<p><b> In Bruins and near-Bruins news: </b> </p>
<ul>
<li> Now the conjecture begins- why did Nathan Horton REALLY want to pull up skates? (And do read the comments) [<a href="http://www.boston.com/blogs/sports/columnists/kaufman/2013/07/why_did_nathan_horton_leave_the_bruinsreally.html">Boston.com</a>]</li>
<li> His departure leaves Peter Chiarelli in a bit of a pickle. [<a href="http://bostonherald.com/sports/bruins_nhl/boston_bruins/2013/07/peter_chiarelli_stuck_shopping">BostonHerald</a>]</li>
<li> Tim Thomas ' agent is exploring options for his client to return to the NHL. [<a href="http://www.windsorstar.com/sports/hockey/Thomas+explore+options+comeback+after+1year+layoff/8603272/story.html">WindsorStar</a>]</li>
<li> Enjoy this gallery of 10 defining moments for the Boston Bruins this season. [<a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/2013/06/26/moments-that-defined-the-bruins/WdAoO3G8Ga4KvNxgRt69dP/pictures.html">NESN</a>]</li>
<li> Meet draftee Peter Cehlarik. [<a href="http://www.csnne.com/blog/bruins-talk/third-rounder-cehlarik-feels-he-fits-bruins">CSNNE</a>]</li>
<li> Ryan Fitzgerald is a second-generation Bruins draftee. [<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/bruins/post/_/id/13392/fitzgerald-on-bruins-a-great-honor">ESPN</a>]</li>
<li> Cam Neely would like to reprise his role as Seabass in the Dumb and Dumber sequel. And Milan Lucic may also be cast. (With video gallery) [<a href="http://nesn.com/2013/07/report-cam-neely-interested-in-reprising-sea-bass-role-in-dumb-and-dumber-sequel/">NESN</a>]</li>
</ul>
<p><b>And elsewhere in the NHL and beyond: </b> </p>
<ul>
<li> Reports: Islanders to buy out Rick DiPietro. [<a href="http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/52634-Person-familiar-with-deal-Islanders-buy-out-remaining-8-years-of-DiPietros-long-contract.html">TheHockeyNews</a>]</li>
<li> More goalie news briefs regarding Martin Brodeur, Anthony Brodeur, Sergei Bobrovsky, Tim Thomas. [<a href="http://toomanymenonthesite.com/2013/07/01/nhl-goaltender-news-july-1/">TooManyMenOnTheSite</a>]</li>
<li> And Mike Smith has been re-signed by the Phoenix Coyotes. [<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/phoenix-coyotes-sign-goalie-mike-smith-to-six-year-contract-070113">FoxSports</a>]</li>
<li> The Perfect Storm: Rangers vs. Canucks this preseason! [<a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/nhlblog/rangers_to_meet_tortorella_canucks_mm8ZCipfOuZmIS5J6UoTAJ#axzz2XjxynaqU">NYPost</a>]</li>
<li> Eliotte Friedman has 30 delightful thoughts to share. [<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/opinion/2013/07/30-thoughts-focus-switches-to-nhl-free-agents-offer-sheets.html">CBCSports</a>]</li>
<li> This news list has the scoop on the Coyotes' newest deadline, Roberto Luongo having to reconnect with Vancouver, Ryan Miller, Kris Letang, Stephen Weiss, Daniel Alfredsson, and more. [<a href="http://nhl.si.com/2013/07/02/top-line-the-return-of-tim-thomas-olympic-talks-progress-more-links/#more-33172">SportsIllustrated</a>]</li>
<li> Enjoy this gif involving Patrick Sharp and a tetherball... [<a href="http://cdn.25stanley.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/iboQxGwSJ72sTm.gif">25Stanley</a>]</li>