NHL Lockout (Day 96) Blog Beat – December 20, 2012.

Lockout analysis, ten stunning NHL transactions of 2012, five hockey books for last-minute Christmas shoppers, some Flyers appear in upcoming “This is 40″ film, and more.

Where does Shea Weber’s offer sheet rank among this year’s top transactions?

PUCK DADDY: Sean Leahy presents the ten most stunning NHL transactions of 2012. Not all were trades or free agent signings.

CANUCKS ARMY: A lengthy examination of the pros and (mostly) cons of NHLPA decertification.

PREDLINES: Jason Kirk suggests the threat of damage to the Nashville Predators by this NHL lockout is less than in 2004, but still a real threat.

OFFSIDE: A SPORTS LAW BLOG: Eric Macramalla asked hockey fans via Twitter if they would return to the NHL following the lockout. He got a lot of replies.

ARCTIC ICE HOCKEY: TJ Maughan has some choice words to those in the media slagging Jets forward Evander Kane.

DOWN GOES BROWN: A non-satirical blog post, as this one recommends five hockey books for your last-minute Christmas shopping.

BATTLE OF CALIFORNIA: A fond farewell to long-time contributor Earl Sleek.

BACKHAND SHELF: A clip from the new Judd Apatow film “This is 40″, featuring several Philadelphia Flyers meeting Megan Fox in a bar in a clip which has to be seen to be believed.