Podein25

Fair enough rad. Just so we are clear: I know where you are coming from. I was saying that your academic opinion was lacking facts (about the "small arena" issue and revenue implications, which have been addressed through the business plan, in particular, ticket prices). I'll take $20 straight up that says Wpg will indeed make the playoffs within the next 3 years (starting this year). People forget that for much of the year last year ATL was in the playoffs. The wheels fell off pretty late, for a bunch of reasons, but they played like a playoff team and had the record of one for much of last year.

Odd to see someone on Twitter say Gus was in the lineup paired up with Timonen: http://twitter.com/#!/Lareeyr7

Yeah, and there are no guarantees in life other than death or taxes, so what? I guess my point to you is that you are exaggerating the impact and importance of the arena size. They factored it into the ticket prices. It's not an issue and if it was, it's been addressed through the business plan. I agree with you, I suppose, that if the team still sucks 3-5 years from now, that's a problem and interest/excitement will surely wane. But my point is the hockey people they have their have a proven record. They have said they will build through the draft. They will be smart. I think they will succeed which, for me, means they are a playoff team. Fans may well have their own measure of success.

You're dead wrong on this one rad. The difference is massive. The dollar, the CBA (cost certainty), new revenue streams, deep pocketed owners, the list goes on and on. You realize that STHs had to commit to 3 and 5 year commitments right? Think about that for a second. This was like buying a car for most people in terms of the scale of the commitment. That means revenues that are entirely predictable and reliable for 3-5 years. They have community and government partnerships for expanding/enhancing the arena. I could go on and on. And to others who think the team "sucks ass," I'd say they need to consider that it has a number of exciting prospects (e.g. Burmistrov, Bogosian, Scheifele etc) and management with a proven track record at developing prospects (e.g. Kessler, Bieksa, Edler, Burrows, Hansen etc etc)

Funny how the discussions of leadership and chemistry are often intertwined. The two are related.

At the time I thought Jagr could help the PP and said so (I think), but was skeptical about his ability to be effective at even strength. He's surprised me by being just that and by his compete level eg backchekcing). And he is obvioulsy in shape. However, he IS playing with Giroux. If there is a better guy to play with in the NHL right now I'm not sure who it is.

Nothing to see here. Move along

Good article. A little luck to be sure. And hard work and perseverance. For me, one of the overlooked keys to becoming an NHL player is simply time spent with a puck. On your stick. Off your stick. In your feet. In the air. Up your nose....etc It's critical.

What can I say? I'm an asshole. But aziz knows that already.

@aziz, you realize this means that people, unless told otherwise, cannot distinguish between you and Kuato's writing, right? Not good!

Nope, didn't live here then. All of the guys in the keeper league I'm in did though, one of whom is a sports writer, so it feels like I did see him play. He's always been a great passer. Usually described as a "pure playmaker"

@brelic. Did you ever see Voracek play when he was with Halifax in the Q?

LOL I'd roll out the red carpet for you anyday blocker

In all seriousness blocker, if you've never curled before, or stepped foot on a sheet of curling ice, I'd advise against it if you have been drinking. The adultsthat I know who drink while curling have been doing it since they were kids, so they know how to do it without concussing themselves.

Sad story from EDM where a kid died after getting hit in the throat with a puck. Looks like a fluke accident. http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Minor+hockey+player+struck+neck+died+official+says/5704283/story.html Kinda puts things in perspective. Sadly too, it will lead to calls for kids to wear chainmail under their gear.

How can Shanny make assumptions about a player's intent? If intent was criteria, the NHL wouldn't have the stupid automatic delay of game penalty for flipping the puck over the glass where, 99.9% of the time, it's clearly not intentional! It's this kind of silliy contradictory message that makes the NHL look dumb. Never mind that Lucic appears to make no effort to avoid Miller where he had 40 acres of ice to do so in. No effort to avoid contact means, ipso facto that he intended to make contact. Not that I care - I think goalies should be fair game. But that's not what the rules say.

Plus, unlike Carcillo, Rinaldo can actually hit people. He rarely misses. Carcillo spent more time crashing into the glass than he did players.

Ha ha, what's really required is a third hand to fling poo at the both of them

It's good that you are here blocker. Wouldn't be the same without you. Just have to get Jack over here for same reason. Cheers

In other words, the "Flying V"

Take the shortest route to the puck and arrive in ill-humour. Best advice ever given to any hockey player. My dad used to repeat this and similar sentiments to me constantly

What does that mean? High flip? If so, I like that, but I might try to land it right at the feet of one of their D and just when the puck gets their plow him. Sure, you'd get a charging penalty but not an interference penalty.

I think the strategy here should be: send 2 guys full speed toward the TB end, one guy hangs out in the neutral zone in case it goes wrong, and the D-man with the puck skates to the Flyers blue line and BLASTS IT at the closest TB player. I'd say ankle-high is about right, but a few up around the ears would incent a behavior change I think. If it's Coburn shooting, chances are that the puck misses buddy and heads down the ice for a potential icing - but with our 2 forwards at full speed and the TB D-man stationary still, we should avoid the icing. If it connects, the puck is gonna bounce. But the 3rd forward stays home to defend.

LOL!

UPDATE: OHL commissioner David Branch suspends Niagara's Tom Kuhnhackl 20 games for head shot on Ryan Murphy. Per TSN on Twitter Wow.