Tuesday Caps Clips: Fed(s) Up

Your savory breakfast links:

• The latest from Lockoutland:
  • The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service will provide mediators to try to help move the negotiating process forward... [NHL.com, Puck Daddy, CBC, Globe and Mail, WaPo, CSNW, WashTimes, PHT]
  • ... but it won't be the trio of Feds initially announced because, well, one of them was a little creepy and awful. [Puck Daddy, Sporting News]
  • Alex Ovechkin speaks on the state of affairs - including the comments made by Roman Hamrlik - from afar. [CSNW, TSN, with more Hamrlik-related thoughts at WashTimes (and again), Backhand Shelf, CBS; Michal Neuvirth, for his part, apologized on Twitter]
  • The weekend's big charity game was a resounding success... at the very least in terms of public relations for the players. [SI, Puck Daddy, and be sure to check out Becca's firsthand account of the event]
  • As the lockout drags on, sponsors check out. [SBJ, Puck Daddy]
  • Decertification for Dummies. [NYT, TSN]
  • Karl Alzner did a hit with LaVar and Dukes (sans Dukes) and didn't sound particularly upbeat about anything other than shoveling snow. [106.7 The Fan (MP3)]
• Nicklas Backstrom - who added a pair of assists last night - was named KHL's "Best Attacker" for his efforts last week... [KHL]
• ... and here's what the game experience is like for a fan over there. [Hockey Shopped]
• If the season gets scrapped, here's a look at the League's contingency plan for determining the 2013 Draft order. [Peerless]
• Go Vikes! [Capitals Overtime]
• Finally, happy 54th birthday to Al Jensen.