Yesterday, Florida Panther owner Vincent Viola's son John explained the new Cats logo. He used a phrase from Spiderman to describe it, something that caught my attention. The owner has roots in the military, and from all the descriptions I've read of the Panthers lately, they've been heading toward a very military paradigm for their team.
"It's important to remember that, in the military ethos, fighting is your last resort, because -- just like with Spider-Man -- with great power comes great responsibility," [John Viola] said. "All of that is represented in the logo."
Obviously I work for the US Navy, and have a lot of respect for this, although I'm well aware that YMMV about respect for American military things. I pondered this especially last night when someone quoted our own community guidelines at me regarding a conversation held in the FTB. What was my responsibility there? How should I use my power? What, essentially, would Spiderman do? So I made a decision.
And the Leafs. Tomorrow Patrik Laine and Auston Matthews will be livestreamed during the combine. Will Laine blow Matthews out of the water? Vice-versa? It's nice to know that the Leafs org will take their power seriously and be as responsible as they can about the decisions they must make.
Also, there was no NHL hockey last night. Is it October yet?
Our Hockey News
Orlando Completes Trade with Evansville, Places 22 Players on Protected List | OSBH.com
Ryan "Taco Cannon" Massa shows up on the list!
Shanahan doesn’t see need to cozy up to Maple Leafs rookies | Sportsnet
Most important, Brendan Shanahan, now the president of the Leafs, knows what it’s like to fall right on your face as a highly-touted rookie, and what happens next. He knows what it’s like to be a healthy scratch as a rookie after being the second overall pick of the draft, in his case in 1987.
The Leafs should use a late-round pick on Anatoly Golyshev | TLN
"Back in February, I wrote a piece about Anatoly Golyshev, declaring him to be the "World's Best Unsigned Prospect". He's an undersized, super-skilled winger who has been passed over multiple times on draft day and, despite this, has become one of the KHL's best forwards. I stand by that opinion, but since then, new information has come to my attention. As such, I have a revision to make."
Mitch Marner named drawmaster for $1m Cup | Harness Link
Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) today announced Mitch Marner, Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Player of the Year and Toronto Maple Leafs top prospect, as the guest drawmaster for the 2016 harness racing $1 million Pepsi North America Cup.
Mitch Marner is ready for the NHL | CBC.ca
Size, age can be overcome by talents of 19-year-old Leafs prospect
Toronto Maple Leafs: Honest Lou And The New Culture | Editor in Leaf
When the Toronto Maple Leafs hired Lou Lamoriello they got a plethora of experience, knowledge and, most of all, respect.
Leafs need moar first round pickz: Who's gonna give them up? | Bloggerztribune
The Leafs are already selecting twice in the first round, and again with the very first pick of the second round, and the nine more throughout the rest of the draft. Generally speaking it’s probably safe to say that the Leafs don’t actually need to acquire any more picks.
Steve Dangle Podcast, in which he screams in a bar | TLN
"On this episode, the Stanley Cup Final, the family squabble in Carolina, and screaming a radio show in a bar."
Other Hockey News
Changing sweaters doesn’t change the d-man | Yost on TSN
"It seems like every time a non-first pairing defender with shaky underlying performance at even strength is moved, the go-to argument is that the player will simply benefit from change."
Uni Watch: Florida Panthers unveil new jersey, logo | ESPN
Paul Lukas, UniWatch guy, weighs in.
NHL responds to ‘family squabble’ facing Hurricanes owner | Sportsnet
"I view the public litigation to be more along the lines of a family squabble than anything that would raise material concern for the league in and of itself. You have to understand the entire situation, and we’re obviously, on the whole, comfortable with the entire situation of what’s going on in Carolina."
No one suits Brent Burns quite like Domenico Vacca, NHL's tireless tailor | Sports Illustrated
The tailor who outfits the stars of the sports world with dandy duds estimates that he spends 44 weeks on the road each year, excluding two more in Arizona for spring training, because he jokes that it shouldn’t count if he’s only driving between sites and not flying.
Pittsburgh Penguins’ Undrafted Players Are Dominating | Pens Labyrinth
"Lots of players for the Pittsburgh Penguins have stepped up to the plate this season, achieving far more than anyone had expected from them. What’s surprising about that is the number of these players who went undrafted or have strengths that analytics don’t necessarily show."
Complete list of all 114 players invited to NHL Combine | Sportsnet
"In total, the league invited 114 players to the 2016 NHL Scouting Combine. They are listed below in alphabetical order, with the team they played for this season and the position they play."
Wraparound goals increasing in playoffs | NHL
Reduction of net depth has led to more goals originating from behind goaltenders. Huh.
Canadiens hire Kirk Muller as associate coach | HEOTP
That URL though.
