Fresh Links: Happy Returns Edition

Tonight the Bruins host the Blackhawks (who are coming off a seven game winning streak) at 7:00 PM.

• Not everyone will be glad to see the return of  big, bearded Zdeno Chara.  [ESPN]
• He was sorely missed by the Bruins, notably on special teams. [PatriotLedger]
• David Krejci is close to a return, but tonight is still an "if" for him.  [NESN]
• The Bruins were proactive against the mumps that are afflicting other teams around the NHL. [ESPN]
• Great expectations surround Tuukka Rask, and sometimes his team has relied a bit too heavily on him. [NHL]
• Sometimes, an owner just needs to stay out of the dressing room. Jeremy Jacobs explains. (Video, 0:29)  [Sportsnet]
• If you missed this the first time, Providence callup Craig Cunningham is one hard working player who suffered loss at an early age. [ESPN]
• Meanwhile, in St. John's, NL... the Providence Bruins dropped the IceCaps for a second time. [NHL]
• Yeah, Providence Bruin Rob Flick 's sweater probably causes a lot of double-takes. [Imgur,Reddit]
• Chris Stewart still seems to be in the Bruins' sights, the Oilers do not seem ready to move. [SportsMedia101]
• We know this is 4 realz because he also appears on this list of five possible Bruins trade targets, along with the Newfie and a Senator. [TheBostonGlobe]
• And it will be goodbye Ristuccia, hello Warrior Ice Arena.  [TheBostonGlobe]
• Enjoy a flashback to Christmas past, and Bobby Orr 's efforts to collect toys for children. [BostonHerald]

Elsewhere around the rink:

• We're not the only ones missing Johnny Boychuk.  [TheHockeyWriters]
• And it isn't just the Bruins shopping for a bit of help, here are other teams and targets. [SpectorsHockey]
• So, if the NHL expands to Las Vegas, what should they name the team? [Sportsnet]
• The next salvos in the NHL concussion lawsuit has been fired.  [TSN]
• You may want to get the eye bleach for this gallery of NHL players as Santa Claus. [BarDown]
• Look back to the dark ages of Atari hockey circa 1981 in this old commercial. You would have been THRILLED to find this under your tree at Christmas! [BarDown]
• So, you think the goalie should have made that stop? Maybe not, because PHYSICS. [TSN]
• Mike Babcock appears to be about to re-up with the Red Wings. [TheHockeyNews]
• If you're in a non-traditional market, embrace it like the Lightning did with this limited edition tee shirt that began with a prank. [TheHockeyNews]
• Paul MacLean was the Senators' patsy, and both Eugene Melnick and Bryan Murray should be embarrassed. [SBNation]