NHL

“If we’re going to get serious about playing hockey in 2012, this ticking of time thing has got to stop,” said Bettman. “I decree it perpetually November 21 until further notice.”

“I like to use different colored markers to represent forwards, center and the defensemen,” said Quenneville. “I usually have a few of each color stashed here and there: in my suit coats, at the desk, in the sock drawer at home. But I can stop anytime. I only do it, you know, before games. Sometimes after.”

Jay Cutler nearly cracked a smile after John McDonough, recently fired as president of the Chicago Blackhawks, offered him a place to live during divorce proceedings.

Stan "Stosh" Kovaleski of northwest suburban Bensenville has started a "Qancel Qoach Q" website after the Blackhawks 6-2 loss to Colorado Saturday night.

"I'm not even on his team and I think he deserves the Vezina," said Tukka Rask. "Did you see the goaltending he did? Neither did I! That's how good he is!"

Thanks to an early postseason exit, the Blackhawks will have plenty of spare time this offseason. This is how they plan to spend it.

"I was still drunk four hours after I got to work on Thursday," said Hawks fan Tom Benson, referring to the day after the three-overtime Game 1 that lasted well into the wee hours of the morning. "Plus now I can check out the first period before work on Monday, then see the game-winning goal when I get home."