Shrapnel - 10/15/11

Welcome to your Saturday morning Shrapnel! We're all glad you could make it.

As the Jackets prepared yesterday for their trip to Dallas, Alexandre Giroux joined the practice and stepped right into the top six next to Umberger and Vermette. Oh, and somewhere in there, the team apparently got flu shots...

NHLPA head Donald Fehr is looking to kick open the CBA negotiations around the all star game.

Over at Strait Jackets, Dannie has a new boyfriend, but it's not what you think.

A little Backhand Shelf: 5 easy to (verbally) abuse players, why Jay Beagle had to fight on Thursday, a look at Tampa Bay's new tesla coil goal celebration (for the record, it's cool, but I still prefer the Cannon), and some "advice" for a few NHL players.

Over at Columbus Wired, they're talking about how Vinny Prospal is clicking on the top line, but I disagree with his status as an "afterthought" on July 1, given that Scott Howson said that he'd already been on the team's radar before Juice got hurt.

Speaking of the Jay Beagle / Aaron Asham fight - Travis talks a bit about why players fight in the SBN Morning Skate, while Crimespree Hockey asks us not to bash Ash.

Lou has all the details, but the Falcons put a whooping on the Baby Pens last night. Only bad news is that Allen York was run in the crease and forced to leave with an injury.

Over in Edmonton, it looks like Darryl Katz is trying to finalize a new arena deal by Halloween.

Over at Bluejackets.com, they've got the Jackets Journal for Friday, and also rolled out a new Game Day feature.

Who says the NHL schedule makers don't have a sense of humor? Especially when the Coyotes home opener is against the Jets.

Hmmm, looks like CBJ game ops director Derek Dawley is up to something...and there's a band involved.

In this morning's Dispatch, they don't think the power play can stay this bad...can it?

Over at Puck Daddy, you've got questions about free tickets in regards to building a fan base, more details on Rick DiPietro's concussion, a Zamboni Driver who is a genuine hero, some counterproductive ideas to get people to turn themselves in after the Vancouver Riots, Brooks Laich speaking out against the NHL's concussion protocol for being too overprotective, and Jason Blake getting badly cut by a skate in last night's Ducks home opener.

Finally, DBJ got to hit practice yesterday, and came away with some more focus as the team gets back to basics.