Monday's news: Preds fans can catch their breath

Today is a day of rest for Nashville Predators fans - the Preds don't play until Wednesday at Phoenix, and there are no games on the schedule that affect the Western Conference playoff picture.

So dive into your morning news and notes and survey the situation around the NHL, where the Washington Capitals have clinched the Presidents Trophy (is that a good, or a bad thing?), Alex Burrows flops again, and trade speculation surfaces regarding Tomas Vokoun...

Predators News

Preds On The Glass: Long Weekend Wrap-Up and POTG Radio Tonight
Buddy's morning notes includes word that Jeremy from Section303.com will be joining the POTG podcast tonight...

Predators prospects postseason roundup - Nashville Predators Examiner
Jim Diamond has the scoop on how things are going for the Preds' draftees.

Predators in the playoffs, but still have work to do - The Tennessean
You've got to love Shea Weber's answer when John Glennon asked whether the Preds celebrated upon clinching their playoff spot: "What do you think this is – Major League Baseball?’’

Nashville Predators get accustomed to one-goal wins - The Tennessean
John Glennon notes how well the Preds have done in games decided by one goal this season. Nashville is one of the few teams to consistently do well in that regard since the lockout.

Around the NHL

Ex-coach Graham James pardoned for sex abuse that rocked NHL - The Globe and Mail
This story is downright sickening. The junior hockey coach who sexually abused Sheldon Kennedy, Theo Fleury, and countless other teenage boys was pardoned for his crimes 3 years ago. Word just came out about this, as another victim has come forward and is considering filing criminal charges.

And down the stretch they come…and a helpful suggestion for the Avs | All Things Avs
The last spot in the Western Conference playoffs is still up for grabs, and Colorado has four games this week to lock it down.

NBC Video: Assessing goalies in the West - ProHockeyTalk
Pierre McGuire and Mike Milbury talk about the lack of proven playoff goaltending at the top of the Western Conference.

Who Will Make It In The East? - From The Rink
The Least of the East are still squabbling over the final playoff spots, and Mike Chen breaks down their remaining games.

Despite logic, Larry Brooks writes story calling Chris Pronger the problem in Flyers' room - Broad Street Hockey
Absurd stuff from the NY Post hockey writer, and Travis isn't shy about calling him out.

Tales of the Tape: Bill Guerin vs. Jim Slater - PensBurgh
The cranky old Penguin put a whoopin' on Jim Slater of the Atlanta Tharashers.

Ted Leonsis Hopes R.J. Umberger Has A Nice Summer - SB Nation
The Columbus forward voiced some harsh criticism of the Washington Capitals, and their owner fired back on his blog. Yup, folks are getting testy as the playoffs approach...

Caps Earn First-Ever President’s Trophy | The Hockey Writers
Now that Washington has clinched home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs, should they let their foot off the gas during this final week of the regular season? This morning on NHL Radio, Ted Leonsis offered up the tired old phrase that perhaps the Presidents Trophy is a bad omen for the playoffs, since "only" 30% of those winners have went on to win the Stanley Cup. As I wrote two years ago, 30% odds in a 16-team tournament are fantastic!

On Frozen Blog › Capitals First-Timers — Loving The Game
Celebrating the newbies jumping on the Washington bandwagon; this is a very good thing, as all too often hockey fans look down their noses at neophytes.

Swallowing the Whistle in the Playoffs? - Behind The Net
Do the refs call fewer penalties during the playoffs? Hawerchuk breaks down the numbers...

Goalie Talk: Is Vokoun Out? If Panthers Really Want to Rebuild, Yes - On Frozen Pond
Will Florida trade the former Preds goalie this summer? That would be pretty difficult, given his contract. He's still one of the very best in the business, however.

Long Term Contracts – Part II | Pro Sports Blogging
Dave Gutzman proposes some solutions to the problem of long contracts with little money in the final years, a tactic that some teams are using to lower the salary cap impact of their top players.

Kurri or Selanne: who is the greatest Finn ever? - The Copper & Blue
An interesting debate here...

Wild loses in OT; Almond's first NHL goal sparks late rally; Burrows "draws" OT penalty - Russo's Rants
Gee, where have we seen this before? "Alex Burrows, the king embellisher in the NHL, drew a bogus penalty in overtime when he lifted Greg Zanon's stick into his own face and then shot his head back like he was nailed by a Matt Cooke elbow."

Finally, Bloge Salming raises the question as to whether something might be wrong with hockey's most prominent commentator...