blocker

I heard speculation today that he was actually fired. Guess we'll never know what really happened.

Yeah, me too. You sleep well at night knowing you did your best.

Nolan has a lot at stake. I think he really wants the job. I know he is very fond of most of his players. He has more integrity than me. He might walk. Every time I worked for an autocratic boss, I shut my mouth. Waited for an opportunity to stick it to them.

Well, considering his games as a Sabre, that ain't saying much.

Good one.

Glad you caught the fever. I suspect you play sports other than hockey. If so, you'll pick up the rules pretty quickly. One place to watch is the boards from the blue line towards the goal line. Lots of games are won or lost by whichever team controls that space. And, if you get a chance, go watch youth hockey. Not as quick as the pros, but still the same game. You see things more clearly from the stands. Easier to pick up line matchups, and you get to see which players know what to do without the puck. Hockey people are a community, more so than any other sport. Enjoy it.

If Stewart doesn't produce for a supportive coach such as Ted Nolan, he won't produce for anyone. Hope someone explains that to him.

I really like Ted Nolan, But, what the hell is he thinking of when he puts Leino on the ice, especially during power plays. He has NO goals this year.

There are no "great" NHL coaches. There are manipulators. Ron Wilson is near the bottom of that list of users.

I watched Sharp at UVM. He was a pistol. He didn't learn how to play hockey on the plane ride to Chicago. Coaches are supposed to know how to get the best out of players. Hitchcock (and the Flyers) sure dropped the ball in his case. Funny how many ex-Flyers were chosen to play in the Olympics. Carter, Sharp JVR, Bob, just to name a few. Makes you wonder about Flyers management's evaluation and development ability.

I dunno. I think the Russians will get by Finland (and Norway). Then, I like their chances against Sweden. Not too far fetched to see them playing for the gold.

"I'm due". Two words you don't want to hear from a gambler or a girlfriend.

I listened to part of last night's game. Buffalo kept puttting Leino on the ice during power-plays. He has 0, zero, nada, zilch goals in 38 games. If there's some clever tactic there, it's beyond me.

I sometimes wonder about Ott's concern about the team. But, I think his value to Buffalo's improvement is more than either Vaneks or Moulsons.

I've watched some of Nolan's interviews this year. He's really good at fielding questions and making points. Has he always been that adroit?

He has talent, but I doubt his dedication. FC's term "princess complex" seems dead on. Most kids would do anything for a shot at an NHL gig. This kid evidently feels that he's entitled. Too bad.

I'm glad those kids had a good tournament. It's nice to hear about some youngster doing well. Maybe these triumphs will hearten and help them.

Ott is a competent NHLer. BUT, if I was Rolston or Ted Nolan, I'd kick his lazy ass when he loafs off the ice at the end of a shift.

It's crazy that Martin St. Louis is not on Canada's team. He can be relied upon to score. He brings drive and leadership. He can win games. Leaving him off the squad sends a message to the younger players. That message is that character, espirit and team loyalty mean nothing. Another example of the idiocy created when decisions are made by committees.

Yeah. That makes sense.

I think it's a good move for Buffalo. gives them a little more grit, and a guy who can win some face-offs.

Fun days, my friend. Great times watching a little kid learning to skate. They fall down, get up, fall down, get up. Seeing that show of guts and determination makes the bond between us and our offspring even more special. One of my grandsons was just barely 4, when I took him to his first practice. One end of the ice was for 7-8 year olds. They were being assigned to mite teams. The other end was for beginner instruction. My little pal joins the little kids. He skates around, not paying much attention to the grown-ups on the ice who are telling him what to do. He skates over to me and asks if he can have a slushie after his skate. I say sure. He leaves me and instead of returning to the beginners, he decides to visit the "big" kids. I'm a Grandpa, so I don't stop him. He can skate as well as most of the older kids, anyway. So, in a while one of the coaches copies his name and telephone number from his helmet onto a clipboard. He'd "made" one of the mite teams. My buddy got to compete with older kids because I just shut my mouth and did what Grampas do.

Funny tournament. I thought the Czechs played well both in both games I watched. The score of the US game didn't accurately reflect the play. Slovakia blew their chance against Canada. Their penalty killing in the third period was pitiful. Tomorrow's US-Canada game should be fun.

I dunno. I watch Buffalo every chance I get. They play a lot of one or two goal difference games. It seems to me, that they're improving.

I got an early present. Last Thursday, the health center allowed me to bring my wife home. Dunno how long it'll last, but I've learned to take things a day at a time. Wish everyone happy holidays. Holidays are Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years and the world juniors.