I like...

I like the "Big Line" if Rocco is skating and Alfie is shooting high! #11 has had a bundle of chances lately where he is too gassed to get the puck up but we still would love to see 400 @home.

I like this second line of #22; #14 and #7; Turris should get some shooting with these guys.


Update: Alfie with Turris I'm OK with this also.

I would like to see the "Daug" get a couple shifts with Nick and ZacK.

I like the look of Zman and Neil out there together, they look like a throw back to the 70's, no feet, no hands but very effective hockey players in their own way.

I would like "Karl" to stop reading his press clippings and get back down to business.

I like Alex in the net tonight, "Andy" looks tired...we gotta get him some rest.

I would like #4 to sit one more game because if it's a groin a mid-season rest is as good as anything you can do for it.


Update: Phillips and Lee...if you are good enough to play you are not hurt!

I would like our PP play to dumb it down...SHOOT the $%^&*# PUCK! Not WIDE...Not HIGH...Not BACK IN THE CORNER...but TWO FEET OFF THE ICE ON THE NET! How you do this is...don't dink with it. Shoot quickly before the box closes!

"Epidemic" says Colie Campbell

Epidemic says Colie Campbell then he says not quite...

Maclean says: "I don't know but ya got 35 guys out!" all starters.

Colie says: "Gregory has had 4 or 5 concussions at every level on the way up but he heals quick and is back each time in a couple of weeks." Colie by my estimates has been concussed at least 4 times during his career. They must have some doozies of a conversation talking about head trauma!

Colie says: "The League (Chris King/multiple concussions) is looking at eight questions, they want answers to." I wonder what they are?

I'm older and played before both these guys. Because I was a hockey/football thing (one each) I got looked at by two doctors, there was politics even then one sport blaming the other but both were unanimous in stating the second concussion is the problem...it's damage to the already damaged brain. Remember, this is 45 years ago and everyone was studying the problem...talk about a poor show when Colie Campbell has to tell ya he hasn't a clue as to what to do...but don't slow the game down and don't suspend the stars...and we can't afford to give 'em more space to play in!

"Call the shots!"..."Call the HEAD SHOTS!"

Thanks Eugene!

Just like Alfie says:"Thanks Eugene!" But what a way to welcome the new score clock.

"Andy" your brutal! Catch the puck or cheat to the far post, do something...

Neil has got ZacK dumbed down to where he has lost all his creativity, they, the Bingo line, got one shift and looked pretty good. Note: ZacK scored on a line change.

"Karl" you are sleeping...

Not a big fan of the "Big Line!"

Turris, you are looking good but it's time to do something...

Montreal has not broke a stick in 2-3 games, we break 3-4 a game. What gives??

Our PP break it up and throw it away...start over again...

We are playing like a team that has a playoff spot wrapped up with 45 games to go...

The Experiments go on...

9mm; "Rocco"; Alfie

"Gino"; the "Shooter"; Butts

"Cy"; ZacK; Neil

Cons; Zman; "Daug"

Kuba; "Karl"

Jared; Gonch

Lee; Carks...Philly has a sore paw!

"Andy" and Alex

I don't know why they didn't go all the way and switch Zman and Zack making the Bingo Line the 4th line because tonight vs the Habs you know they (Montreal) need a win bad so we shall spend the night in the penalty box and thus have our Bingo Kill Team rested and ready for action and not being on the ice for the phantom calls on themselves. Last game our only goal was ZacK shorthanded!

I wouldn't put two right wingers with Rocco but "Butts" really needs his big full chance...

Against Price ya need your "sharpshooters" so anyone who is holding the puck change 'em out.

Definition of an "old guy"...old glasses-new clock, looking for a better viewing result!

Kyle Turris...

Kyle Turris was my xmas present and I like the gift very much...

Now for my birthday I would like a healthy and energized 9mm...

Alfie making the second line into Line One A...

That Zack gets his Bingo boys, #23 and #22 back with him again, it really is the most potent offensive configuration for a third line we have...it kinda got lost in the xmas shopping...

Chris Neil is a forth line/PP specialist because when his ice time is limited he throws only the big legal hits but has lots of energy for the net front on the PP...

And we could always use a forty goal scoring left winger...maybe next year?

Note to Coach Paul...SENs fans and I love to hear about how much you skate them...they usta say it was good for the "Old" guys...it's good for the young guys too!


"Cy"; Rocco; 9mm

"Geno"; the "Shooter"; Alfie

"Cons"; ZacK; "Daug"

Butts; Zman; Neiler

#17; #65

#2; #55

#4; #39/#5

"Andy" and Alex

A point for "Andy!"

Tired, I have never seen a team so tired!

Nice game Andy, you were terrific.

I'm sure they heat up the ice and the puck there...bush league.

Jason needs 9mm's energy and ability to back off their defence @ the offensive blue line.

Alfie will go back to helping Foligno and Turris will think he's just gone to heaven.

Like I always say: "Ya know you're in trouble when Kuba is your best DEFENCEMAN!" Nice game Fillip.

We all love Chris Neil but he and Zack have no chemistry. #25 cannot handle the puck well enough. Paul if you want secondary scoring, break 'em up!

If nothing else the Daug will improve the 4th line to the point of checking any of the opponents best lines. Zman is better than you think...

The verdict is still out on Butts??

Right now until we need the heavy artillery, I would play Lee.

14/19/9

71/7/11

22/15/25

23/28/16

17/65

2/55

4/5

41/35

Let's get the Habs when they are down, they would do the same for us.

Tough break #13!

It's a tough break for Petr Regin but as I tried to tell ya, once that shoulder goes the second time it's over because even if you do return it drastically effects your play. I had the worst premonition when Petr changed to #13 because I really liked his play, things fell his way in the playoffs and for him to tempt fate like that for nothing. That is why athletes are superstitious.

Coach Paul, you are going to have to roll three and two thirds into four lines so give Butts a couple shifts with "the Shooter" and Nick. Bring Condra down and the "Daug" up to play with Zack, they were the best line against Florida the last time in case you forgot. Z-man and Neil continue to get some PP time...that's if we ever get a man advantage...

7D, I'd play Phillips on the wing, he usta be one (for most of one season) ya know...JOKE!

Tonight, anybody gets a brain dead stick foul gets fined...it's the only thing that can beat us tonight!

5 on 5!

Good win! Could have been disaster...

Tough one Jesse...concussion...that's one where the new "experimental"  Bauer suspension helmet may have helped a little, it has some give up top. I had one save me forty-five years ago, a Riddel concussion suspension hockey helmet, it's nice to see the NHL speed up their research in this area.

5 on 5; Jason needs 9mm to back off  their defence at the offensive blue line.

Alfie will turn on seven and seven-one! Front line players all, playing on the second line...

Put the Bingo line back together, call 'em the forth line if you have to ...

Neil and Regin still have enough chemistry left to play together on their own line with out Zack...

Jason is starting to talk to "Karl" on the ice and they are not talking offense  and it is a one way conversation...

Just leave "Andy" alone, he gets it...that was as tough a twenty-two shot night as you are going to get...with our "D" ya have to be ready all the time...

They like #17 and #65 together I don't (not enough presence in front of our net) I like #2 and #65 together.

Politics! Money!

The Daug's ice time and 4th line duty will be cut back until they can justify his being sent back down...it's just the way things work Caspers...

Butts will not see an Ottawa game sweater for awhile...

The coaches had to break the Bingo line for #25 and #13 to get their appropriate ice time...yuck...

Why would you put Zack on the wing again...

Looks like Turris will wear #7 and get 9mm when his head clears...

Didn't know how the DEFENCEMEN's Coach was going to play #55 and #17...so it's together and Phillips gets a bit of a breather with Carks...

Condra cannot over play his shot with Foligno and Turris...do what you can but be their defensive conscience...

Looks like Jason and Alfie will have to put Buffalo away again while the other guys get straightened out...

"GREAT MOVE!"

Coach Paul, who has seen as much of Kyle Turris as anyone, likes the guy...a lot!

#91 the mirror image of our #19, likes to shoot the puck. Both Alfie and Nick like this ...a lot!

Bryan Murray likes the fact that he again has a contender...a lot!

I feel for Davey Rundblad but I like Kyle Turris...a lot!

Merit Principle! Good teams have great lines...

14,19,9 Jason's 9mm Cyborgs!

71,7,11 the FTA!

22,15,23 the Bingo Line!


18,13,25 the "Huff and Puff Line!"

2,65

4,55

17,39

41,35

Don't shoot the "Daug!"

Big win! Well done Alex!

But Tuesday we get everyone back, young and old, forward and defence, big salary and bigger salary.

The "Daug" on a two way looks like the odd man out...it's not fair but Butts makes a million dollars so there is an unofficial law that says guys on a one way, who make over a million, don't get sent down at xmas.

I'd keep Lee in his familiar spot in the press box and give "Davey" 20 games in the "A"...remedial training.

School is still out on #13's shoulder...

Neiler is very valuable but ya can't let him take 4-6 minutes in minor penalties every game...he doesn't seem to take anyone with him any more...if you know what I mean, he usta get the other guy to take a penalty...

"Andy" was having just too much fun on the bench just watching tonight...

or how about the straight merit principle...

#14; #19; #11

#13; #71; #9

#22; #15; #23

#18; #28; #25

#4; #55

#2; #65

#17; #39

#41; #35

We just don't have enough!

Pure offence we just don't have enough. "Cy" should have 20 goals by now.

Phillips is slipping, we're breaking it out like the Detroit Red Wings and Chris starts rifling break out passes everywhere but to our own guys then he swerves to the Boards to give Peverley, a right hander, the open shot right down the middle from 22 feet out.

Andy has got have that one...early ball buster...

Butts doesn't know how to play together with two other good offensive players if you don't want the Daug to play with Zack give him a shot with Foligno and Regin.

If the back up goalie struggles vs Pittsburgh I think it's time to bring the kid up just to give Andy a breather he is completely "vulcanized!"

Jason and Alfie are terrific together but only in short bursts. Alfie is burning bone marrow!

I think #7 wouldn't mind going down to Bingo just to get out of here for 20 games or so.

Where is the secondary scoring?

Put the "Daug" back on the Bingo Line for just enough finish to do the job!

Jason uses Alfie differently, he seems to give him the puck early and often, lets him lug it and tires him out on every shift. Leave #11 with #71 the ones.

Take Alfie off the point on the PP, go with five D and just use Rundblad on the PP ONLY!

I want Chara on a bad paw!

Tits Thomas' luck has got to run out one of these games vs us.

Carks doesn't have to give it to Lucic but he's got to set him straight early..."You go over my goalie and I'm goin' over you from behind stick first!"

I think we may just have enough to take 'em all on tonight and by the time it gets to "Cy" and Nickie they should draw some pretty edible meat!

The DOT shall be a big factor tonight.

I think we got a shot!

Where's Gonchar!

Great win...keeps us in touch...

We need Gonchar immediately...he keeps Phillips in check and thinking...he puts #7 in the press box to get yet another look, another "feel" for the North American game.

Jared clutch goal, we were beginning to doubt EriK!

9mm, leading the league in scoring, this is no time to get hurt now??

Andy, will you ever figure your defencemen out, they're tough, ya must be on the alert at all times...

Zack and Condra deserve the "Daug", Chris Neil just doesn't handle the puck well enough to play with these guys...

"Cy" had a heck of a game, 9 shots, goin' every shift, won the dust up, shoulda had one...

Jason better...

Alfie get some rest you get Jason and "Cy" again tomorrow...

Carkner and Cowen no Chara let's give the Bruins a little of their own medicine!

Neil too disruptive!

Chris Neil is fine when he just throws that one big clean hit but when he starts to go around like tonight he gets our rookies and Nick trying to imitate him meanwhile the other team is picking their spots and the Refs let them retaliate because they think we're a dirty team.  Neil hurt us tonight.

Chris Phillips, once a game, loses his shooting lane, screens his goalie and lets the guy score from well out.

DEFENCEMEN are supposed to move the guy away from your goalie not into the crease and on top of your man. If you have no angle leave him alone until you can work your way back in front of him. Keep yourself between him and the puck.

Zack is not the same with out "Daug" put those guys back together, pronto...

Hate it when Jason gets tired and his brain shuts down. I think #19 got tired about 3 games ago.

"Karl" is playing a way too much...no excuse...Coaching group think error...

Alfie cannot take those dirty shots much longer...

Jared does not deserve "Karl" right now give him a break he's having enough trouble carrying his own load...

Tough game Nick...

Our PP is shot...break it down and start over...keep the puck down low for a few...

Love it when the Zebra decide they are going to teach us a lesson and ruin the friggin' game...

Andy was just OK...

Rundblad does not recognized when to stay, when to pinch or when to retreat...in fairness this is a whole new game for him.

Where was Carks...

The first game of the "Rebuild!"

As a wise man once said and I always say, at draft time (and for the last 20 years), you can never have enough DEFENCEMEN. Good luck Patrick and get well.

With Carks due to play a lesser role only Phillips has any age on him, this is the first game of the official rebuild. As opposed to what the experts think I think it will be wild and erratic but that the young defenders will do a lot better than we expect.

"Karl" should play less but more effectively...and he will tonight.

"Jared" will be a tower of strength...

Rundblad is finally ready...

Lee was ready a year ago...

Experience helps the young guys but when you have a Carkner, who has your back, makes you a little bigger and tougher...

Phillips shall rise to the occasion...

Jason will once again start to come back down low in his end and support his young charges...

Note: Tranna, last night, still get the first PP and do nothing then "Bham" 4 PP goals vs their "Kill Team". They really "Ain't Much" in a fair fight.

Conflict of Interest!

The Leafs owned by Bell (my Company) and Rogers (my Company) and that arrogant 25%er!

Kaberle to the Habs, I thought that "that guy" had just gone away...he may save the "Ghost" (and Jacques) his job...

Bad luck, bad cut, bad knee, bad eye and now concussion symptoms, the "Hockey Gods" don't have any way of evening out the Penalty minutes but if you inflict extreme pain on other combatants it has a way of coming back on you...

OV will be chastised tonight by the Refs during the Leaf game...it's so predictable...

Conflict of Interest number 65 for the SENs...play Carks with "EriK" to rein in the offensive urges...just a little bit...

Conflict of Interest number 19 for the SENS power play...make Jason stick handle all the way to the opposition Blueline where he can cary it or shoot it in...I'm serious it's that screwball back pass or the lazy lateral at center ice that traps everyone...

Remember, give me offence we can fix the DEFENCE!

Tough one!

The Caps were up for it tonight...

EriK's two worst games as a pro, his last two...his stick is too long...the pressure has got to him...

3 years ago, Alfie had the tier on his stick...

Jason has got to get some wingers, he is completely out of "Sync!"

9mm leads the League...

If you are not going to play Lee I'd start Carkner tomorrow night...

Andy is tryin' but there is only so much a guy can do...

The Bingo Line was over matched tonight...nice job by the 4th line...

Nick Foligno just keeps givin' 'er...

Condra = solid...

Nothing comes easy to these guys...there is no give up in 'em!

PS: Ottawa is the only team (ever) to get two (2) minor penalties on the same play...

"Hey Ref...how it works is one scoring play...one infraction called!"

PPS: If OV doesn't spear Neil we own 'em for the rest of the night...it almost turned the game as it was...great non-call the Tranna guys think...

I want more of our "Home Call!"

It's just not fair...

Boston PPO 92; TSH 96

Buffalo PPO 94; TSH 97

Montreal PPO107; TSH 110

Tranna PPO 102; TSH 103...But 16 of 27 games weather behind or ahead, close game or not, the Leafs get a tripping penalty to make up for the advantage they have had through out the game.

Ottawa PPO 89; TSH 119...that's a half an hour, biggest differential in the league!

Note: @ 20% on the PP that translates to about 6 points in the standings...

Plus our PP is better than everybody if they get as many opportunities as these other guys...

First time this year Tranna gets the first two penalties to kill in the first period and "Bham" two nothin'!

Tranna announcer #1: "Now we see the Toronto Defenceman Schenn running some legal interference on the Jersey forward!" They don't even understand the conflict in terms.

Tranna announcer #2: "And there is a nifty little pick run by Steckel to get his defenceman a bit of room!" This dork doesn't realize if it wasn't Tranna these plays are penalties!

Dave Jackson, the only Montreal Ref (the West Island) is getting heat for not giving the Habs the "Home Call"...we will probably get him to do our game tomorrow in a make up mood!

"I'm tired!"

I'm tired of watching tired old defencemen being over played late in the game because of some precieved minor error by one of our "youngins!" To our D-Coach, play 'em all, man...it's the smart play! Plus you are killin' our old guys!

Jason is tired of playing with out two top six wingers!

Andy is getting pretty tired of our total team DEFENCE, especially in the second period the long change has not been mastered yet!

Coach Paul is tired of being over penalized, that "fantom" call every game.

I'm tired of Greg Millen trying to tell me that it all evens out over 82 games...horse poo...

I'm tired of Gordie Wilson telling me the Refs are the same for every team no big market bias...have we forgotten the Zebra management in New York early in the year when the Rangers were floundering...and the Tranna bias is a joke...even in Boston 4 PPs to 1. And then with the game over 4-1 Boston, Tranna gets the late tripping call to even it  a little bit...this goes on every game folks.

I'm tired of us not getting the "HomeCall!"

I'm tired of waiting for #13 it's too bad but even if you do come back without surgery, at this level ya never come all the way back from multiple shoulder hurts.

I'm tired of Nikita Filatov, he's too slow to react, not in 200' shape, makes too much money in the "Bigs" to be developed there and is simply not strong enough yet. Do everyone a favour send him home.

I'm tired of Bob Butler, with the exception of 7 minutes 4 games ago, his play has "Stunk!" Butts you are out of  "sync" with Jason and "Cy" ya find their groove out there and it's not retreating to our end all the time...live a little, hang around and then bust your butt getting back...it's also a much more effectively timed back check.

I'm tired of the 1-3-1 or as I call it the 1-4 "Gap Eight Goal Line DEFENCE"! Remember Detroit, ya need a wedge buster run in conjunction with a strategic pick at their Blueline...the Refs will call you once because you are Ottawa but should leave you alone after that.

I'm tired of Tranna, Detroit and Boston running picks all over the ice and never getting called. I was listening to a radio game out west when in the third period the Announcer says: "Finally, with the game out of hand, Detroit gets called for a pick at the offencive Blueline. They have done it on every dangerous rush since the opening face off!

Top Six "Duds!"

Jason is getting pretty tired of playing short handed. So give Condra a shot at Left Wing and move the Cyborg to Right Wing. Rest #21 and put Butts back on the 4th line. Zack needs Neil as a picker upper! The "Daug"switches sides.

Phillips looks tired...

Jared had more minutes than "Karl"...

Andy is learning how to play behind our DEFENCE! We just haven't perfected it yet.

Rundblad is a cool dude...even Karl cannot rattle him.

Coach Paul, we need a swing coach. High and wide, high and wide, high and wide after awhile ya gotta get tired of finding your ball in the bush...shoot the crest (and it goes in the top corner) or even better keep it down and on the net where you get a rebound the best pass in hockey! Paul,ya gotta bring it to their attention.

Contrary to what that simpleton Healy thinks (read Jane Healy's book "Endangered Minds!") this is a very good young team. We need one more big time top six forward to raise every one's production!

Play 'em all Coach!

Ya got six defencemen ya play six defencemen...25 minutes each for Phillips and Gonchar against a hard hitting/forecheck like Dallas is too much.

Jason wasted the first fifty minutes of the game looking for Filatov.

We'll give #21 a pass tonight but he's got to be harder on the puck.

How often we see a defenceman switch sides and lose his perspective...his shooting lane...#4 first Dallas goal...Andy's stoppin' everything he's seein' so cover the pass and get out of the way they are not going to beat him clean from out there.

Dallas blocks the most shots in the league but they seem to sense when it's not a dangerous shot from well out and let the goalie see and handle it.

That's the first time this year that we got out skated in the 3rd period of a tight game.

I think we still need one more top six forward...that kid from Hull wouldn't look too bad out there in a Senator's heritage sweater.

Playin' these tougher teams Neil and Carkner would have made a difference tonight.

As I'm sure Coach Paul will say that was one we let get away.

Note: Stats guys...29 of 52 draws were taken by Left Wingers for Dallas and they won 59%...Horse Poo...I, an old draw man, scored it about even so it must have been that old score keeper again...57 hits one night none the next???

"Sink or swim!"

Nikita's nose is not broken so will dress but Paul will go to Butts on right wing on the big line if Filatov is lookin' like he needs a night off.

The big question...the DEFENCE pairings...

I'd go with the Swedish Offence #65 and #7 and give 'em lots of ice. The "old boys" (#4/#55) are doing pretty well with lots of rest and #2 with #5 will be fine.

Andy in goal again!

Zack's line ready for Ribeiro.

Jason is fine as long as he has "Cyborg!"

Alfie, 9mm and their new center are ready to really put it together.

The "Bingo Line!"

Zack, Condra and Daug are terrific.

Goal tending wins. Andy is plain "Good!"

Nick Foligno @ center goes back deeper in his own end and starts the rush as well as anyone...carries it with more authority through the center.

Jason...shooting!

EriK is "Cool".

Greening, our cyborg, is afraid of "Nothing!"

9mm two to start.

Alfie is right there taking it all in...steady as she goes.

So what do we do now?

Lee goes back in and Butts goes to the big line.

Dress Neil, make him play on one leg.

Or play 11 forwards.

The "Money Shot!"

The scoring shot right now in the NHL is the winger going too far, too deep and shooting short side top corner...if the goalie deflects it to the corner ya shoot it off the back of his goal pad (or his "Arse!")

Note: There is more than the odd one going in.

So Nikita, you being a right hand shot going down left wing allows you to hold the puck even longer before going high short side and your shooting angle is twice as good. Last game, you held it a little long but ya still had him down early with lots of room upstairs. Doubtless you have been told this but it's good to think about it again as this play will come to you more often than you think.

Jason the "Big Shooter!" It makes my heart flutter every time you let one go...even that one high off the cross bar. Again as you doubtless have been told if you and Nikita are going to put it together you are/will become the "gunner!"  So it's recognize the shot and take it. You and I both know you are much better at seeing these scoring chances than you are given credit for. As for the too far, too deep one you already take that shot so remind Filatov!

Nikita is back!

Option one to start...#21; #28; #16

Option two during the game...#21; #19; #9 with Greening going to 2nd line center.

Option three...double shift Jason...#21; #19; #16

Option four...#21; #71; #11

Do ya get the drift...the DaCosta experiment was done 5-6 games ago, this move was long over due and should have been explored out of Training Camp.

Just sayin'...

PHX played 5 centers tonight and Kyle didn't even dress...they have a very old defence.

EDM has two surplus offensive centers and no defencemen.

Waiting for Petr, who may return after xmas is a mistake.

Come on Bryan live by the sword, spend some of your young "D" stockpile!

Plan "F", bring up Filatov and play #14 @ 2nd center.

Plan "X" throw in the towel and bring up and play all the kids! Playing goal in Ottawa can't be any worse than playing in Bingo!

Protect Spezza!

The DaCOSTA experiment is over.

If we don't get another center ice man to protect Jason, his production will drop until he stops trying.

Petr is done with that shoulder even if he can come back he will not be a true second center.

Note: this is the National Hockey League, ya can't get by with only Jason Spezza and Zack!

Bryan, either ya go out and get us a real center man (ya got so many young NHL ready high skill DEFENCEMEN that you cannot develop them all) or throw in the towel on this season.

You cannot win...

In the Show, you cannot win without a "Big Time" goalie; an "All Star" 1st line center; a "Gifted" puck moving defenceman and a first line center playing second line in "Sheep's Clothing!"

Z-bad is starting to look like a super 3rd and may not be here for another year after this one.

Silfverberg is in Sweden.

I think shoulders (Petr) hurt bad many times don't come back. It's a bad wager.

#24 is badly over matched and Nick and Alfie know it and it is having an effect on them.

Winchester is game but is more valuable further down the line up.

Zenon is too slow.

#14 is unavailable.

Condra is a bridge too far...right now.

Brooks Laich plays in Washington.

Sid, Geno and Staal play in Pittsburgh...our next stop.

Foligno (and we love the guy) plays wing like a center but put him at center and he looks like a winger.

Due to some great advice gathered from various sources Bryan, you now have a glut of  young NHL ready defencemen...you cannot develop them all...

Make your move "early"...this season hangs in the balance...

Reasons...

Reasons to trade for Kyle Turris:

the man can play center ice in the National Hockey League

6'1" 190lbs; 22 years old

smart...knows enough that he doesn't want to play in PHX for Dave T.

as much as the prognosticators/commentators (those old knowledgeable pros want to tell you what a bad move he made and how dumb he was (and he didn't/and isn't) he is going to get out of PHX

a 3rd pick overall

will love Coach Paul and thus Bryan Murray

a first string center to play second line in sheep's clothing

imagine if Alfie starts getting the puck in scoring position again

the price is right...a young NHL ready defenceman and a pick (2nd?)

the price is right No. 2...$1.2 actual first year/paid for by one playoff victory.

projection...could one day play with our other 1st round pick #21

"Attention" Bryan Murray

Bryan, you are sending your loyal Coach Paul into a spectacle, a street fight with one hand tied behind his back and the other guy Bylsma,who is no slouch, has three of the best centers in the league and the last change.

If you were ever going to pull the trigger now is the time...or at least make a move to give Coach Paul some flexibility.

I'd bring up Filatov and play Foligno (nice size) at center with Alfie...Konopka takes his draws in our end.

Note: they are going to play three line hockey with you if they can as they try to get enough ego minutes for Sid, "Geno" and Staal.

Plan "B" is Winchester vs "Geno" but that's a tall order even with Alfie and Nick as his wingers. Spezza gets Staal and Zack will put Crosby in the sack.

EriK has got to cut an inch off his hockey stick, Coach Paul, Alfie and I (I've been talking about it since training camp) we have all told him and give the "Hotshots" a lesson at their own game (puck possession). It cost us two goals the other night.

Old Guys!

Jimmy Ralph, the old 67's goalie, another Tranna expert and commentator, says the reason that poor teams like Carolina (and Ottawa) have such a big differential between PPs vs PKs as opposed to good teams like Vancouver and Tranna is because they are behind the play and chasing the puck all the time. This coming from a man, who is fifty years old and should know better having played for Ottawa.

Marty McSorley, the man who clubs Donald Brashire because he was too chicken to fight him, says the Dawg getting boarded from behind was his own fault. Where does Sportsnet find these guys...he has the blinks from one too many concussions and was himself a multiple offender. McSorley, you are wrong and you do not know what you are talking about!

Filip Kuba, it's one too many (and we know you got hit on your bad hand again). One too many give aways in our end. One too many pucks not held in at their blue line. One too many failures to clear during the PP. One too many poke checks where you don't get the puck. One too many opportunities @ 6'4" 230 to smear some guy that is not taken. One too many deflections off of your body into our net.

EriK played like a man with the cold and a flu...or else he was still hung over!

Gonchar is getting very frustrated with himself and with the way the other young guys in the league are treating him.
                  

Twenty Games!

We are twice as good as the Tranna guys thought and we could be better...

It's time to get Coach Paul to ask Bryan Murray for a second line center...

The other night in Edmonton, Jason for some reason starts to float a little bit in our defensive zone, he's a way too high and leaving Edmonton guys all around and in front of our net completely alone. The second line comes over the boards Alfie and Nick do what they can but DaCOSTA is following Jason's lead and is playing a way too high. Stephane is told to come down low and help out and it makes no difference, he's ineffective. Plus he's like 1 for 16 at the dot so the Oilers have the puck all the time.

The game hung in the balance I thought we were going to lose the game in the opening minutes...

Because Butts had the big game in Calgary, Zach's line couldn't get on for the first 6 -7 shifts and they have become our best defensive forward unit.

So ya got Gryba, who, we don't seem to like but every other team does. Wiercioch, for whom there is a lot of interest. Carkner, who would fit nicely in Edmonton.  Lee, who we are going to regret but it's just numbers here and of course Kuba, what can you say about the "enigma"...Bryan, ya owe us one, pull the trigger...Hemsky, Gagner, Turris...if the guy can chew gum and skate, he can play between Alfie and Foligno right now.


And stop talking about Petr...shoulders ya cannot fix!

Contrary to what Chris Stevenson says, I think we got enough...let's make a run...

Bravado BS!

Who is kidding who...you guys didn't like the look of Filitov in camp...ya didn't give him much of a look...ya sent him down twice...

Who do you guys think you are...65k in the "A" is less than the minimum wage, ya can't live on that...remember he went all through this last year in Columbus, this man is no virgin, he has seen these hard ass North Americans before as they tricked him on his American league contract. He knows ya can't live on that money over here.

Man up, send the boy home...you guys don't want him, you don't know how to retool Russian Forwards for the North American game...we have seen this 3 -4 times before...

Call it new coaching staff, call it new guy incompetence, where no one speaks up, call it failure to recognize skill, in fairness none of our coaches or GMs plural ever had this man's raw talent or were first round draft choices.

As the Russian Puck Daddy says: "Filitov is a salary cap casualty and you are not going to bring up to develop at $2.2 mill when you can let him develop at $65k." Red Army would go as much as a $1 million for their former appreciated International STAR!

Ya lost a legitimate gamble, it's not the end of the world, move on...

"Under Reporting!"

Concussion is the most under reported injury in modern medicine today!

But Professional hockey is the worst. Colie Campbell says concussions are down by half to this point in the season...horse poo!

Trainers and medics call it...a bruise...a contusion...a scalp laceration...face wounds...whip lash..."Ershytterung"..."Commotion Cyrybrale"...any thing but a CONCUSSION so we don't have to count it.

Note: In everyday medicine they don't like to diagnose it  because they don't know how to treat it...take two aspirin and go to bed for three weeks...

Shanny, if you were being honest, the number should be about double, as any head doctor will tell you awareness has tripled!

"Clear and present danger!"

A young man out west just died from a puck in the neck...

These concussions, these brain traumas, these serious head shots are nothing to be scoffed at...Shanny, you and Colie Campbell think it's "clever" to delay...to allow the repeat offenders to string it out... to avoid the final sentence/suspension.

Smart falls somewhere between intelligent and clever. Make the smart move and start to take action to protect your players NOW...it's your job!!

Note: The League, Bettman, has got to get Campbell out of this process immediately...he is old news...he's bad news...he's trouble...

Note2: Shanny/Campbell say concussions down by half so far this year...hog wash...the NHL teams in their wisdom, are calling them "Whip lash"or any thing but concussion...Buffalo called Miller's concussion whip lash initially!

"Irresponsible Shanny!"

Mr. Shanahan, you are the irresponsible one. To brush off Lindy Ruff with your bullsh*t ruling and response to him, how insulting...who do you think you are??? That neanderthal numb skull Colie Campbell.

The stars, Sid and Alfie, are one thing but the "goalies"...

It comes back to the Eric Lindros question: "How many $15 dollar tickets do you have to sell in America to make up for a $50 million dollar franchise player?"

We know you are scared to death of "Big Market" America of which Tranna thinks it's the lead pony but as unusual you guys cut off your nose to spite your face. Boys, the players are the meal ticket, never forget that!

Here is the prediction you don't want to hear, Lucic being allowed to play reckless and dirty will end his career sooner rather than later, he is not a power forward, he is a somewhat skilled, over sized line backer, who is being encouraged to cross the line!

Cheap shot...head shot...dirty shot!!!

"Concussion!" is the most common type of "traumatic" brain injury.

Intent!

Charging! Goalies are not fair game!

It takes a really tough guy to run over a defenceless goalie.

This was another case of a "Little boy" tantrum...he fumbles the puck after making a good defensive play and he takes it out on the goalie, Miller, who can't believe that Lucic is still coming after the puck is long gone.

Miller should have used the goal stick on him because he knows none of the Sabres are going to take revenge.


 "NONE!"


Shanny...put your skirt on Alice because you are just Colie's....         Yuck!

Blame "2006!"

In the 70's ya played a 2-1-2 until late in the game with a lead then you went to a 1-2-2 with the centerman deep and the two wingers still pretty high at their blueline.

In the 80's/90's the Devils and others played a 1-2-2 all the time but it was not the full trap...you brought the wingers back and the defence stood up because you could charge and head shoot guys and if the puck carrier got by you your winger just hooked on and water skied him to the corner.

"2006" no more redline...call it not a left wing lock but a full lock, it is really a 1-4 "Trap" with the center not even crossing their blueline...in football it's called a Gap Eight or Goal Line Defence.

And ya know who has figured it out...Detroit Red Wings they use wedge breakers and run illegal picks all over the ice, especially at the opposition blueline and don't get called very often.

So Greg M. don't insult us by calling it a 1-2-2, it's a 1-4 goal line defence as Philly tried to show us...

NOTE: Every game...Watson and Banfield, they sound like two Tranna Dentists...1st period, three (3) straight power plays, two (2) PP goals to give the Leafs a 2-0 lead and a little help up the ladder. Of course St Louis get nuttin in the first...Hitch will be fired up after this one...

The Broadcasting Smoke Screen...

When you look at how bad (Name Wise) the Ranger defence is supposed to be and how well they played, what does that say about Phillips, Kuba and Gonchar...Bryan ya gotta let Coach Paul off the hook...

Andy is really givin' 'er but is fading...bring up the "Big Guy" from Bingo for Tranna...

The Sabres are Buffalo meat for Alfie...get him into the game...

Bob Butler goes to the press box with a clip board and rink sheets to trace the routes (plural) of #23...

Sit #55, Buffalo at home on Friday night are simply too fast for him...

Remind #4, he usta own Buffalo...

Jason, score a goal...

#2 and #7

#17 and #65

#4 and #5

And "Andy" stay out and stay up...you are not King Hendrick!

They don't look like a last place team...

It's OK to cary 3 old DEFENCEMEN (?), but you sit one of 'em the odd game and limit the minutes of the other two...Coach you have instituted a speed game, match your personnel to it...

Youth equals speed...

Alfie is going to help, DaCOSTA and Foligno.

Neil could drop a line (he's momentarily forgotten the puck) and give Condra a chance with guys who can skate with him...

Rundblad gave Andy the shooter and Anderson went down early and deep but #10 does that to goalies.

For Coach Paul to say Rundblad is better than Lee did not help anything and he is "Wrong!"

You are a NHL hockey player, the puck comes to you at the point with the other guys under some pressure and 5 of them standing in front of the net with your three, ya shoot the puck six inches to a foot off the ice not up in everyone's pants...the idea is that every player gets a shot at it or if it gets through to the goalie you are going to get a low rebound...this is basic hockey offence...

EriK has made the adjustment, he has brought his point shot down a good foot and half...and he got it on the net...

#14 took another shot tonight, I don't think he's 100%...but he keeps going back out there.

For the money he's makin'...

For the money he's makin' and the skill he's got, with Greening hurt, I'd have David Rundblad playing left wing with Spezza and 9mm. David may have to play 4th line left wing when they put Caspers up there on the first line anyways...

If Alfie cannot return for the road trip "Shanny" should be fired...failure to protect the safety of his players!

Robin makes peanuts in the "Show" let him come up and back up "Andy", the big team needs him...

For all you "Foligno Traders", Nick is playing second line on your big team all by himself and making a pretty fair show of it.

If I was Bryan Murray, I would call in every one of our stick manufacturers and make him personally responsible for the fit, flex, strength and playability of every player, who is playing with his stick on our team. I can tell ya just sitting there with the naked eye, some are too long, some blades are too thin, some of the shafts are too frail, others are too brital (pucks bouncing away)...Come on boys, this is National Hockey League, sharpen up!

Where is Alfie?

Five straight power plays in New York tonight, Rangers three nothin' in the first period, why can't we see a little of that...we are the least Power Played and most penalized team in the league by a wide margin!

9mm is all we got...

Zack is the "Nuts" of the team...

The "Daug" is an excellent hockey player...

Condra is just going to get better...

The commentary on Kuba is a smoke screen...he's brutal!

Bring up Lehner and give Andy a break, he's playin' great but he's ready to crack...

We need Alfredsson back bad...

Winchester couldn't put the puck in the ocean...

Jason has lost that half step again, we may be playing him too much...

Foligno is OK but ya gotta give him something to play with...

DaCosta got run over and lost a puck battle to a guy the same size as him.

Neil is starting to forget about the puck again...

At least #2 and #5 pushed the odd guy from in front of the net...

"Bryan...either play all the kids or go out and get us a second line center!"

Hockey's version of"Stickem!"

It was as if the puck would stick on the Montreal players stick and stay...ours not so much...ours not at all...

In the old days, the old experienced defencemen could stick around because they would take the puck off you and it would seem as though it was stuck to their stick...our old guys don't get it off the other guy and there is too much of that Pierre McGuire's active stick,waving it around to no result...put your stick on the ice and take the puck off the guy.

Butler stunk, he turned the wrong way all night. It was evident early that he was going to the wrong spot with the puck or his body every time...that's tough to do!

When the power play was number one Jason was shooting from the half wall...all of a sudden he's going back in the middle, into the traffic where there is no play...

If for no other reason than to show you are an intelligent builder, ya gotta gas one old defenceman each game for the next three...the broadcasters are trying to tell us how well they all are playing, it's a smoke screen...

DaCOSTA shows flashes but he's easy meat for any of the big hitters as he cruises through the neutral zone and over the blue line...look out!

Lee didn't do bad...

Jared was OK!

Andy did what he could...

EriK stunk...he couldn't hit a bull in the arse with a snow shovel tonight. Everything was too high...it's his new long stick??

What happened to the guy going to the net. They practiced that for twenty minutes at the pregame skate...vapour lock...

The ZEBRA thought they were in Montreal, thus the HOME NON-CALLS...

Where's Alfie?

Shanny is the "Chicken!"

Shanny is the "Chicken!"

He's afraid of the Rudderless Rangers...

He's afraid of Colie Campbell and his Secret Committee...

He's afraid of the Back Room Boys, who call the shots...

He's afraid of the Owners...

And he ain't afraid of small market Ottawa but watch them leave Brendan in the lurch and totally on his own when the next..."Just a Hockey Play!" results in a very serious injury where the victim does not walk away...

Note: Watch out for these "Little Boy" tantrums...Last year Jason's push from behind...season over. This year, this Wolski "Cut", mad at the world, unloads on Alfie...that's what Konopka was trying to tell us...

This is not the time to sit Jared...

Jared does not require any "over" coaching at the moment...

Cowen, with the big reach and front of the net presence, helps Mr. Gonchar a lot more than he gets credit for...

It's not #2's fault that #55 is not reacting fast enough at his own blue line...#5 does not have Jared's range...

Pacioretty needs to see the mirror image of Big Z, Max is getting uppity again and Jared is not afraid to put the body on him but good...

Lee in all fairness is too rusty for the Habs, unless you take one of our old turtles out the Defence Corp...

Reggie Dunlop says: "Let 'em know you're there!"

A troubled 6'3" 210 lbs wonder kid,  who is on his way to the minors because he doesn't play in traffic, has left Ottawa/the NHL with his own personal legacy...a late, no puck, out of position, blind head shot to Alfie, that could be career ending and Colie and Shanny let Wolski get away with it!! Shanny your explanation is simply wrong and it "stinks!" Remember the Ref penalized Wolski for an "Illegal Shot to the Head!"

Theories!

If you are going to subject your goalie to 40+ tough shots every night bring up the "KID" and play him about 1/3 of the time.

Start substituting for one old defenceman each game, they are worn out and it's only November...a fresh Lee is better than any one of them...

When you are the first line on a one line team, ya can't take nights off...especially against your own division...

I'd pay the ransom for Turris...

The "DAUG" is back for the Habs, he knows Montreal really doesn't like Latvians...

Foligno and his Parisian center could use Alfie in a big way, maybe for Buffalo...


Stop taking Neil off the third line, that line is as good as you have got...

Keep skatin' 'em, when you are this tired you either faint or get your second wind...

Coach Paul, you have the last change, let us see some bench jockeying...

Remember our theory, we have to hang around untill the New Year and our "young people" get 40 games under their belt...

Win or lose, it is fun to watch, thinking about the Tranna guys drooling over our real "prospects!"

"Boston Garden!"

Boston Garden...hot pucks, bad ice, Big "Z", Coach Julien and a lot of angry Bruins...and ya know what...our kids are not afraid of HIM...some of the guys that played with HIM are a little tentative but ya can't blame 'em!

Their goalie, is the best, but he looks fat and slower to me. Let's get him before he gets himself back in shape...

They miss Ryder, who da thunk it!

The Sophomore, because "Thank you Kessell" is playing so well is feeling the heat...he thinks he has to score 10 in ten games...

The Bruins are switching back to their Playoff pairings on defence...this is not good news.

The "little punk" thinks he's a fighter, a tough guy, he could be the source of two minutes of PP Time tonight...PPs for us are going to be few and far between...

Bergeron owned Spezza last year but he has not seen our "New and improved version" this year...

EriK  under normal circumstances no, but tonight on their poor ice and those bad boards if Lumbering Lucic wants to go into the corner first then let him...discretion is the better part of valour...

Kelly could be a factor...

Gentlemen, you are going to have to play the road game of your life tonight, but ya got the squad to do it!

The "Salty Daug!"

Caspers, the Salty Daug, is just getting a new bite, a fresh bark in Binghamton, New York.

The "Daug" is not the problem, his wisdom teeth are, he'll be back before you can say the Habs @ Scotia Bank.

But our MGMT Team is having a problem with #21; #16 and #24. Bob Butler will get Alfie's days off and that's it. DaCosta better get back in between his two big horses with some draw help (#28) in his own end and play lights out.

Alfie ain't goin' to Boston, no "Daug", so now ya got a daug's breakfast.

14, 19, 9

71, 24, 21

22, 15, 25

18, 28,16,

7 defencemen maybe...I'd play the Quarterback on the wing,  just for the Boston game...

2, 55

17, 65

5, 4

Our man #41 between the pipes.

"Hey Shanny, the non-call on Alfie's assailant, smells like a Colie Campbell veto...throw that old fart over the rail before you and Rob lose all your status!"

"We're playin' with nine guys!"

Bryan, I know we just won six (6) in row but you can only play with nine guys up front for so long until your knees buckle...John Paddock showed us that one...

Alfie makes ten but the coaches have no confidence in #21; #24 or #16...

As we knew all along we still need a first string center in sheep's clothing to play second line center because we are not satisfied  with just anyone. We have two expendable national league Defencemen...

How many times do you "whiff" on the clearing pass before the coach takes you off the "Kill Team"?

Lehner looks ready...he looked ready last year...

EriK wants to play 30 minutes every game and he should...

Jason was feeling the heat...we shall give him a pass for one game...

9 MM skating miles on his new wheels...

Rundblad looks like "Tom Brady", then the next shift he looks like "Tony Romo!"

Greening was ready for the NHL...really ready...

Zack just keeps on giving...

The "Dawg" is here to stay...shoot the puck...

Number ONE Power Plays scare the other guys...

Neil is on pace for 20 goals...

Foligno is having so much fun he thinks he is playing road hockey, but the coaches know his worth...

When Alfie comes back, Winchester gets a shot between Foligno and the Captain on the strength of his draws alone...

Just my thought "Don't start to OVER COACH Jared!"

"It's not weather you win or lose"...

"It's not weather you win or lose, it's how Robin plays the game!"

Robin Lehner is a first shot goalie so let us make the Leafs a one shot team. Needed is lots of rebound support.

Things to watch out for...the "National Hockey League" wrap around...it comes from nowhere!

Nick Foligno shall earn his money tonight, he will either make or break one or both the NHL careers of #16 & #24.

They got the "Dawg" playing with Zack and Neil, I think that should be Condra.

ZK 28 gets all the second line draws in our own end...face offs, face offs, face offs...it's the PP...it's the PK...it's puck possession...

Note: The Leafs have been practicing draws also...

Note 2: Tranna has had seven (7) more PPs and eight (8) fewer PKs than us in ten (10) games. Ya don't think that don't add up in the point standings...and they get this advantage every year "AJ". I gather you didn't play the Power Play or the Penalty Kill...

Note 3: Coach Paul is an NHL INSIDER, they will take of advantage of him early but this may pay dividends in the long run...it better...

Note 4: Something to watch for...on the road that puck flipping Lineman, the one who puts the puck on it's edge for TV Time outs, if Jason sets up well left of the dot, stick and body, this guy drops the puck on the (to Jason's far right) right side of the dot...this is the same guy that bounces one in three so hard they come back up 3 - 4 inches off the ice...

We look like sittin' ducks but the Leaf DEFENCE is not that good, they are very frail confidence wise.

Stay close until the third and then give 'em the big finish!

Trouble ahead...

Note: The Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team in the league that can go into MSG for the home opener after the renovation pick up two disallowed goals and the only two minor penalty power plays in the third period to defeat the Blue Shirts of New York...

There shall be a "Home Call" coming Saturday afternoon...

Problems: 1) King Henrik "stunk", that will not happen again.
2) Gaborik demoted to Christenson and Wolski...watch out. Big test for our #17/#65 combo.
3) Richards gets Calahan, who thinks he is owed two and Dubinski...the front of the net is where they hang out.
4) Tortorella will say the wrong thing to or about Coach Paul.
5) The ice is/looks like/could be fake ice, it doesn't even sweat right.
6) If we get the Linesman, who puts the puck down on it's edge for the TV Break, the Rangers are playing for the bounce.
Lucky 7) the Ranger DEFENCE is staggering...

Improving...

Coach Paul...old fashioned Bench Jockey

Have to admit when I saw the "Big" hit on our 2nd line center ice man after a pretty flashy T-camp  I thought this is the end of his bounce and aggression until next year...Don't know how long this will last but hats off to our man DaCOSTA...

Andy...composure under the gun

Davd Rundblad...superb

Alfie...clutch

Jason...ordinary tonight as in Ordinary Super Star

Nick...extraordinary effort

Greening...make one, give one

Condra...vision

Sergei...steady

Jared...2 solid hits

Mach 9...skated miles

EriK...trying to do too much

ZK 28...83% @ the dot!

Zack & Neil...power 3rds

"Just win, baby!"

Too many...Not enough...

Ottawa Senator's Center Ice Men...

Spezza

DaCOSTA

Smith

Konopka

Winchester

Condra

Greening

Foligno

O'Brien

Locke

As we see, all good men but it takes a special guy to play 2nd Line Offensive Center in the National Hockey League. Actually, he is really a first line center in sheep's clothing playing with the next best set of wingers!

There is no one out there (available from another team) that fits our team/roster right now so give DaCASTA  the job by acclamation, tell him to play high in the zone if it feels comfortable, relax, enjoy, feel the speed, learn...contribute!

We'd play it...

14,19,9

71,24,11

22,15,25

23,28,18

It's all we got...

Tranna...Colie...et al!

TSN guy says we are 3 - 5 - 1 when we have 4 wins...

TSN guy says Philly has best PP in the East when we have the best PP 31.2% by 2 or 3 points. Note: Tranna is 15% but have had 7 more chances than us this early in the season about one a game...

Colie's rules...'"his" finish your check bull sh*t...the puck is long gone, Simmons for Philly just keeps on coming, charging, late. AK 46 has enough time to watch his pass, turn back get his stick and gloves out first, then his elbow up to defend himself...two for defending against a late hit, charge...Shanny's got to look at this again...

Philly...Detroit...Washington..."the elites!" are allowed open season on obstruction and interference while Ottawa and teams of our ilk get chintzy stick fouls for nothing...Tranna are some where in the middle but just seem to be able to get the extra PP each and every game...

Game 10.

One in one out!

14,19,9

71,24,11

22,15,25

18,28,23

#93 sits for one game with #5.

Bryan and the Coaches get one more look @ #24 between Nick and Alfie and they get one more game to think about Mika.

Money talks...

Mika makes $1.775 mill. DaCOSTA makes $1.325 mill. That is $3.1 mill of Eugene's money (Like we usta say playing golf, that is not "Air Money!")

They don't talk about or publish depth charts very often anymore but believe me it's the number one sheet on top of Bryan Murray's clip board.

Monday Night!

Habs lose. Leafs lose. We gotta find our way back in here...

There is a lot of speed out there...Colorado...Florida...Washington et al...it's going to be tough...

Rookie linesman (maybe from the Texas League) calls an off side against Florida that wasn't (a scoring chance), then let's a Montreal off side go, then for the TV time out he puts the puck on it's edge in the face off circle (holy Indian Rubber Balls)...Colie, this is the NHL, I did one game on the Blue Line in my whole life and I'm better than this guy...

Ya don't think the Tranna guys don't know...Colour Man Jimmy Ralph: "Jeeze, I hope Tranna don't score on this PP because the Ref will have to spend the rest of the night trying to make it up to the Flyers!" After Tranna get another total "Phantom Call" to start a road game in Philly.

"Rocket" Richard in his 39th year, played mostly home games for the Habs and almost always had the energy to score a big goal or make a big play for the fans at the Forum. Maybe Alfie should be looking at a schedule like that...in case you don't remember Richard scored the big overtime goal in the play offs that year.

Put Mika right back in there!

Don't, do not change a winning starting line up.

For what it's worth we seem to be more effective when we start to mix and match later in the game.

Practice Monday put Mika right back in there between Alfie and Nick. This is the whole idea of keeping him with the big team.

Remind the Head Coach (Coach Paul), that Zack Smith should be playing 3rd line center every shift and being always available for 2nd line duty. But put him back with Condra and Neil for practice, it's good for their offensive touch.

Our PK problems were positioning and are now personnel. #17 he just never seems to get it out until one of their guys falls down. Filippé was  -1 and on for every goal against...

Our big guys are (seem to be) more effective when they come out for second minute of our PP.

Put your stick on the ice and leave it there. Part of being a big pro is knowing how to cary and check with your stick. Watch Detroit, dirtiest stickmen in the game...right on the edge, same with the holding but not quite over...

Mika was staying here with us from day one!

Mika Zibanijad is staying and will play second line center until he plays his way out of there.

Petr is done...it's too bad but it was projected right from T-camp that he would either play light and be of no value or he would go"Balls to the Wall" and keep hurting himself...wearing #13 didn't help...

Nikita may not come up right away but is on the way...and start him off with Zack and Neil that's where he feels comfortable right now...

DaCosta will get another shot but he really isn't ready to handle that big opposition center just yet...

Winchester is a big ask...coming out of the press box to be the second line center...

Zack Smith should be played as the third line center, all the time every game, sort of the second line center in waiting...

Frank Selke...Milt Schmidt...Punch Imlach...Peter Charielli...the guys, who had the good young ready rookie player and the space on the roster to place, develop, teach, watch over, direct and pay largely,  always kept the "gem", that one "Diamond in the rough" with the big team...and it always paid off for the team and the player...

No matter how thin things get Bryan can look down @ #93 and get a warm feeling in his heart, then look @ #2 and get another warm feeling...

General Managing is all about warm feelings for the man and his fans...

I understand...

Big win for the guys, Greening might just be able to cary Jason and Michalek.

Jason, with his new Alternate Captain's "A" and being a big time center man trying to play with that bouncing ball, should have been all over the Ref for a NEW FRESH FROZEN PUCK FROM THE FREEZER, that's a home call (request)...

Anderson was big league tonight...

Enough with the "Flamingo" (#4) and #14 if you can't get your body in the way of it don't flag at it, leave it alone, give Andy a chance...

Big goal for Alfie, that's 39 year old hand/eye...that's Alfie's tennis return, I wonder if our other old guys could still play competitive tennis?

I understand that ya have to play Phillips and Gonchar but to saddle EriK with Kuba night after night just doesn't seem fair when you have a Brian Lee sitting in the press box. It would free up David for more of the PP and make EriK the defencive leader of that tandem...

#4 and #55 had one shift early together but then the defenceman changer broke that pair in a hurry, I wonder what was so troubling to the coach?

Torts says #17 usta be one of the best at the offensive blue line...I think he has lost his confidence...ya can't play safe when you are on the ice with EriK...

Worth?

If you are paid $4 mill and two thirds of the time you play like a 550 what are you really worth?

If you are an experienced offensive DEFENCEMEN and you have a goal scored on you...you immediately start to play "Kitty Bar the Door" which you are ill equipped to play...What are you really worth?

Ping Pong, darts, golf, hockey is you play too long at a high level and your hand/eye starts to slip...What are you really worth to the team?

Rest Mr. Gonchar, make Filippé and Phillips as your 5-6 pair...PLAY THE KIDS!

"What doesn't kill me...makes me stronger!"

"What doesn't kill me...makes me stronger!" EriK Carlsson.

After EriK put OV in the sack the other night his reputation is growing and all the big rushers and puck handlers are going to want a shot to test him, for example, Jagr tonight. But if Carlsson is going to use his speed and finesse 'em he needs more than #17 can provide on the other side. I say give him his old mate Rundblad and throw 'em both in the frying pan and see how they fry. I think we'll be pleasantly surprised.

Note: One thing I know for sure if you are young, talented and interested, the puck bounces for you. If you are old, slow and disinterested the puck bounces through and away from you all night long. Ask Wade Redden.

If while on the ice with our new dynamic duo a forward breaks beyond the dots in his own end or does not come back home far enough before we have the puck or if David is not ready...automatic $100 fine for the Treasury of Lunch Time meetings...

Shoot the works!

It's time, we have been dancing around this issue long enough...

In practice on Monday let us see...

EriK and Rundblad

Jared and Lee

Phillips and Kuba

Play #4 and #17 against Jason and Alfie...now track and watch what is going on...

Note: EriK is the only one fast enough to play against Jagr's line and he needs more help than #17 has been able to provide so far...I think Rundblad playing with EriK will surprise the coaches...

Note 2: Konopke gets the first draw/shift against Philly's PP with Condra's sensible support...Jared and Lee, the first "Kill" defence...

Erik owns OV!

Erik Carlsson owned OV all night...


Alex was very good...


#17 the drifter...

drift it back to the other guys in the corner when we have some offensive pressure in the last few seconds of the PP...

drift off your coverage out to the blue line when you should be holding the off side post for your goalie...

drift back in and not cover the wrap around...

drift back out of position and have to take the tripping penalty...

drift it down for icing when ya got winger breaking into free ice...

drift it wide of the net everytime to the point where everyone in the rink knows you are going there...

drift into the corner and try to stick check some small forward when you should be using your 6'3" 230 lbs body to crush the kid...

drifting left when OV goes through your legs and by you on the right...

drifting the final shot of the night away up on the glace, no chance...

OV and the Caps...

To the Defenceman's coach...ya dress 7 but you play 6, it's an implied threat not a playing strategy...

To Coach Paul...ya got no extras up front, set 4 lines and leave 'em alone...

To the Special Teams Coach...on the PK, the point men are dangerous but so are the three guys standing around your goal tender, collapse to your net, plug the seams, then block the point shot...Buffalo just lost the game because the forward could not get back down to protect the net on the PK.

Greening, Spezza, Zee-bad

Michalek, DeCosta, Alfie

Foligno, Regin, Neil

Condra, Konopka, Smith

Rundblad, Phillips

Jared, Gonchar

Kuba, EriK

Alex

Coach Paul says...

Greening; Spezza; Butler

Michalek; DeCOSTA; Alfredsson

Foligno; Regin; Neil

Z-bad; Smith

Cowen; Gonchar

Kuba; EriK

Phillips; Rundblad/Lee

Anderson


Coach Paul says "Bobby" Butler is ready for "Prime Time"...


7 D this could be interesting...


This could be the start of Rundblad's career as a forward...

Believe it or not Mr. Kypreos other teams are having a tough time matching us when we can roll four lines...


If we can clean up the line changes and the chintzy stick fouls, we are going to have a shot to win most nights...

Line changes are not routine...are not easy anymore...once got benched for staying on the bench, showing up the coach, because ya gotta stay in the game all the time...

EriK is a stud (28 minutes), as I was tellin' ya a year ago, he's the fastest DEFENCEMAN in the league from a standing start, bar none...Mr. Rundblad is good for him, they shall play together as a pair one day...

Jared, it's time...the next guy that pushes you from behind in your own goal crease, take the "five", turn and drop the "Pusher"...let's get territorial...

Jason, you are goin' good, but you are an "Alternate Captain",  it ain't Pee Wee, when the Ref misses a call you do not try to make the correction while the play is going on...as we usta say: "Play the whistle!"

To Kypreos and Maclean...

To both you guys, you were both "cuts", neither of ya could make our Senators team this year even if we paid you  peanuts...

The potential of the Ottawa Senators is the future (contrary to your amateurish analysis) your Leafs are the present @ present and looking directly at about eleventh in the East again...and that's all they will ever be...

So boys, just stop talking about Ottawa, ya can't even pronounce their names correctly.

So Nick take Maclean and your holy water, sit in those expensive, over priced season seats, watch your mediocrity and just shut up about us...

Note: We shall finish ahead of the Habs and Tranna and in a play off spot!

A little psychiatry from yesteryear!

If your young team (with a few old defencemen) is tight and cannot get going 'till the third period, the solution in the old days was to skate 'em until they couldn't think anymore...Coach Paul gets full marks...

Or as Punch usta say to some of his more cerebral Leaf teams..."Don't think, you'll hurt the team!"

Note: there never was a cerebral Leaf team...

Anderson...better...I think he took a page from Alex Auld's book..."When your guys are playing helter skelter, join 'em!"

Big goal for Nick Foligno...big goal for the team...

Jason needs a right winger...give Butts his old job back...

This Greening guy is a player...

Chris Neil was the first star tonight...

We gotta stop booing Gonchar, it doesn't help anything, he's knows and he is workin' on his game.

Don Chery

We all know Don went into the boards head first...that's one serious brain trauma...brain injury...concussion...

When Chery was on the way up with his very tough brother Dick, Don could hold his own in a hockey fight but as time went on he turned into a punching bag...and with no hats ya also got hit in the side of the face and in the back of the head, very hard, very often...on top of taking the odd one directly on the chin...also this was before the era of the big Lines Men and a lot of the fighting continued down onto the ice...


Mr. Chery's head looked like an old Speed Bag...

When the Big Fellas win this law suit, one of the stipulations should be that Don Chery has to donate his brain to science...with the appropriate documentation...

Note: As the fight continued to the ice often if you couldn't punch the guy all you could do was bang the guy's head on the ice and worst of all the smaller lines men were not well co-ordinated or one was chicken(and I don't blame him) ya got the other (Homer) lines man holding you while the big guy throws free shots at your head, a can't miss target...what a time...what an era...

Coach Paul's Home Opener!

Greening; Spezza; Z-bad

Michalek; DaCOSTA; Alfredsson

Foligno; Regin; Neil

Condra; Konopka; Smith

Phillips; Rundblad

Kuba; Karlsson

Cowen; Gonchar

Anderson

5; 21 and Butts sit...it's called 3 head coaches...all old guys...

This could be the end of Filatov and the return of Z-bad accross the water.

The 12 million dollar question (bet)...can 33 (#4), 35 (#17) and 37 (#55) pull our chestnuts out of the fire?  So far it looks like the under.

Andy has got to face reality...in the old days we usta say: "He's gotta stop 'em all!"

Note: My 3rd line would have been Foligno/Zack/Filatov...but they were only the most effective 3rd line in pre-season and when you mention that to the coach (Filatov)...well that's the end of that!

Age!

When ya get a little bit older your nerves go on you a little bit...except for Alfie...

Still love our 30 something DEFENCEMEN but I would make them wear their  age, 33-35-37, in practice for a week or so to remind them that if you're are going to make their kind of money at their age ya got to try harder than the kids and be better than everyone on the ice...at practice and in the games...

Andy, it's time to get pissed off and start to bear down...you take the shooter...nobody is deken ya, you are too center deep, too honest...

DaCOSTA is tougher than I thought...he's good and tough...

Zack has got to play more...Greening, Zack and Neil...

Zee-Bad should watch a couple up top and then go back...don't stunt him at this point...he is going to be a big time player...

Coach Paul, you have only one move left before the home opener, skate the nervousness out of them, PP, PK and then NO PUCK...get 'em mad they are having too much fun...

It's better to be the Head of a Senator than the tail of a Leaf!

Leafs had only one 5 on 3 for a minute and 8 seconds last game...

The good news...SENs have the best Power Play in the league, 66%...

The bad news, we don't get our first  Power Play until we're down 4-0...

This is the ACC, the Leafs are allowed 3 infractions until 1 penalty is called, conversely, like Detroit, we get 3 or 4 in a row until Tranna scores...

Our old boys, our 30 somethings on D, have knocked the rust off they will be better tonight...

Jared is our best, Carlsson is the worst..."EriK" that's not how you told Hugo it was going to be...

It's time "Andy!"

Interference!

I guess those experienced Red Wings just know how far to go...give me a break...they held everyone and anyone around their net...their offence is designed off a pick...they cheat at the draw all night long...

The Sens stick work is very amateurish...no excuses...

DaCOSTA gets credit from that same old homer high miler stats man for one (1) take away in the first period, the man had at least four (4).

Andy is terrific but he's going to see a ton of break aways with our three high milers on DEFENCE so stop going back so deep and honest...start guessin'...

That first goal...what happened...Detroit has like ten guys on the ice and Bert comes out of nowhere...gentlemen, trust me Gonch is not the one to worry about...

The damage that Jason can do in one period, imagine if he played the full game...

Filatov wants to play with Foligno and Neil, he will end up there...

Alfie looks good but you have to give him someone to play with...

Should be an interesting line up for tomorrow...Coach Paul coaches like Toe Blake, if you're goin' ya get ice...

Brain damage!

Don Chery should have to donate his brain to science...

I think Don should be made to count his concussions and document them...

Don Chery would probably run away from anyone of those guys, I saw him play...

Don, your era, is past...it's over...there is a link between fighting, drugs and  brain damage.

The "Big Fellas" have got to go...it's time...

Note: How about this one, the Doctors told me, it's the second one, the second concussion that is really dangerous and causes more and permanent brain trauma...damage. The drugs cover the effects of the first concussion allowing the player/fighter/person to go out there and get hit again...

"Bar down!"

Bar down an old American League term to describe Dion's goal...he doesn't get that bounce last year.

Steckel 18-7 a Tranna count (I had it about 16-9) but he's big  and strong and that's big in the face off circle. We may have to get Sid to start complaining...

What's with Lupul...20 minutes...4 shots...a helper...this guy was/is an over paid cast off!

They got Kessel thinking DEFENCE first, this is good...

Komisarek, 6 hits and a punch not a man over 150 lbs...his face is all chewed up maybe someone gave it to him in practice...

The goalie, as Toni Montreal says...a 3 shot and a post shut out!

I think this Tranna win works for us...

Enough with the "Speed" bit!

Enough with the speed bit, it's a cover up foisted by the Owners on their broadcaster puppets.

I admit the game is faster but the idea that that covers some very young men acting like very bad boys at the play ground  is false...

Example: First suspension, the slowest guy in the league coming very late and slow and who would not have got there at all if the puck isn't mishandled...vicious...dirty...

Example 2: Clarke MacArthur is gliding because he has the angle, speed has nothing to do with it and he elbows the guy for just going by...for nothing...mean...dirty...

Example 3: The big expensive defenceman just "cold cocks" the guy, the game is over everyone has stopped skating...vicious...mean...sneaky...dirty...


It goes on and on I could sight case after case...

But the ones that really gets me and Shanny let it go...Campoli describing the play...he starts standing at the far boards with the "LURKER" Malone. Campi is pursued behind the net by the center man, in the process of being checked loses the puck and stretches out to retrieve it...the LURKER, who has just followed the play on cruise control must leave his feet to generate enough (speed) momentum to really rattle Campoli`s unprotected head...

Note: that's how Alfie got it last year...this has nothing to do with big speed and bravery...this is the old, one guy holds 'em and the other gutless wonder gets a free shot!!

How about Downie on McAmmond...how about Pronger on McAmmond...speed had nothing to do with it, give me a break...

So stop with blaming everything on the speed of the game already...most times it's BS...

How about this piece of Refereeing, we're playing on the road, I get chased behind the net and out the other side, the checker puts the stick on me to slow me down, not one but two guys, a small forward and big defenceman, (who pinched down) smear me at the same time...I get up to squash the forward and end up fighting with three guys...didn't do too well, took a couple of healthy shots...then got the extra two for being the instigator...LURKERS...that little forward would no more have taken a fair run at me than fly over the moon...

Who knows?

Who knows...certainly not the experts...it hurts my ears to listen to old pros be so wrong and cover themselves by following the other old guy, who doesn't have a clue either.

Note: Even Nick the Greek says he just throwing darts/guessing...

Washington

Boston

Pittsburgh

Tampa Bay

New York Rangers

New Jersey

Buffalo

Ottawa Senators

__CUT LINE_________

Philadelphia

Montreal

Winnipeg

Toronto

Carolina

Islanders

Florida

There are some good teams that are going to miss because the are "NOT" good teams...

Burkie calls in a favour!

We forget Burkie was a League Law-Man, a former Sheriff before Colie even...

So the Back Room Boys (read the Owners) instruct Burkie as ring leader of the Numbskulls (read GMs) to call in a favour of the League Office. Now instead of confronting the "New Sheriff", who is goin' "Balls to Wall!" A super clean up job.  Burkie calls on his former (conspirators) colleagues,  Mike Murphy, Colie Campbell and the old hockey puck who does the Video Goal Review, on the instruction from on High, to start to submit unsolicited opinions and reviews of former and current suspensions. Of course it's all hush hush but it resulted in the Campoli reversal. And the complete absence of anymore "Fighting Talk!"

I think it "stinks!"

I think the Montreal guys should yell "Blue Murder!"

But they have sucessfully defanged Shanny, making him the "Lame Duck" that they really wanted all along.

PS: Just love those brilliant Colie rulings and explanations...Yuk!

Brian Burke has to go...

Burkie has to go...

Brian Burke with his "Old Boy" truculence and tough guy stuff is influencing a lot of the old GMs (the Numbskulls) maybe even Bryan Murray (no) I'm pretty sure he is the ring leader of the "Circle your wagons group", who started the criticism and the rumors that Shanny should be reined in.

Brian Burke is a brutal GM with a terrible team...they are not even tough...the fruit of 4 years...

I don't like two DEFENCEMEN and one forward even if Mathew is with the Player's Association. It's like talking to Galley and York...

NOTE: MOST dangerous play in hockey, when you got the puck and you are being checked and distracted by a forchecker, the LURKER,  you don't see him, it's as if he's hiding behind a post, steps out and rips your unprotected head off!

Actually Shanny never had a chance it was all pre-season window dressing and when Shanahan started talking "fighting" to Peter Mansbridge (CBC) the curtain closed...

I feel sorry for Sid, how do you play in that League, cary the puck as much as he does and not mishandle, over skate or just lose the puck off your stick or recieve the old one-two like Campoli. If I were him I'd get one of those huge oversize concussion helmets (I usta wear a full suspension Riddell) and paint a big yellow 2" wide strip down the middle so the guy that hits Sid will know his career is over!

"Fumble!"

Shanny, ya dropped the ball but I guess it had to end sometime. Now we can declare "Open Season" on heads...we can imagine the pressure must have been enormous...ya gave it a heck of a shot but you came up one call short...

So Sid sit on the IR for a little while longer on Company Time because some hammerhead is goin' try to make a name for himself as you well know...

If Colie had even an opinion on this one the Montreal guys are going to "riot!"

I think it "stinks" ya blew the call!

Goin' in high...

Intent...

Full/flush head shot...

Totally vulnerable puck carrier...

Note: to all puck carriers...do not...I repeat don't misplay the puck or you are dead meat!

You remember the game "Keep away"  it now becomes "Give away and bail out!"

Recommended last second/nanosecond reaction save your brain dive into his legs with your shoulder...

Brendan, you have made the Numbskulls and their back room boys (the Owners), the Neanderthals and their groupies very relieved and happy...you may now move the studio to Tranna.

The Habs are a caricature!

Tony...your Hab Super Heroes...Max Pac, Pleks, AK46, PK, Go Go Gomez, "Old King Cole", Mighty Mouse, your little Captain are, in realty, cartoon characters.

The League has it in for the Montreal Canadiens ha, ha, ha! Shanny decided to use Campoli as an example of where he made a mistake...maybe "we" get a break this year...

You guys are going 0 and 2 to start, no three pointer in Tranna to start either.

Canadians need to get tougher. Not fighter, "Big Fella" tough, gutsy go hit 'em back tough...Hal Gill is too gentlemanly, Price for a big Goal Tender does not defend himself well, it goes on and on through out your line up...

Your prognostication of a Division Title is so far off the mark that I submitted your name to THN (Tranna Hockey News) for a top job with them.

"Dish Pan Hands!"

It was a different era, because I was the youngest, my mother made me wash the dishes every night with out fail. So I had beautiful,"soft", sensitive, wide receiver type hands that got mashed between helmet and ball running back a punt. I could catch that big old J5V @ 40 yards with one hand.

Hockey practise we're on the same team and the bully (a big guy) picks the fight and then doesn't want to go. So a week later, at the corner of Lisgar and Elgin, 5pm on a Friday afternoon,  4000 on hand (not an exaggeration) because the whole down town core is thrown into grid lock, the Police and the Police Station are only three blocks away and cannot get to the scene because the Laurier Bridge is jammed, it turns into a major hockey/street fight. When your hand and his face are half frozen it doesn't take much of a bare knuckle punch to close the eye and cut a guy bad, 9 maybe 10 stitches. I was accused of wearing a ring on my poor old broken right hand (I don't wear a ring on either hand.). More re-broken small bones. The big guy was never the same, turned into Mendel Meek, I often wonder how badly concussed he was? Now this incident I have to admit was the exception! But the Doctor or often just the Nurse would stitch the cut and not embarrass you by asking if your head hurt...I'd like to say those days are long over but...

Note:  Breezly Bruin, that big x Mountie in Morrisburg and of course "Black Bart" ya can't win 'em all!

PS: And those guys with the little gloves on...that's not bare knuckle fighting!

PPS: Fans don't realize how violent life is at that level.

We like Shanny in New York!

Imagine a Leaf, a good player, getting a two game suspension (one vs Ottawa) to start the season.

In the circle the wagons, old boys club of Tranna, where a behind the scenes power play of leaked threats and innuendo for the first time in hockey history didn't work...(the Smith on Smith hit.) What are the Leafs going to do without the extra PP and the odd free goal!

Brendan, you stay in your studio, fortress New York with the Big Boss, them Tranna guys have trouble with those E-mails to Gotham City.

In fairness to the GMs (the Numbskulls), some of them are phasing out the "Big Fellas". Man that looks bad when you have a one punch KO like that shot a night ago.

 A recollection...a  kid from Hawkesbury, a fairly big defenceman, challenges me to a fight at center ice for no good reason, then dances around and prances right into a full right cross...I broke all of the  small bones in my right hand...went to the training room and was sick to my stomach...he was out before he hit the ice...nose completely smashed...it's a terrible feeling both ways!

How soon we forget...that's how it all ended for Joe Palooka...

Sharp!

Sharp...tradition...excellence...

Jared's sweater looks like a night dress...the dress of the "Grim Reaper!"

The white bib at the bottom, haven't seen that since the "54 Royals!" We shall see how the guys wear 'em...tucked...up...or reguler...

Of course mine had to go back to the tailor, an error of omission, I usta sell custom built golf clubs, I should have known better.

The design was done on and for Alfie which it should but by the time ya get to Carks and those guys it shows...

Andy with the perfect matching pads...well projected...well done...

After Saturday!

Filatov/Spezza/Michalek

Greening/Zee-bad/Alfie

Foligno/Smith/Neil

Condra/Konopka/Petr

Jared/Gonch

Philly/Lee

EriK/Kuba

Andy/Alex

That's 25 to start...

Note: David is close enough to stay in Bingo, this is good, as it did not look like that was the case early on @ camp...

Note 2: Da Costa will be on a short leash, so let's hope he does something in the "A".

Note 3: Coach Paul has (NOT) realized that Filatov and Jason are the same guy. (Puck distributors!)

Note 4: to the Special Team's Coach...Jason doesn't have the energy or the sacroiliac to play on the kill team, no matter what he tells you...he never killed anything in his life...we need him on the offence too badly...

The old boys are circling their wagons.

The numbskulls (the GMs) and the rest of the hockey old boys club are circling the wagons and are taking a stand on the Smith on Smith hit. It started with Babcock, he had to defend his player. Then you get guys like Maclean...and Yorkie even...blaming the puck carrier, YUK.

I say give him 1 game to placate the "Numbskulls" but to set the president that that hit is no more.

If you wanted to drill some kid at the park, on the out door rink, who was showing off, you waited 'till he gave you the "McNab Suffle" (Now called a toe drag.) and ya drilled the kid with your shoulder, it's actually one of the easiest dirty checks you can throw in hockey...the puck carrier is completely defenceless. He is suspended (note the term) in mid air hanging there. The only thing you have to watch is that, at the last nanosecond, you have to make a conscious determined lunge at the guy or you will sail right by him...

Come on Shanny it's your make or break call...

Definition of a Numbskull: That's a guy, whose head doesn't hurt anymore because he doesn't have to play anymore...as in no sense...no feeling...

Note: Example...Joe Palooka

Note 2 @ noon...Smith got 5 games...excellent Shanny...

It's not that bad!

We didn't have EriK or Philly...

Jason decided to take the night off...(First PK, ya gotta collapse to the net.)

Andy is terrific...

David is showing a little, too little, too late but the guy can play a little...

Jared may not be the Big Z but he is certainly our version of him...best clean body shot of the night...

Zee-bad will be one heck of a center ice man next year but will be fun to watch for his 9 games...

Gonch is no Norris candidate but he's 100% better than last season...

Coach Paul, ya gotta really take issue with the stick fouls, I know most of the kids and the sophomores are bushed at the end of camp but we are just not good enough to take all those chintsy penalties, they are too hard to kill off...

Filatov is good, very skilled but he's a puck distributor...

Chemistry, it looks like we got all the wrong guys playing with all the wrong guys...almost every non powerplay goal scored this pre-season was off a broken line...

So I guess it's back to #9 with #19 and Butler...Alfie might find Filatov interesting...

Konopke leads the DRAWMEN!

Zenon Konopke leading the draw takers everyday in a drill at the end of practice, excellent, something I have been advocating for years...let's see the pay off.

Note: one or two big D-men should be included in the Face Off drill as when your center is in the wrong dot and the Big Guy, I'm thinking of Jared, who shoots the other way, let him move in there and take care of business.

Note 2: It gets the D-men and the forwards involved together in another application of DEFENCE!

Hey Lloydy, the common folk usta have two days of qualification to get to play the "Royal", the good thing was the first two rounds were at Outaoais and the Hunt Club.

GM Doug Maclean, who we find out today was a school teacher and should know better, is washed up, no one young or old, wants to hear an old man rant day after day...he's ruined it, for me. That stupidity today was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Hold your breath Sid is back...

Yorkie/Doug, you boys are so wrong, dead wrong, head shot...head shot...head shot! The puck carrier  was pulling his head back...ya can't hit people like that anymore...

ONE DEGREE!

One degree of increase in the curve of your blade is the difference between post and in and post and out...message received by Big #9...

One degree of loft or off set which ever you prefer is the difference between cross bar and out or cross bar and in! Jason, ya lead the league in cross bars last year, so please take note, I think you have two maybe three already in preseason, we need the goals.

Alfie, when the hip is 100% and you are standing square again, it's 1 inch shorter and two degrees up right just like your 3 wood...like the old days...

Filatov uses a shorter stick, just like Gordie Howe, and it shows. It also allows you to shoot quicker so let 'er go...early and often.

It seems EriK has gone to a longer shaft (more power) I'm not sure I like it...he has power to burn.

"Come heyah an' looka yonder"...No suspension for Chris Neil, I can't believe it...Good call Shanny...your making those Tranna announcers look bad...they gotta lose that old goalie!

Post lock out/new rules + old D-men = ?

It took a couple years but the game has truly changed...Speed kills...

Post lock out/new rules + old D-men = Tough Times.

Don't get me wrong I still love our thirty somethings on DEFENCE but we're caught we got two too many.

Sophomore forwards don't support their defencemen/goalie as they should yet!!

Why is everyone afraid to tell David he is stinking the joint out...it might have helped him had he been told early on...

High performance/High speed skill is a gift it cannot be taught...look up under Zee-bad in your hockey glossary.

Let's see the full squad I am starting to doubt myself...

Big game for Mr. Rundblad...

- we love David's skill level but...the SENs have a plethora of offensive D-men right now with a large group of sophomores to protect and play defence behind.

- #7 could end up in Canada, Sweden or the US of A depending on the game tonight...

- let's be honest based on his play thus far he couldn't make his old team in Lycksele, Sweden right now...

- this man is not EriK, he's 20 years old and I think he needs another full year to grow and harden.

- the big league forcheck has shown his big ice, Euro approach to the set up and break out...

- his offensive confidence is not matched with an equal amount on DEFENCE.

So...we don't really need him right now (9th on the depth chart) so let's not ruin the kid! If he is sent to Bingo he's not coming back this year.

If he shows anything DEFENSIVELY against Tranna, I'd love to be the first to eat crow!

What about...

What about my man Cowen with EriK...#4 & #5 and Gonch and Kuba...Carks starts up stairs.

Chris Philips, Gonchar and Filip all should get some games off.

How about Mika, I think he makes the team AND he gets Alfie and Michalek...

#7 needs another year, he's only 20, let him go back to Sweden and harden up. I think the "A" will be a nightmare for him right now.

I'd show 'em the league video and then start working on the stick fouls, we look like we're at the "Wood choppers ball" out there and it's been like this every game in the pre-season...the ZEBRA will not even have to invent the calls if this keeps up.

Coach Paul is a pro, we love a coach who when everything is not exactly going according to plan has the patience to stay off the (young) players...

Alex Auld can still play a little...

We have a pretty big team, just like the Bruins, it will start to show late in games...if I were the Leafs or the Habs I would want to stay home too.

"Come heyah an' looka yonder" the Buffalo guys (D'Arcy Regier) say now that Tim Connolly is not an offensive juggernaut anymore but that he was transitioned to a DEFENCIVE Specialist...Burkie, ya gotta start reading the scouting reports...