Thursday Chum Bucket: Sharks likely to open season Jan. 20 in Calgary

Forget the Kings, Ducks, Red Wings or Stars. The Sharks will reportedly open the 2013 regular season against their natural rivals Calgary. Also that won’t happen until what’s actually the second day of the 2013 season. Welp, at least hockey’s back. [Working the Corners]
For some bizarre reason, the Sharks are in discussions to potentially re-sign defenseman Jim Vandermeer. At least they’re not interested in bringing back Colin White I guess. Yet. [CSN Bay Area]
Prior to the most ridiculous apology from Gary Bettman ever, the league’s owners voted 30-0 in favor of ratifying the new CBA. It’s weird that all 30 of them will despise and be unable to play another season under this agreement in eight years. Funny how that works! [SB Nation]
In an entirely unexpected move, Leafs GM Brian Burke was fired yesterday. Unexpected more because of the strange timing than Burke deserving to stick around in his position. He wasn’t a great GM but his role as an LGBT activist was admirable and should be his legacy rather than the Phil Kessel trade. [The Globe & Mail]
Speaking of Toronto, they’re reportedly not the only team with a raging stromboner. Flyers GM Paul Holmgren wants in on Roberto Luongo trade action because of course he does. [Pass It To Bulis]
Despite being suspended twice, everyone’s favorite fourth-grader Tommy Wingels enjoyed his stint in Finland during the NHL lockout. [CSN Bay Area]
Brent Burns still isn’t showing his hand as to whether or not he’ll be ready for the season opener. [CSN Bay Area]
Dominic Moore released a statement of appreciation for the support he’s received since his wife’s tragic passing on Monday. You can donate to the Katie Moore Fund at katiemoore.org. [Kukla’s Korner]
Remember Massachusetts native and Ron Wilson pet Patrick Rissmiller? He’s back with the Sharks, but thankfully it’s the ones in Worcester. [Sharks AHL]
It might be a bit premature to dance on the Lidstrom-less Red Wings’ collective grave because Ian White is better than you think. “You” presumably referring to someone who isn’t a Sharks fan since I think we were all pretty well convinced of his effectiveness following White’s tour of duty in teal. [Driving Play]
“Hockey isn’t science, and there’s no obligation to be scientific about it. But at the same time, like the sciences, hockey analysis has certain concrete, definable aims against which we can evaluate its usefulness. Yes, we spend a lot of time bullshitting, but the ostensible purpose of sports commentary is not just to spin out a bunch of crap because it’d be real awkward to have four guys in suits sit in front of a camera in contemplative silence. It’s to provide explanations–specifically, explanations of why and how some teams win hockey games and other teams do not.” Ellen Etchingham is good at writing, if you didn’t know. [Backhand Shelf]

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