Shrapnel - 12/4/11

With it being December, it's time for an annual tradition that warms the heart and the spirit: The Teddy Bear Toss. Seriously, there's nothing better than getting a "bear-ial" for charity.

Over at Strait-Jackets, Dannie has started doing recap soundtracks.

The next big story coming for the NHL (and the Blue Jackets) is the realignment issue, which is GM Scott Howson's destination on Monday morning. The latest proposal seems like a 50/50 for the Jackets. On the one hand, still stuck in a division with Detroit, Chicago, and Nashville. On the other, only one home and home series required vs. the Western Canadian and California teams, and guaranteed home and homes vs. the Eastern teams.

Would Scott Howson prefer to be in the "Northeast" division under this proposal? Absolutely, but it's still an improvement.

At Backhand Shelf, Gabriel Landeskog is pretty darned good, and the Islanders are surprisingly terrible.

The Dispatch also has a look at more arenas being financed by casino revenue.

At PHT, they look at potential interest for Derick Brassard in Ottawa, Kris Versteeg isn't impressed with Shanahan, and Randy Carlyle is classy.

At Puck Daddy, they ask if Jaques Martin will be the next coach to be fired, a look at the top 5 goalies, some of the top sophomores, and the melee that erupted when Jordin Tootoo welcomed Ryan Miller back to the NHL.