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Puck Headlines: Yashin, Nabokov updates; Chara with the Cup

Sean Leahy
·Contributing writer

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.

• The Pittsburgh Penguins have been chronicling Evgeni Malkin's workouts in Russia as he continues his road back after tearing his ACL and MCL. Here's Geno about to perform the Triple Lindy as Sergei Gonchar looks on. [Penguins]

• Via Dmitry, Alexei Yashin's agent Mark Gandler tells Sovietsky Sport that they are negotiating with the New York Islanders. "At this time we are negotiating with the Islanders. And we are seriously considering this offer as well as options in the KHL. That's all I can say." [SovSport (in Russian)]

• Katie Strang of Newsday confirms that Gandler and Isles GM Garth Snow have discussed a Yashin comeback.

• Evgeni Nabokov's agent Don Meehan reiterates that his client will be in the NHL this season. It's still up to the Islanders as to where Nabakov will play. [Globe & Mail]

• "An official says police arrested the brother of former NHL strongman Derek Boogaard as a result of their investigation into how Boogaard obtained the prescription painkiller that contributed to his fatal overdose in May." [Sporting News via AP]

• Ed Tait on the use of No. 9 in Winnipeg: "Mr. Kane has shown a lot of class in seeking Mr. Hull's permission, which will undoubtedly be awarded. The best way to honour the Golden Jet, after all, is to once again see No. 9 on the back of a great hockey player. It wouldn't diminish Mr. Hull, but it might start a new tradition of outstanding No. 9s." [Winnipeg Free Press]

• Where do you fall in the debate on whether or not Evander Kane should wear No. 9 with the Jets? [Arctic Ice Hockey]

• So who's left among the free-agent crop? It's pretty thin out there as the Sporting News discovers. [Custance]

• Sports Illustrated ran a "The Best Team I Ever Covered" section this week and here's why Hockey HOFer Michael Farber and should-be HHOFer Pat Burns are two of the best: "There was something honorable about this team, at least in how it approached its job -- Pepe Lemieux excepted. During the Cup final, Lemieux, who often played two positions, right wing and prone, lay on the ice just feet from Montreal's bench, writhing in an effort to draw a penalty. This was not viewed as a whatever-it-takes gambit, but some gamesmanship unworthy of the CH. As the trainer started to clamber over the boards to minister to Lemieux, Burns grabbed the trainer's sweater and told him, 'Let the SOB lie there.'" [SI]

• The sale process of the St. Louis Blues looks to kick into high gear beginning next week according to Andy Strickland. [True Hockey]

• Days of Y'Orr with a fantastic photoshop expedition of the Stanley Cup's week in Europe. [DOY]

• Goaltender Jordan Pearce inked a two-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings meaning he'll have to put off medical school for a little while. [Freep]

• Speculating on what kind of contract Zach Parise will end up getting. [In Lou We Trust]

• Adam Gretz talks with new Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith about his history with Dave Tippett, his free-agency experience and the pressure in replacing Ilya Bryzgalov. [Eye on Hockey]

• NHL players and commercials. Sometimes they're not as good of a match as you may think. [Kurtenblog]

• The Montreal Canadiens announced that former NHLers Randy Ladouceur and Randy Cunneyworth have been named assistant coaches. [Canadiens]

• In praise of Stars' best player right now: Loui Eriksson. [Defending Big D]

• Women's hockey Canada just got a $2 million boost after philanthropist Jane Snyder made a private donation that will see a rink named in her honor. [Calgary Herald]

• Instead of spending time playing baseball at San Diego State, Trevor Gretzky has decided to ride the minor league buses by signing a deal with the Chicago Cubs. [Toronto Sun]

• Looking at how the Pittsburgh Penguins would have shaped up had the ping pong ball fallen in favor of the Anaheim Ducks instead of them at the 2005 NHL Draft Lottery. [RLD Hockey]

• Finally, Friday was Zdeno Chara's day with the Stanley Cup in Slovakia. To begin the party, he ate ricecake out of a bowl inside the Cup bowl. As Souvenir City mentioned on Twitter, after Kris Draper's kid had some time inside the bowl, this was perhaps a smart move by the Bruins' captain: