Today's open discussion thread, complete with your daily dose of Philadelphia Flyers-related news and notes...

• Simon Gagne was voted most loved Flyer of the last decade: [Flyers Faithful]
• What would happen if a 34-year old who signed a contract this summer has their deal kick in next summer, at 35? [Flyers Faithful]
• Explaining the lockout to non-hockey fans. Seems solid: [Deadspin]
• Lockout! The NHL is great for consumers, not fans: [Backhand Shelf]
• Paralyzed prep hockey player Jack Jablonski threw out the first pitch at the Twins game: [DaveCampbellAP]
• The first national college hockey preseason poll was released: [Western College Hockey Blog]
• The Oilers owner and president toured Seattle's Key Arena in the most egregious public blackmail attempt since, I don't know, David Letterman got blackmailed? [The Copper & Blue] [The Copper & Blue]
• Petersborough players with a poorly thought out prank that results in the Mounties getting called: [Deadspin]
• A video tour of the new Brooklyn arena: [Lighthouse Hockey]
• Attempting to articulate the "shut up and play, cattle" argument: [Puck Daddy]
• Things you won't hear during the NHL lockout: [Puck Daddy]
• Ellen Etchingham again with the proposal that may break the NHLPA, but only after detailing just how short players' careers are: [Backhand Shelf]