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NHL online shop Twitter briefly embraces tank wars

So about the NHL believing that nobody is tanking for the no. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NHL draft ...

Someone at the NHL shop clearly has a sense of humor with the below (and since deleted) photo. Someone else with the NHL obviously doesn't have a sense of humor.

NHL
NHL

Come on, people. Considering all that has gone on in the league this year with the Sabres and their clear and obvious desire to not win games – and Arizona's decision to also use this strategy, though not quite as overtly – this is great. Also the Oilers and Maple Leafs are in the mix for the ultimate rebuild ... err ... tank.

Also Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino would look great in a Sabres tank top.

According to the Toronto Star in November:

There’s a lot of talk in the NHL this year that certain general managers have handcuffed their teams so as to ensure the best chance at getting one of these three teenagers, each considered to be franchise-cornerstone types.

No wonder whenever a team goes on a losing streak – Buffalo, Carolina, Calgary, Phoenix, even Toronto – a segment of the fan base starts calculating the odds of getting one of these players to build around.

The league, however, is not concerned about teams tanking.

“We aren't concerned because we don't believe its true,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Star.

Does a tweet by the NHL shop ruin the sanctity of the game? No, not really. There are lots of layers in tank jobs, including players and coaches who actually want to win for various reasons. But this is still funny. Lighten up, people! It's a game. It's fun!

(S/t Adam Herman and SB Nation)

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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