Colorado Avalanche: News From Around the NHL December 22nd, 2014

Crosby does a Chevy Chase impression in new Pens video. [NationalPost.com]

While other NHL teams have spread holiday cheer through ugly sweaters and catchy raps, the Pittsburgh Penguins opted to put their acting chops on display and remake the classic film, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation for their holiday greeting.

Several members of the Penguins squad took part in the spoof, including captain Sidney Crosby - presumably pre-mumps - Pascal Dupuis and Rob Scuderi who were among the players who shared the role of Clark Griswold, originally played by Chevy Chase. Other teammates split the roles of cousin Eddie and the Griswold's neighbours.

Sam Berg discusses his reasons for going against the CHL. [TheGlobeandMail.com]

In some ways, junior hockey resembles the apprenticeships of a bygone era. In exchange for their labor, junior players get room, board and access to higher education. First and foremost they learn a trade - hockey - playing regular-season schedules of as many as 72 games with up to five playoff rounds.

Junior hockey players range in age from 16 to 20. They are drafted into the league as 15- or 16-year-olds. They can be traded or demoted.

Players live with host families, often far from home, and attend high school classes structured around game and practice schedules. The lawsuits contend that they work between 35 and 65 hours a week. Those between 16 and 19 receive weekly stipends of $35 to $50; 20-year-olds receive stipends of $120 to $150.

Video of Khudobin having issues getting back on his bench. [SBNation.com]

You may laugh now, but you should try putting on heavy goalie pads and try to swing over hockey boards.

Yahoo looks as to how the mumps has spread so much in the NHL. [Yahoo.com]

Hockey can be great, and hockey can be, uh, gross.

Think of how germs can spread in school classrooms, college dormitories or everyday offices. Now think of how they can spread in NHL dressing rooms, bench areas or ice rinks.

These guys play in petri dishes filled with snot, spit, sweat and blood. Despite the best efforts of medical, training and equipment staffs - better manned, educated and equipped than ever before - they exchange bodily fluids easily and often.

Our sister site looks at ten cities that could land a NHL team. [RawCharge.com]

An NHL franchise is on the wish list of many North American markets currently, and while Las Vegas has been making the most public noise about luring a team, other markets across the continent have their own interests in potentially playing host to a hockey club.

Although fees for joining the party are becoming hefty, commissioner Gary Bettman is willing to listen to potential suitors. Most cities are seeking an expansion team, but others are less particular and willing to take on a relocated one.

ICYMI Hansen collapsed on the bench. [Yahoo.com]

"I think everything's good," Desjardins said following the Canucks' 3-2 overtime win over the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena.

"He was at the hospital, everything's checking out though, and I don't think there's going to a problem - everything looks real good."

It's always nice to see the Avs get some NHL time. This one is about Gabriel Landeskog. [NHL.com]

Tony Landeskog still has the story saved on his computer, the one he read over and over with his son, Gabriel:

"What it takes to be an NHL captain."

"We just printed that out and read through it," Tony told NHL.com. "It was what personality is important to be a captain."

"Take heart and the ability to be heartless," was the lead to the story by longtime hockey writer Alan Adams. "Add experience and the savvy to get a message across. Mix in desire and the wherewithal to instill that same desire in others. And blend in a heaping helping of leadership."