Waiting Game

In Bruins news:

• Jimmy Vesey Watch continues: Eastern teams appear to be the best candidates to land him WEEI. He has already been very patient in order to position himself to take control of this decision. Scouting Post. In any case, he is NOT the single missing link to a Stanley Cup for the Bruins this season. Hockeybuzz Sit back and crack a beer, we won’t know until the end of the week anyway. The Boston Globe Get ready for the boo birds to take any failure to sign Vesey as the sure sign of the coming apocalypse. Boston Sports Desk
• Meanwhile, Danton Heinen is quietly prepared to make a legitimate push to be on the Bruins’ roster on opening day. Causeway Crowd
• For heaven’s sake, Bruins, don’t rush Charlie McAvoy! Being a Boston University Terrier is in his best interest for now. Causeway Crowd
• In a world where pro athletes tower over ordinary humans, there is a sweet spot in Boston for a few choice underdogs that measure up in every way but height. Brad Marchand is one. The Boston Globe
• Is it hockey yet? Have a look around the Bruins’ new practice facility, Warrior Arena. Boston CBSLocal
• At Little Fenway, the Travis Roy Whiffle Ball Tournament raised $585k for spinal cord injury research. Matt Grzelcyk and Jack Eichel fielded a team with an interesting name. WCAX See the action here. (Video, 1:40) WPTZ
• Seth Griffith is the captain of one team vying for the Athlete’s Fuel Cup, mixing pros, amateurs, boys, and girls in a friendly tournament to brush off some summer rust. Chatham Daily News

Elsewhere around the rink:

• The late Ace Bailey’s original banner will be retired from the Air Canada Centre and flown in his hometown rink. A new centennial version is being raised to the rafters in its place. Pension Plan Puppets
• Dennis Seidenberg is cooling his heels on this list of the top 10 UFAs that STILL remain available. Sportsnet
• Temper, temper... oh, Patrick Roy, never change! Winging It In Motown It all came down to Roy’s drive for complete control. Sportsnet Does this new wrinkle mean curtains for Michel Therrien? Montreal Gazette
• Maybe they should stick to hockey. Elliotte Friedman is taking the heat for a slip he made during Olympic swimming coverage... The Globe And Mail ...and was anyone else surprised to hear Pierre McGuire calling women’s water polo? On The Forecheck Listen to a snippet of audio here. @IanOland
• Team Czech Republic won the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, which will give David Pastrnak and David Krejci bragging rights in the Bruins’ dressing room. The Hockey News
• Memorize these odd factoids on each NHL arena to ensure that you are the center of attention at cocktail parties. Sportsnet
• As we await REAL hockey, enjoy this ode to air hockey. The New Yorker