Happy Passover!
Here is my annual Passover post.
Enjoy!

The Dallas Morning News has an interesting look at the rebirth of hockey in Dallas (login info.).
But first, a shout-out to all of the hockey-loving librarians in Dallas. I know there are a lot of you.
And we're back.
Stars President Jim Lites tries to credit the salary cap with allowing the Stars to lower ticket prices and woo fans but the fans say they're impressed by other things:

"Honestly, the thing that pushed me over the top was the Ice Breaker they held before the season," said Taylor Millard, 26, of the team's meet-and-greet with players held at American Airlines Center. "It seemed the players were really shocked and happy to see so many fans there, and I think that made you feel appreciated."

I just find it so interesting how so many NHL teams seem to have no idea just how unpopular the game is with mainstream sports fans. You can't just put on a game and expect people to show up. You really have to sell hockey in most US markets. It's cool to see a team realizing that.
Also, goodbye to Luc Robitaille. Did he stay at the party too long?
Yeah.
Is he a nice guy who earned that right?
Probably.
Is his name a bit confusing to spell?
Certainly.

Oh man!
Ranger/OLN announcer John Davidson might take over the St. Louis Blues?
What's up with that? Is there a better color guy in hockey? Is it fair to do this to Ranger fans? Or hockey fans?
I think the only way out of this that's fair to everyone is to have Davidson keep his current workload and run the Blues. This way, everyone wins.
In honor of Davidson, please enjoy this picture of my John Davidson bobblehead:

(from l-r) Sam Rosen, Underpants Gnome, and John Davidson

The funniest thing about LA King Sean Avery being crazy (login info.)?
It forces HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA's Kelly Hrudey to go off on a rant about Avery and respect and hockey and how Avery's antics are somehow destroying the very fabric of civilization.
And without fail, right when Hrudey is weeping into the camera, imploring Avery to change his sinning ways in a vaguely threatening way, Mrs. PuckUpdate always walks into the room and asks what Hrudey's deal is and if Avery maybe hurt someone in Hrudey's family.
I wish someone would tell Hrudey not to take Avery's outbursts so personally.
Also, for some reason, in my head, Hrudey is played by Val Kilmer.
Speaking of HNIC, I loved when Vancouver Canuck Brendan Morrison was asked about his line not producing like they need to. Morrison just looked relieved when the question ended and didn't morph into a discussion of if Todd Bertuzzi is truly bringing down the room in Vancouver.
Also, this isn't hockey related, but I just saw The Dallas Morning News has a blog from New York Yankee washout turned Cowboy prospect Drew Henson, who's playing in NFL Europe. So congratulations to me for finding the So NoTORIous of sports blogs.