Shrapnel - 6/15/11

Welcome to Wednesday. Welcome to Game 7. By the time I write another of these Shrapnel posts, we'll have a new Champion...and perhaps most importantly to Jackets' fans, we'll be ready for the start of the NHL's buyout window, kicking off the start of roster moves as Scott Howson gets cracking on reshaping the Jackets' roster.

Perhaps the worst news to come out of Game 6, amid the excitement, was the crushing injury to Mason Raymond, who will miss Game 7, and possibly the next several months, with a fractured vertebra after being taking into the boards by Boston's Johnny Boychuk. Though the play went unpenalized (and there will be no supplementary discipline), Vancouver GM Mike Gillis thought it was a dirty play, and I think he has part of a point - Boychuk seemed to be riding Raymond into the boards with his stick between Raymond's legs - but they were battling for the puck, and I think this was a genuine case of accident rather than malice.

In a bit happier discussion, DGB has some advice on how to present the Stanley Cup, Houses of The Hockey has the top Game 7 Moments in Stanley Cup history, and we'll get cracking on the rest of the news.

In "OK, maybe there's some hope for us all yet" news, Sean Avery went to Albany to continue his support of marriage equality. 

The Blue Jackets are giving away a Third Jersey in their greatest goal in club history contest!

Red Light District is making a case for who might take home the Calder Trophy in a couple of weeks.

Tom over at DBJ is thinking about Game 7 a bit himself, while Gallos is getting a little bitter, and just wants the offseason to get going.

Looks like Tom Sestito came to a deal with the Flyers on a new contract, while the Flyers will meet with Ilya Bryzgalov later this week to start negotiating. Interestingly, there is talk that Holmgren appears to have a "deadline" of draft day to get a deal done with the Russian netminder. We know Paul Holmgren had discussions about trading for Steve Mason. If he doesnt' feel he can get Bryzgalov under contract, do you think he would give Scott Howson a call about returning to Plan A? We've talked about the possibility of Jeff Carter. Would you do a deal that sent Steve Mason to Philadelphia for him, and look at bringing in a new netminder, either via trade or free agency?

Over at Puck Daddy, Justin Bourne talks about how the finals have been a tale of two blue lines, while PHT is wondering if we may see an unlikely hero.

In more Blue Jackets' free agency news, Aaron Portzline reports the Jackets are working to retain Jan Hejda, and would like to keep Scottie Upshall, but seem to expect that he'll test the market on July 1st before they make an offer. It also appears, per his expansion on Puck Rakers, that the team has made qualifying offers to Jakub Voracek and Marc Methot, while Sami Lepisto and Anton Stralman are a bit up in the air. Some other minor league moves (or lack thereof) were also discussed, but the one that has me scratching my head is that Porty says the team will try to retain Tomas Kana, when Kana already signed a new deal with a Czech team?

Interesting question at Deadspin: If the Canucks win the Stanley Cup, will they visit the White House?

Over at Dave's World, an interesting project to "re-imagine" the Blue Jackets' jerseys. The "new" home and away sweaters aren't bad, but frankly I think the third and "retro" versions look like a dog's breakfast.

In "Cross him off the market", the Leafs resigned RFA defenseman Carl Gunnarsson to a new two year deal. Wasn't expecting him on the market anyhow, but ah well. 

Fire The Cannon looks at the Jackets' first round success...or lack thereof, and last but not least the Jacket Backers are partnering with the Blue Jackets and Sunny95 to appear at neighborhood "Block Parties" all summer. Go take a look at their schedule!