Eat These Headlines

Really? How many poor headlines have I generated in the 1500 articles I've written? Considering my popularity, I'm guessing that I write one good headline every 100 articles. That means I've written 15 solid headlines in my time. That's right: creative genius. After the tragedy that we witnessed earlier this week, there has been a pile of other hockey news just waiting to be exposed, so today's article is all about that. Little blurbs to introduce the story followed by a quick news article with a link, and we're rolling through the headlines quickly. Let's fly through these stories and check out all the info from across the hockey spectrum.

AHL Visits Caesar's Palace

The AHL announced on Thursday that the AHL All-Star Classic will be held on Sunday, January 29 and Monday, January 30, 2012 in Atlantic City, New Jersey at the historic Boardwalk Hall.

You might be wondering how a non-AHL city is able to host the league's midseason extravaganza, and the AHL clarified this: "The first AHL All-Star event held outside an AHL city is being made possible through the partnership of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Caesars Entertainment and the American Hockey League."

There is some hockey history in Atlantic City. The ECHL saw the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies play out of Boardwalk Hall from 2001-05, and the ECAC men's hockey championship is played there. The Trenton Devils and Albany Devils also played a handful of games there during the 2010-11 season. The NHL saw the Rangers and Senators meet for one game on December 28, 1929.

Add on one more event as the AHL will play their All-Star Game from Atlantic City in January.

Moving Upstairs

Cory Stillman, a two-time Stanley Cup winner, has decided to hang up the skates and move into a front office position with the Florida Panthers. After sixteen seasons in the NHL, Stillman has decided to accept the position of Player Development Assistant with the Panthers.

I always thought Stillman was underrated as an NHL player. 278 goals and 449 assists in his career is a pretty solid total for a player, and nothing to be ashamed of when you consider that he helped two teams capture the Stanley Cup in back-to-back seasons.

Following in the footsteps of former Panthers such as Joe Nieuwendyk and Brian Skrudland - a man that Stillman will work closely with - by taking a job in the Panthers' offices, Stillman's work ethic and commitment to the game should make him a valuable member of the player development team.

Good luck, Mr. Stillman, and enjoy your retirement!

Another Low-Risk, High-Reward Veteran

Pittsburgh took a shot with Mike Comrie last season by signing him for one year below market value. Pittsburgh is following up the Comrie experiment by signing a player who should give them more than some free Hilary Duff sightings at the Consol Energy Center.

The Penguins inked Richard Park to a two-way, $550,000 deal. Park spent last season in Switzerland playing for Geneve Servette. This will be the second time Park has suited up with Pittsburgh after beginning his career in the 'Burgh in 1997.

Park is a solid checking centerman who should give the Penguins another solid defensive presence on the penalty kill. He has decent speed and can score goals when given the opportunity, so he's already better than Comrie was at this time last year. Here's hoping he can post his best numbers of his career as a Penguin this season!

That's It! Back To Winnipeg!

The Winnipeg Jets bolstered their lineup down the middle by signing former Canuck Kyle Wellwood to a one-year, $700,000 contract. This will be Wellwood's second stint in Winnipeg after being sent down to the AHL's Manitoba Moose while with the Canucks. Wellwood didn't appear in any games due to the AHL's veteran player rules, but he did skate with the club in practices.

"I think the players already have a sense of that," Wellwood said of the attention he'll receive as a Jet. "It doesn't happen very often where a Canadian franchise starts anew. To be on that team is going to be a lot of fun and I certainly feel privileged, to get lucky again and have a great fan base."

Wellwood is reportedly in great shape, and should give the Jets a good option as the second-line centerman behind Bryan Little. He'll get a chance to work on the powerplay, and should be a solid contributor in the Jets' lineup this season.

There are your important headlines for a Friday. If you're looking for hockey action, check out one of the NHL Rookie Tournaments going on across North America. There are a pile of them happening right now, and it is your lead-in to NHL training camps that start mid-to-late September. Hockey is upon us once again!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!