Fresh Links: Between The Ears Edition

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<p><b> Taking a breather to clear the mind can pay dividends. </b></p>
<li> A year away from hockey working in admissions at a prep school team served to prepare Don Sweeney for his next step professionally. [<a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/05/31/year-phillips-academy-showed-don-sweeney-single-mindedness/mbyFKObJMjPt5kuWJIJdIN/story.html">TheBostonGlobe</a>]</li>
<li> Ryan Spooner 's turnaround in performance was sparked between his ears, and his success was in part due to his willingness to open them. [<a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/hockey/bruins/dj-bean/2015/05/31/ongoing-growth-ryan-spooner">WEEI</a>]</li>
<li> The NHL combine will allow a look at young defenseman that the Bruins should give consideration, Jeremy Roy. [<a href="http://bigbadblog.weei.com/sports/boston/hockey/bruins/2015/05/31/a-pre-combine-look-at-defensemen-bruins-could-target-in-nhl-draft/">WEEI</a>]</li>
<li> Meanwhile, buckle your seats and hope that the Bruins have a plan if Dougie Hamilton receives an offer sheet. [<a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/bruins_nhl/boston_bruins/2015/05/bruins_must_gird_for_dougie_hamilton_contract_threat">BostonHerald</a>]</li>
<li> Oh come ON, Bruins, holding Claude Julien in limbo is not only unnecessary, it appears mean spirited. [<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/37897/bruins-need-to-make-a-decision-about-claude-julien-now">ESPN</a>]</li>
<li> The late former Bruin Steve Montador is even now helping to protect his teammates through the generosity of his bequest to medical science. Claude Julien will walk a tightrope if he is retained by the Bruins.  The Dallas Stars have gotten hip to a specific recurring injury that has decimated their ranks. [<a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/05/30/nhl-notebook-former-bruin-steve-montador-gave-medical-community-big-assist/41O1lLb7heLMN1I1MvpBWJ/story.html">TheBostonGlobe</a>]</li>
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<p><b>Elsewhere around the rink:</b></p>
<li> Dive into Thirty Thoughts, which explain why the Bruins probably were wise to move beyond the hope of getting Jeff Gorton, as well as some insight into Dan Bylsma's arrival in Buffalo. The NHLPA is set to meet, and their silence hints at a decision they face on compensation. [<a href="http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/30-thoughts-no-last-stand-for-blackhawks/">Sportsnet</a>]</li>
<li> Teemu FOREVER!  Teemu Selanne was ready, if called upon, to help the Ducks. [<a href="http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/gotta-see-it-selanne-suits-up-for-game-7/">Sportsnet</a>]</li>
<li> After upheaval and uncertainty in his career recently, Mike Richards is celebrating a bit of redemption. [<a href="http://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks-hockey/7/71/650770/brad-richards-back-final-hopefully-can-close-one">ChicagoSunTimes</a>]</li>
<li> The NHL's championship is so much better than that of any other professional sport, hands down. Here are five amusing reasons why, including the joy of booing the Bettman. (Video, 3:16) [<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/video/wysh-list-why-stanley-cup-075228323.html">PuckDaddy</a>]</li>
<li> It was the Oshawa Generals over the Kelowna Rockets for the Memorial Cup, as we bid the Pepsi Colisee one final adieu. [<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/generals-beat-rockets-in-ot-to-claim-memorial-cup/article24718292/">TheGlobeAndMail</a>]</li>
<li> About those Game #7s... Random musings on things such as "clutchiness." [<a href="http://grantland.com/the-triangle/seven-thoughts-on-the-nhls-game-7s/">Grantland</a>]</li>
<li> Garth Brooks has graciously agreed to cancel his scheduled concerts at Amalie Arena to make way for the Stanley Cup Final games to be played as scheduled. [<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2015/05/31/garth-brooks-cancels-tampa-concerts/28271861/">USAToday</a>]</li>