*Praise be to Charles O’Connor, the only beat writer (best beat writer) out here making good content for your consumption in early August. This time he’s looking at Ivan Provorov’s lackluster season and wondering if this year will be better than the last. [The Athletic]
*The Penguins fans seem to be settling into their own Ron Hextall era. Accepting the boring truths and such. [Pensburgh]
*It’s starting to look like this might be the year that Joe Thornton finally hangs them up. Here’s hoping he doesn’t, though. [NHL.com]
*The NHL and the IOC seem to be having trouble coming to an agreement over media rights, but as far as we know the players will still be going to the Games.