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Dear Answer Man,
I have two questions for you. One is now that the NFL is over and MLB has yet to really get rolling, what should the NHL do to stand out more in the U.S.? Secondly, how come we haven’t heard much about the AMC this season? The past few seasons you mentioned them so damn much I got tired of it. I now realize I missed the updates. Any thing new with you guys?
Debbie (Oshkosh-WI)
Diamond Debbie, thanks for the great questions.It is nice to have female fans. Let me know if you ever make it to town. I know I have never seen you before or know anything about your situation but I would make out with you if you’d like. Just let me know. I can stay out as late as I like. My mom doesn’t really care. Seriously, call me. It will be cool. We can hook up and I believe I am disease free.
Dear Answer Man,
What the hell is going on with fighting in hockey? All of a sudden people are anti-fighting and saying things need to be looked at. Will the NHL ever be fight free?
Tom (St. Louis-MO)
Oh please, you can’t be serious. Can you? Are you? Fight free? I will say on record that the NHL will never be fight free. I subscribe to that rag known as The Hockey News. Actually, I cancelled my subscription and they keep coming back. Just like herpes.
Dear Answer Man,
Growing up we always thought of the typical hockey player as a guy who is missing teeth. We aren’t seeing that as much any more. What we are seeing are the huge mouthpieces. Why are we seeing so many mouth pieces nowadays?
Duane (Galena-MO)
You bring up something very near and dear to me Duane-o. That is the subject of teeth. Growing up I watched guys like Brian Sutter, Bobby Clarke, Mark Messier and Bobby Orr all rock the no front teeth vibe. There was s dude I played with in high school who had a missing front tooth. So freakin’ cool.
When I was 15 I took a puck to the face and got blasted open. I could actually put my tongue through my upper lip. Real gnarly. My face was broken but my teeth stayed intact. I was bummed. Not only did I have to sit out of hockey for about 10 days but I didn’t get any missing teeth action. I did get a really bitchin’s scar on my face though. Still don’t have feeling in that section of my face after all of these years. I can do cool party tricks, chicks dig it.
Dear Answer Man,
OK, the season is still on a down turn. I know how you hate it when Blues fans say, “Well, let’s shoot for last and hope we get the number 1 overall pick.” With the way things are going Keith Tkachuk represents our team’s best trade chip or trade bait. Is it time to say good bye to #7 again?
Yoni (Clayton-MO)
Yani, while I’m not a fan of you music, I can really appreciate musical talent. Wait, that’s not you. Never mind and for the record, Yani’s music is poop. Yes, actual feces.
It does seem like you have given up. Yeah, I do hate quitters. They are among the worst. They take up company with Commies, Hippies, Goalies, Euros and people from South County. I can’t be in that company. Just like competing. I only compete with “do-ers” not “try-ers”.
Keith Tkachuk has been written about, loved, hated and admired in our town. I think he’s gotten more bad press than good. He came to town as the next “Big Thing”. He had a huge contract and was another All Star on the roster. They were hoping he was the next Brendan Shanahan but less Irish.
Dear Answer Man,
I read recently that some Phruit Euros, as you call them, have a bit of a rivalry going. It is between Grabovski from the Leafs and Sergei Kostitsyn. They are both from Belarus and were quite open about going at each other again. My point is this, you normally don’t hear anything like that in the press. I enjoyed it. Any chance there is going to be more trash talk like this? I’d love to get more quotes from Janssen and the like.
Nathan (St. Peters-MO)
Nate Dog, what are you doing reading other hockey publication besides Gametime? The beef between those two Phruits was not reported in this paper or on the website. Tisk tisk on you Sir.
Now that your scolding is over, I will address your questions. Yeah man, the league needs more trash talk like this but it should be controlled a bit. We all saw what trash talk did for Sean Avery and his “sloppy seconds”. That was a real black eye for the league. The beef between these two from Belarus was funny. Kostitsyn’s brother plays on the team as well. I’m fairly certain Sergei is the uglier of the two (super fem too).
Dear Answer Man,
Hey Man, it seems to me that over zealous goal celebrations are on the rise. I am seeing a lot of arm pumping or “windmilling” in concert with a leg drag. Please tell me that this is going to end soon and by soon I mean right now. Is this whole thing a fad or is it here to stay?
Vince (Hazelwood-MO)
Vinny, good to hear from you. How’s the rash? Just kidding dude. Seriously though, did it clear up?
I agree 100% with you. I am seeing more and more players go a little overboard about scoring a goal. Maybe I’m a little old school but when a player goes all out to celebrate a goal it reeks of NFL-ness and I ain’t down with that.
Dear Answer Man,
What is happening with the Blues players? Why are so many getting hurt? You read about the term “snake bit” but this is insane what has happened this year. What should management do? Do a bunch of call ups from Peoria, tank the season and go for the top pick? There’s only 36 games left right?
Jeremy (Arnold-MO)
Dude this is so typical of someone from South County (Southern STL Metro). When things get rough, just fold up and mail it in the rest of the way. That may work out or be respected in your indoor Co-Ed soccer league but this is hockey. If you give up, you are banned from the game.
This is the Blues we are talking about, never say die, do whatever it takes and practice at the Mills (which is in an outlet mall mind you). Well, maybe the last one isn’t as inspiring as the other two but at least it is located in North Co (The best part of St. Louis County I might add).
Dear Answer Man,
OK, I’m a slowly becoming a fan of the shootout. I have tried to fight it but it is nice getting some closure to a game. I am also finding myself getting really wrapped up when it comes down to the final shot and the pressure on the players. Who on the Blues are on your shootout list and do you shoot or deke?
Mark (Merriam- KS)
Funky Bunch, I am like you. Not in the biblical sense but in the “slowly becoming a fan of the shootout”. At first I was very much against it. I thought it cheapens our delicious game and reduces it to a single act. Not only that you’d see Euros on the highlight reel more and more.
When I am on the treadmill at the gym doing my Turbulence Training sprints, I watch ESPN Sportscenter. It’s either that or “Flavor Of Love” and I can’t watch chicks throw themselves at Flava Flav. I can’t even believe that guy made it adulthood and I’m fairly certain he can’t read. I try and time my cardio after my weightlifting session so I can catch the Top 10 Plays of the Day. There are usually some really cool goals that are scored and you catch some cool shootout highlights too. You might see two hockey highlights vs. the 8 NBA dunks that are on the list. Yeah, watching an NBA player dunk really takes a lot doesn’t it? It is usually a 7 foot guy just jamming a ball into the hoop. Whoopee! I’d rather help Answer Mom’s friend Phyllis remove the blackheads from her shoulders, arms, ears and neck. That broad is covered in those things. It is a sight to behold.
Dear Answer Man,
I am noticing that after every big hit, a fight ensues. Back in my day, if a guy got caught with his head down, his teammates would yell at him to keep his head up. Now, it is just an invitation to a fight. Are players losing respect for each other?
Joe (St. Louis-MO)
Joe, save your “back in my day” crap. If you don’t like today’s game and what hockey has evolved in to, then go watch baseball. Yes, you do see more fights after a big hit. The reason you lay someone out like that is to send a message that you rule and they drool. Dig it?
Dear Anwer Man,
What is the deal with players sitting out part of the season and then deciding to sign? Should there be a rule against this or does it harm anything?
Bob (Maryland Heights, MO)
Bopper, we are seeing more and more of this the past couple of seasons. Yours truly has written about Shanahan in the recent past but that is totally different scenario. He isn’t doing this voluntarily. He needs to just lower his price. Who does he think he is? Some hooker who let’s you pay double to go bare back? Sheesh! To me they are just spoiled brats.
