Demers’ health; Gretzky on goals; Rexall goodbye (Puck Headlines)

Here are your Puck Headlines: A glorious collection of news and views collected from the greatest blogosphere in sports and the few, the proud, the mainstream hockey media. Have a link you want to submit? Email us at [email protected].

• G.I. Joe inspired NHL player cards include the Montreal Canadiens’ mascot. (Puck Junk)

• Quebec senator and former NHL coach Jacques Demers has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke on Wednesday night. Demers guided the Montreal Canadiens to the 1993 Stanley Cup. Demers is 71 years old. [CBC via Yahoo]

• St. Louis Blues forward Steve Ott has been diagnosed with Colitis. According to the Blues, “Ott is being treated by Dr. William Birenbaum of Washington University Orthopedics Center and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.” Ott has missed the last 53 games after undergoing hamstring surgery. [Blues]

• The Edmonton Oilers gave quite a celebration for the final game in Rexall Place. [Edmonton Oilers]

[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey contest now]

• Wayne Gretzky spoke about how scoring is down in the NHL. “When I was 10 years old, they’d throw a puck on the ice and say, ‘Go score,’ ” he said. “Now, at 10 years old, the kids are taught to play in their lanes. Defensemen stay back. Everybody blocks shots.”[New York Times]

• Taking a close, statistical look at the Norris Trophy debate. [Today’s Slapshot]

• The creator of the amazing Columbus Blue Jackets gameday posters has announced he’s leaving the team. [The Comeback]

• Boston College tends to do well in even year Frozen Fours. The Golden Eagles are back in the Frozen Four this season. [Along The Boards]

• Using analytics for short international tournaments is a tough task for Hockey Canada. [CP via Yahoo]

• Injuries to some of the Dallas Stars’ top players have created opportunities for others are far as playoff roster spots. [Dallas Morning News]

• Looking at Thursday’s NHL games from a historical perspective. [Northern Life]

• A detailed look at how and why all Canadian NHL teams didn’t make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. [Vice]

• Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan has identified his team’s strengths and reinforced them. This is why the Pens have gone on a recent run of success. [The Pens Blog]

• How tragedies have shaped the life of St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. [Sports Illustrated]

• The five strangest votes cast for a major NHL award. Marty McSorley’s name is listed in there. [The Hockey News]

• Faced with injuries, the Chicago Blackhawks have recalled forward Bryan Bickell. The Blackhawks opted to bury Bickell’s $4 million salary cap hit in the minors for most of the season. He has just two assists in 23 games with Chicago in 2015-16. [Chicago Tribune]

• The Blackhawks have signed University of Michigan junior forward Tyler Motte to an entry-level contract. Motte was a 2013 fourth-round draft pick by Chicago. He had 56 points in 38 games in Ann Arbor last season. [Second City Hockey]

• Reviewing the fourth episode “Hockey Wives” this season. [Eh Game]

• If the potential Las Vegas expansion team ends up in the Pacific Division, the GM of that group will need to build it on size and strength. [Sin Bin]

• Morgan Fritz-Ward and Madison Packer are the first players to sign contracts with the New York Riveters for the 2016-2017 NWHL season. [NWHL]

• There is something fundamentally wrong with this year’s Boston Bruins. [Boston Sports Desk]

• The Kingston Frontenacs prepare for their Eastern Conference semifinal series Thursday against the Niagara IceDogs in the OHL playoffs. This marks the first time the Frontenacs have made it through the opening round this century. [Buzzing the Net]

• Strategies for your fantasy hockey playoff pool. [Dobber Hockey]

• Finally, OIlers broadcaster Gene Principe takes you on a tour of Rexall Place.