Beware the Overlords
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 7:00 AM EDT
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So Chemmy and PPP are pretty cool, right? They wield their Barilkosphere power in clever, responsible and entertaining ways. PPP gets his nose broken trying to defend women from soccer hooligans and Chemmy starts amazing campaigns like #ThrowTheSnake. But what happens when our Overlords combine their power to roast an NHLer on twitter? That's what happened when #DanEllisProblems started... and it has resulted a real problem: the demise of Dan Ellis' twitter account. Now it's not really our Overlords' fault that Dan Ellis has had to shut down his account... what he posted was pretty stupid and if he'd been able to see where his critics were coming from, it probably would've smoothed over. But apparently his new team, the Tampa Bay Lightning were unhappy with all the negativity surrounding their new goalie and, rather than try to learn from his mistakes, Ellis has decided it's just easier to stop tweeting. I think this is pretty sad, not because of the criticism that had been leveled his way (frankly I think if you're a celebrity of any kind you have to develop a thick skin and get some PR training) but because there are not enough NHLers on twitter who actually interact with their fans. At least we've been getting some more Leafs on twitter... I have hope that BOZAK will start interacting with the fans. At least we have BizNasty back!
Your morning reading about the Leafs can be found below the jump....
- How Many Days Until NHL Hockey 2009-10 Season?
This clock will tell you down to the millisecond! - Severed Finger
general borschevsky read a Burke Quote that makes him the Jeff Finger's fate is already sealed. - NHL Takes LEED In Promoting Renewable Energy
It's not often that my two favourite things - hockey and architecture - overlap, but this article from The Hockey Writers is one time they do. - Liambas tryout with Maple Leafs a head-scratcher
The Hockey News takes a crack at the tryout the Leafs have granted to Liambas. Hey, here's something they didn't think about: maybe Burke feels bad for the kid and wanted to throw him a bone? - Ex-Leafs in the NHL, 2009-10
Under the Helmet of Slava Duris puts together a statistical summary of all the ex-Leafs who were still in the NHL last year. - Giguere number one; Kaberle has to "fit"?
Vintage Leaf Memories reviews some of the things coming out of Leaf Land this past week. - Leafs HQ Fantasy Hockey Guide (2010-2011 season)
xterratu brings us a Fantasty Hockey Guide - Why the Maple Leafs will make the playoffs
TML fan fury breaks the team down by position, stating why the Leafs will make the playoffs.
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I wonder...
Is Dan Ellis’ departure from Twitter simply because he fired the guy he paid to tweet on his behalf, and has yet to find a suitable replacement? #DanEllisProblems
Leafs fan stuck in England. It is a lot like following the Leafs in Canada, only there is nowhere open post-game to drown my sorrows...
by dbfinch on Sep 9, 2010 7:38 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
booo
I wouldn’t say that this is a positive development or that their powers were used for good in this case. I think what Ellis said was completely legitimate. Yes, he could have taken it differently, but so could have the readers. Both sides were probably too sensitive. It’s a little shallow to suggest that if you are rich you don’t have problems. Even if that was not quite what was suggested, saying that if you are rich you shouldn’t complain publicly about those problems is also wrong, in my opinion. Nothing Ellis wrote was insensitive.
People complain when athletes are too wooden, and then they complain when athletes act like real people. So what gives? From what I’ve seen, a lot of NHLers’ twitters (seems like most of them supported by Scott Norton) have the power (as much power as a twitter account can have) to do good. They talk about their cars and houses, sure, but they also raise awareness for causes, etc. So is it a good thing that Dan Ellis was essentially shouted down by the Twitter-verse? No. Not a good thing. And you can say that it was not the goal to have him shut down or whatever, but at the end of the day, here we have a post saying how great it is that they have the power to do it. Fair enough. But you won’t get accolades from me.
Birky summed up it best
Don’t tweet all summer about your custom-built house and which new Jaguar you’re buying, then complain that you have money problems.
Resident Capologist
by clrkaitken on Sep 9, 2010 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
It reminds me of when both MSN Messenger and Facebook were getting huge… I’m glad people are enjoying putting up every little detail about their lives, but don’t get mad at us if we don’t sympatize with every bit of drama you decide to throw up for the world to see.
Finally on the Twitter train, @j6events. Follow me, I swear I'll have interesting thoughts soon!
by BetterThanBester on Sep 9, 2010 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Eh, what Ellis wrote was naive more than anything. I’m sure he meant no harm when he said it, but considering he earns more than probably 99% of the people who followed him, it was never going to end well.
What I do not get, is why the Lightning have got involved. Any negative opinions people now have of Dan Ellis, are exactly that. I very much doubt anybody saw those tweets and has now decided the Lightning are suddenly the worst organisation in the history of the NHL.
Leafs fan stuck in England. It is a lot like following the Leafs in Canada, only there is nowhere left open to drown my post-game sorrows...
Honestly, I wasn’t mad at what Dan Ellis tweeted, just kind of rolled my eyes like “i WISH I had your kind of problems”
It was more the backlash to the fans. If he had just moved on and done the good PR thing just talked about how great the fans in TB are and blah blah blah here’s more pictures of my kid, this would have been a non-issue IMO.
20 miles to Legoland!
and
we’d all complain about how boring another pro athlete’s twitter feed is…
This is my BOZAK!!!1
by blurr1974 on Sep 9, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
This isn’t an either or proposition. Tweeting that escrow stinks isn’t interesting.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
don’t disagree. merely pointing out the fact that “the safe thing” is something that’s universally panned
This is my BOZAK!!!1
by blurr1974 on Sep 9, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't really care if an athlete's twitter is boring.
Hell, mine i usually only retweet other people’s interesting things.
Anyone have an issue with Komi’s twitter account? He’s pretty straightforward, and no fan retaliation. (yet!)
20 miles to Legoland!
by nhlcheapshot on Sep 9, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I do like the idea of getting some sort of PR training for athletes.But I wonder about the difference between younger/less isolated guys who have had this technology for years and the guys who are just now getting into it. (also, I just woke up, I may not be making sense)
"Tell Sigmund Freud not to worry about his mother, I took good care of her last night. BOOYAH."
Certified Grabbo lover
Honest question:
If a middle class person started complaining to a homeless man about how stressful it is having to allocate time toward making sure the bills are paid, would you defend him? The hypothetical middle class person’s financial stresses are genuine, but to expect sympathy for them from people who would jump for joy at the opportunity to trade places is myopic and highly mockable. That’s the scale we’re dealing with.
Purveyor of Pension Plan Puppets Podcast Post-Production
A person with a bachelor’s degree can expect to earn around $2.1M in their career.
Dan Ellis will out earn a family where both parents have college degrees and good jobs and work for 35+ years in under 3 seasons. If he has money troubles they’re his own fault.
As birky pointed out on Twitter: Dan Ellis just built a new house and spent the summer deciding which $100,000 car to buy. That’s certainly his right: he earned his money fair and square. However it’s in poor taste to flaunt your money publically like that and then complain that you’re broke.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
He didn't complain he was broke
He was pissed he lost 18% of his income for (probably in his opinion), thats a valid complaint.
He never said he was broke. He just said he was pissed and is more money conscious now than before. I fully back him. He was pissed about something and he tweeted it.
thats a valid complaint.
Not really.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Still in poor taste
If Dan Ellis is worried about losing 18% of his income to an escrow account he can always watch the Suze Orman Show and get some solid financial advice.
Twitter: RJAndTheCity
Web site: R.J. And The City
Getting financial advice (sound or otherwise) has nothing to do with losing money to escrow.
More like the NHL needs to get financial advice to solve that particular problem.
Professional cusser causer.
by T is for Truculence on Sep 9, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I just think the NHLPA does a really poor job of educating its’ members.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Never mind Dan Ellis, how do players like Sergei Fedorov, Mike Modano, Jaromir Jagr and others who have made literally hundreds of millions end up in tight financial circumstances? Of course there are elements of gambling, bad investments and bad decisions there, but it all stems from a lack of awareness and education on what to do with all that damn money. This is one of the reasons why I really like the way the Leafs do their rookie development camp every summer. It’s not just on/off ice training, but also nutrition, PR, and financial advice. So useful.
Professional cusser causer.
by T is for Truculence on Sep 9, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the NHLPA should do those things as opposed to firing everybody and complaining about escrow.
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
Agreed.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
The same way that people who hit the lottery have a nasty habit of going bankrupt.
If I'm losing an argument, I ask myself "What would a real journalist do?"
Then I cower behind: "You still don't get it. Deal with it." Thanks, James Wallace.
A friend of mine used to do PR for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. They have a slew of advisors available to help people who win it big. Most winners decline the service…
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
What is the NHLPA good at exactly?
Or a place where trunks, are mostly blueish green, with a waistband softer than the rain,
'Cause I don't care, what you want to wear down there...
by Sergei Puckizin on Sep 9, 2010 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
And then he went on about how you wouldn’t understand his problems unless you made that much money.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
by PPP on Sep 9, 2010 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Does Ellis understand that the NHLPA (his union brethren) voted to approve this deal back in 2005?
Nevermind…
I’d also ask Danny Boy if he understands how the escrow works, but methinks he’d rather buy some big ass rims for that new Jag.
The Maple Leafs- making me certifiably insane since 1985.
by torleafsfan29 on Sep 10, 2010 7:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Bingo
Dude’s whining about making only $1.23M because he and his union brethren are too dumb to understand that constantly voting in favour of the 5% escalator will cost them money.
Then, to add condescension to his tone deaf rant he blames the people needling and educating him for being sensitive before, in a pretty sensitive manner, running off of Twitter.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
by PPP on Sep 9, 2010 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions
You assume the homeless person is on the street not by their own choice, but by circumstances out of their control that they would change if they had the opportunity. I read an interesting article a couple of years back in a magazine (I believe Maclean’s) about homelesness and apparently a good percentage of homeless people actually choose that lifestyle. In your scenario perhaps hearing about the struggles of middle class life would only confirm to the homeless person that having money just makes things more stressful, and that they’re better off without it.
The artist commonly referred to as "Maple".
My Art Portfolio
by CanadianMaple09 on Sep 9, 2010 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Would like to talk to these people that choose to live on the streets. They aren’t there because the lifestyle is glamourous. They’re there because they have serious problems.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
by PPP on Sep 9, 2010 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions
The great majority of homeless people have mental illnesses that we as a society don’t feel the need to help.
Pension Plan Puppets*
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by Chemmy on Sep 9, 2010 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
true that
"Tell Sigmund Freud not to worry about his mother, I took good care of her last night. BOOYAH."
Certified Grabbo lover
I also always worry about studies that paint the downtrodden as there of their own volition. We heard endless tales of ‘welfare queens’ in the 90s but that turned out to be largely a myth created by conservatives to be able to paint liberals as idiots.
Pension Plan Puppets*
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the thing is that there are people who misuse the system, which just makes it that much harder for those who actually need help to get it. Mental issues have enough of a stigma as is, but if you add in others thinking you’re “just lazy” and using it as an excuse? It makes it even harder, if not impossible for a lot of people.
"Tell Sigmund Freud not to worry about his mother, I took good care of her last night. BOOYAH."
Certified Grabbo lover
The people who misuse the system are in all likelihood a tiny minority and we should treat the issue the same way we treat criminals getting out on technicalities:
The possibility that we might release a criminal is more palatable than the chance of incarcerating an innocent man. The possibility that someone might game the system is more palatable than not treating someone with legitimate problems.
Pension Plan Puppets*
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I didn’t say the misusers were the majority, just that they are there and giving a bad name to the ones who actually need it. Percentages are irrelevant to the majority of people (mostly because of the issues you mentioned earlier)
I shouldn’t be doing heavy debates like this right now, as I can’t keep my eyes open to type
"Tell Sigmund Freud not to worry about his mother, I took good care of her last night. BOOYAH."
Certified Grabbo lover
I didn’t say the misusers were the majority, just that they are there and giving a bad name to the ones who actually need it.
I understand that, I’m saying that people who weigh the abusers of a system as a reason to stop helping the truly needy are pathetic.
Pension Plan Puppets*
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No its a reason to try to improve the system to remove the abusers as much as possible
As well welfare fraud needs to be a SERIOUS crime with SERIOUS punishment
What are you going to do to them? Provide them with more government funded food and shelter?
Resident Capologist
Way off topic, but there was an interesting article in the New Yorker that determined that all the money spent on dealing with the homeless could actually be spent to buy them all homes…
The University of California, San Diego Medical Center followed fifteen chronically homeless inebriates and found that over eighteen months those fifteen people were treated at the hospital’s emergency room four hundred and seventeen times, and ran up bills that averaged a hundred thousand dollars each.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
It’s kind of like paying rent. If you add up all the money you spend paying rent, it’s probably enough to buy a house.
Although, considering all the foreclosed mansions out there now, there might be something to be worked out.
Professional cusser causer.
by T is for Truculence on Sep 9, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Unfortuntaely you are not right
While they are a relative minority in their numbers, they are not a minority in the amount of money/benefits they get. I can tell you in Health industries in Canada (or particularly in Ontario) that are not covered, you have people who come in on Welfare and thus have everything covered (things such as orthotics). Meanwhile these people drive in, in 30 000 cars with iPhones etc. I can tell you it is EXTREMELY frustrating for me to see these people because I want to help, but these douches get all the money I give for help.
Like all welfare systems
Its the frauders that ruin it for everyone. Assholes fraud the system to nth degree and take a large portion of the money. This ends up ruining it for everyone, because they take the money from those who need it (hurting the legitimately needy) and they are seen by the better off and piss them off making them not want to support these systems.
I also always worry about studies that paint the downtrodden as there of their own volition.
I agree with this completely. As a staunch left-wing type of guy with a lot of right-wing friends I’ve had a lot of arguments about whether the government and society should help the homeless, unemployed, and otherwise less fortunate.
The artist commonly referred to as "Maple".
My Art Portfolio
by CanadianMaple09 on Sep 9, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Meh, that’s a few hours down the 401 from where I live. We’ve still got bumbling ’ole Eddie Francis here in Windsor.
The artist commonly referred to as "Maple".
My Art Portfolio
by CanadianMaple09 on Sep 9, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Best part of that is the right wing paints itself so frequently as the party of Christ and religious folks. Must have missed the part in the New Testament that said “Get yours or get lost because I am gonna get mine”.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
by PPP on Sep 9, 2010 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Walk down east Hastings street in Vancouver and you will not be able to go 30 ft without running into 2-3 homeless you find A) junkies B) junkies that lost their minds from drug abuse C) alcoholics. While you have the folks out there who truly are downtrodden, no families, life long mental illness. There are alot more people down there talking to themselves because they just sucked a lung full of crack out of they’re empty beer can.
I don’t see what the big deal with Ellis’ comment is, if anything what he said made me laugh. No one likes looking at a a pay stub just to have taxes kick you in the groin. He has a different situation than alot of us but his observations are just as valid as someone who makes 30k a year. If people get offended by it they should stop following him on Twitter.
by blueandwhite89 on Sep 10, 2010 12:06 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think studies have linked the rise of homelessness with the “de-institutionalization” movement in the 60s and rampant increase in substance abuse.
As I understand it, and I may be wrong, rare is the homeless person who did not have pre-existing mental illness or substance abuse.
"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power
by The '67 Sound on Sep 9, 2010 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve seen those studies and reports as well.
"Tell Sigmund Freud not to worry about his mother, I took good care of her last night. BOOYAH."
Certified Grabbo lover
Yeah. Not that institutionalization is a walk in the park either. I don’t think any society has come up with the “solution” for helping people with serious mental illness.
"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power
by The '67 Sound on Sep 9, 2010 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
society doesn’t really have a solution at all and it will take much, much work to overcome that. I’m trying to avoid getting into it right now since I’m not up to it and it’ll just make me angry/sad/aggravated.
"Tell Sigmund Freud not to worry about his mother, I took good care of her last night. BOOYAH."
Certified Grabbo lover
Agreed.
"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power
by The '67 Sound on Sep 9, 2010 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Actually homelessness follows a power law… lots of people in and out for a day or two at a time, and a small number of old beat up alcoholics who are there forever.
Malcolm Gladwell has a fantastic article about this. HIGHLY recommended.
by Wan Ihite on Sep 9, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i would only say great majority if you’re talking about drug and alcohol addictions as well as mental illnesses (and sometimes a combination of the 3).
living in toronto though, i do come across a lot of homeless people that seem quite young (20’s-40’s) asking for money at intersections, and they don’t seem mentally ill, high, drunk, etc. they just seem downtrodden, and i get the feeling that a couple of bad decisions or a couple of bad breaks put them there. if you don’t have a strong family/social network to back you up, and you’re earning a low wage, all it can take is to lose your job for a month to not be able to afford your rent, next thing you know you’re homeless. it’s really sad actually.
Yesterday is dead, but not my memory.
I don’t doubt this. I’m only reporting what I recall from the article. I haven’t been able to track it down, and I realize my point is solely based on what I remember reading a couple of years ago. It was used as an example of the application of psychology in the real world for an intro to psych class I took in second year.
The artist commonly referred to as "Maple".
My Art Portfolio
by CanadianMaple09 on Sep 9, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
The great majority of homeless people have mental illnesses that we as a society don’t feel the need to help.
TRUTH.
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator) CERTIFIED GRABBO LOVER
What do you propose society do though? Its been ruled illegal to just pick people who are obviously crazy off the streets and stick em in white rooms unless they show and obvious danger to themselves or others. You can just keep handing them money but there’s the argument that it just feeds the problem and they stay in the state of mind they can just get by like that. What is the proper way to really help someone like that?
He raged at the world, at his family, at his life. But mostly he just raged.
Just because Jay McClement is the best defensive forward in the NHL doesn't mean he should win the Selke.
There is no real solution
You’ll get extremists on either side of the argument.
One side will say we should do everything we can to support them, always give money, spend more time volunteering for homeless initiatives, etc.
Other side will say lock ’em all up, get ’em off the streets they are dangerous.
Unfortunately, both sides have points. Maybe people in general should be more compassionate and give their time to help out, but at the same time some really are dangerous to society whether they realize it or not.
I’ll let a smarter man than I figure out how to fix that one, as well as how to solve the middle east’s problems.
This quickly turned into more of a CC conversation.
20 miles to Legoland!
What does that have to do with their relative earnings?
Substitute an unskilled minimum wager if it helps. The point remains intact.
Purveyor of Pension Plan Puppets Podcast Post-Production
Unskilled? Substitute skilled minimum wage people who work in factories on the night shift to put food on the table for the family they don’t see.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
big decision
It’s easy to make the choice to go live in a shelter or on the street. But once you’ve had enough of that lifestyle it’s not so easy to just choose to have a house and a job again.
by general borschevsky on Sep 9, 2010 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions
I would not defend that person because the kinds of problems I have are much more similar and analogous to those a pro athlete has than to those of a homeless person. My average lifetime income might only be 2M, but at least it is within my power, to an extent, to make that grow. A homeless person doesn’t have that option.
I’ll say it again, just because you have more money, does not make you better off. Homeless people are not worse off only because they lack cash. It is other issues (illness, violence) that cause the money problems. So I don’t think it is the same at all.
My beef is really just the valorizing of the “shouting down” as opposed to whether or not the guy was out of line. I can see the case for the opinion that he shouldn’t have said it. But what purpose does it serve to rag on the guy? None that I can see.
by Leaf in Habland on Sep 9, 2010 10:07 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Honest answer:
Homeless men sympathize with Dan Ellis.
But maybe only because that hat DOES come with a free bowl of soup.
Lord Stanley's new address: Sweet Home Chicago!
by ChicagoNativeSon on Sep 9, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Send that to Wyshynski
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
by PPP on Sep 9, 2010 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions
He got a kick out of it.
Lord Stanley's new address: Sweet Home Chicago!
by ChicagoNativeSon on Sep 9, 2010 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions
"It's not often that my two favourite things - hockey and architecture - overlap..."
“Architecture? What’s that?” – Jeremy Jacobs
Is it weird that countdowns freak me out? It’s like watching the seconds of my life tic away
Negative. I am a meat popsicle.
Only
3 hours and 43 minutes to go! Oh… and 28 days.
by general borschevsky on Sep 9, 2010 8:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Phaneuf helped recruit MacArthur
MacArthur’s phone rang, and it was Phaneuf, wondering what was going on.
"He was telling me the positive sides of being here," MacArthur said of the phone call. "He obviously loved the trade, coming here. That helped me make my decision.
Also of note, a bit of an Atlanta jab:
"Buffalo was good, I went through their system and learnt a lot. Atlanta wasn’t exactly a hockey market. I’m glad to be back where hockey means something."
20 miles to Legoland!
Not in the article
but that last quote gets me thinking: Is it possible that MacArthur (or his agent) worked so hard to get such a high reward, possibly above what he even believed he was worth, so that he could become UFA and get out of Atlanta?
Hmm sometimes I wonder what goes on behind the scenes.
20 miles to Legoland!
I would not put it past anyone to use any means necessary to escape Atlanta.
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
Kovalchuk wanted to get out of Atlanta so bad that he figured New Jersey was a huge upgrade.
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Sep 9, 2010 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
No, I think Mirtle covered this. The $2.4 or whatever was his arbitration ask, which is always high. Altanta then ambushed him by accepting his offer (instead of countering for, say, $1.2MM as would be expected) to be sure the award was above the walk-away threshold.
In other words, this was Atlanta’s play, not MacArthur’s.
"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power
by The '67 Sound on Sep 9, 2010 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Borshevsky is wrong
I think it means either:
1) Gunnarson starts with the Marlies, or
2) someone’s getting traded soon.
I really do agree with those who say that Burke has nothing to gain by burying a well-liked veteran in the minors.
Loving the Leafs is like being in love with a drug-addled, gambling addicted prostitute with a heart of gold and a bunch of humanitarian awards from her youth. It’s hard. It hurts. But dammit! I just love them!
by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Sep 9, 2010 9:32 AM EDT reply actions
I don’t see what he has to lose with burying Finger in the minors either. I think players will always think “it can’t happen to me” with regard to being buried.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
by PPP on Sep 9, 2010 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, a bunch of people have been demoted without consequence to the team. Just this year we’ll likely see Huet and Redden.
And Mirtle’s been tweeting for a couple weeks that he thinks Finger’s gone. I have to think he has a source.
"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power
by The '67 Sound on Sep 9, 2010 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Sure, but he’s got even less to gain by dumping Gunnarsson – somebody who showed last year that he’s more than capable of hanging with the big boys – in the AHL, where I doubt he can really improve much more. Finger played less games last year than Gunnar did, he doesn’t bring anything unique or irreplaceable to the table, and as we’ve pointed out many times, our biggest strength off the ice is the fact we can afford to bury Finger.
Plus sending down Gunnar—who was probably our 3rd best D-man at the end of last year—would be a massive middle finger to the entire team and fanbase. It would be serious pitchforks and torches time. I can’t see Burke doing it.
"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power
by The '67 Sound on Sep 9, 2010 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah but lately I’ve been itching for a legitimate reason to lynch somebody… this would qualify.
I always think one step ahead. Like a carpenter who specializes in building staircases.
Remember last year...
Everybody was ready to lynch when Blake, Toskala, Mayers (and others) weren’t sent to Ricoh to make way for some kids? Had that have happened, would we have Giguere or Phaneuf today?
I want Finger gone, and Gunnarson to stay as much as the next guy, but with Finger in the minors, he won’t net a return. Just sayin…
Hey Curtis Broseph, let's have an expensive domestic and just chillax
by thejohnkeating on Sep 9, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Finger will never net a return.
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
Toskala was untradable.
Hey Curtis Broseph, let's have an expensive domestic and just chillax
by thejohnkeating on Sep 9, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Toskala had an expiring contract which has value.
Finger’s is 2 seasons longer.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
ding ding ding
"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power
by The '67 Sound on Sep 9, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Toskala had two months left on his deal. Finger still has another year.
This is my BOZAK!!!1
by blurr1974 on Sep 9, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I think it’s much easier to trade an expiring contract late in the season if you’re taking on contractual term in the transaction.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
I’m just repeating what everyone was saying at this point last year. Raise your hand if you honestly thought it was possible to unload Toskala in September 2009, or even November.
I’m not saying that Finger will definately net a return, I’m just saying it’s not possible for him to if he’s in the minors.
Hey Curtis Broseph, let's have an expensive domestic and just chillax
by thejohnkeating on Sep 9, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I presume anyone on an expiring contract can be traded, it’s expecting anything in return that’s the issue.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
Sticking with the same trade:
New example: Jason Blake
Had 2.5 (essentially) year left on his contract. Ended up with 16 goals for a 4 million dollar cap hit.
Hey Curtis Broseph, let's have an expensive domestic and just chillax
by thejohnkeating on Sep 9, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Ducks saved $$ by flipping their back-up goalie and his 2010-11 $7M salary for Blake’s 2010-11 $3M salary.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
And they are using this money to (not) pay Bobby Ryan
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
for lots of teams, the internal budget isn’t’ what they’re cap hit is going to be, it’s how much in real dollars they are paying for salaries. Paying Toskala for two months of work, and paying Blake only $3M for this year and the next. They’re saving $1M in real cash by trading Giguere’s one year at $7M for Blake’s two seasons of $3M.
This is my BOZAK!!!1
by blurr1974 on Sep 9, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
on a slight tangent, but I haven’t been to capgeek in a few days.
it’s all shiny now.
This is my BOZAK!!!1
by blurr1974 on Sep 9, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
indeed, I am sure Finger is movable…If the Leafs are willing to take a larger salary back, like Wade Redden or the like
Rule #20
by JaredFromLondon on Sep 9, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
colby would like to have a word with you.
by gnarlybattleship on Sep 9, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
HEMSKY PLZ
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
oops, I ment horcoff, but yeah, Hemsky would rule if he wasnt made out off glass
Rule #20
by JaredFromLondon on Sep 9, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Horcoff PASS
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not disagreeing
I think my original point is less clear. Last September, the accepted opinion was that it would be near impossible to move Toskala (wording accounts for the fact that he was in his last year of a contract), and impossible to move Blake. If I had the time or wherewithall, I’m sure I could search every comment from every post around this time last year and find someone saying those things, and a large amount of the community agreeing.
Fast forward to now, and we know that both in fact did end up being moved (for the very true reasons mentioned above) but most are again saying a player can’t be moved so should be buried. All I’m trying to point out is that if he’s buried, he definately will not be moved (at least not for any return), but if he’s up on the big team and playing, the possibility exists that he could get packaged. Who knows what the landscape will be like in the new year.
Your counterexamples actually strengthen my point that the right deal may exist at some point in the season. But we won’t know if he’s buried.
Hey Curtis Broseph, let's have an expensive domestic and just chillax
by thejohnkeating on Sep 9, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
he’s still tradeable in the minors…
This is my BOZAK!!!1
by blurr1974 on Sep 9, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
but it’s significan’ty less likely. I don’t know why it works like that, but history indicates that this is usually the way it goes.
Hey Curtis Broseph, let's have an expensive domestic and just chillax
by thejohnkeating on Sep 9, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Part of that is that he has to go through waivers. A team willing to trade for him would just scoop him up so yes, dumping him means guaranteeing (I think) that he’ll net 0 return.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
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by PPP on Sep 9, 2010 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I think if he gets traded in the minors, in order to bring him up he’d have to hit re-entry again… and the team accepting him would take the risk that some one would immediately grab him and they’d foot half the bill.
20 miles to Legoland!
by nhlcheapshot on Sep 9, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Frankly, I don’t remember anyone thinking this time last year that we couldn’t get anything for Toskala – all we were hoping was to see his improved play.
As well, Blake, while generally hated, was actually pretty decent for us so I’m not sure who thought we couldn’t get anything for him.
With Finger… take a look at the defensemen available. Souray, Bieksa, etc. Higher salaries than Blake, yes, but also much better defensemen, so…. if they haven’t managed to be traded yet, how would we trade Finger?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
If the past year has taught me anything it’s that nobody knows a goddamned thing and anyone who tells you otherwise is full of it.
Resident Capologist
by clrkaitken on Sep 9, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
that’s why I claim to know nothing
This is my BOZAK!!!1
by blurr1974 on Sep 9, 2010 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Pretty much what I was getting at, but stated more clearly.
Hey Curtis Broseph, let's have an expensive domestic and just chillax
by thejohnkeating on Sep 9, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
truth be told I didn’t even read your comment.
My new strategy is to not bother to read any long comment that’s based on anecdotal evidence and generalizations that can’t be proven.
Resident Capologist
Oh, backhanded insults. This is completely worth my time… bye bye.
Hey Curtis Broseph, let's have an expensive domestic and just chillax
by thejohnkeating on Sep 9, 2010 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn’t take that one personally.
Or wait…should we all take it personally?
WAIT A SECOND!
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
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by PPP on Sep 9, 2010 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Except that Toskala sucks. Those people know.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
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by PPP on Sep 9, 2010 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Last September, the accepted opinion was that it would be near impossible to move Toskala…and impossible to move Blake
.
1. Who cares about accepted opinion
2. Trading isn’t impossible. Getting value/return is the issue
All I’m trying to point out is that if [Finger is] buried, he definately will not be moved (at least not for any return), but if he’s up on the big team and playing, the possibility exists that he could get packaged. Who knows what the landscape will be like in the new year.
I don’t disagree, I do think the best option to move Finger is recall waivers.
Your counterexamples actually strengthen my point that the right deal may exist at some point in the season. But we won’t know if he’s buried.
AHL might not=buried. AHL might equal first step to recall/buyouts.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
I don’t disagree, I do think the best option to move Finger is recall waivers.
Doesn’t that leave us on the hook for half his cap hit, and we’re already losing $1M/year ad infinitum for Tucker?
I am Mikhail Grabovski's smirking revenge.
Yup, but that’s only if you want him moved.
Recall waviers is 2×1.75M
Buy out, is this year + 2x$1.66M
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
Doesn’t a buyout stretch 2x the remaining years? Ergo, 4 years @ $1.66 million?
The reason it makes me nervous is because we’re already losing Tucker’s $1M per year and BB has shown that he has a thing for running right up against whatever the cap is. Add Finger’s to it, and that’s a loss of anywhere from 1-3 cheap signings.
I am Mikhail Grabovski's smirking revenge.
The Leafs can’t buy-out Finger this year, they have to wait until June 2011. That’s why the hit is this year’s salary and two more years.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
Terrible cap move. If Finger clears waivers we accept that he has literally no value and his NHL career ends.
Why pay half his salary when we could pay none?
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
From MLSE’s perspective, you can either pay him 3.5 or 1.75. Either way, they’re still paying him to not play for the Leafs.
Negative. I am a meat popsicle.
The only reasons would be that (1) MLSE are cheap bastards, or (2) Burke cares more about helping Finger get another NHL job than about helping the Leafs win.
"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power
by The '67 Sound on Sep 9, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with you Chemmy, but Burke seems like the type who will want to move Finger rather than just bury him.
I could be wrong on this one, but that’s my take.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
I’d fire Finger in to the sun or someplace even more unpleasant like the Sun.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
by Chemmy on Sep 9, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hockey players seem to like Buffalo. Football players on the other hand…
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
cause hockey players are around when its cold and that stunts the smell? and then they can fuck off to florida in the summer?
Rule #20
by JaredFromLondon on Sep 9, 2010 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
The reverse snowbird? I think that involves flexible joints and an open mind.
Professional cusser causer.
by T is for Truculence on Sep 9, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Ottawa Sun or Calgary Sun?
Or a place where trunks, are mostly blueish green, with a waistband softer than the rain,
'Cause I don't care, what you want to wear down there...
by Sergei Puckizin on Sep 9, 2010 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Completely agree
if he could take on a bad fwd contract to get rid of Finger’s contract I think he would.
He keeps saying he’ll bury contracts in the minors but I agree he would rather give that player a chance to play in the NHL rather than be a cap casualty.
20 miles to Legoland!
by nhlcheapshot on Sep 9, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Considering that the Leafs seem OK with the Cap even with finger in the NHL, I think he’s sticking around.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
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by PPP on Sep 9, 2010 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions
1. All we’re discussing is our opinions, so I’m going to go out on a limb and say that at you do, and I do, and probably all the others who comment here.
2. I agree.
3. I never really went into optimization. All I said was that Finger staying on the Leafs made it more likely for him to be traded for a real return (probably as a package, no one thinks Finger for Schenn is going to happen).
4. Buyout window is closed.
5. Recall/re-entry waivers is another option, but comes with zero return. Small return>no return isn’t it?
Hey Curtis Broseph, let's have an expensive domestic and just chillax
by thejohnkeating on Sep 9, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
All we’re discussing is our opinions, so I’m going to go out on a limb and say that at you do, and I do, and probably all the others who comment here.
Meh.
Buyout window is closed.
Yup. That’s a very important consideration as it would extend Finger’s cap hit to 2013.
Recall/re-entry waivers is another option, but comes with zero return. Small return>no return isn’t it?
Depends. I could see being rid of his cap hit as a big enough return.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
I dunno, i could see someone weak on defense trading a bad forward contract for finger.
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
Intersting thought exercise: Would you trade Finger for Malone if he only had 3 years left?
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
No.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Part of the point is what it takes to trade him. Look, we all love Giggy. Love him as a person, love him as a mentor to Gus. But would I rather have grabbed one of the many available vets for $1-2MM who will likely perform similar to Giggy at this point in his career, and have $4-5MM extra cap space that could have spent on a forward (Zherdev? Gagne? Who knows)? Yes.
That’s a long way of saying we had to pay Anaheim to take Finger/Blake (by taking Giguere’s horrible contract). I don’t want to have to take a horrible contract to be rid of Finger’s horrible contract. I’d just like to be rid of it.
"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power
by The '67 Sound on Sep 9, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah… I’ve been a big Giguere fan for a while now, but waiving Toskala and picking up a Veteran from Free Agency would’ve made more sense to me.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m OK with picking up Giguere because it cleared cap space in 2011 when Schenn, Bozak, and Gunnarsson all need to be re-signed.
Negative. I am a meat popsicle.
Alternate: 1 year vet goalie deal. Like Nittymaki’s.
There were other options out there is all I’m saying. Just because Giguere’s a good pick up for Blake + Toskala doesn’t mean that Burke couldn’t have waived both of them and picked up a UFA this summer with the same net result and more cap space.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
None
But we’re not talking about what Burke would do with his values. We’re talking about other options which I would’ve considered.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Financially it would have made more sense but I wonder if there’s also some value for GMs in each scratching the other’s back, maintaining the working relationships. Burke’s mentioned in the past how he sees it as an advantage when people he’s worked with go to management positions on other teams, because then he has a trading partner he knows what to expect from.
The recent deal between Burke and Yzerman seemed to be this sort of getting-to-know-you feeling-each-other-out sort of deal.
On January 30th the accepted opinion was that it would be near impossible to move Toskala and Blake. AND THEN A MIRACLE HAPPENED.
If he’s buried, he definately will not be moved (at least not for any return), but if he’s up on the big team and playing, the possibility exists that ANOTHER MIRACLE WILL HAPPEN, HOWEVER UNLIKELY.
by general borschevsky on Sep 9, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
A miracle happened because Anaheim decided to extend Hiller’s contract mid-season.
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
Huh. I wouldn’t call trading an expiring contract and a 50pt player who’s about to take a pay cut for a $7M back-up goalie a miracle…but maybe that’s just me.
And how much of a miracle was it that Toskala was traded again in the same season?
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
’Nuff Said.
Waiting on the Dave Nonis era.
by PassivelyTruculent on Sep 9, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
THE MIRACLE SO NICE
IT HAPPENED TWICE
This is my BOZAK!!!1
by blurr1974 on Sep 9, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
You can rationalize it after the fact, I don’t care, trading Tosakala AND Blake on the same day, let alone involved in the same trade, is no small miracle. It was a sign from God.
I remember well my own personal reaction:
IT IS TRULY A BLESSING AND A SIGN THAT OUR SUFFERING WILL SOON BE AT AN END! PRAISE GOD, WHOSE INFINITE WONDER KNOWS NO BOUNDS!
by general borschevsky on Sep 9, 2010 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I for one was riding the euphoria of the Phaneuf trade and nearly passed out
Rule #20
by JaredFromLondon on Sep 9, 2010 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I got to see him play with Calgary in Boston!
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Sep 9, 2010 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Toskala was traded again…for a backup that Calgary had given up on. We got a first stringer that Anaheim had given up on, and all we had to do was toss in a “locker room cancer.” It wasn’t a miracle so much as SO MUCH WIN.
If I'm losing an argument, I ask myself "What would a real journalist do?"
Then I cower behind: "You still don't get it. Deal with it." Thanks, James Wallace.
agreed and rec’d for clarity and optimism
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Sep 9, 2010 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
The real miracle is all of that happened on my birthday!
Professional cusser causer.
by T is for Truculence on Sep 9, 2010 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree that it’s hard to predict the future. Forever I thought that there was no possible set of circumstances that would see Jason Blake leave Toronto.
Unfortunately, last year waiting around cost the Leafs a $1.4M cap hit this year because of cap overages. This year the team has a lot less wiggle room and the penalty to keep Finger up could be much bigger next year.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
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by PPP on Sep 9, 2010 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Giguere was a much larger salary dump than Toskala. Our goaltending situation was bad enough and we had enough cap space not to care.
Pension Plan Puppets*
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Important Fact
The Leafs, even with 8 NHL defensemen, are not above the cap. Take off Lashoff from the roster on capgeek, and they’re about $300k under with the max allotment of players, 23. So really, Finger would only have to go down should a guy like Kadri come up.
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
Though since we’ve maxed out the bonus cushion we’re almost certain to have a cap penalty if we don’t demote Finger. That’s inexcusable.
"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power
by The '67 Sound on Sep 9, 2010 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah probably would were he kept up the whole season. Think they’d suit up 7 d-men for a game with another in the press box?
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
I think you spelled Borschevsky wrong
1)You don’t read Mirtle:
2) You should.
"We’re going with this [roster] unless something miraculous happens," he (Burke) said. "This is the group. We’re going to start with this."
Burke has often indicated that he isn’t afraid to bury an underperforming contract in the minors and has preached accountability over entitlement.
From last summer:
“I want every player under contract to realize that I will not hesitate to send a player on a one-way (contract) to the minors if he’s not prepared (to play hard).”
I’d be very surprised if Gunnarrsson is sent down. And I wonder how well liked this Jeff Finger really is anyways.
by general borschevsky on Sep 9, 2010 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
At the same time, he didn’t send Blake down last year because he worked so darn hard so I’m still sitting on the balloons I am going to release when Finger is demoted.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
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by PPP on Sep 9, 2010 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
ahhh Finger
I wish he could work out better. I would have loved to make hurricanes of Finger puns
"Tell Sigmund Freud not to worry about his mother, I took good care of her last night. BOOYAH."
Certified Grabbo lover
Blake had a lot of pride and truly believed he is an NHL calibre veteran (750 career games played). Finger has been a career minor leauguer that lucked out with a jackpot contract after just 94 games as a 28 year old. It won’t be the same shock to his system if he gets demoted. He might even be more comfortable on the minor league circuit now that his pockets are filled with dough.
by general borschevsky on Sep 9, 2010 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Or to put it another way: fuck him who cares about his feelings?
He’s a professional who signed a big contract in a hard cap league. These things happen.
Pension Plan Puppets*
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by Chemmy on Sep 9, 2010 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I certainly don’t. And Burke, while not sheltering players from criticism or babying them in any means, seems to value contracts above all else. It’s not in his contract that he can’t be sent down, but he signed a contract with the expectation to play for the Leafs, so I suspect Burke will honor it unless he’s completely out of options.
Loving the Leafs is like being in love with a drug-addled, gambling addicted prostitute with a heart of gold and a bunch of humanitarian awards from her youth. It’s hard. It hurts. But dammit! I just love them!
by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Sep 9, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
agreed
I hope we’re wrong, but I am firmly of the “i’ll believe it when I see it” camp of sending vets to the AHL. Since the cap came in, how many players on 1-way deals making more than a million bucks have been sent down?
Unabashed fan of the surprise 2012 Stanley Cup champs
Except “these things” being burying salary in the minors, have yet to happen. A cap penalty is not “inexcusable” it is an affordable luxury for this franchise. Why send him down unless there is someone really good to take his salary’s place at forward, and someone cheap to take his place on D. Because we need 8 NHL D if we want to make the playoffs.
by Leaf in Habland on Sep 9, 2010 10:15 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
A cap penalty for a team this bad is absolutely inexcusable.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
How is it “affordable luxury” to have $1.4MM less cap space this year? Cap penalties aren’t fines, they’re deductions off the next year’s cap.
"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power
by The '67 Sound on Sep 9, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
And a lot of good having our players hit those bonuses did; what with the team finishing 29th and all. Imagine the bonuses handed out if by some miracle they make it to the playoffs.
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
THAT WOULD MAKE ME SO ANGRY!!!1
THEY BETTER NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS AND GO OVER THE BONUS CUSHION. THAT WOULD BE INEXCUSABLE!!!1
This is my BOZAK!!!1
by blurr1974 on Sep 9, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree.
Hockey Blog Adventure: New Post: SBNation Mock Draft: Results (I'm also on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Sep 9, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
blurr got it
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
SO HELP ME IF THE LEAFS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS...!!!!1
This is my BOZAK!!!1
by blurr1974 on Sep 9, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Because there is no one to fill the spot. When there is an actual hockey player that would have beened signed if not for Jeff Finger, then point at that. But the team as constituted is apparently the one Burke wants. If he had wanted to sign Kovalchuck, then he would have had to make the move, for example. But for now it is fine. We don’t know how bad the team is yet this year, so to say it’s inexcusable for that reason at this point is jumping the gun. Were Chicago’s cap issues inexcusable?how good does the team have to be to justify it to the bean-counting-stats-hounds-who-hate-Intangibles around here anyway?
by Leaf in Habland on Sep 9, 2010 1:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Bad decisions are bad decisions, egardless of where the team ends up in the standings.
There is also the opportunity cost of tying up salary dollars with over-payments to the likes of Finger, Armstrong, etc.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
No, spending millions to house bad contracts in the minors is an affordable luxury. Cap penalties are just that: penalties that rob the team of competitiveness for no reason.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
by PPP on Sep 9, 2010 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know, I think I would be pretty pissed of if someone paid me 3.5 million to ride around in a bus and play professional hockey in the AHL…
/sarcasm
At least Finger isn’t on twitter complaining about how he only got 30 some odd games last year.
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Sep 9, 2010 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions
If Finger is smart
he will keep his mouth shut and collect his millions of dollars.
20 miles to Legoland!
Burke made that threat all year last year and never once sent a player down. Not Toskala. Not Blake. Not Finger. Not Beauch. Not Exelby. Not anyone. Except guys on 2-way deals.
If Mirtle really has a source then great, send him down, but I’ve been getting the feeling that everyone’s insistence that Finger is going down is just pure speculation, when in fact, Burke’s record last year would suggest that Finger is more likely to stay.
Loving the Leafs is like being in love with a drug-addled, gambling addicted prostitute with a heart of gold and a bunch of humanitarian awards from her youth. It’s hard. It hurts. But dammit! I just love them!
by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Sep 9, 2010 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
…if he’s not prepared (to play hard)."
that was the threat. When it comes to guys like Blake and Finger, you can hate their paycheck all you want, but they did go all out, every shift. Remember that Jeff Finger blocked a shot with his face, got stitched up and came back to finish the game at one point last season. I won’t argue that he’s overpaid, but I will argue against anyone saying that he’s useless or lazy.
the only player that should have fit that quote of Burke’s re: demoting to the minors is Toskala.
This is my BOZAK!!!1
by blurr1974 on Sep 9, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Salary cap. Finger needs to outwork and out-talent his $3.5M cap hit.
Obvious example: you wouldn’t say that I should be given a spot on the Leafs if I literally worked as hard as I could while I was on the ice.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
and how does he do that when he’s being scratched?
This is my BOZAK!!!1
by blurr1974 on Sep 9, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
That can’t be true. Probably 1/3 the guys in the league are under-performing the value of their cap-hit.
Loving the Leafs is like being in love with a drug-addled, gambling addicted prostitute with a heart of gold and a bunch of humanitarian awards from her youth. It’s hard. It hurts. But dammit! I just love them!
by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Sep 9, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Then per your estimate 1/3 of the league should probably be demoted if GMs had the ability and the desire.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Here’s a suggestion: What if Finger spends half of the season in the AHL? There goes half his cap hit, easing a lot of the issues.
The main reason I believe we’ll see him spend at least some time in the minors is how tight the cap situation is. And the Leafs can’t afford to be way over on the bonus cushion again.
That said, I think the Leafs realized their third defence pairing was far too weak last season and having eight or nine NHL type blueliners gives them options. But it also means someone(s) with a decent salary going down or getting traded.
Blogging on hockey at Globe on Hockey
by James Mirtle on Sep 9, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
This leads to so many questions:
If Finger is demoted will he get recalled?
At $3.5M, he’ll certainly clear waivers on the way down, but at $1.75M on recall waivers, is he likely to get claimed?
Would the Leafs be willing to eat $1.75M this year and next to have Finger off the books?
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
That would be somewhat equivalent to buying him out. No thanks. If he goes down, he stays down.
Negative. I am a meat popsicle.
It’s not quite apples and oranges as the Leafs have missed the buy-out window.
If Finger gets claimed on recall waivers, the Leafs pay (and take a cap hit of):
2010-11 half of his remaining salary
2011-12 $1.75M
If the Leafs buy him out in June 2011, according to Cap Geek they pay (and take a cap hit of):
2011-12 $1,166,667
2012-13 $1,166,667
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
I guess it’s the option of him playing in the AHL and MLSE paying him 3.5 million or putting him on re-entry waivers and paying him 1.75 to not be a part of the organization.
Negative. I am a meat popsicle.
I think you’re right. A buy-out extends the cap hit one more season.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
Having his $1.75M on the books for the next two years is the same as what Mirtle is saying above about sending him down for half the season, so I’d say that it doesn’t make sense for Burke to do so.
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
Given most team’s cap situations, would he get claimed at $1.75-million? I don’t think that’s a slam dunk.
But you’re right — that would be a big risk in calling him back up.
Blogging on hockey at Globe on Hockey
by James Mirtle on Sep 9, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I feel like a smart ass but...
Shouldn’t it say How Many Days Until NHL Hockey 2010-11 Season? in the first link (not 2009-2010).
cool, still have time to Dump toskala
Colton Orr will pound you into a million stuff
by Future_considerations on Sep 9, 2010 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Guys
I know the real reason why Dan Ellis quit Twitter; it was Wyshynski’s Fault.
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
HAHAHA
oh yes
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
@titsmaster
"Tell Sigmund Freud not to worry about his mother, I took good care of her last night. BOOYAH."
Certified Grabbo lover
@uNoBelarusUFrench
http://bluechipprospects.blogspot.com
by Curt S on Sep 9, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
@grabbocombat
Colton Orr will pound you into a million stuff
by Future_considerations on Sep 9, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
@stupidbuthealthy
Purveyor of Pension Plan Puppets Podcast Post-Production
by puckurgently on Sep 9, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
@redrinksforladies
"Tell Sigmund Freud not to worry about his mother, I took good care of her last night. BOOYAH."
Certified Grabbo lover
@HabsHater84
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
@fuckhamilton84
"Tell Sigmund Freud not to worry about his mother, I took good care of her last night. BOOYAH."
Certified Grabbo lover
for Wrap
@GrabboGrabboHey
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
by SkinnyFish on Sep 9, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
@PineappleKiller84
Marc Pilgrim vs. The Twitter: A 140-Character Exhibition of Insanity and Profanity.
by Marc Pilgrim on Sep 9, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
@yoGrabboGrabbo
"Tell Sigmund Freud not to worry about his mother, I took good care of her last night. BOOYAH."
Certified Grabbo lover
Yes! New fantasy team name! Thanks LD.
Or a place where trunks, are mostly blueish green, with a waistband softer than the rain,
'Cause I don't care, what you want to wear down there...
by Sergei Puckizin on Sep 9, 2010 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions
@alltitsarethesame
"Tell Sigmund Freud not to worry about his mother, I took good care of her last night. BOOYAH."
Certified Grabbo lover
Or a place where trunks, are mostly blueish green, with a waistband softer than the rain,
'Cause I don't care, what you want to wear down there...
by Sergei Puckizin on Sep 9, 2010 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
LIVE HOCKEY IS ON
http://atdhe.net/23741/watch-ska-st-petersburg-vs-dynamo-riga
Even if it is commies
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Sep 9, 2010 11:27 AM EDT reply actions
Haha
Well we finally made the 30 in 30 on TSN. I think that means they’re projecting us 24th (out of a lottary pick! Take that Boston)
20 miles to Legoland!
boooooo
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Sep 9, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Here's what dumb
They say that the Leafs are still looking for a legitimate #1 center. Last year BOZAK put up 27 points in 37 games. That translates to a 60 point season over 82 games; as a rookie, after having swine flu and a broken leg.
I ran the numbers for every team’s top scoring centerman, their #1s if you will, and a full ten other teams didn’t have a center score 60 or more points: NYR, CGY, OTT, STL, NYI, PHX, BOS, NSH, and EDM. Hell Edmonton and Nashville’s guys didn’t even reach 50.
So enough of the "There’s no legit #1 center on the Maple Leafs talk. There is and his name is BOZAK.
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
So enough of the "There’s no legit #1 center on the Maple Leafs talk. There is and his name is BOZAK.
I’m not ready to call him a legit #1 centre either. But I’d much rather see him play the role until he proves he can be rather than bring in another centre.
The problem isn’t his PPG, its the sample size. Needs more time to prove he can put up a 60 point season.
20 miles to Legoland!
by nhlcheapshot on Sep 9, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
(in this context PPG = points per game, not powerplay goals)
20 miles to Legoland!
by nhlcheapshot on Sep 9, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
SHUT UP
I WILL LITERALLY FIGHT YOU RIGHT NOW
This is my BOZAK!!!1
by blurr1974 on Sep 9, 2010 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed, Bozak very well COULD be a legit #1 center, but saying he is FO SHO is being, well, optimistic
Rule #20
by JaredFromLondon on Sep 9, 2010 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
GP for centers with 27 points, +/- 5
Bozak has the least GP with 37. The next lowest is Schremp with 25P in 44 games. Then Zubrus with 27 in 51.
Bozak’s PPG was 0.73. All but 4 other are below 0.500, and the next closest is 0.568.
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
Boston’s #1 center would’ve if he played more than half the season.
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Sep 9, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Can we call this “Sundin Syndrome”?
MSM and dumb fans look and see lack of 6’5 1st line center and see a problem. How many legit first line centers with size are there in the league? Carter, Getzlaf, Thornton, Lecavalier, Malkin, Staal, um……that’s about it.
A lot of teams make do without a true big, elite scoring first line center. Obviously Burke feels comfortable moving forward with a 25 year old and a 20 year old as his top two centers.
Negative. I am a meat popsicle.
Malkin plays on the second line.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
When malkin won the Art Ross, wasn’t Crosby injured for a good amount of games?
Fairweather fans can go to hell
Equal oppurtunity asshole and a proud member of the PPPPP
Follow me on twitter: leafer1984
Obviously Burke feels comfortable moving forward with a 25 year old and a 20 year old as his top two centers.
Or he has no other options?
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
he feels comfortable enough that he isn’t going to trade young talent for a first line center
Negative. I am a meat popsicle.
he feels comfortable enough that he isn’t going to trade young talent for a first line center
Is that even a viable option for this team? And even if a trade could even be put together, the Leafs would have a first line centre with even less depth/prospects.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
Don't you read?
10 teams, including 4 playoff teams, played year year without a center scoring 60 points.
Going higher, only 10 teams had their #1 score more than 70, and 4 of those didn’t make the playoffs.
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
Take that list of #1 C’s and split it by age, post 27 (or so) and pre-. I giggle when I remind myself that our best players should only be getting better.
If I'm losing an argument, I ask myself "What would a real journalist do?"
Then I cower behind: "You still don't get it. Deal with it." Thanks, James Wallace.
That’s because players reach their prime about 25-27 and it lasts until about 32.
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
That’s my point – of those 20 teams with “clear” or “established” (whatever you want to use) #1 centers, how many are going to need to be replaced in the next 3-5 years? Meanwhile, in 3-5 years, our 50-60 point center should have grown into his prime, presumably generating more than 50-60 points.
If I'm losing an argument, I ask myself "What would a real journalist do?"
Then I cower behind: "You still don't get it. Deal with it." Thanks, James Wallace.
At 50 SPCs, up against the cap and with few assets to trade I can’t see any scenario where the Leafs land a legit first-line centre.
I think the leafs are running with Bozak and Grabbo as their 1 and 2C because that’s the only option available.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
Number of first line centers that anyone might remotely consider trading: Brad Richards. (emphasis: remotely)
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
Marc Savard….
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions
my point stands.
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
Marc Savard’s not a #1C?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Not while his brain is mush, no.
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
Yeah he sure sucked when he came back for the Playoffs last year.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions
3-0
3-4
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
Remember 2002 when Sundin got healthy enough to come back and the Leafs lost to Carolina?
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
He probably doesn’t, no.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
My point remains: the elimination of the Leafs in 2002 is Marc Savard’s fault.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
by mf37 on Sep 9, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I follow.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
If only Jeff O’Neill had discovered his love of cheeseburgers four years earlier and Paul Maurice hadn’t used his time outs to perfection in that series…
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
THAT WAS NOT OFFSIDE
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Fuck Atres Irbe
Rec’d for vitriol (evidenced by the extreme misspelling) and truth.
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator) CERTIFIED GRABBO LOVER
It was at this point that Paul Maurice decided he couldn’t use time outs any better, so would never use them again
Finally on the Twitter train, @j6events. Follow me, I swear I'll have interesting thoughts soon!
by BetterThanBester on Sep 9, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
3 points in 7 games…?
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
yeah but that first one was SO GOOD
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Sep 9, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I keep replaying it in my mind.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Marc Savard has scored 2 OT winners in the playoffs, that I can remember off the top of my head.
The Bruins have gone on to lose both series. CURSED!
Hockey Blog Adventure: New Post: SBNation Mock Draft: Results (I'm also on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Sep 9, 2010 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
WHY IS EVERYTHING BOLDED?
edededed
Rule #20
by JaredFromLondon on Sep 9, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Marc Savard has scored 2 OT winners in the playoffs, that I can remember off the top of my head.
It’s two more than he remembers I’ll tell you that.
Who wants to hear a funny ass joke?
by ohshrit on Sep 9, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
that’s fucking funny
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Sep 9, 2010 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Richards is their number 1, and some philly fans going on about how carter ws more suited to the wing
meh
Rule #20
by JaredFromLondon on Sep 9, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
They played him on the wing a lot last year, yeah. They have more centers than Buffalo: Richards, Carter, Briere, Giroux, blah blah blah
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
The problem here is Mike Richards and Danny Briere are also top-line centers and they can’t all play center.
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
Isn't either Leino or Giroux a C as well?
They suffer from Boston-itis when it comes to legit Centremen.
20 miles to Legoland!
Interesting post
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 1:37 PM EDT reply actions
no no
that’s Grits
This is grit
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
no
This is SPARTA!
Ya know, cause it’s all bolded and shit like it’s really important and we’re yelling.
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
heh, you guys and your refreshed pages.
Hockey Blog Adventure: New Post: SBNation Mock Draft: Results (I'm also on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Sep 9, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
For our Non-Rogers-having and American friends
@MapleLeafs
All three Leafs rookie tournament games will be LIVE on mapleleafs.com it all starts this Saturday at 7 p.m.!
20 miles to Legoland!
By the way, if anyone has nascar or monster truck questions, Arenacale is your man.
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Sep 9, 2010 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Gravedigger or Bigfoot? Who’s your truck?
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
Well my name is on the bedside of the Bigfoot I won a contest to design…but I love watching Dennis Anderson freestyle, and Charlie Pauken is just epic…but I love the privateers and spend a lot of time with Pat Summa and the Thrasher guys…so I guess I’m equal opportunity.
you picture link didn’t work properly, here: http://www.bigfoot4x4.com/photo-gallery/images/jan10_1280.jpg
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Sep 9, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Also, that’s pretty cool.
Hockey Blog Adventure: New Post: SBNation Mock Draft: Results (I'm also on Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Sep 9, 2010 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
You’re seriously the coolest person I know. I was a huge Gravedigger fan, as was my dad, but my brother liked Bigfoot. Used to all the time during the tractor pulling championships in Bowling Green. Mostly on SUNDAY, SUNDAY SUNDAY!!!!!!
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
They’re actually holding a new “Bad Boy” Bigfoot design contest right now. It’s worth entering if you have any artistic skills whatsoever. I thought I had no chance! Instead, I got my name out there and it led to me doing a design for a truck called “”http://lh3.ggpht.com/CapNPuhxgzI/TC-232EUuI/AAAAAAAAFVs/4sDS9vXbuTg/s1152/IMG_4584.JPG" target="new">Hurricane Force".
I’m not going to lie to you.
That’s pretty cool.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
They normally black that out for people outside of Canada actually.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Well shit.
That’s godamn protectionism.
To be fair, there are so many web sites which block streaming if you’re not in the U.S…. Hulu being the biggest one.
20 miles to Legoland!
That’s odd. Is that different than their policy on preseason games?
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
Those were blacked out in the US last year.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Not for me they weren’t
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
You live in Buffalo right? Maybe there’s some weird Buffalo thing going on.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
DC actually.
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
I don’t remember if i cheated somehow though. I probably did.
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
Weird. They didn’t work for me.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
pretty sure I saw preseason games on Center Ice last season
This is my BOZAK!!!1
by blurr1974 on Sep 9, 2010 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
CI doesn’t start until the regular season, so I think you might be mis-remembering.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
the NHL network must have showed them then, which I get as part of the Center Ice package. I know I saw Kadri score his goal on the telly…
This is my BOZAK!!!1
by blurr1974 on Sep 9, 2010 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
We’ve been over this.
I get NHLN as part of CI too, but my cable company won’t sell CI until the first day of the regular season when it goes live so I don’t get NHLN until then.
I think you’re right about NHLN blurr, I remember watching the games in a bar with Skinny that had NHLN.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Where in DC are you? I’ll be moving down to arlington in the next couple months, I think.
If I'm losing an argument, I ask myself "What would a real journalist do?"
Then I cower behind: "You still don't get it. Deal with it." Thanks, James Wallace.
Gaithersburg, MD Its a fair way actually out of DC, i’m real close to the last stop on the Red Line.
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
“Some one” either didn’t close their bold tag or something messed up at SBNation… either way as soon as you hit refresh or go out and come back in you’re boned.
20 miles to Legoland!
it’d be fixed if chemmy just deleted the offending post, probably.
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
If I had to guess it would be:
bs
Colton Orr will pound you into a million stuff
by Future_considerations on Sep 9, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Because after that (including his sig) everything is in bold.
20 miles to Legoland!
the four entries after GB’s “why is everything in bold” are in normal text for me. Pretty much everything above it is in bold…
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
Not sure if this was mentioned already
… but there was a cool interview of Kadri over at Yahoo sports, I can’t post the link right now though. I’m being sneaky at work.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;ylt=AtkZAiaL4cjgLTuj89A2hl7vLYF?slug=nc-kadri0908
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Blurr fanshotted this yesterday
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I liked it
even though we’ve talked to death everything about Kadri, I liked the reminder that Burke was so unimpressed with Kadri’s “sulking” period after he got sent back to junior that he showed up and woke him the fuck up.
And wake the fuck up he did.
20 miles to Legoland!
Jason Smith
Everywhere I’ve seen the story about him, it’s been "Former Oilers’ captain Jason Smith.
Not the Toronto Star, though. Nope. To them, he’s Former Leaf Jason Smith…
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 2:51 PM EDT reply actions
First sentence
CALGARY—Former Edmonton Oilers captain Jason Smith faces charges of domestic assault and confinement after an incident in Calgary earlier this summer.
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
Yup
but not the headline
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Anything to paint the Leafs in a bad light.
When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover
More like “anything to squeeze the Leafs into a headline”
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by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Sep 9, 2010 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think it’s about painting the Leafs in a bad light – people are just more inclined to read an article about a former local player than if they only identify him as an Oiler. Sell ’dem papers.
If I'm losing an argument, I ask myself "What would a real journalist do?"
Then I cower behind: "You still don't get it. Deal with it." Thanks, James Wallace.
Would this be more appropriate?
CALGARY—Former Albany River Rat Jason Smith faces charges of domestic assault and confinement after an incident in Calgary earlier this summer.
by Arenacale on Sep 9, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
HAH
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd go for
Former Philadelphia Flyer Jason Smith faces charges of domestic assault and confinement after an incident in Calgary earlier this summer.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
He was also a devil and a leaf, (traded for Gilmour even!)
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.
And a Senator
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
He was really just a hockey-playing whore.
The artist commonly referred to as "Maple".
My Art Portfolio
by CanadianMaple09 on Sep 10, 2010 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I Just noticed
the :winter home of Belarus Fist Talk" tagline, and I love it
"Tell Sigmund Freud not to worry about his mother, I took good care of her last night. BOOYAH."
Certified Grabbo lover
we shall take it to the streets this season
Rule #20
by JaredFromLondon on Sep 9, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
STRONGLY APPROVE OF THIS TAGLINE.
I’ve had Belarus Fist Talk in my sig since Grabbo spouted off about the Tits!
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator) CERTIFIED GRABBO LOVER
indeed
fist talk is always good talk
"Tell Sigmund Freud not to worry about his mother, I took good care of her last night. BOOYAH."
Certified Grabbo lover
training camp opens the day after I get back from NYC
How’s that for planning!!
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
ROOKIE TOURNY TOMARROOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Rule #20
by JaredFromLondon on Sep 9, 2010 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
pssttt Saturday
Fairweather fans can go to hell
Equal oppurtunity asshole and a proud member of the PPPPP
Follow me on twitter: leafer1984
TOMARROW IS DIFFERENT FOR ME BECAUSE I WORK NIGHTS
Rule #20
by JaredFromLondon on Sep 9, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
heh.
If you say so
Fairweather fans can go to hell
Equal oppurtunity asshole and a proud member of the PPPPP
Follow me on twitter: leafer1984
Oh wow
Lupul is jumping in on #DanEllisProblems
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 5:28 PM EDT reply actions
I believe the term “Bwahaha” is appropriate here.
Don't think, it hurts the team!
"Kneel before Todd!!"
Wes Werbowy>Chuck Norris
I concur
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Sep 9, 2010 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Pretty good article on the Devils' cap situation over at ILWT
http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2010/9/8/1675337/2010-new-jersey-devils-roster
Summarizes their cap options pretty rationally (some less so in the comments).
Essentially it states that Salvador is gone regardless (whether through salary dump trade or waivers), and that the choice to get under the cap really comes down to trading Zubrus with a sweetener (high pick or prospect like Matthew Tedenby) or Re-entry waiving Rolston (which would knock out $2.53M, but keep that same amount on the roster for another 2 years).
$2.53M for 20 goal scorer is nothing to shake your fist at, even if he is as old as dirt… and as far as I know, Leafs still have 2nd priority waiver status (please correct me if I’m wrong).
20 miles to Legoland!
I think it makes more sense for them to get rid of Zubrus than take the cap hit from Rolston on re-entry waivers.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Depends on who it is, I guess. I have a hard time seeing the possibility of them trading Tedenby or even Henriquez.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Sep 9, 2010 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions
He had basically the same ppg last year as Kulemin and has been trending downwards 5 straight years (not surprising given his age). Someone will probably pick him up at $2.5MM but it definitely shouldn’t be us.
"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power
by The '67 Sound on Sep 9, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Rolston has an NTC. He can be waived and stuffed in the AHL but I’m not clear how it would work if he were claimed on re-entry waivers.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
I can't think of another instance in which that has happened.
Even with the NTC, technically if he can be “waived” he could be picked up by any team (although no one would at that salary), so I’m not sure why re-entry would work any differently.
I don’t think NTCs are written as having specific rules in the CBA (since they are really just clauses in contracts) when it comes to waiver status and movability.
20 miles to Legoland!
I wonder if there is a loophole here to get rid of bad salaries with NTCs on them.
To take this example, let’s say the Devils want to trade Rolston and Tedenby for Grabovski but Rolston refuses to waive. The Devils send him down, and offer Tedenby for Grabovski to Toronto, which Toronto accepts. If Rolston gets picked up by someone else, then great (and Toronto gets a great deal). Otherwise, Toronto picks him up. It might even be possible to protect the teams against the other team backing out with sufficiently complex conditional clauses. I’m pretty sure this goes against the spirit of the law, but it might technically be legal.
The more interesting question is how you accomplish this without losing a 4th round draft pick (or worse).
Hey kids,
Need to come up with a name for my Yahoo fantasy team this year. No real theme. Former names include Stouffville Clippers and Colour Me Ladd.
Current logo is 8-bit NES Ice Hockey Goalie.
Any suggestions?
Or a place where trunks, are mostly blueish green, with a waistband softer than the rain,
'Cause I don't care, what you want to wear down there...
I dunno. Where? Was it about the PPPPP though?
Or a place where trunks, are mostly blueish green, with a waistband softer than the rain,
'Cause I don't care, what you want to wear down there...
by Sergei Puckizin on Sep 10, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Its irrelevant though. The winner is Yo Grabbo Grabbo. Unintentionally submitted by LD (/stick tap).
Or a place where trunks, are mostly blueish green, with a waistband softer than the rain,
'Cause I don't care, what you want to wear down there...
by Sergei Puckizin on Sep 10, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Mirtle's article in the Globe
Burke sides with small-market teams over Kovalchuk deal.
Some good quotes from the big guy:
Making Burke’s involvement all the more intriguing was the fact his position put him directly at odds with Devils GM Lou Lamoriello, his mentor and former coach dating to his playing days at Providence College in the mid-1970s.
Asked if his position on these contracts had strained his relationship with Lamoriello and other GMs who had signed similar deals, Burke said, simply: "I don’t know and I don’t care."
And one part where it really shows how sometimes Burke’s ideals may be getting in the way of at least short-term success:
Burke’s critics, however, look at the landscape of the league, where competing teams such as the Devils and Flyers are benefiting from creatively constructed deals, and question why some of the Leafs’ financial muscle isn’t aimed in that direction.
"Lamoriello came out at the press conference [for Kovalchuk’s initial contract] and said, ‘well I’m against these deals,’ " one source noted. "But he did what was best for his organization. For his team. He always does."
20 miles to Legoland!
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