There are days when El Seldo sleeps in due to a vacation, and someone scrambles to cover his shift. That is this day.

But First:

Trading Phil Kessel: A look at his eight team list | PPP

"[S]ince we’ve all been having so much fun speculating about Phil Kessel’s potential landing spot, here are some things you need to know about the eight teams on his trade list."

Jakub Voracek wins best Czech player, gets attacked by giant rabbit mascots (Video) | Puck Daddy

World Cup of Hockey GMs: Dean Lombardi (USA), Doug Armstrong (Canada) | Puck Daddy

"St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong will be announced this week as the man heading up Team Canada, a job as challenging as that of a chef determining which rare truffles to shave atop their kobe beef."

NHL Awards: Predicting The 2014-2015 Winners | Stars and Sticks

Blackhawks: van Riemsdyk's 'whirlwind' season ends on high note | CSN Chicago

Our favorite Leafs baby brother won a thing and is happy.

Sunday Mashup: Dubas the ‘Point Man'; Nonstop Kessel Trade Talk | Maple Leafs Hot Stove

"The Leafs should have oodles of cap space going forward after this summer’s moves. Selling Kessel for futures all but gives up on the next couple of seasons anyway, so taking on a contract with short to medium term in order to maximize the value of the other pieces in the deal is something the Leafs could handle."

Previewing the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Rebuild | Maple Leafs Hot Stove

"The Leafs actually have some pretty good players in the organization, but it is a very poorly assembled team and lacks quality depth."

Alex Galchenyuk contract negotiations: Canadiens forward fires agent Ian Pulver | HEOTP

"According to Renaud Lavoie have TVA Sports, Montreal Canadiens restricted free agent forward Alex Galchenyuk has decided to part ways with agent Ian Pulver, which has put a temporary halt to contract negotiations between him and general manager Marc Bergevin while he seeks new representation."

Report: ‘Not much common ground’ between Kings, Williams | Pro Hockey Talk

"Frankly, the pool of free agents is sparse both in terms of quantity and quality. You simply don’t see players of Williams’ caliber hit UFA status very often, and he could greatly inflate his asking price – both in dollars and term – thanks to the lack of competition."

Connor McDavid on the edge of superstardom | Sportsnet

"I think I am comparable to a player like Tyler Bozak because he is a good skater and is more of a pass first type of guy."

Report: Oilers fire four scouts week before NHL Draft | CBS Sports

What are you doing, Oilers: "What is surprising is the timing of the change that reportedly happened on Saturday night when the Oilers fired four scouts, including head amater scout Stu MacGregor, head pro scout Morey Gare and two additional scouts according to TSN's Bob McKenzie and Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman."

NHL Seems Likely to Boldly Expand to Las Vegas Strip | New York Times

"The outer walls of a new arena are going up behind the New York-New York casino, and the interior is perfectly configured for hockey, from the dressing rooms to the press box."

Ranking the Biggest Potential Bargains in 2015 NHL Free Agency | Bleacher Report

And Stamkos doesn't make the list. I guess he's not a 'bargain.'

NHL teams ready to move picks and stars as trade talks heat up | Mirtle

"[T]he fact [that] Dubas will be attending the GM meetings in Las Vegas has led some around the NHL to speculate that he would be appointed to the role full time, but that’s not the case. Not yet anyway. But it is further proof Dubas has president Brendan Shanahan’s ear on key issues, even as Hunter fills out the scouting department."

Hockey Guy: NHL goaltending shuffle looms | STL Today

It's a buyer's market for goaltenders, with Cam Talbot, Eddie Lack, Jonathan Bernier, Jimmy Howard, and more on the block.

Counterfeit NHL merchandise worth $180K seized | Sportsnet

"The operation was handled by the Homeland Security Investigations unit of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It focused on catching illegal vendors near the Blackhawks’ home ice at the United Center and Amalie Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning."

From The Branches