Big night for the Flyers' Legion of Doom line. Eric Lindros announced his official retirement from hockey. John LeClair was charged with drunk driving. I'm guessing Mikael Renberg is hiding somewhere.
Tim Panaccio has a great Lindros quote from Rick Tocchet, of all people (login info.): "[Lindros] could have been up there with Lemieux and Gretzky. Who knows? But a lot of stuff hampered him . . . injuries and outside stuff. It's not a sad story, but a story that is unfulfilled."
I wouldn't be shocked if Lindros finds his happiness working for the union.

James Lipton, host of INSIDE THE ACTOR'S STUDIO, is tight with former NHLer Rudy Poeschek.
I'd love it if Lipton would start interviewing athletes: "Mr. Gretzky. Can we speak to your stick? What is your stick thinking on a breakaway?"
Thanks to Mrs. PuckUpdate for the link.

Yesterday was one of those days that made me really glad I live in a city that's just complete media saturation:
Stephon Marbury left the Knicks in the middle of a road trip and then came back.
Alex Rodriguez wants to return to the Yankees.
Sean Avery seems totally out of control, no matter what he may or may not be saying on the ice.
I love how Avery is the sanest one in all of this.
Also, I don't think I heard anyone say anything about football today, which is pretty rare for New York in the fall.

Greg Wyshynski has a nice interview with Jim Gordon, host of XM's FACE OFF show. Gordon is pretty candid. I found this fascinating:

"Technically, we're supposed to be first in line [for NHL guests]. Technically, a team like Detroit is supposed to look to us before they look to local media, because we're rights holders and we pay a lot of money," said Gordon, estimating that XM will spend around $130 million during the course of its deal with the NHL.

It's nice to know the NHL media strategy is even messed up with the people paying for the right to cover the league.
Also, on an unrelated note, what is with Versus and their cameras set up about 200 feet off of the ice? Last night's Rangers-Flyers was like watching from a blimp.

Larry Brooks had a shockingly emotional reaction to Al Arbour's return behind the Islander bench. To compensate, he busted the Isles for not paying Neil Smith for the month and change he worked for them. Although Smith apparently never signed a contract with the Islanders, which makes me wonder if that's part of why things didn't work out. Like he wanted to be the GM who didn't require signatures or something.
Mark Herrmann had a funny story about Arbour and his cultural frame of reference. I'd give more details, but I don't want to blow the punch line.
Scott Niedermayer still hasn't decided if he'll return to the Ducks, and the team is already carrying eight defensemen (login info.). Eventually, the Ducks will be a team made up entirely of defensemen. And Niedermayer will still be debating whether to join them. Seriously. Hamlet. Make a decision.
Also, Are the Penguins interested in Dallas goalie Marty Turco? Every Stars fan is on his/her knees right now, praying the answer is yes.
Finally, the Penguins and Sabres will wear retro uniforms for their outdoor game. I'm guessing the teams will also get their toques on, as Jose Theodore did when he played outside. It was an awesome look.