NHL Blog Beat – January 30, 2013.

Commentaries on Ryan O’Reilly, Phil Kessel, Dustin Penner, the Wild, Red Wings, the Oilers new arena deal, and more.

HOCKEYBUZZ: “Eklund” has an interesting post on Ryan O’Reilly’s contract standoff with the Avalanche, particularly about the relaxing of waiver rules for RFAs who play overseas and are re-signed by their NHL clubs during the season.  I know Eklund’s reputation as a rumormonger, but this post is worth a read.

CBS SPORTS: Adam Gretz points out the problem with Phil Kessel is he’s a good player on a bad team.

BACKHAND SHELF: Ellen Etchingham on why the NHL continues to fail players suffering from concussions.

Time for Panthers GM Dale Tallon to push the panic button?

GRANTLAND: Sean McIndoe with a tongue-in-cheek look at which NHL teams struggling in the early going this season should consider hitting the panic button.

THE HOCKEY WRITERS: Colin Pineau looks around the league for defensemen who might help the hurting Detroit Red Wings blueline.

THE COPPER & BLUE: Derek Zona examines what else the $550 million being invested in a new arena for the Oilers by the city of Edmonton could’ve been spent on.

HOCKEY WILDERNESS: Are the Minnesota Wild in trouble? If so, what would you do if you were their GM?

MAYOR’S MANOR: John Hoven with “The curious case of Dustin Penner”.

HOCKEY ANALYSIS: David Johnson explains why team level shooting and save percentage matters.

DOBBER HOCKEY: Russ Miller recently examined which NHL players currently on early hot streaks are “mirages” or “the real deal”.