Fresh Links: Kindest Cut Edition

The Bruins travel to play the Capitals tonight at 7 PM:

• Ten players packed their bags. Tommy Cross needs to clear waivers. [SouthCoastToday]
• No one seemed happier to throw his recently regained weight around on Wednesday evening than a healthy Adam McQuaid. [PatriotLedger]
• Ryan Spooner has improved a lot in the face off circle. If he can likewise improve in his defensive responsibilities... [CausewayCrowd]
• After being last year's final cut, Matt Lindblad has worked on his skating speed and acceleration. The Bruins seem to especially appreciate his mind and versatility. [MilfordDailyNews]
• Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand have brought their "A" games to the preseason. It is a pity Reilly Smith is not the beneficiary. [Boston.CBSLocal]
• Veteran Simon Gagne met with disappointment when the Flyers did not make him an offer. Although he's shaking off rust with the Bruins, he's hoping the time he had to heal and regroup will work in his favor. [TheBostonGlobe]
• Matt Fraser is also paying a lot of attention to his play without the puck, and Claude Julien complimented him for "taking charge" of his opportunities. [ProvidenceJournal]
• Dig into these rumors about the Bruins' hopes for Torey Krug 's and Reilly Smith 's contracts. [MyNHLTradeRumors]

Elsewhere around the rink:

• ESPN has priorities: It is just that they have odd ones. They are already being called out on their suspension of Bill Simmons. [ObnoxiousBostonFan] Tedy Bruschi has now added his voice to those calling for the embattled NFL commissioner to step down. And he did it on ESPN! As Roger Goodell was speaking, Sidney Rice weighed in on Twitter, as did others. [Boston.com]
• A familiar source was tapped for this brief interview to explain why the Islanders should be very pleased to have the services of "Hi, I'm Chad Johnson " in net this season. Remember what a tough act he had to follow in Boston when Anton Khudobin left? [LighthouseHockey]
• Paul Stewart explains the significance of asking ourselves a question posed to him long ago by a teacher. [HuffingtonPost]
• The first rule about the Calgary Flames fight club is... [TSN]
• Well wishes to Michael McCarron, the young Canadien who was injured in that altercation with a goalpost while playing against the Bruins. It looks like he'll be out for six weeks. [ProHockeyTalk]
• Likewise to Gnash, the Nashville Predators' mascot, who broke his leg. It is nice to know there is solidarity in the mascot brotherhood. [TheHockeyNews]
• It's time for Punkin' Chunkin' once more! [TheBostonGlobe]
• On this day in 1995, the last Bruins game at The Boston Garden was played. Enjoy video of the final skate. [TheScore]
• When it comes to lucrative projects to build arenas and stadiums for professional sports, "sweetheart deals" seem to end up leaving host municipalities jilted at the altar. [TheGuardian]