After a one year stint with the Calgary Flames that saw him score a career-high 39 goals, forward Mike Cammalleri is moving on.

The Richmond Hill, Ontario native has signed a five-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens, worth $30-million.

Pardy on a more loyal front, signed a two-year, $1.4-million deal with the Flames.

The Flames also signed former Calgary Hitmen winger Fredrik Sjostrom to a two-year deal worth $750,000 a season

Jay Bouwmeester signs with the Flames
Jay Bouwmeester signed a multi-year deal with the Calgary Flames, less than a day before he was eligible for free agency. Bouwmeester will average $6.6 million a season for five years.

So who is gone you say? Is in Phaneuf? I don't think so. I think this team will have half the Canadian Olympic Team's defence on it's roster, a world-class goalie, and Jarome Iginla. And Jokinen, don't forget him. Michael Cammalleri is as good as gone, sorry Cammy.

Sutter pulls a Sutter at draft day
So Sutter made a big deal for a guy from Alberta, then turned around and made a trade for someone they recently traded away (Jim Vandermeer for Brandon Prust - Do you remember which one was the Flame and which one was a Coyote?). I'm going to keep that sentence handy every draft day.

Flames pick D-man Tim Erixon 23rd overall
With their first-round selection at the National Hockey League draft Friday at the Bell Centre, the Flames bagged Tim Erixon, a Swedish defenceman who’s the son of Jan, a splendid defensive forward for the New York Rangers (1983-93).

Sutter points out obvious
“I’m the general manager, Brent is the head coach, and this is our coaching staff."

Thanks Darryl, I'm glad you had a news conference for that. Five Sutters collect paycheques from the Flames organization now, that's probably the total GDP of Vulcan, Alberta.

Calgary to host a Winter Classic?
The rumours are swirling, I'll keep you posted.

Here is the latest info:

It looks like the NHL is going to rain on Calgary's plans for an outdoor game at McMahon Stadium.

The topic of the popular outdoor games was raised yesterday in a competition committee meeting being held in conjunction with the NHL Entry Draft and while no final decisions on outdoor games for this upcoming season have been made, it looks like there will be only one on the schedule this year. That's expected to be played at Boston's Fenway Park between the Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers.

"The idea of a game in Calgary was tossed out there, but there wasn't a vote on anything. We should know in the next two weeks," said one NHL source.

"I don't think it's going to happen (in Calgary). They went and checked it out and I don't think the facility worked. But that could change. We'll know more in two weeks or so."

Ten random thoughts for the summer

1. I've learned I don't care about the Finals if the Calgary Flames aren't involved.
2. Will Calgary Flames tickets be easier to get now that they are six years removed from their playoff run?
3. When is the Calgary Flames schedule released, and will there be a Calgary Flames vs New Jersey Devils game this year?
4. I heard the Flames jersey will change this year, or they will get a third jersey that doesn't have a horse on it, any word on this?
5. As a Calgary flame fan, I watch Calgary Flames hockey, but I also enjoy hockey in general. But really, Pittsburgh vs Detroit?
6. The Calgary Flames logo hasn't changed since the 80s, but it keeps getting bigger, that's weird.
7. Have you ever been to a Calgary Flames game, or any NHL game with the Calgary Flames playing, where Stompin' Tom wasn't played?
8. The NHL owns Calgary Flames com, but never The Calgary Flames website.
9. The Calgary Flames roster (2008/09) will look considerably different next year, Calgary Flames jerseys will envelope a much younger Calgary Flames team, let's hope.
10. This baby wins the award for ugliest Calgary Flames shirt.

Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award
The what award for what? Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla won the award you haven't heard of. But seriously, kudos.

Flames sign M=En(2)
The Flames have re-signed unrestricted free agent goaltender Curtis McElhinney to a one-way deal with a reported price tag of just over $1 million over 2 years. Since that is exactly the same McElhinney made last year, don't expect to see another young goalie up here in the next couple years.

Then there were four...
...coaching candidates for the Flames, that is. Jim Playfair has been sent to the minors, and Preston, Cookson and Marcoux have all been shown the door. Darryl Sutter says there are three coaches in the NHL he wants to talk to, but they are all under contract. Brent Sutter is the number one candidate, if you believe the crap I write. If D. Sutter can't woo any of these three away from their current contracts, then he'll take the head coaching job for a year, until his brother's contract ran out in New Jersey.

Hey Keenan... what's red, gold, black and (sometimes) white and fired?
I don't get it. Sutter says that he has no plans to fire Keenan because he has a year left on his contract, then he fires him. Which was - undoubtedly - the right move. But nothing like telling a guy he is safe, then turning around and sending him packing.

Jim Playfair, Rich Preston, Rob Cookson, and goalie coach David Marcoux, all have contracts that are "under review." Fire everyone, that's what I say. Let's ruin as many lives as possible.

Okay, so if faux-iron Mike isn't the answer, who is? Let's take a look at the short list.

Flames toast
That's all she wrote, the fat lady has sung, stick a fork in it, we're done. Now begins the very long conversation about what went wrong. Here are a few starting points for you:

• Did the Flames miss anyone more than Robyn Regehr?
• Is Kiprusoff really as bad as his GAA says he is?
• Is Keenan that bad a coach?
• Where the hell has Iginla been the last month?
• Every time the Flames were scored against, did you check to see if Bertuzzi was in the penalty box?
• Has anyone had any confidence in this team since February?

Enjoy your golf season everyone. I'll keep posting as the rumours keep on coming. Latest one?

After the Hitmen win watch the Memorial Cup the Kelly Kisio/Dave Lowry combination come to the Flames to help Daryl Sutter and new head coach and ex-Devil Brent Sutter right the ship. Stay tuned...

And he was doing so well...
Roger Millions probably doesn't say this word much on the air... thank god for live TV and YouTube.

Playoff songs
The best part of the playoffs is not the hockey, but rather the song parodies. I don't thing the Flames could win a series unless there was some hip hop song about the C of Red mad by some unknown Calgary rapper. Here are the latest and greatest - sadly no rap yet.

• Hey there Iginla, by the Plain (Away) White Jerseys.
• And this playoff song courtesy of FUEL 90.3.

Mosser signs a Flame
The Calgary Flames on Thursday re-signed right wing David Moss. That's all I've heard so far. This is a good thing... isn't it?

Oilers not happy they suck?!? Go figure. *update*
This explains a lot. Well, WWII anyway. Hitler cannot comprehend why Craig "MacT" MacTavish still has a job as the Oilers have - yet again - missed the playoffs.

The FAN 960 in Calgary released this wicked song parody of "Lola" by The Kinks called "Goal-a". Allan Watt, the Oilers vice-president of communications and broadcasting, protested behind the scenes on the basis that the song used clips from Oilers broadcasts. FAN 960 is an NHL rights holder and therefore can use the audio, but bowed to a League request to take the song off its Web site and keep it off the air.

You can be sure that Goal-a will live forever here.

And even though it's easy for us... the Oilers have trouble laughing at themselves.

Jersey fouls
Just what is a jersey fowl? Read this to find out. I'll bottom-line it for you: putting your own name on a jersey is the same as attending a comic book convention. It's the same as telling the world that you suck. Don't do it, please.

Somewhat current, ever changing, line combinations

Michael Backlund - The only Flames prospect
So what I've heard is that Michael Backlund is the only prospect worth talking about, and he is a long shot to make the team. I think that one more year in Sweden will have this kid seem so mysterious you'd think he's the second coming. Me? I think that this talk is just a distraction from all the old players hanging outside the Saddledome wondering if they'll have a place to play this year.

Finally, the Internet pays off...
What is the greatest Internet video ever to pass through cyberspace you ask? Well, if you like the Flames, or if you hate the Flames, or if you watch hockey for any reason whatsoever, this video will make you laugh. And then cry. It is truly spectacular. If anyone has the emails of Neil Sheehy, Gary Roberts or Mike Vernon, please... PLEASE let me know.

Click to watch the greatest video of all time.

Remember this?

Media: (Right-click and "Save Target As")
Calgary vs. Detroit - Game 6 - 2004 Playoffs 
In Da Dome (Original) 
In Da Dome (Final Version)
In Da Dome (Video) 
In Da Dome Commentary