blocker

Probably not a lot of sympathy for old Mathew.

For those of you who have kids playing hockey, sooner or later, the question of moving your child up to a stronger league will arise. (If it hasn't already). If you're like every other parent, you'll probably stew and fret about it. Doesn't much matter if it's hockey, baseball, music or whatever. Dependent upon each individual circumstance, there are pros and cons. You need as much information as you can get. And there are often different routes to take. My son wrote a piece about one of our elite leagues that you might find helpful. It's at bestofburlington.com.

I'm going to get up early and go watch my nine year old play tomorrow. Her brothers are traveling in different directions, so she'll spend the weekend with us. I'll bring her back here after her game. There's a Christmas Tree festival in our park and city hall this Saturday, and we'll take her to witness that. Saturday night, she'll help me make some kind of goodies to bring to her Sunday games. Sunday, we'll pack a lunch for her, because she'll be playing two games within 4-5 hours. Busy weekend. But, it's a glimpse back into the fun days that we spent with her Dad and Uncle. I can't wait.

Yeah. me too. I feel for Betts. He's a good soldier. He did what was expected of him and then some. But, he's still making a shitload of money. And, I'd bet that he'd make a pretty good coach at some level when this ends. My son coaches minor hockey against a lot of guys similar to Betts. They have built up enough financial resources so that they don't have to work. All they do is coach kids. Not a bad way to spend your life.

Hey Brelic... How've you been?

Is there any market for a 76 year old? I can't play hockey worth a damn. But, I used to be a football player. On defense, a line backer. But, here's the critical thing. On offense I was a center. When sober, I can still bend over and make the LONG SNAP. The LONG SNAP is an invaluable weapon in today's NHL arsenal. I dunno what they offered that 51 year old kid. I ain't proud. I'd play for a million or so. If they'll throw in free club house beer, I'm their boy.

Muller was a tough, hard working player. He's been tutored as a coach under some of the best. I wish him well. But, something that one of his teammates, (No, it wasn't John LeClair) once said, kinda makes me wonder. The importance of Muller's leadership during the '93 Canadiens Cup winning came up. The player said that if screaming fits in the locker room were "leadership", then Muller was a leader.

"According to this article, the Flyers almost traded JVR for Josh Harding in 2009. Management was pissed that he chose to play an extra year in college, and as always, the Flyers needed goaltending. Minnesota refused the trade, apparently. We signed Ray Emery instead." ****, I thought you meant Tonya. She'd have livened things up. A few belts from a steel rod would slow down some of these pesky opposition forwards.

Talent, speed, strength, skating and discipline are of course the basics. But, IMHO, most games are won (or lost) by wingers being out of position, or losing battles in the defensive zone. It drives me nuts to see a defenseman bust his butt to gain control of the puck, then pass it to where a winger should be, resulting in an accidental feed to the guy at the point because the wing didn't do his job. It's especially frustrating to see that pattern repeated multiple times during a shift. I dunno. There are a lotta guys here with more hockey smarts than me. But, those outlet battles are tactically important. Face-offs get more attention, but usually aren't as much of a factor in winning as the ability to get the puck the hell out of your zone.

All you have to do is to look into those vacant eyes. There ain't much illumination behind them. There is a very distant, dim flicker of light somewhere back behind the ears. But, it don't show up much at the rink.

Goddam news people are always interviewing some phoney who's an "expert". The "expert" usually has a book that they trying to sell. The book is about something that the "expert" spent a couple of hours googing. You and I have witnessed the same things. Almost all of the serious injuries in hockey (as in everything else), are accidents. Teammates colliding, skate cuts, falling into the boards, doors open, posts, et alia. God save us from do-gooders and "experts".

You oughta come to Vermont in the winter. It's usually in the eighties. Of course, that's because my wife won't leave the goddam thermostat alone.

If you or I were paid a few million, I think we might be able to provide a few laughs for our family. No matter where we were sent. And, Winnipeg is not exactly the end of the earth. It's a nice place, with decent people. I'd gladly trade a few frigid days for a chance to raise my kids in a safe place.

I think Simmonds is the same as all kids. He's going to have good games and lousy ones. The trick with young players is to be able to assess an upward trend, and not obsess over downward dips. That's a hard job. Hopefully there is someone in the Flyer organization capable of it.

It's not cricket to offer a sensible solution to a problem to which I've already proposed a dumb answer.

It always bugged me when people decided when and where I was supposed to be, no matter the occasion. You're a good guy, but you'll resent having to bend to someone else's whims. Whatever excuse you can invent, use it. The lamer the better, that way they'll know better than to plan your evenings next time.

What games do your kids have this weekend? Who are they playing? What ages and what leagues?

Hi...... I never liked Hitchcock. To me, he's one of these guys with a three year gig. He employs a variation of some kind of defensive "system". Cultivates a couple of the veterans, and squeezes a respectable record out. It's a short term tactic. He doesn't take advantage of the skills of players who aren't compatible with that rigid style. It's easier for older players to adapt to fixed duties. Therefore, he uses older players more, and young kids with flair and skill sit and watch. Or get traded. Good coaches fit their game to the talent on the team. Any coach that is so hide bound that he can't utilize diverse talents will cause damage in the long run. Sharp is a great example. I watched him in college, and it was obvious he had it. He goes to the Flyers, and is alternately raved and reviled. He didn't learn to play hockey on the plane to Chicago. Patrick had the same NHL abilities when he was here. It's just that Hitchcock, for whatever reason, wasn't able to utilize his skills.

I don't like it either. Too many ifs.

Van.... A number of years ago, I stop at a store in Plattsburgh, New York to buy some beer. Ahead of me in line was a guy who was an evident steady customer. He buys a six pack of cans. The clerk behind the counter tells him that a six pack of bottles of the same beer is on sale and costs five cents less than the cans. The old guy replies that he prefers cans, because they don't break when you fall down. Words to live by, my friend.

"I think it would be a great gesture if they hung both his and Mccrimmon's Jerseys at the same time. Somehow I don't think John Leclaire would mind." I know John. I don't recall ever hearing him say a jealous or envious word about anyone.

Did my wife call you? Seriously, I value your advice. I wouldn't go on the ice after drinking. And, I really hate to admit it, but I'm probably too old. I go on the ice here once in awhile, but I'm on a carpet or holding onto the boards.

Many years ago, I was at a game where a kid lost an eye. Awful, awful feeling. I just reassure myself that the vast majority of kids who play hockey are in less danger than the ones hanging out on the street.

"Watching someone drink just isn't the same" Yeah. Who wants to look in the mirror all night?

We don't have an exact date yet, but some time after Christmas, my wife and I are going to a ski lodge for a couple days. There's a rink in the complex. I haven't made up my mind yet, but I think I might take some curling lessons. They're available, and It seems like it would be fun. I no longer skate, because I'm afraid of falling. But, I think I could remain upright without skates. Either FC or Podein said that there was drinking involved in the sport. I've got that part down pat, it's the sliding that might be tricky.