Dater’s Daily Links: NHL player opt-out deadline is now Monday

Happy Wednesday. In normal times, this would be about the time period in which all hockey matters would be winding down for the rest of the summer, with training camp in September the next big deal. Now, we have training camp in July and the season ending probably in October. Up is down.

So, with Avalanche camp starting Monday at the Pepsi Center, things are coming into place around here. Many of the players are in town and skating daily. Exact information as to just how many are in town is still not publicly available yet, but of course yours truly here will pass that information along as soon as it comes across my own desk.

The NHL’s opt-out deadline for players for Phase 3 and 4, without any discipline or penalty, was originally slated for Thursday. But a source tells Colorado Hockey Now it has been extended another three days, with the new deadline some time Monday. I haven’t heard wind of any Avs player that will do so. Doesn’t mean it can’t/won’t still happen, but I’m not hearing anything.

Some links:

• Looks like NHL players will be back in the Olympics (assuming we ever have hockey games with fans in the seats again. Well, wait, I guess they could still play them without fans, right?). Anyway, here’s more (Hockey News)
• Further to points above about players opting out, doing so would go against the machismo code of the NHL (Hockey News)
• The Chicago Blackhawks won’t be one of those teams changing their name. Here’s why (Sportsnet)
• The Calgary Flames hope to avert the disaster that befell them at the  hands of the Avalanche last year (Sportsnet)
• TSN guru Bob McKenzie with more on starting times for games during the playoffs (TSN)
• A ridiculous Sidney Crosby pass this week (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)
• Finally, please give a warm welcome to the Hockey Now family of sites to George Richards and Florida Hockey Now. George is THE authority on all things Florida Panthers. Here’s his first story on how the Panthers’ playoff roster is shaping up (Florida Hockey Now)