Nightly Hockey Hits: Sale of Florida Panthers reportedly dead, Bettman to take the stand and Are 3 French-speaking, Quebec-born players enough in Monty?

Some news and notes from across the blogs:

• The Litter Box:  Sale of Florida Panthers reportedly dead; all that’s left is the “why”.  Perhaps Balsillie will start to sniff around?
• Capitals Kremlin:   Is Ovie due for a cover curse?  I doubt it.
• Sens Chirp:  The Dany Heatley rollercoaster continues.  I’m getting sick of all the twists and turns and I for one am ready for this ride to be over.
• Maple Leafs Hot Stove:  Quick Kessel update.  Seems like a done deal for the Leafs.
• Lions in Winter:  Are 3 French-speaking, Quebec-born players enough in Monty?  Very good article about the difficulty of appeasing everyone in Quebec.
• The PengBlog:  Storylines heading into camp Bylsma.  I cannot understand how people are suggesting the Pens are going to fall off this season.  They still have too much talent. 
• Working the Corners:  The futility of chasing Marleau-Heatley rumors — plus an economic update from HP Pavilion.  Looks like the media in San Jose won’t be happy as they lose choice seating.
• Cult of Hockey:  Where the downtown arena will be built if all goes to Katz’s plan.  Staples has put a lot of work into this.
• Oilersnation:  What a summer it has been in Edmonton.  Was supposed to be a lazy, slow summer but it has been anything but that.
• Flamesnation:  Is it “Go Theo” or “Go away Fleury”.  He has been cleared to play by the NHL but will any teams bite?
• Detroit Red Wings:  This farmer is a super fan.  Now that looks pretty, pretty, pretty cool.
  
• T.O. Sports:  Ritter rants about Fleury, Phoenix, Kessel, a possible Heatley trade, Mike Comrie and Balsillie.  That’s a lot of ranting.
• The Hockey News:  Whole story must come out before NHLPA is judged on Kelly firing.  Does this bode poorly for an NHL/NHLPA love fest in 2011?
• Slapshot:  Bettman to take the stand.  The drama continues in Phoenix today and Judge Baum is the ringmaster of the circus.
• Hockey Analysis:  Balsillie’s quest for the Coyotes.  Looks like the Panthers are available…..