People that I know that respect my opinion (why - I have no idea…), asked me the same question:

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT WE DID?

Well - I am still mulling it over… However, I think the look of our team has still not changed. We are still the same ‘hard working’, ‘blue collar’ team, that should play hard every shift, every game.

Now I know that it seems that is not always the case. I know that the few lapses in judgement the other day, unfortunately resulted in goals for the visitor. This team, needs to keep the passion going - shift by shift, period by period.

Am I happy to see MAB go?

A little. Although his shot is so good, it is so obvious when the puck is coming to him. There is no deception on his part. And his defensive ability? Oy vey, don’t get me started there…. He will be serviceable to the Ducks, as they can put him on the PP with either Pronger or Niedermayer. So that will work. So I am not doing cartwheels, but I am not sad.

Simon?

I really did not like the fact that fans booed. I know Simon has his past, and he was not the perfect person, but he paid his dues. I just hope that he will take the time and get himself 100% better. I know that he can. I am not necessairily a fan of his, but I hope he can get his game and his life back on track.

Davison?

I like this move. We are not reserving a trophy case for the Norris anytime soon, but Davison is a serviceable player. He is the stay-at-home guy that can be physical. He played ok the other night, and can help this team, even with the upcoming return of Brendan Witt to the lineup in the next few days.

Am I bummed that we got no stars?

Well - you saw the Ryan Smyth situation… However, I think that Ted is happy to be going to war with basically the same team. The advantage of that, is that you do not have to deal with addition/subtraction chemistry issues. We just need some guys to continue stepping their games up, as well as guys returning to prior forms. Guerin is a definite example of the latter, Fedotenko is the former.

Interesting matchup tonight?

Atlanta is a team in major flux. Losing Hossa, they got a couple of young guys that were expecting to see the Isles 48 hours ago - but now get them at their new home. This is a team that still has a lot of cogs, but will be interesting to see how much the Hossa deal deflates or inflates this team. Should be a good match.

What do we need to see tonight?

Ricky being the MAN! The last time the Isles played Atlanta - he did not need to work too much, as the visitors only took 10 shots at DP. He needs to be more involved, and make the big saves. Kovalchuk always plays well at the Philips Arena, so DP needs to keep an eye on him. Look out for Armstrong and Christansen to want to impress their new best friends.

Also - the PP needs to get simple, as was mentioned by both the Captain and the PP Defenseman. Ted has to reinforce the notion that the “cute and cuddly” moves needs go by the way of yesterday’s bread.

With the number of games closing and races tightening, the Isles need to keep W’s coming and make their own stand, as opposed of scoreboard watching and praying.

So, what do I think?

I think that the next 5 weeks are going to raise my blood pressure, drive me to an alcoholic habit, and maybe drive me to an insane asylum.

I LOVE IT!