The Penguins players had their holiday season visit to Pittsburgh Children's Hospital yesterday, bringing smiles and holiday cheer to some really sick kids. [Penguins.com]
The Pens host the Flames tonight and are ready to welcome Letang and Hornqvist back into the lineup. Latest updates on all injured players are here. [Trib - Yohe]
Sid missed practice and the Children's visit due to an undisclosed illness. [NHL.com]
The Flames have now lost three games in a row in which they were good but the opposing goalie was better. (More like they're coming back down to Earth.) Let's make that four in a row, please. [Matchsticks & Gasoline]
I love it when publications that never write anything about hockey suddenly decide to, and regardless of who/what the article is about (PK Subban this time), you just know they will somehow weave Sid into it and manage a little backhanded dig at him, even if it's completely unrelated. [The New Yorker]
Bobby Ryan scored the best goal of the season so far. This was just amazing. You don't see Jonathan Quick deked and beaten like this very often. [Shnarped]
Jonathan Toews left the game against the Bruins last night after a hit from behind into the boards by Dennis Seidenberg. It is presumed to be a head injury. The league has already announced it will look into the hit. [The Score]
Following a vicious hit by Matt Martin (on which no penalty was called), Keith Ballard was released from the hospital with multiple facial fractures and his umpteenth concussion. He is out indefinitely and the Wild fear it may put his career in jeopardy. [NHL.com]
Here is a really interesting interview with Paul Bissonnette, still defending fighting and not pulling any punches. At the end are some interesting and unrelated tidbits (related to salaries) that we talked about recently. [ESPN The Magazine]
It was reported that Mike Babcock was very close to signing an extension with Detroit. He called those reports "fantasy world". Okay Babs. [Detroit Free Press]
Two years ago Rob Vollman polled experts to rate UFA signings. Only 5 of 15 "best" contracts are currently in the NHL. [Hockey Prospectus]
Boston will host the 2016 Winter Classic. Colorado and Minnesota will host Stadium Series games while the Winnipeg Jets will host the 2016 Heritage Classic. [Pro Hockey Talk]