHL rookie of the month for January
[Tosses award onto pile]

Karri Ramo back in Finland
After three tries in the Marlies net and a second surgery, he’s rehabbing in Finland now.

Women's Hockey Wednesday: International Inferno
In case there aren't enough links on this page you can go visit WHW for more

Tradez

Ottawa Senators acquire Marc Hagel from Minnesota Wild - Silver Seven
Wild feel the need to clear some space and Sens oblige

Dallas Stars Make Minor League Trade With Arizona, Acquire Justin Peters and Justin Hache - Defending Big D
Well, that's one way for the Stars to acquire a goalie

Blackhawks trade rumors 2017: Chicago GM says not to expect any trades this season - Second City Hockey
Suuuure Stan. Whatever you say

Trading Kris Russell - The Copper & Blue
Oh but why, he's so useful!

Injuries

Patrice Bergeron injured vs Caps - Stanley Cup of Chowder
Ow. That does not look... ow.

Pittsburgh Penguins injury news: The biggest 5'7" hole - Conor Sheary injured - PensBurgh
The Penguins diminutive player will leave probably an insurmountable hole being out for the next 4-6 weeks with an upper body injury

A Player Before Her Time - Sportsnet.ca
Kristina Rutherford with another great longform article, this one on women's hockey legend and HHOF member Angela James.

From The Branches