SHERO LOGIC

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- The following thought has nothing to do with the locale I happen to be in, but more with doings (make that anticipated doings) to the East (Boston), to the West (Milwaukee), and to the South (Nashville).

It is expected that Rejean (Ray) Shero, who has been the assistant GM of the Nashville Predators will be names named as GM of the Boston Bruins, perhaps in a day or so.

Shero's hiring would signal a departure by the Bruins from their SOP of hiring from within (the line includes Mike Milbury and the recently fired Mike O'Connell). The new broom has always been kept in the same old closet.

As is the case with most new GM's, the first significant decision is usually what to do with the head coach, which in this case would me Mike Sullivan, make that the much maligned Mike Sullivan, who has a year left on his deal with Boston.

My feeling is that Sullivan, who was handed a flawed roster last year by O'Connell (the Thornton and Samosonov trades aside), and left to make the best of it, should stay right where he is.

But since he has no particular ties to Shero, it's unlikely that he will. Loyalties count for plenty, the lack of loyalties cost aplenty.

While Black 'n' Gold Nation is clamoring for Sully's head on a platter, the popular choice to replace him would be Kevin Dineen, who has done a terrific job with the Portland Pirates in his first year behind a bench, anywhere.

Having had a chance to see first hand the job that Dino has done, I think that he would make a terrific NHL coach. Maybe next year. Maybe not. But not likely in Boston.

He's not a Shero guy.

But I'll tell you who is.

Claude Noel, who in his three years with the Milwaukee Admirals has directed the Ads to one Calder Cup, and come the middle of June,  might clain another. His Ads are one win over the Grand Rapids Griffins away from makig the Cup finals again.

The Admirals, of course, are the AHL farm club of, yep, the Nashville Predators.

And Noel's boss would be, yep, Ray Shero.

So you can connect those dots.

From Nashville to Milwaukee to Boston.

Postscript: If Shero had any qualms about whether a coach can translate Calder Cup success to the NHL, he has but to look at his late father Fred for inspiration.

Freddy "The Fog" Shero piloted the Buffalo Bisons ("BOTTLE CAPS FOREVER") to the Calder Cup, then was ringleader to the Philadelphia Flyers ("Broad Street Bullies" vintage) double Stanley Cup carnival.

Oh, yeah. The team that lost to the Flyers in the first of those finals?

The Boston Bruins.