Praise for Brian Burke from Leafs; Stefan Matteau quits team (Puck Headlines)

Here are your Puck Headlines: a glorious collection of news and views collected from the greatest blogosphere in sports and the few, the proud, the mainstream hockey media.

• All of the EA Sports cover candidates have been released for NHL 14, from Zdeno Chara to … Matt Beleskey. More on this in a bit. [EA Sports]

• Winnipeg Jets left wing Andrew Ladd, New York Rangers center Brad Richards and San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending April 21. [NHL]

• Toronto Maple Leafs COO Tom Anselmi: “I think Burkie deserves some of the credit. Burkie brought in two-thirds of the roster. He built the race car, now David and Randy are driving it. It’s a really good group of players that has come together.” [QMI]

• If you’re wondering why Ryan White earned five games from the NHL, the words “knocked out cold” probably didn’t help his case. [Philly.com]

• The Detroit Red Wings. Devious. [Malik Report]

• Strange case from juniors, as Devils pick Stefan Matteau quits the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. [Buzzing The Net]

• Allan Muir on Matteau: "This isn’t an ender for him, but someone needs to call a come-to-Jesus meeting. Whether it is his dad, his agent or the Devils, someone must step up and adjust his attitude. Playing with an edge is one thing. Playing with fire is another. The Armada finally decided the risk wasn’t worth the reward. Next it might be New Jersey that comes to that conclusion." [SI]

• Solid piece here on Antti Niemi of the San Jose Sharks: “Niemi was undrafted and it has taken plenty of time to earn the respect of many in the hockey community. Even after winning a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks he still had his doubters. San Jose decided to take a chance on him and have been rewarded with consistent play. Slowly but surely Niemi continues to get better while often flying under the radar. Maybe that’s a good thing for this Sharks organization who hasn’t met high playoff expectations with the greatest results in recent years. San Jose would certainly trade a quiet regular season for a loud spring in 2013.” [Dobber]

• Ray Whitney gets the Dallas Stars nod for the Masterton. [Dallas Stars Blog]

• Tom Poti gets the Washington Capitals’ Masterton nod. [Capitals Insider]

• Brian Elliott gets the St. Louis Blues Masterton nod. [News-Democrat]

• Cam Charron with a lengthy piece on how the New York Islanders became the playoff team they apparently are. [Backhand Shelf]

• Jack Todd with some advice for Carey Price: “Price needs to get in touch with his inner pit bull. Blame Markov all you want: the simple truth is that either Price turns it around, or the Canadiens are on the golf course by mid-May, one and done.” [Gazette]

• Enrico Blasi of Miami (OH) signs what amounts to a 10-year contract. [CHN]

• Finally, if you’re wondering what the KHL playoffs would look like as an old-timey newsreel, wonder no more: