In the meantime, I offer you the following tidbits from the last few months:
- I really don't care about the possibility of the lockout. It's seemingly become a necessary part of labor negociations in the NHL and I don't see a way around it. Let them do their dance, maybe we'll miss some October and November hockey, but in the long run it won't ruin the game for me. As long as there's still big hits, sweet goals and awesome saves at the end I'll be happy.
- I don't think Minnesota Wild fans are spending enough time talking about the impact Ryan Suter will have on the team. Most of what I've read (and heard) has been about Zach Parise and Mikael Granlund. The average Wild fan doesn't have appreciation for exactly how good Suter is and what he will do to make this franchise better. The Wild have never had a true number 1 defenseman; it makes a HUGE difference.
- I'm sick and tired of the 90 degree summers around the Twin Cities area. If you had told me 20 years ago that the summers down here would be this hot I'd have tried to convince my wife to stay in Duluth.
- The NHL Network needs better off-season programming. I can only watch so many episodes of "Oil Change" before I turn the channel. Maybe think about adding some sort of "Life with Kathryn Tappen" reality show.
- This will be the last season of the WCHA as we know it. I more season to watch and enjoy the UMTC hockey team fail to live up to expectations before they leave for the Big 10.
- It's time to get Jeff Dubay a hockey show on local radio again. Despite his obvious pro-Gopher sentiment, he is a fountain of Minnesota puck knowledge.
- Why can't my kids seem to find time to mow the lawn while I'm at work? They get plenty of sleep, so I know they can't be tired. Between their exhaustive schedule of COD, Minecraft and eating Hot-Pockets you'd think the lawn was not a priority.
- I'm half Finnish and in an effort to come to terms with my ancestors I've given the sauna a real try the last few weeks. After spending some time on the treadmill I've tried to sit in the sauna to get a good sweat on. Maybe it's the heat, but I don't see the attraction in sweating under ridiculously hot temperatures and then jumping in a pool.