Links from the Hockey Community July 12, 2013

Ilya Kovalchuk has retired from the NHL. Most people think it's about making more money in the KHL (although he's leaving behind millions). Others have mentioned his fear over his kids losing their Russian-ness. I think it's both. Regardless, he's screwed the Devils out of, arguably, their best player andleft them hanging.

Had the Devils not given so much to Kovalchuk, could they have kept Parise? Or would Parise have left, anyway? Had Kovalchuk made this decision earlier, could they have kept Clarkson instead of throwing five years and $24.25 million at Ryane Clowe to replace him? Or would Clarkson have left, anyway?

For some prospects, college was the right path to the NHL. For others, the juniors route is the way to go. Connor Carrick and other Caps' prospects took a whole new approach.

Barber’s draft classmate and one-time Michigan commit Connor Carrick took a different approach to college and hockey.

After being selected in the fifth round of the 2012 NHL draft and facing a choice between playing at Michigan or in the Canadian Hockey League, Carrick told reporters he thought his mother would “kill me if I didn’t get a degree at some point.”

But when Carrick landed with the OHL’s Whalers in Plymouth, Mich., he decided that getting his degree and playing in the competitive Canadian junior league weren’t mutually exclusive.

The annual announcement of the HHOF inductees always brings about conversations regarding who should or should not make it in. One name that always comes up is Eric Lindros. This year is no different.

But one major question the committee may have about Lindros was how long did he actually dominate before injuries -- especially concussions -- began to diminish his talents? Consistency, longevity and durability in this rugged game count for much and that's one area where Lindros falls short.

Could you imagine losing three of your rec league teammates to meningitis? Add in the fact that it was contracted during one of your hockey games, and it might be enough to make you walk away from the sport entirely. Kevin Lytle promised his friend's mom that he wouldn't.

Three players died after contracting meningitis in a hockey game I played in three years ago.

Bill Jubert and Brian Wormus were my teammates June 9, 2010, and we played against Nick Smith.

Our little adult hockey family was shaken as we quickly lost Brian and then Nick a few weeks later. Bill passed away a few months later after a valiant fight.