Happy Labor/Labour Day to all HockeyBuzz readers in the United States and Canada. Tomorrow it is back to work with rumor updates and a new HockeyBuzzCast. Today is a day to enjoy some time with the family and to appreciate those of us who serve our communities, our countries and the world in ways that never afford them to a day off.

Having grown up in Philadelphia, I saw the Flyers win two Stanley Cups that were NOT based on goon tactics -- despite what critics will forever claim -- but on having the hardest-working team in the NHL with three Hall of Fame players, a Hall of Fame coach and a Hall of Fame general manager leading the way. Bobby Clarke defined the term work ethic for a generation of players. Even those who hated Clarke and the Flyers could not help but respect the way he refused to be outworked. If he and his team lost, it was never because anything was left on the ice in the desire and effort department.

My question to readers today is who is the hardest-working player in today's NHL? Many people around the game would say the honor goes to Ryan Callahan, now with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but there is no shortage of good candidates. Apart from Callahan, I think Shea Weber and Ryan Suter (who pulled down 29:24 of average ice time per game last season) are excellent candidates. As a sleep pick, someone like Mikko Koivu (like older brother Saku) sets an outstanding example with his work ethic.

Weigh in on today's message board and, of course, there's much, much more to come in the days and weeks ahead now that we've finally flipped the calendar to September!

Join the Discussion: » 166 Comments » Post New Comment

» Four Games on Monday: Who Are Your Picks? Mon's Buzzcast

» Home Teams Ruling the Day. Will It Continue? [email protected]. UFA's Tomorrow.

» Get Ready for The Utah Outlaws.

» The Buzzcast Predicts The First Round

» Playoff Previews and UFA Previews start tomorrow