Here are your Evening Puck Headlines and Previews: A glorious collection of news and views collected from the greatest blogosphere in sports and the few, the proud, the mainstream hockey media.
• Nine games on the docket tonight; we'll hit a few of the biggies. Check out the full schedule here.
• Pepper had this bit from NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly from Prime Time Sports: "What I have a real problem with are these staged, pre-arranged fights that don't arise out of the play. Two heavyweights squaring off before a face-off, or texting each other leading up to a game. These are the guys who are 6′6″ and 250 lbs. and can, frankly, deliver the most damage. It's awkward and uncomfortable to watch some of those fights when you're in an arena." Wouldn't you love to see the string of messages between Colton Orr and Eric Godard before last night? [The Red Skate]
• Meanwhile, George Parros gets a three-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks. Hopefully it includes unlimited texting. [Ducks]
Preview: New Jersey Devils at Boston Bruins (7 p.m. EST; TV: MSG, NESN). Former Boston College goalie Scott Clemmensen gets the nod for the Devils, as Martin Brodeur has started skating with full equipment and taking soft shots. For the Bruins, Michael Ryder is back from the flu and Phil Kessel returns from either a bout of mono or he was just really bored.
• Interesting Winter Classic idea from Miami Herald writer George Richards: Camden Yards in Baltimore. [On Frozen Pond]
Sports
• The 50 worst broadcasters in sports. Condolences to Darren Pang and Chico Resch. [Y! Sports]
• Reminder: The Puck Daddy Create-a-Card contest rolls on!
Preview: Montreal Canadiens at Florida Panthers (7 p.m. EST; TV: TSN, RDS, Yahoo! Sports). Panthers are trying to end a three-game losing streak to the Habs. The Panthers are having a contest in which fans can "win a block party, complete with a street hockey game with two Panthers players to serve as coaches." Hey, as long as it's not Jacques Martin, it can really be any player.
• "According to reports from Swedish newspaper Sportbladet, the Malmo Redhawks have released its contracted players to avoid a financial meltdown." Whoa. [THN]
• On The Hockey News list of the top 10 Czech players, Colorado Avalanche all-star Milan Hejduk gets the snub-eroo. An aside: With this season and the next left at $4 million, wonder if anyone comes calling for Milan at the deadline; and would the Avs listen? [Avs Talk]
• Speaking of the Avs: Andrew Raycroft is playing the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight. Emotions are running high in Leafs Nation. [Sports and the City]
Preview: Dallas Stars at Detroit Red Wings (7:30 p.m. EST; TV: FSSW, FSD). Really good stuff from Bob Duff of the Windsor Star (via Snapshots) about Sean Avery's real impact on the Stars' struggles this season and an awesome phrase we're stealing from the recently promoted Aaron Downey of the Wings: "little Timbits of information."
• Terry Frei of ESPN thinks the League needs to take an aggressive, proactive look at reducing ticket prices. [ESPN]
• Meanwhile, the New York Islanders are selling discount ticket packages with free fondue. [Islanders]
• Terry Murray has much love for the Los Angeles Kings line of Dustin Brown, Kyle Calder and Jarret Stoll. We have a Dustin Brown interview stuck in camcorder hell. Anyone know how to convert a .MOD file? [Inside the Kings]
Preview: Phoenix Coyotes at San Jose Sharks (10:30 p.m. EST; TV: AZTV, CSBA, Yahoo! Sports). The Sharks are still 22-1-2 at home. Insane. Speaking of home, the Coyotes are saying all the right things about Glendale still being one for the franchise.
• Alanah on a Willie Mitchell and Mason Raymond at Vancouver Canucks practice, and the irony of "auditions for 'So you think you can dance, Canada?' going on just a few feet away from that Canucks press conference." [Canucks and Beyond]
• Finally, H/T to The Pensblog for the following clip of Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins being interviewed by FSN Pittsburgh's Dan Potash. You're watching this for around the 35-second mark, and for one of the double-entrendres of the year so far: