Here are your Puck Headlines: a glorious collection of news and views collected from the greatest blogosphere in sports and the few, the proud, the mainstream hockey media.
BREAKING: Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos reports that sources tell him that Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brian Rafalski is expected to announce his retirement as early as this week.
• There was plenty of supportive signage for the Atlanta Thrashers this weekend during a fan rally outside Philips Arena.
• No need to shake up the Bruins lineup, but Joe Haggerty would like to see one change before Game 5 tonight: bench Tomas Kaberle. [CSNNE]
• Despite their Game 4 collapse, Tim Thomas is feeling confident. How confident? He's guaranteeing a series win, because when was the last time you heard an athlete say the opposite? [Boston Herald]
• Jordan and Kalman on what to expect from the rest of the Boston/Tampa series. [KK]
• Master of the mind games, Lightning head coach Guy Boucher didn't outright say Dwayne Roloson would start Game 5 instead phrasing it as, "We've got a goaltender (Roloson) that has taken us here. He's played really well, and he's getting prepared for (tonight). We've got a goaltender (Smith) that came in relief and he's done really well." Roloson was the first goaltender off for the Lightning at this morning's skate. [Tampa Tribune]
• Y!'s Nick Cotsonika on the Vancouver Canucks and their need to find their killer instinct in Game 5. [Cotsonika]
• Don't forget, with the Memorial Cup under way, your one-stop shop for all things junior hockey is Y! Canada's Buzzing the Net.
• Sad news from the junior hockey world as 15-year old London Knights prospect Ian Jenkins passed away this morning after a fall from a pickup truck Thursday, one day after he signed with the OHL team. [Detroit Free Press]
• Shawn Reznik spoke to several junior players to get their memories of Jenkins. [The Future of Puck]
• We saw the Teal and Orange Men in San Jose on Friday night, but did you know there are fake Green Men in Vancouver? Whatever happened to the sanctity of green men? [Vancouver Sun]
• Chris Vivlamore reports that the last potential savior to keep the Thrashers in Atlanta is likely now out of the picture as talks between True North Sports and Entertainment and the Atlanta Spirit Group continued through the weekend. [AJC]
• Thrashers forward Chris Thorburn expressed his displeasure with the team's ownership over the weekend. [Birdwatcher's Anonymous]
• Amid rumors of them moving to St. John's, Newfoundland, what does the future hold for the Manitoba Moose should NHL hockey return to Winnipeg? [Nucks Misconduct]
• Larry Brooks on why the New York Rangers need Brad Richards in the Big Apple. [NY Post]
• Great Mike Richards interview by Chuck Gormley while the Flyers captain is on vacation in Cabo. On dealing with the media in the future: "Maybe I need to take about five or ten minutes to calm myself and gather my thoughts and then go in there and choose my words wiser. Sometimes you try to joke around or say things that get blown up." [Courier Post]
• The future of Pittsburgh's Civic Arena is months away from resolution, but the family that purchased the Pontiac Silverdome has a secret proposal for the venue as the battle between potential developers and preservationists continues on. [Tribune-Review]
• Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Suter talks about the off-season as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract. [Examiner]
• How the hockey vote could influence Minnesota politicians' presidential campaign. [Puck Buddys]
• Interesting interview about the green effect going on in professional sports. [Grist]
• Wayne Gretzky showing that he's pretty good on the putting green. [Devil Ball Golf]
• Finally, via WFLA, here's what the forming of a human Lightning bolt looked like yesterday at the Tampa airport: