Sidney loves Carey (and other links)

Jeff Skinner and Taylor Swift would make a cute couple. Yes, this is what the intro has come to. Enjoy the links!

Montreal Canadiens News and Analysis

• Roster news is pretty scarce at the moment, but there are still some interesting and encouraging stories out there. One such story is that Michel Therrien has been impressed with Greg Pateryn's development, calling the 23-year old "one of the most improved players in camp." The problem for Pateryn's NHL prospects is roster space. Currently, the Habs have seven defenders signed to one-way contracts on top of prominent sophomores Nathan Beaulieu and Jarred Tinordi, who are signed to two-way deals.
• Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun of ESPN have undertaken the task of ranking the best players in the NHL. They've placed Carey Price 12th on their list of goaltenders, one behind the highest-ranked Canadian, Roberto Luongo. Sidney Crosby is a fan of Price's though, calling Carey the best goalie in the NHL.
• Chris Boucher examines the rate at which Canadiens players were able to draw "obstruction penalties" (tripping, hooking, holding, interference, and holding the stick) relative to their possession events and deke attempts. Alexei Emelin's penalty-drawing prowess deserves praise. Despite engaging in the "in the fewest puck-possession events among Habs d-men" and very few dekes, Emelin led the defensemen in obstruction penalties drawn per minutes played. Rene Bourque sports a similar stat line: lowest event rate (among wingers), highest rate of obstruction penalties drawn (among wingers).
• All of the proceeds from Montreal's scrimmage on Saturday will go to support recovery efforts in Lac-Mégantic. The cheque will be presented on October 3, when the Canadiens travel to the town for a regular season practice at the local arena. It's a kind gesture that will hopefully help in the rebuilding process.
• Jeff Halpern joins Colby Armstrong on the list of useful 2013 Habs that have signed in Europe. Halpern, who links the reduced salary cap to his NHL employment status, will join TPS Turku of Finland's SM-liiga on a one month contract. If only you were as skilled as George Parros, Jeff!

General News and Analysis

• Phoenix Coyotes forward Paul Bissonnette left the bench to fight Los Angeles Kings centre Jordan Nolan, following the latter's concussion-inducing hit on defensemen Rostislav Klesla. Bissonnete has been suspended 10 games for his actions while Nolan will not be suspended for the hit. Meanwhile, Klesla is resting at home.
• The NHL has changed the rules regarding uniforms and how they can be worn. Referees will issue a single warning, followed by a delay of game penalty, to a player if his pads are exposed outside of his uniform. This means that the Ovechkin-style jersey tuck is no longer allowed. I don't understand the rationale, but whatever.
• Speaking of jersey rules, Dan Saraceni of Lighthouse Hockey has a helpful infographic, highlighting the various changes to the NHL's uniform policy.
• In case you missed it, the Pittsburgh Penguins added former Montreal Canadiens coach Jacques Martin to their staff as an assistant back in August. Although his role was not established at the time, Martin was behind the bench for Pittsburgh’s Sunday preseason game against Columbus.
• Very few people showed up to the Florida Panthers preseason home opener on Monday. In all fairness to the good people of Sunrise, it was a Panthers preseason game and it did start at 2:30 in the afternoon.
• Speaking of the Florida Panthers, they have signed Tim Thomas to a tryout deal. Tom Gilbert is also expected to join Panthers camp.
• Martin Brodeur and his 2013 seventh-round pick son Anthony are both participating in New Jersey Devils training camp, which is pretty neat.
• Battle of California’s Megalodon presents this week’s edition of humorous hockey tweets.
• Garret Hohl of Arctic Ice Hockey agrees with Winnipeg Claude Noel’s assessment that Ondrej Pavelec is not among the 25 best goaltenders in the NHL. In the process of making the case, Hohl discusses shot quality and its "far from … dominant" impact on save percentage over an extended period of time.