Houston Hotdish: Are we there yet?

Nope. We're not. The Aeros took 3 of 6 available points from the weekend and find themselves essentially in 8th place, barely squeaking into the playoffs, but they have not clinched a spot and probably won't, if at all, until game #76 next Sunday.

They have a game or two in hand on some teams, which is good, but they have also lost 8 of the last 9, so they could still find a way to fall out with a couple more losses here or wins for any of the THREE teams that are right on their tail in the standings.

I guess there are two ways to look at this season:

The glass half full side says, "Hey, there's been almost no continuity all season. Half the team's leadership core that was so important last season went up to Minnesota and never came back. It's a miracle they're even in contention."

Now, there is a distinct feeling of, "Okay, I've done enough to make it look good," and very little ever since.

It might not stand out so much if his linemate, DiSalvatore, wasn't busting a gut out there trying to make something happen. But lazy turnovers and listless puck protection and lack of hustle stand out like a sore thumb next to that kind of effort.

So when you have Taffe slacking off on the top line, boy does that put a dent in this team. They just don't have the depth for anybody, much less the most talented guy on the team, to be not giving everything they've got every shift if they expect to be successful.

It's all the more frustrating when you've seen what a player like Taffe CAN do when he's motivated. The Aeros certainly would be in a better position right now if that were the case.

But, that's how she goes sometimes. I do believe Torchetti has done his dead level best to lead him to water, but you can't always make the horse drink.

Ah, such depressing thoughts. Let's move on.

And Bulmer has stepped right in and fit in so nicely with this team. Speed, grit, hands. As Torchetti said, "He's got the stuff."

Further, cowboying doesn't work very well in this system. So, while he's a good player, I'm just concerned for him as an NHLer in this organization. Or maybe he just needs more time to adapt his game.

But the flip side of that is that I'm really excited for next season. Lots of promising young guys coming in and if Fontaine and Foucault and Genoway are any indication, it will be a good time down here getting to watch their games develop as pros. That really is the big reward of being an AHL fan and writer.