Silver Nuggets: Out of sight, out of mind

While preparing to write today's Silver Nuggets, I was discussing potential topics with Mark Parisi. He gave me a lot of great ones: Is this the last chance to save the season? Can Ottawa host a Winter Classic? Should Mika Zibanejad be allowed to play in the World Juniors? What are my memories from the end of the last lockout? What rule changes would I like from a new CBA? And so on.

All subjects that would, under normal circumstances, interest me greatly. And yet as I thought of where to start, I'd simply think, "ugh." My interest in writing about these subjects is completely gone. I've tuned out entirely, and find that I'm barely following even the Binghamton Senators despite their success. Considering my normal level of attentiveness to Ottawa Senators news, that's quite a story.

Although I'm not entirely sure, I think I might have completed the stages of grief associated with the lockout and arrived at the 'acceptance' part. I've settled into a routine, and it doesn't include hockey anymore.

But I'm pretty sure my passion will return in short order once NHL hockey does resume, but right now I just feel a lot like "Roger" seems to (based on his common commentary refrain, "Ugh"). There's only one thing I want to hear right now, hockey-wise: That the NHL is ready to get going again.

Where's your mind these days? Do you find yourself completely disinterested? Are you attentively following the B-Sens? Have you started thinking about other things? Has the recent 'cautious optimism' changed your outlook, positively or negatively?

THOUGHTS?

Senators headlines:

• Bobby gave us a treat this morning: His weekly prospect roundup. Check it out. (S7S)
• Canada's Spengler Cup roster could be loaded: Jason Spezza, Tyler Seguin, Logan Couture, John Tavares, Patrice Bergeron, Brooks Laich, and Michael Del Zotto are all potential options. (Sun)
• Luke Richardson talks about winning streaks, Stephane Da Costa, Jakob Silfverberg, other stuff. (The 6th Sens)
• Varada rises out of the woodwork to discuss Mr. Gary Bettman. (WTYKY)
• Things are sadly going to become more sporadic over at Black Aces. (Black Aces)

NHL headlines:

• Fun with podiums: Five For Howling; SB Nation;
• What an end to the lockout could mean for the World Juniors. One thing it could mean: If any or all of Dougie Hamilton, Sir Griffin Reinhart, ESQ, and Morgan Reilly are re-called by their NHL teams, Cody Ceci will be on Team Canada. (SB Nation)
• An account suggesting the Leafs would be well-served acquiring Roberto Luongo. I'm not sure about this trade... if it goes well, the Leafs will have a good goalie and I'll be sad; if it goes poorly (as it very well could), the Leafs will have once again overpaid for an over-hyped veteran. We'll see what happens. (PPP)
• A bunch of crap about optimism re: CBA talks. (Sun)