Hockeybird.com: Fire Sather !

That's the kind of headline you'd expect on another site.....even now in late July. What's funny about it is that a few months from now, that could be a real headline. Face it, Slats put his own ass on the line here. As the GM and headcoach, there are no more scapegoats.

Unlike some others, I look at what Glen has done and think he's earned his keep. The moves didn't all work out, but you need not listen to me to know that. Six years out of the playoffs may not be all Glen's fault......but he's now responsible. Results are what count here. Failure to make the playoffs this time around should spell unemployment for Mr. Sather and I think even he knows that. But is that what will drive him ? No, say I. Pride will drive him. Glen's reputation around the NHL is not close to what it was. A turnaround this season for the Blueshirts puts him right back up there.

As I stated many times, this will be Sather's last chance with me. One more season, one last chance. I will refrain from kneejerk reactions to roster moves in July and August and wait for game results come October. And yes, I am foolishly optimistic. While I'm not predicting a trip to the finals like I did last year I do feel as though a playoff appearance could be in the cards.

How can I say that ? It's easy....I have a website and a keyboard. Oh....facts ? Bah ! You have no facts to say they won't. It's all speculation and I have just as much a right to say we will make the playoffs as you have to say we won't. Until the games are played, we won't know who was right. And frankly, there is nothing you can tell me that will change my mind.

I gave up on the whole "I'm mad as hell" routine a while back. Perhaps it's apathy as I once wrote. But perhaps it's reality. There is very little a website can do to change a sports team. Perhaps we could rally the fans to join in on something we think....but it won't really change anything. And let it be known that I grew tired of being mad all the time. This is hockey.....and to me, it should be fun.

I don't do the armchair GM thing. You won't find me developing trades or line combos. I will however comment on more simple things. I remain firm on the theory that the Rangers should be able to field a team the can run four lines out on the ice for all but the very end of a game. I also strongly believe in a man in front of the net on the power play. While I don't comment on ice time much (except with Messier) I would like those killing penalties to be rested enough to get the job done. Leetch and Moose should not be playing all PP and PKs as well as logging killer time with 5 on 5.

There....that's the advice I have to offer Glen Sather. Now if any of that happens I can claim he read this article and listened to me.....ha.

I am predicting that Dominik Hasek's return to the NHL will flop. Like Cujo, he will not be able to carry the whole team. In addition, I think Hasek is done. That's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

The Avs will not win the Cup. Not without a top keeper they won't. Should they pick one up I'll have to rethink this one.

Larry Brooks will be fired. OK, I just wanted to make sure you were still paying attention. We are still waiting for him to get back to us for part two of his interview.

Hockeybird.com will have it's best statistical season yet. Well, all indications point to that as a no brainer. And I am an expert on No Brains.

Not one keeper will be caught with illegal equipment. I just don't think it will happen. It is possible that some keepers wear smaller equipment....and I can see an adverse effect. If that happens and they switch back, then we could see someone caught.

Ranger - Islander series heats up. They play more times this year.....and we are due for a big blow up. Too many seasons since Cloutier beat up Salo have past and we could see Slats try and take advantage of the Rookie headcoach on the Island. Chris Simon is not here to improve team looks.

Bobby Clarke is not fired. Look, he should have been let go a while ago. When this time he blaims Hacket for his playoff ouster he should fall....but he won't. It just doesn't happen.

Pat Quinn replaced in Toronto. With all the nutty things happening with the Leafs, I can see Mr. Quinn flipping out. If it falls apart he could then be fired. Hell, I could get fired too.

None of the above items are based on facts.....but I could point to many a writer out there who will try and convince you that their predictions are based on facts.....yeah, sure they are.

That's funny, your snide remark about a headline that might appear on another web site. That headline has never appeared on another web site, but it has now appeared on yours. And as much as you try to pass it off as ironic, the substance of your article is actually, fire Sather if he fails in his fourth season.

So four seasons in what you give Sather. And if he fails in his fourth season, then you adopt the attitude that you and your writers now deride other web sites for?

If a four year threshold is right for you, then fine, you are the arbiter of your own opinion. But who made you the arbiter for someone else's two year or three year threshold, or someone else's four year overall threshold (four years of no playoffs spanning GMs rather than just four years of Sather)?

Posted by: John on July 28, 2003 11:51 AM

"That headline has never appeared on another web site".

I never said it did.

"If a four year threshold is right for you, then fine, you are the arbiter of your own opinion."

Thankyou.

Keep in mind, nowhere in my article did I tell you what to think, I told you what I think....and that's all. And, if you read between the lines here, you'd understand that I was stating a case for why "others" have lost patients with Sather....and that I am too.

I have ZERO issue with "other sites" in fact I respect most of them including RFC, but I can poke fun once in a while....Lighten up John, it's only Hockey.

Posted by: Bird on July 28, 2003 12:23 PM

I think the avs only have a chance of winning the cup if they have a top keeper, But the only decent on out the is Cujo and is he the keeper for the avs future?

Posted by: steven on July 29, 2003 03:40 AM

Sorry Bird. The website infighting is an interesting phenomina right now. And I guess there are "some people" out there who get their panties in a bunch every once in a while and want to battle the whole way with anyone they can find. I say to them with a cold beer in hand, "Lechayim!!!"

BTW, how you been? Long time no hear. I just started touching base with some old 407 folk. Been real busy the last few years and transfered out west so I kind of lost the time to stay in things. Glad to see you Rocha, Gabe and the rest.

Is 407 now completely defunct?

Posted by: Ebase on July 31, 2003 12:46 AM

Ebase,

How are you dude ?

As you can read....I'm getting a kick out of this. I find the whole thing very funny.

As for Section 407, it's still going strong. Why don't you join again....or join the boards here ?

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Posted by: Bird on July 31, 2003 11:14 AM

This is another test of the comment section.

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Posted by: bird on July 31, 2003 03:36 PM

FIRE SATHER! This team is the absolute worst. Too bad that HOLIK doesn't have the BALLS to stand up for his reputation and fight anybody on the Flyers.

Posted by: Chris Ollendike on February 15, 2004 08:53 PM