In covering this league, sometimes you get the feeling everyone involved is acting out a solemn duty, rather than enjoying the sport and each other. Score a goal, did you? Better remove that smile from your face, before somebody on the opposing team removes it for you. Angry with that ugly-looking knuckle-dragger on the other bench? Calm down, before you say something that’ll wind up in tomorrow’s newspapers – or, heaven forbid, another team’s bulletin board. That’s why it’s so difficult for the NHL to find traction among the mainstream media. Where other leagues have learned to cultivate and accentuate their star personalities, the NHL’s culture strongly encourages its stars to (a) shut up; and (b) get back in the corner while you’re shuttin’ up.