Game On!

• Yes, the International Ice Hockey Federation has suspended Alexander Radulov, while it investigates the details of his transfer to the newly-formed Russian KHL. But realists within the NHL doubt that the IIHF has enough teeth to prevent the Predators ace from playing in his homeland. Behind the scenes, the NHL is making it clear to the Russians that there are two options: 1) The leagues can live in peace with the possibility that two major leagues – the NHL and European KHL – can work together toward a true World Championship; or, 2) There can be an outright war sparked by incidents such as the Radulov episode. The obstacle could very well be KHL boss Alex Medvedev who may mistakenly choose the militant road.

• Good to see our old pal, Corey Schwab (Albany Calder Cup-winner, 1995) connect as San Jose's goalie development coach. He's a good guy with a sharp mind. Ditto for Mike Ricci, named San Jose's development coach for non-goalie talent.

• Department Of Unimportant Facts: Henrik Lundqvist's musical idol happens to be Bruce Springsteen, a New Jersey boy no-less. Henke finally met his idol this month in Stockholm where Bruce and the E Street Band performed. "It was a great experience," says Henny.

• This from the Montreal Gazette's Stu Cowan: "I wonder what Boston Bruins g.m. Peter Chiarelli was drinking when he decided to sign Michael Ryder to a three-year, $12 million deal after the right-winger scored a career-low 14 goals last season and was a healthy scratch for eight of 12 playoff games. Ryder, at $4 million, will earn only $500,000 less than former teammate Alex Kovalev this season. Kovalev had 35 goals and 49 assists last season, giving him 53 more points than Ryder," adds Cowan.

• The line will be forming at the right when it comes to obtaining tix for the New Year's Day Winter Classic in Chicago. "The game at Wrigley Field has the potential to be maybe the toughest regular-season ticket to secure in the history of Chicago sports," says John McDonough. "We expect a big demand for tickets and a sell-out crowd of more than 41,500."

• With all the talk about Chris Drury being the natural successor to Jaromir Jagr as Rangers' captain, everyone seems to be forgetting that Scotty Gomez actually may wind up with the "C."

• Buffalo News columnist Bob DiCesare on Ryan Miller: "The goalie's best quality is his abhorrence of excuses; his refusal to take the easy way out or surrender to popular opinion."

• One of the least-publicized success stories is the climb of Middletown, New Jersey native Mike Haviland up the pro coaching ladder. In seven pro years he never missed the playoffs and twice won the ECHL's Kelly Cup (Atlantic City and Trenton.) Now he's in the NHL as a Blackhawks assistant coach.

• Talk about diplomacy, Gary Roberts, after 22 years in the NHL, knew what to say when signed by the Lightning along with his buddy, Mark Recchi. "We've been around long enough to know this is Vinny Lecavalier's team and Marty St. Louis' team," says Roberts. "We're just here to compliment those guys. I'm excited just to be part of it. As an older guy, you come in and you do your job the way you've done it for 20 years. That's not going to change. At some point, will I offer advice, or [will] Mark? Probably. But we're not going to walk in here and rant and rave and try to make changes; it doesn't happen that way."

• The latest college to aim for Division I status is Stony Brook University on Long Island. The coach who will make it happen is none other than former Long Island Ducks [old Eastern Hockey League] sharpshooter Buzzy Deschamps. Buzz scored 59 goals for L.I. in 1963-64 when the EHL was everything the classic movie Slapshot was all about.

MORE:

• Orr's Youth Camp Blog
• Once Over the Rangers
• NHL at Yankee Stadium?