Who Needs Luongo? Who Needs Luongo Rumors?

If you're getting worked up about the Leafs acquiring Luongo, Kiprusoff, or any other dumb name that the talking heads have thrown around, Darren Dreger was kind enough to confirm what we already knew: They're trolling for views.

As I said earlier...as much as there's interest in considering goalie options, Leafs likely do nothing. We need the speculation for April 3.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 29, 2013

Personally, I'll be sure not to watch any televised trade deadline coverage for a few reasons: one because it makes for lousy TV; two,because I have twitter and this blog; and three, because for one or two weeks a year, very official hockey reporters seem to believe that it's okay to pretend they're Hockey Insiderr or Eklund, just because trolling for views is some sort of higher calling than trolling for retweets. It's embarrassing, and it deserves to be thrown in their faces any time they want to make fun of parody or rumor accounts. The TSN logo is the only difference.

The #Leafs are still on the market for a veteran goalie. Talks rekindled with #Canucks for Luongo; also contacted #NHLFlames for Kiprusoff.

— Hockeyy Insiderr (@HockeyyInsiderr) March 25, 2013

Lots of twitter noise about Leafs interest in Kiprusoff as reported on TSN. Of course Leafs will inquire IF he's available. Due diligence.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 26, 2013

Backpedaling aside, TSN and ESPN are supposed to be act like they're above this. Here are your weekend links:

Phaneuf deserves more credit for Toronto’s success - The Globe and Mail
Dion Phaneuf is great. If you think otherwise, you're undervaluing him.

The re-education of Jake Gardiner - The Globe and Mail
Gardiner making some needed changes is one thing, but press box material rather than sensible deployment?

Get over it, Eugene Melnyk | The Two-Line Pass
Ryan Lambert takes on Melnyk's forensic investigation. Donate to 826 Boston.

San Jose Sharks Gameday: White people celebrating - Battle of California
Battle of Cali rings in the game day with some celebrating.

Lubomir Visnovsky inks 2-year, $9.5 million extension to stay with Islanders | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports
From exodus to extension.

John Tavares and a common sense rules change for the shootout | Puck Daddy - Yahoo! Sports
Take a penalty in the last two minutes of OT? Sit for the shootout.

Dan DeKeyser Signs with Detroit - Winging It In Motown
Ok.

Calgary Flames Tribute Video For Jarome Iginla - Kukla's Korner
Captaincy will be left vacant. It's a shame they don't still have Great Leader Dion Phaneuf to wear their C.

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Tonight, the sixth place Leafs play against the fifth place Ottawa Senators, as Nazem Kadri is already taking shots at Scotiabank Place:

Kadri on tonight's game: "It's always fun to come to Ottawa. It's almost like a home game for us."

— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) March 30, 2013

So to every Leafs fan buying scalped tickets off a Senators fan that doesn't want to see their lousy team: keep up the great work. Hockey starts at 1 PM EST today, and the Leafs' puck drop is at 7.