While the NHL is distributing expansion applications tonight, perennial conversation piece Kansas City sounds unlikely to participate due to a lack of interested parties. This is reported according to a recent article from the Kansas City Star, which came to this impression through conversations with individuals both named (including owner of the ECHL's Missouri Mavericks, Lamar Hunt Jr.) and anonymous. Greg Wyshynski refutes some of the peripheral points made in the article, but not its central claim.
While a regular NHL incarnation of the I-70 Series sounds grand, I have no idea if Kansas City would be a successful hockey market both now and in the long-term. Having said that, it's hard not to lament this seemingly missed opportunity for the Sprint Center, a well-respected arena for which it has always been the wrong time or the wrong people. At this rate, all the other stars will align just in time for its demolition.
And now, the news.
Central Division
Considering what a superstitious lot hockey folks are, the Blackhawks might look to make opening training camp at Notre Dame a permanent arrangement. (WGNtv)
Terry Frei would never stoop to cite analytics and definitely not in a defence of Ryan O'Reilly, who may or may not kick puppies and destroys kids' sandcastles for fun. (The Denver Post)
Speaking of the Avalanche, our frenemies at Mile High Sticking ask what they can expect from Mikhail Grigorenko, enigma. (Mile High Sticking)
The naked Tyler Seguin video you need in your life. I think he talks about his body and winning the Stanley Cup. (ESPN)
The curtain is pulled back on some of the issues Niklas Backstrom faced with Minnesota last season. (StarTribune)
Here for your reading pleasure are five future Nashvillian thorns in the Jets' side. (The Tennessean)
After breaking our hearts with her Oshie trade reaction video, it was a happy ending for five year old Libby Lu. (RMNB)
Josh Morrissey defends his 2014-15 season and talks about what he looked to improve both on and off the ice. (The Carillon)
And All The Rest
A daily news post forwarding readers to another link compilation is probably quite the blogging faux pas, but Ryan Lambert’s in-depth preamble on Ryan O’Reilly is well worth your time. (Yahoo! Sports)
Speaking of Lamberts, the Buffalo Sabres added Kelowna Rockets Head Coach Dan Lambert behind the bench as an assistant. (Kelowna Capital News)
The Blue Jackets wanted a player development coach working with their European prospects. Enter Jarkko Ruutu. (BlueJacketsXtra)
Some teams are poised to take advantage of this depressed UFA market. The Oilers are probably not one of them. (Edmonton Journal)
It’s not Frazier versus Ali, but Scott Wheeler of McKeen’s Hockey attempts to answer whether Mitch Marner or William Nylander is the Leafs’ best prospect. (PPP)
Despite all the turmoil and disappointment surrounding the Coyotes, words of praise still made their way to Brad Richardson's ears, courtesy Radim Vrbata. (AZCentral)
The march towards 100% visor usage continues. (The Hockey News)
Did the Ryan O’Reilly extension just make the Rangers’ lives a whole lot more uncomfortable? (New York Post)
And finally, as I submit this post, there are mixed reports that the Bruins and Cody Franson may or may not have an agreement in place. If you wanted more than a tweet from Dale Arnold, please change the definition of “deadline”. (Dale Arnold)
Thanks for reading! Be sure to skewer me in the Comments section below and please do mention stories of interest not listed here.
