LANDON BLOGS AGAIN - NEW EDITION

From the Desk of Bruce Landon - June 24, 2009 - 9:00 am

 

• Rob Daum will be returning behind the bench.  This is a good move by the Oilers.  Rob took over with 30 games remaining and although the record was not great you could see gradual improvement in the team.  Some players, especially Geoff Paukovich and Colin McDonald seemed to really buy into Rob’s system and the role he gave them on the team.  Rob really holds players accountable both on the ice and in the weight room.  I expect a very tough training camp and a very well conditioned team this season.  WATCH ROB DAUM INTERVIEW REGARDING COACHING IN SPRINGFIELD

 

• Fighting in hockey always seems to be a topic of conversation in the NHL and the AHL.  Personally, I would like us look at ways of eliminating the “staged” fighting in the game.  I hate seeing fighting off the face-off when the two heavyweights line up against each other and talk about fighting and before the puck hits the ice, the gloves are off.  To some people it remains entertaining.  To me, I think it is time to get rid of it.  I think fighting has a place in the game under the right situations.  This blog is not long enough to go into all of the reasons why.  I think it is important when putting your team together, that your tough guy can also give you enough minutes to justify his place on the team.  A perfect example from last year, of a very physical player who could also play was Westgarth in Manchester.  He could hit, control the boards, the corners, cycle the puck down low using his size and strength and could skate well enough to get in on the forecheck to create turnovers.  He was also a very good fighter who knew when to do it. 

 

• The other discussion that comes up frequently is the two man referee system.  The NHL adopted it and I am sure it is here to stay.  I have mixed feelings.  In the NHL you supposedly have the best referees in the world.  In the AHL, which continues to be a developing League for officials, I don’t think the quality has reached the point where the two man system would work.  However, the pace of the game in the AHL is so quick now that it is a lot of skating for a referee.  Sometimes this leads to missed calls or bad calls because the referee simply has not been able to keep up with the play.

 

• One of the nice things about being in this game a long time is being able to stay in touch with former coaches, players or other hockey people.  I heard recently from former Springfield coach Larry Kish, who coached in Springfield in 1979 when the team was affiliated with the Whalers.  Larry is living in Florida and is still involved in trying to develop a new arena in I believe to be the Sarasota area. 

 

• It is so great to see so many former AHL players and coaches move on to the NHL.  Most recently Bob Woods, who took Hershey to a Calder Cup was given the Assistant Coaching job in Washington.  

 

• My former teammate, business partner and most of all long time friend Wayne Lachance was up with his wife Roxy to visit recently.  Many people ask me how Wayne is doing.  It seems like just yesterday when Wayne and I put a group together to purchase a team for Springfield.  It is hard to believe it was in 1994.  Without Wayne and his involvement I am not sure we would have been able to pull it off.  Wayne is doing great and spends his time between Florida and the Cape.  He is in great shape and looks like he could put on his old #5 Kings jersey and hit the ice again. 

 

• Finally, we appreciate the support of our fans and corporate sponsors.  We need to continue to keep our season ticket base at a respectable number.  Thanks to all of you who have renewed your ticket package for the 2009-10 season.  If you have any questions please feel free to give me a call or email me at blandon@falconsahl.com.  Thanks and have a great summer.