Slap Shots: Back To The Future

Time to fire some pucks on the 'net:

• Montreal sure made drastic changes this summer, dumping the faces of the franchise in exchange for an all new look complete with a new top line. But as Mike Wyman of Inside Hockey tells us the Habs drastic actions are not unprecedented, and the last time they made such wholesale changes, 1940, things worked out very well for them.
  
  
• So the Phoenix Coyotes hired Dave King. It is a LONG over due move, as Wayne Gretzky not only should have had, but should have insisted on having, a great tactician as assistant coach. I believe Gretzky could be successful as an ace motivating head coach if surrounded by a structured, life long coach like King. As it stands now though, King is likely to soon be named head coach as Gretzky appears to be engaging his exit strategy.
  
  
• In an interview with Puck Daddy, Evgeni Malkin adds his name to the list of Russians who are declaring they will play at the 2014 Olympics, regardless if the NHL allows it or not. Puck Daddy later suggest that these threats should not be taken lightly.
  
  
• Here's a good look at the life of Bert Corbeau, a tough hockey player from the 1930s who died suddenly. And here's what former referee Rob Schick is up to nowadays.