As a leading exporter of fossil fuels, Russia may well play a stabilizing role in global energy markets, despite its purported truculence in recent years.

FORBES: For U.S. Businesses, Russia Means Immense Opportunity -- and Immense Exposure

Public hostility to free trade has risen, and has been matched by growing political truculence, notes the report of a task force of trade experts organised by the Council on Foreign Relations.

ECONOMIST: Free trade and the yuan

Players and league observers said that while Tortorella clearly doesn't care for the rote give-and-take that is part and parcel of the 24-hour news cycle, some of his truculence is born of a calculated strategy to shield his players from media attention and limit the potential distractions that might damage his team.

WSJ: Tortorella Press Conference Etiquette 101