Hockey Woes

1 - NHL

1a - With Kessel on the Leafs I am less likely to be happy about this. I don't like him and I don't trust him. I hope this does not screw up team chemistry, but I have the feeling it will because Kessel is a selfish player who doesn't know how to play on a team. I have heard him described as a shy, soft-spoken kid who doesn't do well in interviews. I have also heard he has a big ego and an attitude problem, rather like Kyle Beach.

As of now, the Leafs feel like a team without any real chemistry.

I know someone who says that "Burke does not do 'Tank'". Ummm... last place in the NHL. No wins yet six games in, and only 1 point due to an OT loss. WTF do you call that?

And I've heard that EVERYONE except for Luke Schenn is a possible demotion to the AHL, contract or not. How anyone expects to play well with a situation like that is beyond me.

"Matt Stajan and Niklas Hagman will be the odd men out to make room for Bozak and Stalberg, Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada has learned.

Only a decent power play is keeping the Maple Leafs from abject failure. Toronto is second worst in the league on the penalty kill, and sixth-worst even strength."

Okay, so, benching part of your special teams unit is the way to go then?


1b - The Blackhawks have a roster problem. Hossa is out until mid-November, so someone can hopefully find a spot. Burish is out until March at the latest. Eager has what looks like Post Concussion Syndrome... someone else can find a spot.

Right now, they have Bickell, Klinkhammer, Brophey, Crawford and Dowell in Rockford who are likeliest callups, with Dowell being most likely.

Current lineups (not in any order or group)

Toews, Kane, Versteeg,
Sharp, Bolland, Byfuglien,
Ladd, Fraser, Brouwer
Madden, Kopecky, Skille(up and down... like a yo-yo)

Keith, Seabrook
Campbell, Barker
Sopel, Hjalmarsson
Hendry - usually scratched.

Huet
Niemi

2 - Rec League
Now on a Monday/Thursday schedule. Games after 9pm. Meaning I usually have time for pre-game nap.

3 - AHL
3a - Toronto Marlies
Are now 2-1, with a win over Grand Rapids and Hamilton, and a loss to Rockford.

3b - Rockford Ice Hogs
Now 2-1-0-1: wins over the Marlies and Lake Erie, loss to Hamilton, and Shoot Out loss to Peoria

4 - Wisconsin Badgers
4a - Women are now 2-2, and have lost 2 players to bad injuries.

4b - Men start their season on Friday.