:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/20410287/20130316_jla_sv3_002.0.jpg)
<p><b> There's nothing like a few days in the crisp, fall air with the boys to cleanse one's mind of nagging thoughts of cap space and heal any hurt feelings from roster spot competition: </p></b>
<ul>
<li> An influx of youth has changed the face of the Bruins. Reilly Smith has earned a spot on the third line with Carl Söderberg, Jordan Caron survived cuts to play another day, and Chad Johnson wins the backup goalie spot. [<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/bruins/post/_/id/13732/young-roster-additions-bring-depth">ESPN</a>]</li>
<li> "Last chance" Caron needs to show some offensive punch, and his being retained shows that the Bruins still see value in him. With Söderberg out day-to-day, Caron may play in the season opener. [<a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/hockey/bruins/dj-bean/2013/09/29/after-uncertain-training-camp-jordan-caron-still-stic">WEEI</a>]</li>
<li> Caron acknowledges having had a tough season last year, and found the preseason loss to Detroit particularly frustrating. Claude Julien sees more urgency in his more recent efforts. [<a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/09/29/bruins-jordan-caron-hopes-wash-away-memories-last-season/teQmef8WfSjhfqnscXxtWP/story.html">TheBostonGlobe</a>]</li>
<li> The Price Is Right... Chad Johnson's accomplishment is colored by salary cap realities. The same may be said of Caron, whose progress seems to matter on an almost personal level to the Bruins management. [<a href="http://causewaycrowd.com/2013/09/30/chad-johnson-wins-goalie-job-boston/">CausewayCrowd</a>]</li>
<li> In other words, when they say it's not about the money... it's about the money. And it is an issue overshadowing several players. [<a href="http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Ty-Anderson/Dazed-and-Somewhat-Confused/141/54372#.UkmN4oashcY">HockeyBuzz</a>]</li>
<li> The Bruins travel to Vermont for a few days of team building. [<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/bruins/post/_/id/13728/bs-head-to-vermont-for-some-bonding">ESPN</a>]</li>
<li>Oh, ye of little faith! So, the Kings will lift the cup, will they? [<a href="http://bostonherald.com/sports/bruins_nhl/nhl_coverage/2013/09/we_project_who_will_lift_the_cup">BostonHerald</a>]</li>
<li> Author Bobby Orr speaks about giving back, and reminisces about a few events that left lasting impressions on him. [<a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/09/28/bobby-orr-phone-keeps-ringing/6Cov0AkS5bq4RTTPQyCCvN/story.html">TheBostonGlobe</a>]</li>
<li> Kirk Luedeke has compiled his preseason prospect rankings, here's the 411 on #36-21. [<a href="http://www.hockeyjournal.com/blog/kirks/Bruins_preseason_prospects_rankings-_36-21">NewEnglandHockeyJournal</a>]</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Elsewhere around the rink: </p></b>
<ul>
<li> Captain Planet is now Captain Andrew Ference of the Edmonton Oilers, and deservedly so. [<a href="http://causewaycrowd.com/2013/09/29/andrew-ference-named-captain-in-edmonton/">CausewayCrowd</a>]</li>
<li> Have a gander at the Blackhawks' cup rings, if you like that sort of bling (sob, sniff!) [<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2013/9/30/4786216/chicago-blackhawks-stanley-cup-rings-2013">SBNation</a>]</li>
<li> Brian Burke must like Joe Colborne lots and lots. [<a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2013/09/29/maple_leafs_trade_joe_colborne_to_flames.html">TheStar</a>]</li>
<li> Twenty(!) bold predictions for the upcoming season. [<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/learned-20-bold-predictions-2013-14-nhl-season-135620836--nhl.html">PuckDaddy</a>]</li>
<li> Sean Avery was detained at customs. Karma! [<a href="http://pagesix.com/2013/09/28/ex-rangers-star-avery-detained-at-customs/">NYPost,PageSix</a>]</li>
<li> Do high taxes hurt some NHL teams? [<a href="http://spectorshockey.net/blog/do-high-taxes-really-hurt-some-nhl-teams/">SpectorsHockey</a>]</li>
</ul>