Fresh Links: Boomerang Edition

<p><b> The Bruins took optional skate and participated in off-ice work yesterday. </b></p>

<ul>

<li> Let's call it an "off-ice day," not a day off. Tuukka Rask and Chad Johnson got in some extra work with goalie coach Bob Essensa. [<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/bruins/post/_/id/14404/optional-practice-as-bs-prep-for-habs">ESPN</a>]</li>

<li> Kevan Miller has been called up from Providence again on an emergency basis. [<a href="Kevan MIller has been called up from Providence again this week on an emergency basis">MassLive</a>]</li>

<li> Two defensemen were absent from today's practice. [<a href="https://twitter.com/BruinsDaily/status/407889503396065280">@BruinsDaily</a>]</li>

<li> The Bruins have reached their first goal, leading the Eastern conference, and now strive to avoid "the usual skid." [<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/bruins/post/_/id/14406/cruising-bs-look-to-avoid-the-usual-skid">ESPN</a>]</li>

<li> Watch Torey Krug, on pace for a banner year, and catch Rask's candid opinion of "Goalie Bob" and whose successful scoring shots in practice sting the most. [<a href="http://causewaycrowd.com/2013/12/03/hockey-news-bruin-december-2nd-2013/">CausewayCrowd</a>]</li>

<li> Speaking of goalies, here's a report card of the Bruins' netminders and defensemen so far. [<a href="http://hockeyjournal.com/blog/blackGold/Bruins_Report_Card-_Goaltenders_and_defensemen">NewEnglandHockeyJournal</a>]</li>

<li> Milan Lucic is playing with skill and swagger, making things happen. It is a far cry from the beginning of last year. [<a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/hockey/bruins/dj-bean/2013/12/02/how-milan-lucic-has-turned-back-milan-lucic">WEEI</a>]</li>

<li> Here's a look at how Jarome Iginla has been working out for the Bruins. [<a href="http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Ty-Anderson/Has-Iginla-been-an-upgrade-over-Horton/141/56141">HockeyBuzz</a>]</li>

<li> This road trip marks Iginla's first trip back to Calgary as an opposing player, and he looks forward to seeing the Flames players and staff. He allows that after his stint with the Penguins, he made overtures to the Bruins and would have understood if the Bruins thought "he can go screw himself." [<a href="http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Iginla+bracing+weird+return+Calgary/9239584/story.html">LeaderPost</a>]</li>

<li> The next stretch of games starts in Montreal, and will involve 8 of 13 games on the road. Hopefully teambuilding and Christmas shopping can be accomplished along with winning. [<a href="http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/blogs/whatsbruin/x1275647557/Notes-Bruins-road-game-to-be-put-to-test">MetroWestDailyNews</a>]</li>

<li> Seen at the scene: Peter Chiarelli, the Flyers' Ron Hextall, and two Ottawa Senators scouts were at the Rangers vs. Jets game last evening... [<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/rangers/2013/12/crushed-ice-brassard-demoted-del-zotto-minus-three-callahan-gets-on-the-board-scouts">NYDailyNews</a>]</li>

<li> The Sabres are still looking for a new GM, and Jim Benning's hat is still in the ring. [<a href="http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/GARTHS-CORNER/No-Hurry-For-Murray/6/56140">HockeyBuzz</a>]</li>

</ul>

<p><b> Elsewhere around the rink: </b></p>

<ul>

<li> Is this the kind of treatment Bruins fans can expect at the hands of Centre Bell ushers in Montreal on Thursday? [<a href="http://bloguin.com/puckdrunklove/2013-articles/december/gif-bell-centre-usher-forces-devils-fan-to-sit-after-new-jersey-goal.html">PuckDrunkLove</a>]</li>

<li> Is Malcolm Subban teaching his brother tips on goaltending? Carey Price must be grateful. [<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2013/12/2/5168852/p-k-subban-saves-two-goals">SBNation</a>]</li>

<li> The Canadian WJC roster has been announced. [<a href="http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/canadas-wjc-camp-roster-brings-surprises-but-not-shocks/">TheHockeyNews</a>]</li>

<li> Get well soon, Alexandre Burrows! Surgery on his broken jaw means he'll be on a softer diet than opponents' fingers for awhile. [<a href="http://www.thescore.com/nhl/articles/2568208-canucks-burrows-has-surgery-on-broken-jaw">TheScore</a>]</li>

<li> Pressing goalies into service as offensive players has led to a spate of gaffes. [<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/duhatschek-goalie-gaffes-are-all-the-rage-in-the-nhl/article15712002/">TheGlobeAndMail</a>]</li>

<li> Catch up on all of the NHL weekend action here. [<a href="http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/84188/the-weekend-in-hockey-basically-canada-is-so-sad-right-now">Grantland</a>]</li>

<li> Here's a modest proposal, increase the value of a regulation win to 3 points! [<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nhl-alternative-standings-2013-14-regulation-wins-counted-214041821--nhl.html">PuckDaddy</a>]</li>

<li> Elliotte Friedman offers his 30 Thoughts. [<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/hockey/opinion/2013/12/30-thoughts-nhl-needs-to-address-on-ice-concerns.html">CBCSports</a>]</li>

<li> Here's a graphic detailing the wardrobe provided to Canadian Olympic athletes. [<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/infographic/article15176423/">TheGlobeAndMail</a>]</li>

</ul>