Dan’s Daily Links: RFA Rumors, Fans Get to Vote on Seattle Name

The St. Louis Blues have technically left the “interim” tag on head coach Craig Berube since he took over for Mike Yeo on Nov. 20. They were searching for head coaches for months even as St. Louis surged but no longer. Seattle fans will get to vote on the colors and the name of the Seattle NHL franchise (God help us all). The restricted free agent list (RFA) is loaded with rumors this offseason and PHN dished our report card for Pittsburgh Penguins winger Dominik Simon.

Someday, some GM, on some team will have the guts to use the RFA rules as they were written. Give the picks, sign the player that will help you! Mitch Marner, Sebastien Aho, Mikko Rantanen are just a few of the names who are RFAs this summer. And defenseman Jacob Trouba, to whom the Penguins have been linked via past speculation. There are plenty of rumors that this is the year a big name will flip (Sportsnet)

Do it. A team must have its original picks to sign an RFA, so the Penguins are out on the most prominent names but not out on the second or third tier.

Seattle fans have an official chance to vote on team colors and name. (KOMO)

The Totems is growing on me, but I still dig the Kracken. In honor of Microsoft, how about the Seattle Crash? They could enter the ice as the arena lights go blue in honor of the blue screen of death. I’m only partially kidding.

You may have noticed the St. Louis Blues don’t have a head coach for next season. Craig Berube has done a pretty good job turning St. Louis around. St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong says their coaching search is nearing an end. There is only one name left on the list. Guess who? (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Dougie Hamilton had a rough Game 1. A couple of third period penalties, albeit controversial calls put the former Boston Bruin on center stage. But Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy also sees Hamilton getting under Zdeno Chara’s skin (Boston Hockey Now)

How cool is it that PHN has a sister site?

And PHN graded Pittsburgh Penguins winger Dominik Simon. As always, we aim to be tough, fair and make you think just a little. Check out the player A and B comparison (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)