The Times has an interesting (and surprising) article about homophobia at Ranger games, in the form of ugly chants.
I'm not a Rangers season ticket holder, but I can't recall having heard some of the homophobic chants the article cites. In fact, in terms of homophobia, I think the general trend, across sports and stadiums, of putting some kind of kiss-cam on two guys so everyone can laugh is way more offensive. And way more universal.
Still, I was disappointed the Rangers chose not to take up an offer by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network and the New York City Gay Hockey Association to craft a public service announcement for fans on how to behave at games.
Here's where I'm kind of stuck. As tickets get more and more expensive, the class of the people who can afford to attend changes, and, to make a broad generalization, I would wager the higher prices bring in a group of people less likely to chant homophobic things. So while the behavior at the Garden might change, there's actually no education taking place (which is why something like a PSA might be a nice gesture). But should we have to price fans out of a sport for people to not be jerks? I don't want to think that's the answer.

David Pollak has a nice history/overview of the Spin-o-rama. Relatively new San Jose Shark defenseman Brian Campbell is a big fan of the move. He's even scored with it.
Pollak credits Blackhawk Denis Savard with popularizing the move, but I think you have to give a lot of credit to the video game BLADES OF STEEL, which I believe was the first one to feature a Spin-o-rama move.
Also, while this is the time of year where we traditionally talk about successful teams, I'm going to change that up and talk about unsuccessful teams.
Over in Columbus, Bob Hunter is happy Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock isn't happy with his improved-but-still-not-in-the-playoffs team.
Over in Florida, the big question is if the Panthers recent winning streak is enough to let coach/GM Jacques Martin keep his job. Or one of his jobs. I'm wondering if Martin is wondering if there's a way to pin everything on Mike Keenan again.
Finally, happy birthday to former Rangers radio voice and Hockey Hall of Famer Sal "Red Light" Messina. Hockey is a tough radio sport and Messina had an uncanny ability to make you feel like you were actually seeing the game, rather than hearing it. And it didn't hurt that he was from Queens.

Oh wow. This is pretty interesting. The Senators can buy out goalie Ray Emery next season at just one third of his remaining salary. Apparently, that widely cited CBA fact that buyouts cost a team two-thirds of the money remaining contract only applies to players 26 and over. Emery is 25.
I don't know if I would buy out Emery, even at a cost of just $2.25 million over four years (twice the amount of time left on the contract). I would think Ottawa could find someone to take Emery. He doesn't have a small contract, but I've seen worse. And he could probably thrive given a change of scenery and a decent alarm clock.
Also, up in Buffalo, there was a Teppo Numminen sighting. Unfortunately for the Sabres, though, he didn't skate. Obviously, that's not great for a Buffalo team that's one of four Eastern conference teams trying to fight for that last playoff spot.
The Islanders, by the way, aren't one of those teams trying to grab that last spot. They're sending goalie Rick DiPietro for an MRI on his hip. If the MRI finds anything, they'll most likely shut him down for the season so the injury can be addressed. But just the fact that they're willing to consider the possibility of shelving their number one goalie shows the team is pretty much resigned to a playoff-less season.

So, hot on the heels of reports the Penguins powerplay is more efficient without Sidney Crosby, comes more data showing the Penguins, on paper, are a better team without Crosby. Bob Smizik jokes the Penguins should trade Crosby, but obviously it seems to be a case of teammates watching Crosby instead of looking to make plays. I'm not sure how you work past that, though. He's Sidney Crosby. People are going to stare.
Also, do the Kings finally have a startable goalie in rookie Erik Ersberg?
Probably not. Nothing against Ersberg. I just think the Kings are goalie jinxed.

The NHL is crazy if it's really considering a longer schedule. Is the 82-game season somehow not grueling enough? The only way this makes sense is as a cap workaround. Like it's two more games for "retired" players to re-sign at mid-season and play their way into shape (Ducks! I'm looking at you).
I know the idea of the longer season was kicking around during the All-Star game, but to be honest, the fact that the Times had a small item on it makes me think this is a possibility.
Also, here's something else I don't get. The Rangers are going to open next season in the Czech Republic against the Lightning, right? But look at who's signed for the Rangers next year. And then look who isn't. Jaromir Jagr's contract incentives won't kick in so he'll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. Marty Straka isn't signed. Marek Malik probably won't be back. Michal Rozsival is an unrestricted free agent. Petr Prucha is the only Czech Ranger who'll definitely be on the Rangers roster next season. I know the Rangers brand is international, but it might be a little weird if the once Czech-heavy Rangers show up in Prague without any big Czech names.
Also, in addition to being fun, apparently hockeyfights.com is a bit of an NHL teaching tool.
Who knew?