Here are all of the read-worthy links from around the hockey world, and what I’m reading on a rainy Monday morning.
*Elliotte Friedman has his weekly 30 thoughts column, which includes some interesting back and forth about the salary cap escalator, and whether or not the NHLPA is going to go for it after voting it down last season.
*The NHL combine set in Buffalo this weekend will put the focus on the league’s future stars, and the start of the draft hype machine.
*Ryan Lambert has his weekly “What We Learned” column focused on a secret weapon for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
*One thing that won’t be the secret weapon for the Lightning: Garth Brooks. He had to cancel shows in Tampa that were going to conflict with the Stanley Cup Final.
*Former Merrimack defenseman and Burlington High standout Bobby Jay has been named head coach of the Boston Pride in the NWHL (National Women’s Hockey League).
*PHT writer James O’Brien has Ducks fans and Devante Smith-Pelly at odds over a smiley face tweeted out by the current Montreal winger.
Boston Bruins
*FOH (Friend of Haggs) Bruce Garrioch has the Sens looking to deal either Craig Anderson or Robin Lehner, and what kind of goaltending trade market might be out there for either one of them.
*For something completely different: Alan Sepinwall has his review for this week’s Game of Thrones, which had all the elements of a classic episode.