" I'm not going to sit back and let the riots of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final be the final image of this season for me. No, I want to prove that we are better than that. I just donated $100 to the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund, which supports burn survivors and increases the public's knowledge about fire and burn safety issues. It's supported by the Vancouver Fire Fighter's Charitable Society. I thought it was a fitting charity given the lasting images of police cars on fire during the riot.

If you are a classy Canucks fan and want to send a message that the rioters do not respresent us as a city or as a fan base, I encourage you to donate as I have. "

A description of the ridiculous bag-skate practice that Minnesota coach Todd Richards put them through after they lost to the Blue Jackets.

Mike Russo, the beat writer, wrote, "I've seen some bag skates (no pucks, just skating and skating and skating) in my day, but as I wrote on Twitter, I've never covered anything like I did this morning." AND he's covered Mike Keenan before.

Another gem regarding veteran John Madden: " I went to John Madden after practice, and without me even putting words in his mouth, he said he's never been in a bag skate that lasted as long and was as exhausting as Richards' skate-a-thon today.

"Message sent, message received," Madden said."

Bob McKenzie
Vancouver puts Jeff Tambellini on waivers.

and

Bob McKenzie
Michael Grabner claimed by NYI on waivers.

Someone on twitter put it best: Grabner follows the 'Reverse Luongo'. Vancouver -> Florida -> NYI.

Also I guess this means that Schaefer wins out the third line spot with Hansen and Malhotra?

Edit: Bob McKenzie
VAN-NAS trade is O'Brian and Dan Gendur for Parent and another player not off the NHL roster.

Honestly, I don't think we're going to have a decent bottom-6 without getting rid of Shane O'Brien. Bieksa is a must-go to accommodate Raymond's raise, but Shane O'Brien is just making too much!

Bye-bye daily productivity!

From earlier: "Speaking of veteran free-agent forwards, a source told ESPN.com on Thursday that Pavol Demitra was close to signing a deal with a KHL club in Russia. Named to the Olympic All-Star team this past February, Demitra struggled with the Canucks and was in and out of coach Alain Vigneault's doghouse."

EDIT: So long Demitra! I'll always remember you for this.

I follow Dobber Hockey quite a bit; it's one of the best places on the internet for Fantasy Hockey advice. Today they have a post about the "it" factor and how certain players just have it and it's certainly worth a read. (The post's mainly about Eberle, but mentions Schroeder in passing)

"Other players that possess this special quality include Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, TJ Oshie, David Booth, and Jordan Schroeder." That's some pretty good company there.

Do you think Schroeder could have higher hockey IQ than, say, Hodgson, who was voted to be the smartest player in his draft class?