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Best of the Web: The Top 20 Links of the Week

It's time to move on from the Super Bowl, so let's celebrate...by counting the Penguins missing in action! Hooray! This week's cornucopia of 20 links includes news on all injured and disciplined Pens, how Ray Shero will deal with the roster, and the new breakfast treat from a certain smiling goaltender. We'll also get into the Steelers' first loss of the offseason, a famous beard meeting its demise, an update on the Rinku and Dinesh movie, and much, much more.

 

Matt Cooke was suspended four games by the NHL for his hit from behind on Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Fedor Tyutin in the first period of Tuesday's Pens-Jackets game. Shockingly, Cooke's nearly-spotless past was not enough to let the league write this off as an accident. [TSN]

Matt Cooke's Dirty Hit On Fedor Tyutin by Moky on YouTube

For completely different reasons, Evgeni Malkin learned how long he will be out on Tuesday: six months in all, to rehab a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee. Malkin finishes 2010-11 with had 15 goals and 22 assists for 37 points in 43 games this season. Needless to say, he'll be anxious to hit the 'reset' button for 2011-12.  [PittsburghPenguins.com]

And in other news of sidelined Penguins, Sidney Crosby is now at 14 games and counting since he last suited up for a game. And I'm glad the Pens are being cautious. If Crosby was in the NFL, they would have had him out there after missing one game. [Beaver County Times]

With Crosby, Malkin, Cooke, Chris Kunitz, Mike Comrie, and Mark Letestu all out for varying periods of time, Ray Shero has officially let it be known that he is listening to trade offers. If only he had some players who are actually healthy to deal. [USA Today]

And here's an extended look at the Penguins' trade deadline gameplan. I think it's pretty safe to say they have a few holes to fill. [The Hockey Writers]

If the Penguins need some inspiration during these trying injury times, they merely need to look to the Pitt Panthers, who are finding a way without the services of Ashton Gibbs. And unlike the Pens, they can't make any deadline deals.  [Trib]

Ray Horton made history as the first member of the 2010-11 Pittsburgh Steelers organization to walk away, leaving on Tuesday to take the defensive coordinator position in Arizona. He was actually the Cardinals' third choice, but Dick LeBeau and Keith Butler were both unavailable. Maybe in the future the Cardinals might realize there's an entire world of potential coaches in the NFL, college, and in other realms outside of Pittsburgh. But they apparently haven't figured that out yet. [PG]

Football fans who were jerked around at the Super Bowl and either bumped or relocated from their seats have banded together for a class-action lawsuit against the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys, and Jerry Jones. I'd say among those three entities, they'll be able to somehow make financial amends. [Shutdown Corner]

The Steelers have many offseason issues, but few have brought up the fact that players' health insurance expires on March 4. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't most of these players millionaires? That could pay some bills, right? [Trib]

Hines Ward is still nursing a broken heart from Super Bowl XLV, and he's also nursing a left knee and left thumb that will both be operated on this week. Quick, someone tell Hines they don't think he can properly rehab from the injuries! [PG]

Lamarr Woodley is bracing himself for getting tagged as the Steelers' franchise player. He'll have to live with the fact that he'll earn in the neighborhood of $10 million to play football next season. [NFL.com]

Hope you enjoyed Brett Keisel's sizable beard, because it's coming off soon. So how does he top this look next year? Mohawk? [Tribune Democrat]

Here's a list of the 15 funniest photos from the 2011 NFL playoffs. I tell you, I never tire of watching Cameron Diaz feed A-Rod popcorn.[Sports Pickle]

The Pittsburgh Penguins and the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at Consol Energy Center on Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donors will receive a jersey-style T-shirt (while supplies last), will be eligible for prizes and will have an opportunity to meet Penguins broadcasters and alumni. That's what I call a 'win-win'. [Trib]

Marc-Andre Fleury is throwing his hat into the now-crowded ring of Pittsburgh athletes hawking food products with his new cereal, Fleury Flakes. It's probably a good thing they didn't release this during the early part of the season. [WPXI]

Speaking of goalies, two of them squared off in the second NHL goalie fight in less than a week. This one needed more Brent Johnson. [Puck Daddy]

Here's more news on the Rinku and Dinesh movie, which now has a writer to their tale in the bag. I'm guessing the movie turns out better than the players' impact on the Pirates, especially considering that one of them is already gone. [Hollywood Reporter]

In a story that could only happen to the Pirates, a pitcher who went 1-11 last season (Ross Ohlendorf) won in arbitration and got a raise, to $2.025 million in 2011. [Deadspin]

Welcome Randall McCray to Pittsburgh. Who's Randall McCray, you ask? He's the final hire on Todd Graham's coaching staff and will serve as safeties coach and special teams coordinator. [Pitt Blather]

Here's a sexy photo gallery to close things out: the candidates for Pittsburgh's Best Burger. Warning: Not Safe If You're Hungry. [WPXI]

Don Spagnolo is the founder of the Pittsburgh sports and entertainment blog Mondesi's House.


Send your links via email at Don.Spagnolo@cbsradio.com or on Twitter @mondesishouse
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