Wow. The NHL is actually thinking about not letting Kerry Fraser work Saturday's game six.
Fraser was last seen reffing game four, where he enforced the rules rather aggressively. In fact, the whole series has been called kind of intensely. I feel like the first four games were an extended power play. The teams aren't playing any nastier than normal, either. It just seems like the league is really worried about fights or bruises or something.
It's pretty crazy that the league would pull Fraser. It's admitting they didn't like the way Fraser called game four. That seems pretty dangerous. The league can never back down from the officiating, or the integrity of the games instantly is called into question. And it's not like Fraser is some kind of anonymous zebra. He's one of the most visible officials in the game, if not sports. Everyone knows Fraser and his helmet hair.
Fraser's got to work game six. At this point, it's not about his abilities. If he doesn't and Calgary ends up losing the Cup, everyone's going to be screaming 'ripoff.' Everyone thinks refs suck. You don't want the league confirming it, though.

Terry Frei has an interesting column on the links between the Calgary Flames and the Colorado Avalanche. The two teams have traded a lot of players over the years. Some of them have been key and some of them were supposed to be.
I don't really have anything to add. It's just a good column.

So you're going to a Stanley Cup finals game. You're excited. You're pumped. You're psyched.
What are you going to bring with you?
Snacks.
Of course. Who can afford to eat in any kind of arena.
A flask.
Sure. You gotta get your booze on. And beers are like $10.
Forget anything else?
Maybe a red jersey?
Sure. Show your colors. That's a good idea.
Are we set?
Hmmmm. Wait. Let me think.
OK. One more thing.
A tongue.
A Flames fan through a cow's tongue at the officials Monday night.
I understand throwing a tongue in anger, in a way. I get mad. I throw meat. I just don't understand bringing a tongue, in case you have to throw it in anger. Like, did they bring it to the Flames' game three win and not throw it?
If the Stanley Cup finals ever come around here, I'm bringing a lamb's head. Just in case.

I haven't been following the Mike Danton murder-for-hire investigation, mostly because it's so sad and violent.
The Globe and Mail had a really bizarre detail yesterday. Apparently Danton and David Frost, whom Danton is accused of plotting to kill, met with NHL Player's Association President Bob Goodenow four nights before Danton was arrested.
Goodenow said he didn't notice anything weird at dinner.
I don't know what to make of any of this, but it's strange as hell.

The Senators have already ruled out Larry Robinson as their next coach.
Not really shocking. Robinson's specialties are defense and young, raw players. The Senators, as they stand now, are a bit mature and love the offense. It wouldn't be a good fit, even though Robinson's a decent coach.
Larry Brooks over at the New York Post made a really good point Sunday, though. He asked "What's the hurry in hiring a coach?" It's true. Why not see what happens after the expected lockout? Why move forward since you have no idea what the NHL will be like whenever play resumes?
It's good advice. If there's a lockout, the most successful teams after it's over will be the ones not committed to anything — players, coaches, or systems.