CANADA DAY - TIME TO DUST OFF THE BLOG

As many of you have undoubtedly noticed I haven’t married my thoughts with the technology in a long, long time.

Well, the respite is over. The Razorboy is back.

In case you’re curious, the reason for the dry spell was three-fold; I didn’t have much to write about that would be even remotely worth reading, I was censored, and I did the Texas – East Coast swing with the Jonas Brothers – kind of a Grateful Dead thing for the Twitter generation – which took me to a different place spiritually, so I was unavailable for comment...and it was awesome!...cause Joe Jonas rocks!

Anyway…what’s been goin’ on?

The Management Shift: This was a stunner to a lot of people, but the man they’ve put in the big boy chair is both capable and highly regarded. The thing that is, and has always been, most impressive about Joe Nieuwendyk is that although he is very intelligent and Cornell educated he doesn’t think he has all the answers – he’s a smart guy who doesn’t think he knows everything. (There have been countless others who have occupied the G.M. chair for various franchises who were the exact opposite – idiot know-it-alls.) In my mind Nieuwy-type makes for an excellent leader – and that’s what the franchise needs.

The Coaching Change: Joe seemed to have a type of coach in mind when he took the job and that obviously was counter to the style Dave Tippett employed. He wanted a more take charge guy and a little less of the so called “player’s coach” approach. That’s not to say Tippett isn’t a good coach, it’s just that Nieuwendyk didn’t think he was the right coach for this team right now. Next year’s group will get pushed and things might be made a little more uncomfortable – these are good things. In past, part of the team’s shortcomings could perhaps be traced back to a lack of prodding and a vacillating level of accountability. If this bench boss move is the franchise switching partners in the age old “good cop, bad cop” tango then Marc Crawford is draped in black, aviator shades on, tooth-pick in mouth. There’s a new sheriff in town.

The Draft: Picking in the top 10 is foreign to the franchise but welcomed by the current brass. As much as you need cerebral management and bright coaching in order to succeed in today’s NHL you also need really good players. Enter Scott Glennie, a highly skilled right winger out of the WHL taken 8th overall by your Twinkles. He was ranked 7th by Central Scouting, up from 12th at mid-season among North Americans. His teammate/linemate Brayden Schenn was selected three picks earlier by the L.A. Kings. (I wonder which one the Stars scouts coveted most?) Both played for Les Jackson’s old junior team the Brandon Wheat Kings and word in the “W” is that you wouldn’t go wrong with either of the talented forwards.

Today, the start of Free Agency: Don’t expect July 1 to be as pyrotechnic in Texas as it is up here where I am. It’s Canada Day (Canadian 4th of July if you will) so the Reaugh girls and me are smothered in Red and White temporary tattoos. The Stars however will likely not be tattooing their logo on any high profile free agents this year - no Sean Avery shockers this time. Instead, they will be weighing less expensive options – needs, trades, etc. – but you never know. I will be watching a couple Stars free agents with great interest. Brendan Morrison and Darryl Sydor - quality people, both of them - and still able to contribute in their own ways at the stage of career they are presently in. Of course, if Dallas lands The Monster (and its down to the Stars and Leafs) that would be another story – a major acquisition – and a goaltending succession plan put in place.

Me: Not a lot to report. I’m contemplating shaving my head, reading Rozelle by Jeff Davis, and learning how to use Mac (the computer, not the make-up - I already know how to apply the make-up…which is sad.) Yawwn!

CanadaRazor out.