Best of the Nation: 2.17.13

After the jump: the single-biggest story in the NHL last week, a mess of trades, injuries, and trade rumours, how bloggers are once again undermining Western society, and Graphic Comments. Also – and this is important – the Winnipeg Jets’ all-time greatest moustaches.

Probably the single-biggest story in the NHL last week: did Mikhail Grabovski bite Max Pacioretty? It’s a great story, featuring grainy and inconclusive video, a potentially villainous Belarusian (casting an actual Russian would be too cliché), an American named ‘Max’ and of course the centre of the universe. [Leafs Nation]

Dustin Penner once again seems to be available free cheap to a good any home. [Oilers Nation]

The Winnipeg Jets pull off a trade for… Eric Tangradi. This fits with general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff’s master plan of dominating the world by lulling it softly to sleep. [Jets Nation]

A blizzard of moves –recapping a whole mess of depth, and some not so depth, transactions. [NHL Numbers]

Why are there so many ridiculous Vancouver goalie rumours? According to the G.M., thanks to “some guy in his mother’s basement.” [Canucks Army]

Unrelated to that last point: you’d be surprised at the number of teams inquiring about Vancouver’s goalies, says Vancouver’s G.M. [Canucks Army]

Lots of moves in Calgary – the organization added Detroit goalie Joey MacDonald via waivers, then waived centre Blair Jones and demoted Leland Irving in favour of Danny Taylor. [Flames Nation/Flames Nation]

James Reimer will be out for at least a week with a “mild” groin strain. Also, Wesley is only “mostly” dead. [Leafs Nation]

Also injured for at least a week is Toronto’s best shooter, Matt Frattin. [Leafs Nation]

The Winnipeg Jets’ all-moustache team. [Jets Nation]

Manny Malhotra will not play again this season; may never play again. An extremely difficult situation for the organization, and an awful one for the player. [Canucks Army/Canucks Army]

Ah, yes, Ryan O’Reilly. Why the Flames must and the Oilers mustn’t make a play for his services. Also fun is how Colorado is trying to torpedo the guy on his way out of town. [Flames Nation/Oilers Nation/Flames Nation]

How do the Canucks decide which goalie to start? Alain Vigneault flips a coin. [Canucks Army]

How Claude Noel has used his players in Winnipeg. [Jets Nation/Jets Nation]

Nation Gear! The secret to success at work, at home and in love! A chunk of the proceeds go to charity! We’re all sold out now, but stay tuned for more in the future. [Oilers Nation]

Is Al Montoya part of the long-term solution in Winnipeg? [Jets Nation]

Is Joe Colborne on the comeback trail? Or is he just on a modest hot streak in this, his fourth (largely disappointing) AHL season? [Leafs Nation]

PDO Numbers by NHL team. [NHL Numbers]

And finally, Graphic Comments: