With hockey news slowing to a trickle it's been tough keeping the ol' blog fat with fresh content over the last little while. Let's see...Buffalo signed Briere and his $5 million arbitration award. Senators picked up ex-flame Dean McAmmond. Hasek will be injuring his groin in Detroit next season. Sutter apparently acquired Tanguay for some damaged goods. And Carter still hasn't been signed.
That's about it.
In response to the dearth of interesting actual news, I figured I'd put together a "blogroll" (read: post filler). Some of the following blogs are pasted on the sideboard to the right, some aren't. All are worth a read.
1.) Battle of Alberta. It just so happens that one of the best blogs out there deals with a conflict so close to my heart. However, irregardless of team affiliation, almost everyone should add this one to their "daily read" list. Posts can range from incredibly insightful and informative to downright juvenile. When the season swings into full gear, reading the flame wars and pissing matches between Calgary and Edmonton fans in every other "comment" section is typically worth the price of admission.
2.) mc79hockey.com. Few can match Tyler's sheer volume or depth of analysis. "Mud Crutch" provides lawyerly insight on matters of the CBA, hockey as an industry and throws in the odd 10,000 word/5 graph relatively-obscure-but-ultimately-useful-stat post. Truly a blogger-extraordinaire.
3.) Covered In Oil. Another Edmonton fan, another great blog - their team may suck, but their blogs sure don't. Mike, Chris and Pleasure Motors manage to cover everything Oilers...typically in jovial and comedic fashion. From comparing Ed Belfour to a "sun-ravaged mummy husk" to documenting the deconstruction of a play-off beard (check-out their June archive's "A farewell to Not Shaving". You'll never hire a clown named "Mr. Tickles" for your kid's birthday again), these guys keep you informed and clutching your sides.
4.) James Mirtle. An actual, bona-fide professional, Mirtle offers great commentary about stuff going on around the league.
5.) Vancouver Canucks Op Ed. Lots of posts, lots of content, lots of laughs. Alanah over there recently completed 49 posts in 24 hours as part of a charity powered "blog-a-thon" . Kudos!
6.) Abel to Yzerman. I got hooked on this one during the first round struggle between the Oil and the Red Wings. All flavors of insight and coverage in regards to Detroit Red Wings matters are tackled here.
7.) Raking Leafs. Ninja is one of those incredibly rare things - an intelligent and balanced Toronto Maple Leafs Fan.
Honorable Mentions: Lowetide, Irreverant Oiler Fans, Acid Queen and Battle of California.
The lack of Flames blogs is curious, I know. Hopefully this coming season will see the growth of a couple more quality Calgary-slanted blog-based commentaries.
