Yesterday was a shitty day for this Southern Bolts fan. I woke up and realized that it was the day of the Blackhawks parade, but before I even subjected myself to the Blackhawks media love-fest, I was handed perspective in the form of some horrific news. Not too far north of me, a tragedy took place late Wednesday. It's becoming so common in the US that instead of being a huge world-wide outrage, people spoke of it as "yet another act in the wave of terrorism against Black people in America."
Where does it go from here? Yesterday, I followed the news coming out of the beautiful and historic southern town of Charleston, and still have no ability to process all of that senseless hate.
The deepest irony is that I found a glimmer of hope in the Blackhawks' victory parade. Yesterday, in a beautiful moment that highlighted families impacted by mental health issues, the Blackhawks honored Clint Reif's family by promising his son the champion's belt. There were other joyous moments too, including the healthy dose of the word "fuck" in Corey Crawford's victory speech, and it was all very nice for Chicago. Second City Hockey has a lot of great things to say about it all, and I'll go read it...someday.
As far as the losing team goes, the Bolts had their locker clean-out and exit interviews, and I fell more in love with my damned team than I was before. It's easy to support a team when they win all the time; but I've learned from everyone here at this community about how to be a good and loyal fan when my team loses.
With the ending of the season begins the time that Bolts fans have come to affectionately refer to as #Stammergeddon (we remember this from his last re-signing), and we have eleven more days before Yzerman invites Stamkos into a small room to work it out, probably. Rumors are flying thick and fast, we just need a picture of Stamkos in a Bolts-logo-less baby onesie for everything to truly blow up. Elseldo, I'm counting on you.
PPP
Why the Leafs' decision on Kessel will tip their hand | PPP
2015 NHL Draft: All-time No. 4 and No. 24 picks | PPP
The Leafs Went All The Way To Europe... And Never Found Any Scoring Talent | PPP
Or, Not Norm at his very best.
Of Drafts and Trades
Follow the SB Nation mock draft over here
First Round Targets: Jeremy Bracco | The Leafs Nation
Rumblings: Leafs listening on Kessel, working on signing Bernier | ESPN
Complete order of selection of all seven rounds of the NHL draft | ESPN
Ranking the Biggest Busts in the NHL Draft of the Past 10 Years | Bleacher Report
Not a single Leaf made that list, hmm.
Avalanche open to trading first-round draft pick | NHL.com
Cam Talbot, the NHL’s hottest goaltending trade target | Puck Daddy
Senators taking offers for goalies Anderson, Lehner | NHL.com
NHL Rumors: Flyers still looking to trade Vincent Lecavalier this summer | CBS Sports
Draft Facts: Activities around Draft Day in Florida | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Staff trade rumors: Raw Charge floats Achariya trade to SCOC?!
Other News
NHL 16 Hands-On Preview [E3 2015] | We got this covered
"Surprisingly enough, my first game in NHL 16 ended up being against a Montreal Canadiens fan, and, as a Leafs fan, it sparked a heated affair. He went up 2-0 in the first, but I ended up tying it in rapid succession, then won the game."
NHL 16 hands-on preview – The game teaches you how to play | TechnoBuffalo
Transition Season | Player's Tribune
Love him or hate him, Sean Avery wrote an interesting piece that builds on the recent work being done on life after retirement from the NHL. I also like Daniel Carcillo's bit of writing about how players should have an exit strategy, too.
City of Glendale Asks Court to Deny Coyotes July Lease Payment | Five for Howling
Ugh, just move this team to the proven hockey market of Florida, already. Jacksonville Coyotes FTW.
