I couldn't think of a good title for today's FTB so I went with what's easy.

Today in "pre-tournament action" is Team Europe vs. Team 'Never actually seen a Canadian one dollar bill". The game is at 6:00 ET.

WCH recaps: including Canada over the USA 5-2 - Katya
Another day full of "friendly" games as the teams continue to prepare for the real games of the World Cup.

Zdeno Chara expects Team Europe to improve - NHL
Defenseman admits 'our first game was all over the place'

The (Mostly) Good World Cup Overtime Rules, and John Tortorella Outrage - Down Goes Brown

The Toronto Marlies Class of 2012: Where are they now? - MLHS
The closest Toronto Marlies have come to a championship remains their 2012 campaign, when a dominant Norfolk Admirals team swept past them in the final.

Gaudreau and Flames Reportedly FAR Apart - Matchsticks and Gasoline
Sources say Gaudreau’s agent, Lewis Gross, is asking for a payday in the $8-million rang.

Den Talk: A Conversation with Greg Wyshynski - Five For Howling
The girls to talk Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski this week talking about the Yotes and a few other things.

NHL concussion spotters to have new powers for 2016-17 - Sportsnet
For the 2016-17 season, four independent trainers (called "Central Spotters") will be monitoring all NHL games via television. If they see "visible signs" of a concussion, they will send word to the team that their affected player must be removed from the game.

No longer the new team on the block, Dallas Stars staying relevant in non-traditional hockey market | SportsDay
[Species: This is a good read on the history of The Stars as a business and how they went from winning the Stanley Cup and being the third most valuable franchise, to bankruptcy , and then coming back again.]

Edmonton Oilers unveil their brand new Rogers Place rink - The Globe and Mail
"The fanciest spot is the Chairman’s Club, which sits on the ice level directly across from the Oilers’ dressing room. The cost for two tickets for the season is about $60,000, and includes a full view of the rink, bottles of fine wine and scotch and a dinner menu that includes entrees such as organic red beet and frisée salad that is served with goat cheese and candied pecans."

From The Branches