A Case of the Mondays: Moscow Edition

This week marks the last leg of my European adventure (and hopefully the end of me slacking when it comes to my writing duties). Unfortunately our packed schedule has prevented me from making as many hockey-related stops as I had hoped (that and the fact that I forgot the cord for my camera to upload pictures in the haste of packing), but stay tuned for photos and commentary some time next week! I plan on wearing my Team Canada jersey out and about on Wednesday, so hopefully I make it home in one piece. 

It's been awfully quiet on the Flames front recently and all around the NHL, and the fact that the off-season is finally drawing to its long-awaited close is a relief. Training camp is on the horizon and the clock is ticking for teams like the Flames to jettison their excess baggage to destinations unknown. Season previews will soon be hitting the interweb and store shelves in abundance, but until then, allow me to entertain you with the return of your weekly links!

Theo Fleury was recently inducted into the Moose Jaw Warriors Hall of Fame after 22 years, but when will he see his jersey raised to the Saddledome's rafters? [The Calgary Sun]

The Chicago Blackhawks may have expunged another cap anchor in expensive back-up Cristobal Huet, who agreed on a loan to Swiss club HC Fribourg-Gotteron despite supposedly being willing to re-negotiate his contract to remain in the NHL [The Globe & Mail] [Second City Hockey] Unfortunately, the Flames won’t be doing the same with Ales Kotalik, who has reportedly received confirmation from the club that he will not be bought out [The Cult of Hockey]

Day One of the World Hockey Summit is underway in Toronto [Puck Worlds]

Who's trending up and who's headed for a down season in the Atlantic Division? [Puck Prospectus]

How will the Leafs do in 2010-11? According to this poll, the Blue and White will accumulate between 80 and 84 points next season [Behind the Net]

An interesting read on the sudden rise of hockey in Iceland [IIHF via Puck Worlds] 

Amidst all the speculation about the destinations of the likes of  Ilya Kovalchuk and Antti Niemi, Kyle Wellwood finds himself without an NHL arena to call home as training camp approaches [Puck Daddy]

Despite Brent Sutter's seemingly endless line juggling last season, some forwards managed to stick together long enough to develop chemistry; Pat Steinberg takes a look at the Flames' dynamic duos up front [FlamesNation]

With the potential departure of Sheldon Souray, is Ladislav Smid ready to log big minutes on the Oilers' blueline? [Cult of Hockey] 

In case you missed it yesterday, Matt Pelech recalls the frightening diagnosis of a potentially life-threatening blood clot in his shoulder that caused him to miss thirty-seven games last season [The Calgary Herald]

From today's inspirational story file comes the tale of 40-year-old Penguins fan Eric Naughton, who survived a battle with cancer and is now living his dream of learning to play hockey and participating in Penguins Fantasy Camp [Pittsburgh Penguins]

Most of us are familiar with who the best in the business are when it comes to consistently squaring off against tough competition and coming out on the positive side of things, but who makes the cut when special teams are added to the mix? [Copper & Blue]

The St. Louis Blues have joined the likes of Phoenix and Dallas in search of a new investor, and the search could be far from over [St. Louis Today]

Lastly, Bloge Salming is back after a brief haitus, and his latest video includes an Eklund rapping and the death of Maggie the Monkey. Enjoy!

That’s all for today/tonight from Moscow, have a great week everyone!

by Hayley Mutch