Monday’s Hot Coals: Waiting

With the rosters of most NHL clubs pretty much set for next season, it seems we are officially mired in the doldrums of the off-season. After signing Brendan Morrison to a one-year deal this past weekend, Jay Feaster has once again brought the Flames to within a hair’s breadth of the salary cap ceiling, negating any flexibility he had following the Regehr trade, and fans of the team now play the guessing game, waiting for him to move a body from the crowded centre ranks or the over-stuffed blueline and possibly open up a roster spot for a younger player or two.

Despite the fact that the Flames’ 23-man roster heading into 2011-12 looks to be quite similar to the one that closed out last season outside of the playoffs, there are still some question marks regarding how this team will perform. Without a doubt, losing Regehr makes them a worse team right off the bat, and all signs likely point to the Flames finishing in the bottom-half of the conference for a third consecutive season, but from now until October 8th when they hit the ice for their first regular season game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, we wait.

Links after the jump. 

Re-signing Brendan Morrison threw a wrench into things where the Flames' centre depth is concerned [Flames Nation]

A look at some of the more high-profile salary arbitration cases set to begin later this week [The Globe & Mail]

What will the Stanley Cup champs do on their respective days with hockey's greatest prize? [Stanley Cup of Chowder]

What the future holds for Maple Leaf Gardens and other historic former NHL arenas [HOTH]

What defines a first-line player in terms of point totals? [Flames Nation]

Finally, Alexei Yashin is reportedly considering an NHL comeback and has offered a contract by an unnamed team. I hope it's Edmonton or something. [Pro-Hockey Talk]

by Hayley Mutch