So, 44 days to go…

Any thoughts on the schedule? We knew it was going to be Manchester-heavy, but some of those bunches of Providence stand out even more. And that Charlotte-to-home thing on Veterans Day weekend will be fun.

If the NHLPA approves Donald Fehr as its next boss — even if it is an interim appointment — and if they let him roll, then the next set of labor talks just got a lot more interesting. (If the union fractures again, well…)

Those who belong on Puck Daddy’s Rangers Mount Puckmore before Jaromir Jagr: Lester Patrick, Bill Cook, Bun Cook, Ching Johnson, Davey Kerr, Chuck Rayner, Andy Bathgate, Emile Francis, Rod Gilbert, Harry Howell, Jean Ratelle, Vic Hadfield, Eddie Giacomin, Phil Esposito, John Davidson, Ron Greschner, John Vanbiesbrouck, James Patrick, Mike Richter, Adam Graves, Alexei Kovalev, Wayne Gretzky. Top of my head, anyway, some more arguable than others. But I guess kudos for going with Frank Boucher over Michal Rozsival.

As Ray noted, Vladimir Nikiforov is an Everblade.

And RIP, George David Weiss.

Michael Fornabaio