Ok, yes, it is hard to be me, or any of us for that matter. You dip your toes into the water because you think you are safe, and then the Kraken pulls you off the dock and swallows you whole. There have been a few ups and downs since then, but it is always the same story. In short, no matter how you propose the contest to your players before a full building on a Friday night after a victory, the Pens are always mightier than the Swords. Simply put, we are a young and bad hockey team. This fact can be chased by management, hoping to see somebody come out of their shell, but it is not happening. It is January, and we have seen this movie before. Losing 18 games out of 24, and constantly blowing leads is actually almost impossible if you have ever laced them up. A simple left-wing lock, a one, four, one, whatever the plan is can mitigate people taking it to you for twenty minutes. The glass is your friend and awareness of your teammates is essential. It is not that hard to be a man. You are in the NHL, wake the heck up and protect the boards with your body. Use the neutral zone and perhaps bore the crap out of everybody. Running around and losing like you are clueless tells me we don’t have the right coach or players. It tells me that the checks that are being written are not worth the checks on the ice. This can be an easy game when things are implemented and conducted properly. What is transpiring is deplorable. I am not saying that everything that I am witnessing is bad, but I don’t get the ability to look so good, and then the next puck drop look like you have never played. Perhaps it is time to remember what it was like to listen to your dad on the ride home instead of Lindy. The ride in the snow after he worked all day and was excited to see you play, but you didn’t tape your pads tight enough and there was that awkward moment in the car. Dads are like fans. They might not understand where you are at that moment, but they need and want more. Unlike fans however, where it is all for them, you don’t understand that he is doing it for you. The family trumpet that we are being sold is not happening, and the guys on this team do not feel any camaraderie. They are letting us down. It is crazy that this is happening again. The game is not that complicated.

I wanted to write after so many recent games about a follow up performance, but it never has transpired. Wins against Washington, Ottawa, and Carolina, have proven to be a taste, but not a meal. I am proud of Ruff changing the lineup after a decimated December, but interchangeable parts don’t seem to break the chain. Back to the hose in the shower. Perhaps paper bags on the head, or writing sorry letters to the season ticket holders and taking out their garbage because that is what they are watching? There is a difference between scuffles and true intent. What I see is indifference and timid engagement. What I see is the fear to lose. We nee more. This sucks. I feel bad for our media, I feel bad for our town, and most of all I feel bad for our crest. I don’t care about the recent development in regards to secondary scoring, and UPL can go back to being hungry before he got paid. The back end is atrocious and not consistent, and our forwards can’t bury their chances. Why is it that there is no consistency? Time for the basement of Maple Leaf Gardens? Just kidding….

If these guys can string anything together than I could give you a proper analysis of what is being composed, and who is thriving. I promised some mid-season grades so here is the truth as I see it. This all could have been avoided. Here is a few to start with.

#1. Lindy Ruff. C+
I understand that you have been able to modernize your coaching to what is perceived to be acceptable, but it is time to go old school. What do you have to lose? Treat Tage like an animal in the stable like you did Vanek. Time to tell him that his habits are not ok, along with basically your whole team. Time to kick some tushes.

#2. Kevin Adams. D
Enough Said.

#3. Tage. B
We paid you to lead. The sporadic goal scoring and lack of leadership is obvious. Assists are low and your five-on-five play is suspect.

#4. Rasmus. B+
You are definitely someone who could be elite. Whether it is injuries or fear to make a mistake, you are not playing up to your potential. You are not the problem, but you need to be the solution.

#5. Tuch. B
You should be an A. You have the size and the compassion for this community. I seriously don’t understand the inconsistency. I know players can streak, but you can’t hold Will Ferrell’s jock. You are a big guy with speed who needs to start popping people. You are the best player on the ice at times but can’t harness the horse.

#6. UPL. B-
You got the money and you got the ice time. Let the force be with you. It is time to get mad and start calling people out unless you can’t back it up which seems to be a problem. You are not elite and need to show us that you are. Did you look at the shot total against the Penguins? More of Ookie Dookie Poopie than just solid in the crease every night.

#7. Zucker. A-
The only reason hat we got out of the losing streak of epic proportions. After a slow start he is doing what he was expected to do.

Notes from being thankful that we have the Bills. Hopefully we get another week of home town sports that we can be proud of.

Back to the next game against the Kraken, hopefully we can Phil the void…

Thank you, Ryan McLeod for being intriguing enough to be spread throughout the lineup. This disaster is not your fault and it would be fun to see you up your game. Your toothless smile is refreshing.

Thanks to Dylan and Quinn for getting their heads out of purgatory. We need you, and you have received the respect to have the chance to perform. Perhaps just a few more paddles in the Animal House basement could help you wake up a little more?

Can’t wait till the next game and watch a period or two.

Brad Lohr
Aka: Lumberhacks

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