Mulligan

Level heads prevailed, but Doug Houda has to be the fall guy.

• The Bruins have figured out that they are better off with Claude Julien.[Boston.CBSLocal]


• So where does that leave Cam Neely?[PuckDaddy]


• What is interesting about separating the two press conferences is what the Bruins brass apparently hope to learn in the interim week.[TheBostonGlobe]


• Meanwhile, Ottawa has been waiting on pins and needles to hear if Julien will be available to them.[OttawaCitizen]


• This player assessment addresses the roster by focusing on three points for each player: expectations; reality; and the fallout. TL;DR- Skip to the end for a great synopsis of what the team might look like as a whole, and why.[SouthCoastToday]


• Is it time to use the buyout option? Which players are the most obvious targets?[WEEI]


• Here is a synopsis of the trade rumors surrounding the Bruins.[MyNHLTradeRumors]


• Until the Bruins right their ship, it is time for Brad Marchand to zip his lip. Besides, he's now a top NHL goal scorer, and above all of that.[WEEI]


• Last evening in Providence, the PBruins bested the Falcons 3-1 at the Dunk, with a lineup heavy with players sent from Boston.[MassLive]


• Speaking of requiems, here's one for Alex Khokhlachev , whose agent must be quite hoarse by now.[ScoutingPost]


• Coach John Whitesides took charge of David Pastrnak during the latter's recovery from an October foot injury, with noticeable results.[BostonHerald]

Elsewhere around the rink:

• Finally. Cameras have been installed in goal crossbars, far too late to help the Bruins, of course.[TSN]


• In a telling strategy, the NHL is spending millions to fight paying a fired NHL referee his $250K severance before the Supreme Court of Canada. Is it worth it to intimidate other legal opponents?[TSN]


• Elliotte Friedman tackles his NHL Awards ballot in this week's Thirty Thoughts.[Sportsnet]


• Sean McIndoe addresses those players who notably will NOT be on the ballot, but should be.[TheHockeyNews]


• Are you Canadian? Looking to bandwagon? This chart will help you find a playoff team chock-a-block with your countrymen, eh?[BarDown]


• Poor Phil Kessel ! He has had to cancel his long-anticipated fishing junket, and subsequently has asked for a trade. NO, REALLY.[TheBeaverton]


• Ray Whitney and Mike Rupp offer their rolicking Western Conference preview. They clarify the diagnosis of "flu-like illness..."[PlayersTribune]


• ...then the pair continues with their unique Eastern Conference preview, including the fondly offered observation that Marc-Andre Fleury "sounds like the French dude from Talladega Nights."[PlayersTribune]


• In the playoffs, should you believe your eyes or the numbers? [TheHockeyNews]