George’s Daily Links: NHL close to return, looking back to Big 3 in Miami

Good afternoon and welcome to today’s edition (it is the first so it may become a collectible down the road) of the Daily NHL Links with stories from around the league.

There is a lot going on in the world of hockey these days, so let us jump right in.

— The big news in PantherLand today is the resignation of Senior VP for Hockey Operations Chris Pronger after three years.

Pronger, who worked directly under Dale Tallon, is leaving to pursue a new family business venture.

— In Carolina, Hurricanes forward Justin Williams tells our friend Chip Alexander and the rest of the Raleigh media that his worry (I’m sure he is not alone) is what happens if there is a bunch of positive tests once things get going?

“My biggest concern, maybe the team’s biggest concern, is what if there’s an outbreak on the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 and seven of us can’t play or 10 of us can’t play?” Williams said Tuesday in a story posted at the Raleigh News & Observer.

“What happens to the team? Is it a forfeit?”

— Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus of The Athletic compiled a beat writer survey breaking down every arena in the NHL.

How does Sunrise fare?

Spoiler alert: The BB&T Center is not considered a ‘must-visit’ by my former teammates.

— Speaking of my good friends at The Athletic (and, specifically Aaron Portzline in Columbus), Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno does not expect any of his teammates to opt out of returning to play. Again, we’ll see.

— Not Columbus again!

Dispatch columnist (and one great cook and former beat writer for your Hartford Whalers) Michael Arace says he is happy the NHL and the NHLPA were able to work things out and bring us labor peace for a while. We all are, Mike.

— In case you missed it, we’re celebrating Day 1 at your new home for all things Florida Panthers: Florida Hockey Now.

Here is my welcome letter to everyone …

And here is my first ‘real’ story as Dale Tallon talks about how the Panthers roster will look when training camp opens in Coral Springs next week.

More tomorrow, I promise!

— Want to subscribe and support my coverage of the Cats? Here you go! And, thanks.

— With labor peace on the horizon, the NHL appears ready to jump back into the Olympics. How many Penguins will be on the ice in 2022? Dan Kingerski spells it out at Pittsburgh Hockey Now.

— In Denver, there are going to be some mighty unhappy fans if they cannot watch their Avs when Phase 4 starts writes Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now.

— And, finally, Happy 10th Anniversary to LeBron James Day in Miami.

Back in 2010, James made his decision to “bring his talents to South Beach” on national television and just about everyone in South Florida lost it.

Even the Panthers got in on the act, offering special seating prices to reflect James’ debut in Miami: $23 seats in the lower bowl (he wore 23 in Cleveland) and $6 in the upper (he would wear No. 6 with the Heat).

The team also offered James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh a ‘Big Three’ royalty package at the BankAtlantic Center which included four floor seats for all events as well as four seats in the ADT Club and VIP parking in the Lexus Garage.

An ad by the NHL Florida Panthers welcoming LeBron James to the Miami Heat in 2010.

Pretty sweet deal. Don’t know if any of them ever took the team up on their offer.

Ah, the memories.

Let us go back to the good old days of the Miami Herald’s award-winning blog ‘On Frozen Pond,’ shall we?

See you tomorrow.