105 degrees in DFW today, friends. But just over four weeks until things heat up with the Traverse City Prospect tournament (cross your fingers for an NHL Network broadcast?), then training camp, and probably an ice-breaker event in there somewhere. The links…
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I’m positive we linked a similar story last summer, but Loui Eriksson’s big ass mansion is for sale in north Dallas and could be yours for a scant $2.5 million. So do something nice for yourself for once and just go nuts. [Dallas.culturemap.com]
Bruce Garrioch writes that Daniel Alfredsson is back in Ottawa, working out there, even, before heading to his new home in Detroit. The people of Ottawa, evidently, want to feel their feelings about it, and Alfredsson may hold a press conference to answer some questions, finally, on his awkward way out of town. [Ottawa Sun]
The “Fox Sports 1” network launches August 17th (that fertile bastion of a sports frenzied time in the dead of summer…) and they’ve hired Chris Chelios to be their main NHL analyst. No word yet on whether they play to dedicate more than 2% of their total airtime to hockey, as does ESPN. [Awful Announcing]
Mike Heika discusses Sergei Gonchar’s role as Dallas’ automatic “number-one” defenseman. [DMN]
20 year-old Matej Stransky is profiled by Mark Stepneski here. The young forward should play in Traverse City, come to training camp, and spend the year with the Texas Stars “getting his skating up to par” according to Les Jackson. [Stars Inside Edge]
Ironically named “IceArizona” put the final touches on their purchase of the Phoenix Coyotes, and here at Five For Howling fans are rejoicing. You remember what that feels like, yes? [Five For Howling]
Getting an All-Star game at Jobing.com Arena is apparently part of the league’s plans, though not this year, not next (Columbus), and not in 2015, as the Cardinals are hosting the Super Bowl. But 2016, look out. [Pro Hockey Talk]
Here’s a write-up about the Stars’ top prospects at “Top Shelf Prospects” that, unlike other lists we’ve seen this year, does in include Jack Campbell, and has him number one. [Top Shelf Prospects]
A picture tweeted by Joel Lundqvist’s brother whose-its seems to indicate that the NHL did approve a rule change limiting the size of a goaltender’s leg pads. [SB Nation]
Preparing for an inevitable PED scandal in the NHL? [Battle of California]