Pollard's Preseason Pondering

Andrew Raycroft

Dan Pollard

9/18/2007 2:55:41 PM

It's time to start jotting down some thoughts as we approach another hockey season.

After spending the past weekend watching the Toronto Maple Leafs work-out I finally have the answer to the question of "How many Leaf fans does it takes to screw in a light bulb?"

You need 50.

One person is needed to screw in the light bulb and another 49 fans to analyze the line combinations. Wow, are Leaf fans serious about line combinations. It's the preseason folks. Take a breath.

Don't look for any goaltender battle stories between Andrew Raycroft and Vesa Toskala. Both will get to see their share of action and they talk. Raycroft needed nights off last year but couldn't get them because Paul Maurice was hesitant to put J.S. Aubin between the pipes. He'll be number two to Toskala but fewer games could sharpen the game as long as that glove hand improves.

I see the St. Louis Blues hopes of finding themselves another Niklas Backstrom have ended before they began as 30 yr-old Finn Juuso Riksman was lit up like a Christmas tree at the prospects camp so he'll be penciled in for Peoria or parts beyond instead of backing up Manny Legace.

The Blues are hoping to stay away from the sophomore slump with Andy Murray behind the bench. They managed a 27-18 and 9 record with Murray last year in 54 games.

Phil Kessel is looking to avoid the sophomore jinx by working out. He dropped 10-pounds in the off-season after seeing a personal trainer four or five days a week. He's not the only one to shed some pounds. Carolina netminder Cam Ward lost 20- pounds and his Stanley Cup hangover.

Columbus strength and conditioning coach Barry Brennan has a bigger hammer to swing this year. Blue Jackets head coach Ken Hitchcock has given him a new office with a window overlooking the work-out room. No sneaking out this year guys!

The LA Kings are overjoyed with the progress of their youngsters but the wind could be sucked out of their early season sails quickly. LA spends almost 3 weeks away from home before the regular season begins. Don't forget they open in London, England at the 0/2 arena against the Stanley Cup champs from Anaheim.

With Daniel Briere and Chris Drury gone from the Buffalo lineup Tim Connolly is now the number one centre after playing just two regular season games a year ago. Stay healthy my boy.       

I'll wrap things up with a warning to fans who are planning the Stanley Cup parade route due to a strong pre-season by their team. Last year Chicago went 7 and 1 in the pre-season.

Don't say I didn't warn you!