A Case of the Mondays: No News Is…Bad News?

It’s been almost exactly a month since the Flames‘ season ended, and aside from the Bryan Cameron signing, there has been nothing to report from within the confines of the Pengrowth Saddledome. There have been persistent rumours of pending trades, firings and hirings–but nothing substantial, nothing worth elaborating on. This lack of news has led most to believe that the no changes will be made; the jobs of various individuals are safe, and things within the organization will remain status quo. Of course, it took until the end of May last season for Flames management to complete their annual end-of-season review and cut Keenan and Co. loose, but that was after six games of playoff hockey. After a season as disappointing as this one, even after having had four full weeks to mull over it all, Flames fans are impatient. Desperate for the slightest indication that things are moving in the right direction, or any direction at all, for that matter; searching for a sign of what this long off season holds. Since no such sign has arrived as of yet, the speculation will only continue and likely intensify the longer we go without any sort of announcement. There is only so much reflection we can do on the season that was; I have draft and free agency coverage planned for next month and as it happens, but that is still a ways away, so I’d like to take this opportunity to ask you for your input: what would you like to see at M&G over the course of the summer? More weekly features? More statistical analysis? More of my pathetic attempts at being funny? Let’s hear it!

Links after the jump.

The Heat are facing elimination tonight after Saturday’s 5-2 loss to the Bulldogs put them down 3-2 in the series. T.J. Brodie and Bryan Cameron did not suit up for Abbotsford after joining the team late last week, and there is no word on whether or not they will be in the lineup tonight. Staffan Kronwall is a game time decision after succumbing to an injury earlier in the series, so whether or not Brodie plays will likely depend on his status [Abbotsford Heat]

Craig Conroy doing what he does best, talking. A lot. [Dome Beers]

Remembering George Pelawa [Calgary Herald] 

Steve Yzerman: Will he stay or will he go? And what of Nick Lidstrom's future? [Detroit Free Press] 

A eulogy for the Detroit Red Wings who were eliminated from the playoffs in five games by the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night [Puck Daddy/Second City Hockey]

The Predator's efforts to provide flood relief in Nashville [On The Forecheck]

Twelve teams are raising their ticket prices for next season, will the Flames be one of them? [CBC Hotstove]

What have this year's playoffs done for the reputations of certain free agents? [Puck Daddy]

Ten things the folks at MHH hate about the 2009-10 Avalanche [Mile High Hockey]

Did the Leafs pass on Bobby Orr? [PPP] 

Orr scored this famous Cup-winning goal fourty years ago today, as a statue depicting the moment was unveiled outside of TD Garden in Boston today [YouTube] [Stanley Cup of Chowder] Also, an interview with the sculptor.

The most recent “History Will Be Made” parody ad, this time at the expense of Sami Salo after he took a puck to the groin in yesterday’s game, resulting in a trip to the hospital for what was widely speculated to be a “ruptured testicle.” Nick Lidstrom suffered a similar injury in last year’s playoffs that actually required surgery, after being speared in the groin by Patrick Sharp in the Western Conference finals.

Bob Cole: Yay or Nay? [The Star] 

Can Roberto Luongo still be considered one of the top goalies in the league? [The Toronto Sun]

Have the Habs finally reached the end of their rope with Sergei Kostitsyn? [Montreal Gazette]

Canada is currently leading Latvia 1-0 on a goal from John Tavares in the preliminary stages of World Championship play. Ryan Smyth is out of the lineup with a foot/ankle injury. The game can be seen on TSN and is also streaming live on their website.

Tonight's Playoff Schedule:

The Flyers and Habs both face elimination from the post season tonight, let’s see who can avoid the inevitable

Philadelphia at Boston (BOS leads 3-1, 5PM MT & 7ET on TSN)

Pittsburgh at Montreal (PIT leads 3-2, 5PM MT & 7ET on CBC) 

Abbotsford at Hamilton (HAM leads 3-2, 5:30MT & 4:30PT) 

Enjoy tonight's games and have a good week! 

by Hayley Mutch