Bringing the Noise and the Funk- Brendan Shanahan Sets a Needed Tone

God and Ireland Bless you Shanny, for doing it right.

2 Solid Suspensions for two thugs, including one who should have left that chip on his shoulder back in the AHL. And its only Pre-season. Suck it Shelley and Letourneau.

(That said, I have to admit I was impressed with the way Mary Kay Letourneau has reinvented herself. Let's hope this 40 year old pedo-teacher can keep it in her pants, and tone it down a notch. At least on the ice.)

No, I don’t care that its “only” pre-season, and neither should you if you have the sense god gave a dung beetle. And NO this isn’t just about setting a tone and sending a clear signal, although I am happy that it does both. This is about intentional infliction of harm. Intent to Harm. And if you are fooling yourself into thinking otherwise, you’ve never been to Anaheim or Philly.

Oh- and yea, tell the guy with the pre-season concussion that its “only” pre-season.

Set that tone Shanny. You have the chops, the intellect, the balls and the charisma to make the right calls this season- even when it gets tough, and you have a HUGE fan base of support for settling these assholes down...More after the break

LW's Burning Questions - Western Conference

Arriving unexpectedly within a week of the Eastern Conference preview - timing Matt Cooke would call "a damn hurry" - presenting...er, the Western Conference:

Anaheim Ducks

Why is there all this talk about the anticipation over the long-awaited return of the veteran winger with the $4m cap hit to the Canadian city where he was so beloved, when the schedule says that the Ducks and Jason Blake don't even play in Toronto this year? 

Calgary Flames

Does the close proximity of the words "no movement clause" to the words "Curtis Glencross" elicit the same confusion in everyone else as it does with me? 

Chicago Blackhawks

Will universally popular new recruit Dan Carcillo finally prove that he is not dumber than he looks in the only possible way - by tattooing "Nah, I looks dummah" on his forehead? 

LW's Burning Questions - Eastern Conference

The month of September means it's Burning Questions time in the NHL (except for Vancouver fans, where questions about burning stuff get asked in June).  So, here is the Eastern Conference - with a guarantee that somewhere less than 100% of last year's material has been re-used.

(Publishing note: As is customary, due to time-zone differences, the Western Conference equivalent will likely not follow for another 2-3 months.)

Atlanta Thrashers

How is the season ticket drive going?

Boston Bruins

Is Brad Marchand hampering his chances of being signed before training camp by his insistence on repeatedly punching Peter Chiarelli in the face during contract negotiations?

Buffalo Sabres

Will Terry Pegula be forced to hire more personal security staff to deal with the daily onslaught of individuals wanting to shake his hand and express their overwhelming joy about his ownership of the team, or will Ville Leino and Christian Ehrhoff eventually leave him alone?

Carolina Hurricanes

Will the notoriously potty-mouthed Paul Maurice be able to find a more acceptable way of shouting Justin Faulk's name on the bench if he makes the team?

 "FAULK, OFF!"