So, it’s Wednesday, and I don’t know if I’m going to play ball tonight. I’m thinking not likely. I also think I’ll take William out the the diamond and run him so that he’s tired tonight at bedtime. My back isn’t 100% yet, though it’s pretty good - I just don’t want to take an silly chances with it.

So, I have a CFL Blog to talk football, which is great, but now suddenly there’s hockey to talk about again. Sorry to all you non-sports fans out there. This is where it will have to happen. Not that I have much to say at this point

I’d like to weigh in on the new rules though. First, I think the shootout is crap. I’ve felt that way for a long time, and it’s no surprise to anyone who’s talked to me about it. They might as well have the captains play “rock paper scissors” for the win - it’s as much like hockey as the shootout is. Note that I’m not disparaging “rock paper scissors” - shootouts might be entertaining, but they’re not hockey, and shouldn’t decide who makes the playoffs and who doesn’t, which is what is going to happen. The restrictions on goalies handling the puck are silly, and I don’t care if they’ll increase scoring - what they’re really going to increase is “dump and chase” hockey. Players are going to practise dumping the puck into the area that the goalie can’t play it. That’s not going to lead to the excitement off odd man rushes, though it might lead to more sustained pressure type goals (which I enjoy watching.) Making the goalie pads smaller is probably the best thing they’ve done, and will lead to a dramatic shift in goaltender rankings. Some goalies who were previously very good will suddenly become very bad, as the pucks that they’re used to stopping with the edge of their pads will sneak by. It was only a matter of time before a goalie went out there with a 4×8 sheet of plywood with head and arm holes, and hopefully this will stop that trend (I’m looking at you Garth Snow and Patrick Roy.) Removing the red line will not have as much of an impact as you’d think - the defence will just back up sooner. If they can successfully crack down on obstruction though (and that’s a mighty big if) there will be some excitement generated by skilled players, while less skilled players fall by the wayside. I like the icing changes (no line changes, and more discretion for linesmen to wave it off) and moving the blue lines back should lead to more dynamic power plays, and will maybe induce more chances to be taken to keep the puck in - maybe not though. Overall, I think they’ve done a good job though.

Simpson’s quote of the day: “Scott, things aren’t as happy as they used to be down here at the unemployment office. Joblessness is no longer just for Philosophy majors - useful people are starting to feel the pinch.” - Kent Brockman