re: My kid is suddenly a HOCKEY FAN...(update-sort of)

Well, I did try to be (mostly) fair. But if you're a Penguins fan and not from Pittsburgh, EVERYONE is going to assume your bandwagon fan. It's that simple. Same thing if you were a Red Wings fan in 2001. Don't jump in on the best team that's also most popular with casual fans. You have to suffer at least a little bit.

I'll be honest, I have a lifetime of rooting for nothing but ill for the Rangers, but I love this Rangers team. If they weren't the blueshirts, I would totally root for them. Ryan Callahan is pretty much my Platonic ideal for a "hockey player". Torts is the best coach in the league as well. But they are the Rangers, so screw your team. I hope the bus crashes.

I really want to tell a southerner to root for the Blues. But I'm not kidding about their history -- it's nothing but a steady diet of nut punches. I'm surprised the Blues still have fans not because I question their loyalty, but because they haven't all killed themselves. Rooting for the Blues is hard. And this is coming from a guy who roots for the Caps and Flames -- two franchises who are no strangers to pain.