Howie58

Thanks for setting me straight on this. Kind of interesting; I normally see us having problems with these folks. I wonder what our long-term track record is against these people. Best, Howie

This was an OK road trip. I would not indict the new defenders after a few games. And frankly, it looks like Grossman is having fun booming away from the point. My biggest concern after last night's game--why the hell haven't we won in that venue since 1999? What does that say about our play against Western clubs? If we want to win a Cup...we need to look at our performance against the West...and I suspect it is not so hot. Howie

Hockey Hockey: I like your trademarks. They brought some Monday morning laughs. Consistency is pet peeve. Thinking about our contrasts between and within seasons since the strike is almost mind-boggling. Peace, Howie

I think this will be a litmus test on whether we keep our young players or let them be harvested by others. Meanwhile, thanks for your kind words. Best, Howie

Bear: Dad is probably not here for long but I hope we all get to 91 with our marbles intact. As for Homer...you and I hope he builds a nucleus of good young people. And yes, maybe Bryz get his "bleep" together.... Best, Howie

Bear: Good to hear from you...dealing with a sick Dad and work BS...Flyers hockey is a good diversion. Bryz...lost season or lost career in Philly...won't know until next year. The contract was un..f....believable. But this was Homer...not me! My hope is not to cannibalize the good young players. Peace, Howie

Greetings: There is another related thread on Snider. Yes, we are hamstrung by 1) A commitment to win every year instead of accepting ebbs and flows; and; 2) Constant hiring of insiders/former players. I think the other "problem" is history. We might be better off thinking about our franchise since the strike rather than over 40+ years. Two cups 35+ years ago in an era when 5-6 teams dominated the league year-in and out might not matter much. What I see is a post-strike team characterized by one word: inconsistency. We have had the worst season in franchise history followed by a final four. Two years later we barely make the playoffs and go to the final. Along the way--seasons with good and bad stretches. I am hopeful we do not trade away this cadre of forwards. If we do--it will mean past is prologue. Peace, Howie

Mad: I think you are correct in two ways: 1) The Win Today/We Will Challenge for A Cup Every Year Mentality; 2) Inbreeding by Keeping Insiders at the Helm. Both hurt the franchise. But we are powerless to do anything about it. The game against Edmonton was an interesting contrast. They accumulate 1st round draft picks via the draft.We do it that way on occasion, but I suspect we've had more of other franchises than of our own! Peace, Howie

Good Morning: I hate to say it but we may be watching something else: Two style of developing a team. Our nucleus was obtained largely by trade--their's via draft. Their kids will grow together as a unit...ours will hopefully grow together over time. Having five first rounders playing together who were drafted by the team...Edmonton may be a power to reckon with a year or two down the road...we will be wondering about work ethic (which may have been picked up in Columbus or wherever) and chemistry. Peace, Howie

Howdy: God only knows how much we would love to dump Bryz or get some "assets" in return for Bobo. But who would take the former and what might we expect for the Bobo. Me thinks we are stuck with these dudes for at least another half season. If Bryz sucks next year...we could see the nuclear option and a waive with someone picking him up on recall at half price for a risk. Bobo may or may not get much. I am not holding my breath. Hopefully our cadre of good young forwards doesn't get sacrificed on the alter of Ed Snider's ego and mandate that the goaltending gets fixed. This franchise couldn't develop or retain a good goaltender even under the threat of a drunken rabbi doing a botched circumcision on the players, owners, male fans (no, this isn't Africa, no women), or whomever. Peace, Howie

Terp: Yes, the Primeau Parallels are scary and sad. There are risks in all professions and their cases are examples. I have a feeling the Kabina trade is a good indicator Pronger is done. Kabina might be signed to have on board for a short-term solution to CP's retirement/LTIR. Best, Howie

Doom, You are correct--time will be a good judge here. I don't think Carchidi is too bad. My concern is is belief that these trades done to cover Bryz. That is part of the deal. But that is one man's opinion. H

Bear: I am in Jersey this weekend to visit Dad. I saw the last two periods and felt sick. Two shorthanded goals plus incompetence. I didn't see Bryz's antics but as Carchidi said, candor over incompetence is a style that wears thin. It will be very interesting to see how this plays out. And yes, perhaps they will run him into the ground. Giving up all these picks bugs me. It just seems like a throwback to a different...and worse time. Is Homer turning into Clarke Redux? The other take: Homer knows that Pronger isn't coming back..and Homer wants a senior statesman back there? Be good Bear! Howie

Now we have a GM mortgaging the future to save the team butt.That is Carchidi's take...is there agreement? It bugs me.

Bryz was soft today. But Bobo doesn't leave me with a warm and fuzzy feeling either. This has been painful to watch...about the only thing I can say is that Grossman is big. Howie

Agreed with you and other posters that these guys have to be careful and the fog of war may be at play; but I just didn't like the tone or appearance. If there is a blockbuster...so noted and my assessment will be valued at what it cost to put it here! Best, Howie

Agreed. I think that Homer has his hands full. Pronger's status is painful from a roster planning perspective...retirement/LTIR solves the problem...but if he comes back, what can we expect and for how long? I guess we have to see! Howie

Greetings: I admit this is psychobabble but wanted to get it off my chest. Homer's trade assessment that was on the net was interesting. It's one thing to be coy about intentions. But Homer seemed detached, and his voice and looks could be "Zen" or detached depending on view. My takeaways: 1) To say he is in no hurry to sign Grossman is an understatement. When a guy comes out and says something like "this gives him an opportunity to see if he likes us" my read is "let's see what we get from this guy and take it from there." 2) I thought Homer's speech pattern was interesting. Would I say he was lying? No. But he made no eye contact with the reporters and rambled. Yeah, he had phone calls with other teams...but when asked about other big deals he went silent for about 15 seconds and gave no real indicator to me of what was meant or said. 3) On two occasions he commented about the problems the team was experiencing of late. And he did not say they were short-term in the cycle of a season. He seemed to be inferring they were structural--at least that was my read. Again, I am no psychologist but body language sometimes speaks more than words. My read was of a tired GM who sees some serious issues with the team and may know that Grossman was sort of a band-aid. Best, Howie

Greetings: I guess this trade comes under the heading of "calculated risk." If the guy plays well and likes it here, maybe he sticks around. If he doesn't, we gave up "extra picks" via trade to hopefully bolster a weakness until we find out more (publicly) about Pronger and see how the youngsters pan out over a season. Hopefully Homer has decided that the forwards he has on hand appear to be a Cup nucleus. Then he trades and builds to keep them. The D needs reworking and the goal is beyond understanding--as I have said before, Bryz's performance will have to ultimately be judged next year--do we have a lost season or a lost career in Philly. So--Grossman's signing is "marginal" for the franchise. Homer may know more about Pronger's condition than we think. Our trade activity may reveal more or less about that. Best, Howie

Well time goes in one direction for all of us. Best, Howie

At age 54 I still think...not as well as I used to, but thoughts flow...but more like low-grade maple syrup than synthetic blend motor oil. Take care and thanks for helping to keep the board civil and productive. Howie

BOI, we may not go back as far as Hartford, but I won't call you crazy. I agree RE: Pronger's condition. I suspect his career is over. I would like to think Homer will try for some upgrade at D. He is stuck with Bryz--Bobo may be trade bait. What's amazing is that the 27th is around the corner. It seemed like the season's opener was yesterday; now October seems like ancient history. Best, Howie

Rux: I think a "dump" trade is rational. The corps or forwards is worth preserving. I am wondering if Homer is worried about the Pronger situation--big cap implications and even bigger in terms of squad development. Howie

Howdy: The whole trade gig is muddied by Pronger. I could envision Homer going for a cap clearing trade for picks dumping a Briere or Carle. He might be thinking about preserving his good corps of young forwards. The D is a mess. Schenn might help but what has to be given up? If Homer dumps space and Pronger is a no-go for next year, we might have 8-10 million in space. That would be something to work with. Best, Howie

I think there is a lot of truth to what you say. But it might be good for the young players to experience the second season. That said, if we continue our current play--it won't matter. Take care, Howie