The All Star Game starting line-ups have been announced and as usual we’re incensed at who’s been deemed an “all star” and who’s been deemed “less than”. We look at the guys who were “voted in” by the “fans” and have a hard time trying to figure out which league these so-called “fans” have been watching, because it’s clearly not the same one we are. Let’s take a look at the starters, position-by-position, and see how the “winners” match up to the guys we think are the real all-stars.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Forward
Our pick: Dainius Zubrus
Zubrus was brought in to fill some mighty big shoes following the departure of Scott Gomez and his 60 points, and he brought with him a whopping cap hit of $3.4 million, a staggering sum that could have handcuffed most teams. But did he buckle under the pressure of being the Devils’ new go-to guy? No way! Zubie’s going into the break sporting some pretty hefty point totals: 7g 14a (21p). Dude, if he was a defenseman, he’d be kicking ass! And defense is just about the only position he hasn’t played this season (oh, and goaltender, too. But point us to the skater who has…); Zubrus has been like a 6’5″ Sergei Brylin, making him the biggest interchangeable part we’ve ever seen. So while he might be 151 slots out of first in the Art Ross race, he’s totally played in every position on every line for the Devils. And not just because Coach Sutter had a hard time finding a place where Zubrus would be effective. So that’s why Zubrus gets our pick to be the starting All-Star center — he plays anywhere and everywhere the Devils ask him to, showing a hell of a lot more utility than Gomez ever did, and Gomez was an All-Star, wasn’t he?
“Fans’” pick: Sidney Crosby
Are you serious? Sid Crosby? Has he ever been asked to play wing on the fourth line? Yeah, we didn’t think so. Furthermore, is Sid even half as tall as Zubrus? Yeah, we didn’t think so either. Sure, he’s got more points (18g 41a [59p]), but are the “fans” really that shallow? After the way he was leading the league in scoring last season, we kind of expect more than just 4th overall from Sid, but we guess we’re the only ones. Considering the way the NHL is force-feeding us “The Kid”, with his stupid flashy, innovative playing style, and his dumb Hart and Art Ross Trophies last year, and his leading the Penguins to the playoffs after carrying them on an ungodly tear through the second half of last season, we suppose it’s to be expected that some “fans” would ignorantly “vote” for him just because his name rings a bell for them. Seriously, it’s as if getting named an All-Star starter is like winning a popularity contest or something.
Forward
Our pick: Patty Elias
Okay, unlike Zubrus, Patty Elias was actually on the All-Star ballot, so we’re that much more outraged that he wasn’t selected. He’s got 9 goals and 15 assists, for an eye-popping 24 points. Sure, you’re thinking 24 points really isn’t that great, especially considering Patty’s ostensibly the Devils’ “best” skater. But you’ve got to consider the mitigating factor here — Patty was stripped of his C by Sutter. Some players would have sulked. Others would have demanded a trade. Still others would have slapped Sutter with a glove then demanded to meet him with pistols at dawn. But not Patty. He acted like a true All-Star, breaking out of his season-long slump immediately after the C was awarded to Langenbrunner, and then proceeded to slip right back into a new slump. Some might call him “inconsistent” (which is a polite way of saying “overpriced”), but we disagree; Patty is very consistent — consistently maddening, that is. And in an exhibition like the All-Star Game, what you need more than anything is a player who can bring out some passion in the fans. We feel very passionately about Patty, and that’s why he gets the nod.
“Fans’” pick: Vincent Lecavalier
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Has anyone been watching the Lightning this year? They blow. How anyone could have voted for Lecavalier is completely beyond us. He might be leading the league in scoring, but the guy’s team is a train wreck. It’s a joke he got picked; it’s like this is all just some big popularity contest.
Forward
Our pick: Arron Asham
We love surprises. We love pleasantness. So it goes to figure that we love pleasant surprises. And so should the “fans” who are “voting” on the All-Star starters. But noooooo. This year the “fans” seem to hate surprises, pleasantness, decency, kittens, chocolate and everything else that’s good in this world, because they “voted” for this guy:
“Fans’” pick: Daniel Alfredsson
Has everyone forgotten what a classless goon he was in the Stanley Cup Final, when he tried to lower himself to within shouting distance of the Ducks’ collective classlessness by shooting a puck at Scott Niedermayer’s chest? Wait. Is this selection just everyone’s way of saying they, too, would like to shoot a puck at Scott Niedermayer’s chest? Because we wouldn’t mind doing that. But that doesn’t mean we’re going to let our All-Star vote get into bed with a guy like Daniel Alfredsson. He’s got an entire team of super-champions skating with him. Remember, it wasn’t all that long ago that the Ottawa papers were planning to do day-by-day comparisons between this year’s Sens and the 1976-77 Canadiens, and we were being led to believe there was no greater collection of hockey talent in the universe than the Senators roster. So what is up with the “fans” pulling Alfredsson out of that incomparably gifted pile of players? Is it because he’s the captain? Because he got lots of press last Spring during their playoff run? Because he’s the “biggest name” on the team? Is the starting lineup of the All-Star Game no more than a popularity contest?
Defense
Our pick: Johnny Oduya
Going into this season the Devils were faced with a difficult conundrum — where to get the offense from the blueline that Brian Rafalski took with him when he trounced off to the greener pastures (smirk) of Detroit. Turns out that was one problem with an easy solution. Enter Johnny Oduya. He’s so had the hot stick, he can’t even hold on to it! ZING! Seriously, let’s look at the numbers while pitting him against the…
“Fans’” pick: Zdeno Chara
In 35 games this year, Oduya’s been good for 7 points. Chara, meanwhile, has chalked up 26 points in 42 games. For starters, right there we can see who’s better. See, Oduya’s been “good” and Chara’s been “chalk”; chalk’s just nasty. Morevoer, if we dig a little deeper we’ll see that Oduya’s scored all 7 of his points in 22 games. Let’s see, 22 divided by 7… carry the one… and we get 3.15. 42 divided by 26… let’s see here… nets us 1.6 HA! 3 is clearly bigger and better than 1 and thus Oduya is clearly the All Star here. It makes us wonder how Chara, who’s been an All Star reserve 3 times prior, got selected at all. What, is Chara just more popular than Oduya? Is that why more fans voted for him than the flashy young Devils defenseman?
Defense
Our pick: Sheldon Brookbank
You’re asking “Sheldon Whobank?” We can hear you. You have no idea who this hidden gem of a player is. Admit it! TELL US WHEN! Alright, fine, we’ll let you off the hook on this one because he’s only appeared in just over half of the games played this year by the Devils, and even then he was skating as the seventh defenseman. But here’s why we think this 4-point hero deserves to skate out with the stars in Atlanta this year: we distinctly — okay, somewhat — alright, more like foggily remember him scoring a game-winning goal against the Flyers. In our memories he’s a Flyer killer. Everyone hates the Flyers. Ergo, everyone loves Brookbank. The fact that those 4 points are — [thumbs through dusty ledgers brimming with statbits] — zero goals and four assists shouldn’t belittle what we believe to be true.
“Fans’” pick: Andrei Markov
Andrei Markov has never done anything in our memories. Ever. In fact, we were pretty sure his name was Danny until the line-up was announced. Brookbank + 1 big imaginary goal > Markov + zero imaginary goals. So how is it that this joker (Who wears sweater number 79? Jokers! That’s who!) gets the fame and glory of being an All-Star starter, his name forever etched in the silver rings of… um… wait, what do All-Star Starters get? A big novelty check and no vacation? Whatever it is Markov’s getting, he’s only getting it because of the sham that is All-Star voting. It’s almost as if these “votes” are “voted on” based on which players the “voters” think are the most popular. It makes us sick.
Goaltender
Our pick: Marty Brodeur
He is the greatest goalie to ever breathe. And we say that as totally unbiased observers, not as Devils fans. We’re bloggers, yo. We can leave the fandom at the door. Perhaps the most miraculous stat Marty’s pulled out this year is that he’s gone from being unconscionably putrid at the start of the season to kick-assedly awesome now. No, we don’t have numbers to back that up. But we’re bloggers, yo. We’re better than numbers.
“Fans’” pick: Marty Brodeur
Well, at least the “fans” “voted” correctly on one position. Although if they’d manage to get all six starters wrong, we’d probably have had to ask the government to intervene, either by mandating a more accurate All-Star starting line-up, or exterminating all these “fans” who are clearly too stupid to live. Because really, this is the All-Star Game. It is not a popularity contest.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Do not even get us started on the starters the “fans” “voted in”. Looking at these names we have to wonder if the “fans” even know there’s an Eastern Conference, too. Hello? Western Conference bias much? Gah. It’s like it’s just one big popularity contest or something.
WESTERN CONFERENCE…
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
BES.POST.EVAR!
WESTERN CONFERENCE…
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Seconded, stupid Red Wings!
BES.POST.EVAR!
Glad you liked it, Frisby!
Patty, Caitlin, it’s almost as if you’re scoffing at the notion of a West Coast bias…
Patty, Caitlin, it’s almost as if you’re scoffing at the notion of a West Coast bias…
Bias? In the West? Oh, surely not, no!
Patty, Caitlin, it’s almost as if you’re scoffing at the notion of a West Coast bias…
Of course not! I’m agreeing with your assessment that it smacks of WC bias that no EC players were voted onto the WC team.
I’m agreeing with your assessment that it smacks of WC bias that no EC players were voted onto the WC team.
Thanks. I am, personally, outraged by this. OUTRAGED. I’m telling you, the All-Star starters voters are possibly the stupidest people in sports. Who are these jackasses anyway? What are their credentials?
Who are these jackasses anyway? What are their credentials?
And why do they treat the sacred honor of selecting All Star starters as if it’s a popularity contest?!
And why do they treat the sacred honor of selecting All Star starters as if it’s a popularity contest?!
Exactly. It should be based more on stats. Therefore, all the voting should be done the night before the deadline so that you have the total stats picture when you vote.
I think you have also hit on Oduya’s drop-stick issue. It’s because he has the hot stick!
Yeah, there should be a ten minute window to cast your vote. And since there can only be one person who’s numerically the best, the ballot would only contain one choice per position — the right choice per position. Otherwise? It’s just a popularity contest!
You know what else? I don’t want any of these so-called “voters” hiding behind there only being a certain assortment of names made available on the All-Star ballot. I mean, only stupid people don’t know how to put together a grassroots All-Star campaign. When the wrong starters get picked (because there are, without doubt, “right” and “wrong” choices here), it’s because the STUPID PEOPLE were “voting”. And here we are, once again, dealing with the PR fallout that comes with our sport’s All-Star Game being a complete fucking joke. How can the NHL expect to be taken seriously if it can’t even get the “fans” to “vote” for the RIGHT players?
I’m sure Oduya tries that line in every performance review. Sutter’s starting to get suspicious. He’s like, “If you have a hot stick… shouldn’t you score more points?” Oduya’s like, “Look! A hobo! He just dropped his bindle stick!”
because there are, without doubt, “right” and “wrong” choices here
Careful! You’re gonna wear your quotation-mark key down to a nub!
“Fans” are “stupid” “!”
“What” “are” “you” “saying”, “Patty”?
Oh, and there was a lot more wear-and-tear on my fingers from making air-quotes while typing all those words than on the actual quotation mark key.
Hahahaha!
BES.POST.EVAR!
Ain’t that the truth :D
You got 1000 comments on the last post? That is some crazy awesome going on right there. I feel like I should send you guys a card or something, to commemorate this wonderful event.
I just read the last comment thread. The puckbunny discussion was entertaining, and I think I might have hurt myself stifling a laugh or too. Must not let co-workers know I’m reading blogs.
And since there can only be one person who’s numerically the best, the ballot would only contain one choice per position — the right choice per position.
You know the NHL would somehow find a way to make sure that Sid filled every position for the EC. There’d be Sidbot clones, and the challenge would then be picking the real Sid out from amongst the clones.
Ugh, that should be “laugh or two.” Stupid homophones.
Stupid homophones.
Homophones suck!
Ugh, that should be “laugh or two.” Stupid homophones.
Sorry, Amy. Even with the apology, don’t think your typo wasn’t noticed. You’re banned. We’ll just have to aspire to 2,000 comments in one thread someday without you. :P
I’m still very flush from the feeling of victory. 1,000 was a very exciting milestone to hit, and I want to thank each and every contributor. We’re a great team, IPB (Ir)regulars! :D
Oh, and the NHL would find a way to make the ballot all Sid and Ovechkin, because even though they play completely incomparable styles, this current generation of star players should really just boil down to their head-to-head matchup.
You got 1000 comments on the last post? That is some crazy awesome going on right there.
I’m so sorry I missed the 1,000th comment! You guys, all of you, are the best! Woo-hoo!
It’s a good thing I went to bed, though, since I have a busy day of attending union contract seminars. That’s right, I’m going to be offline almost all day. Don’t these people know I have a serious internet addiction?!
Congrats on hitting 1000, ladies.
I want to point out that while the comments might zip along even when you don’t post actual content, I suspect I speak for everyone in saying that we love your posts and are much happier when there is content.
Also, maybe you haven’t noticed it, but when you guys are out of town, the comments are much quieter. Your presence on your blog is definitely very much required! :D
That sucks, Pookie! I hope the meetings aren’t 100% awful (although I don’t see how they wouldn’t be, but that might be my inner pessimist and meeting hater talking)
The strange this (for me) about the 1000th comment was that I was awake when it was posted, but I had to go to school. So I could have been there when it happened, but I wasn’t. Kinda sad, considering my level of IPB addicted. Must. Sleep. Less.
Aw, thanks Meg!
Thanks, Meg! We’re really only joking when we say we think this blog can run itself now (and if we honestly thought so we’d just turn it into a forum or something and spend a lot less effort on it….), but my ego doesn’t mind being reassured that you still like to read our posts! :D
Must. Sleep. Less.
That’s the attitude we like to hear!
We’re really only joking when we say we think this blog can run itself now
I figured as much, but I also figured it never hurts to hear it.
That’s the attitude we like to hear!
I’m glad :D. Given my current lack of proper spelling and grammar, it might not be such a great idea though *sigh* sorry guys, that last comment was awful.
We’re really only joking when we say we think this blog can run itself now
Oh, thank god! How else would I get the important and insightful news analysis that I’ve come to rely so heavily upon? Without a functioning IPB, I wouldn’t know that the All-Star Game was a popularity contest!
Without a functioning IPB, I wouldn’t know that the All-Star Game was a popularity contest!
I know, I know. I realize you all have come to expect a high level of news analysis from us, but even that probably wasn’t enough to prepare you for the bombshell we dropped in this post. But I just couldn’t go another year without exposing the web of deceit the NHL and MSM have woven around the All-Star Game. While it may seem like a sacred trust… really it’s just a popularity contest. I’m sorry, guys. Oh, and there is no Santa Claus.
Oh, and there is no Santa Claus.
GAHHHH!!! MY EYES!!! MY EYES!!! IT BURNS!!!
there is no Santa Claus.
Please tell me you’re lying. But you wouldn’t do that to us, would you? ‘Cause you’re a proper blogger. Omigod there really is no Santa is there? That’s HORRIBLE.
Yeah, I know. I’m sorry. But I finally got my Blogging Handbook from the licensing office (along with my housecat registration forms), and it turns out I’m not allowed to tell lies in this space. I’ve got 397 posts chock full o’ lies to make up for now.
Matt & Mags – sorry for the delay this morning, as I’ve been swamped at work, but that e-mail should be hitting your inboxes at any second.
it turns out I’m not allowed to tell lies in this space
I wouldn’t call them lies per se, but perhaps “opinions and freely shared world views”?
I maintain that your statement on Santa Claus is an invalid opinion propagated by the leprechaun cabal.
an invalid opinion
Hrm…poorly worded. I meant to say “unfortunately misguided opinion, based on the deliberately inflammatory and inaccurate reporting of the leprechaun cabal.
Caitlin, don’t worry about it.
So what is up with the “fans” pulling Alfredsson out of that incomparably gifted pile of players?
Clearly, he got the token Swede vote.
Omigod there really is no Santa is there?
There is Mags, of course there is. He won’t come if you don’t believe in him!
‘Cause you’re a proper blogger. Omigod there really is no Santa is there? That’s HORRIBLE.
Thanks for ruining my childhood, IPB! ;)
I maintain that your statement on Santa Claus is an invalid opinion propagated by the leprechaun cabal.
Please, Matt. We’re a .com. That means we’re not under the sway of the leprechaun cabal. They’ve got all the .orgs under their sway, though, so watch out, people.
Ok, I was just avoiding some boring work by reading Ultimate Sports Road Trip, and I have to say that the fact that Devil’s fans chant, “Rangers Suck, Flyers Swallow,” is hilarious.
There is Mags, of course there is. He won’t come if you don’t believe in him!
Phew! Thanks, Sherry, for restoring my faith in the world as it is :D
We’re a .com. That means we’re not under the sway of the leprechaun cabal. They’ve got all the .orgs under their sway, though, so watch out, people.
Are you then under the control of the lollipop guild?
Are you then under the control of the lollipop guild?
Can’t be. That’s an associate guild of the Leprechauns
“Rangers Suck, Flyers Swallow”
Holy shit, that made me laugh so hard I now have applesauce all over my keyboard.
Holy shit, that made me laugh so hard I now have applesauce all over my keyboard.
My favorite part of that chant is that, because of the easy travel within the Atlantic Division, you hear that chant at all the area arenas…. The Garden especially. Man! That pisses off the Rangers fans =)
“Rangers Suck, Flyers Swallow,”
Appropriate, since both teams have slag faced whores on their rosters.
I have to say that the fact that Devil’s fans chant, “Rangers Suck, Flyers Swallow,” is hilarious.
The “Flyers swallow” part hadn’t been added to the cheer yet back when I still had season tickets, so I have to admit to being a bit of a “Rangers suck” purist. While I agree about the hilariousness of the cheer, I personally don’t like to water down my “Rangers suck”s with any sentiment about the Flyers, no matter how appropriately vulgar and derisive. I have a laser-like focus on declaring how much the Rangers suck, and never veer off topic. :D
Are you then under the control of the lollipop guild?
Can’t be. That’s an associate guild of the Leprechauns
Wouldn’t you all just like to know who’s secretly pulling the strings around here!
(Oh, and :^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::)
Wow, did IPB ever die or what? Not that I have anything to contribute. Did y’all burn out from collectively posting 1000 comments yesterday?
Did y’all burn out from collectively posting 1000 comments yesterday?
Yes. I have no more comments. At all. :P
Yes. I have no more comments. At all. :P
That is probably less true that the fact that Santa doesn’t exist :P
Did y’all burn out from collectively posting 1000 comments yesterday?
I fell asleep on my keyboard. It wouldn’t be so bad if my boss didn’t just walk in and see me napping. Gotta remember to set the door alarm next time…
I’m just sitting here debating whether or not I would be able to make it to work tomorrow if I drink the entire bottle of wine I have sitting around my apartment during the Sens game tonight.
I fell asleep on my keyboard. It wouldn’t be so bad if my boss didn’t just walk in and see me napping.
Whoops.
’m just sitting here debating whether or not I would be able to make it to work tomorrow if I drink the entire bottle of wine I have sitting around my apartment during the Sens game tonight.
Depends on your tolerance for alcohol. I know people who could pull it off. (I also know people who wouldn’t make it to work/school if they didn’t drink an entire bottle of wine. But my generation doesn’t have an alcohol problem. Noooooo)
I’m just sitting here debating whether or not I would be able to make it to work tomorrow if I drink the entire bottle of wine I have sitting around my apartment during the Sens game tonight.
Well, if the Sabres can suck in a consistent and even manner throughout the course of the entire game, then you’ll be able to pace yourself and should be fine. But if they do something of the “rip your beating heart out of your chest and then drop it so you can watch it bleed out in your own lap” variety, then no, you’ll probably need to burn a sick day.
But I finally got my Blogging Handbook from the licensing office (along with my housecat registration forms), and it turns out I’m not allowed to tell lies in this space. I’ve got 397 posts chock full o’ lies to make up for now.
I thought I could tell whether a blog was holding itself accountable for its content, but I can see now that I was deluded.
Wouldn’t you all just like to know who’s secretly pulling the strings around here!
Farve the Cat? Boxworthy?
“rip your beating heart out of your chest and then drop it so you can watch it bleed out in your own lap”
That’s a great visual. And unfortunately, something the Sabres seem entirely capable of doing these days.
Depends on your tolerance for alcohol. I know people who could pull it off. (I also know people who wouldn’t make it to work/school if they didn’t drink an entire bottle of wine. But my generation doesn’t have an alcohol problem. Noooooo)
Think lightweight. I think Schnookie’s right, if they suck consistently but at a normal level I might be ok. If they suck the way I expect them to suck, particularly with Thibault in net, I should perhaps stop at half the bottle and save the rest for the upcoming Devils game. Although since I don’t have to work the day after that one, I could always pull out the vodka then.
These big decisions, y’know.
Wow, did IPB ever die or what? Not that I have anything to contribute. Did y’all burn out from collectively posting 1000 comments yesterday?
Unfortunately, I didn’t die (although I feel like I am right now), but I have been craaaazy busy at work.
Schnookie, I saw that comment you wrote last night! We’ll FIHT all the way to the end for first place in line! :D
I thought I could tell whether a blog was holding itself accountable for its content, but I can see now that I was deluded.
Aww, Patty! Booooo!
That’s a great visual. And unfortunately, something the Sabres seem entirely capable of doing these days.
Heh. That’s the descriptor I used for G2 of the Devils-Hurricanes series in 2006. The one where the Devils scored the go-ahead goal with, like, 20 seconds left in the third. And then lost in overtime. It’s a special kind of crushingly awful, that kind of loss. :P
These big decisions, y’know.
It’s a terrible burden for you, Meg, trying to find the best way to dull the pain of this latest stretch of hockey. Self-medicating really isn’t for the faint of heart, is it?
It’s a terrible burden for you, Meg, trying to find the best way to dull the pain of this latest stretch of hockey. Self-medicating really isn’t for the faint of heart, is it?
That’s what I’m saying. I’m not usually much of a self-medicator at all, but I feel like if any game has the potential to require it, this is the one.
Unfortunately, I didn’t die (although I feel like I am right now), but I have been craaaazy busy at work.
Awwwww, *hugs*.
I just want to go on record as saying I’m mega glad IPB exists. Coach just cancelled practice, and God I would not know what to do with myself if I didn’t have you guys.
I’m not usually much of a self-medicator at all, but I feel like if any game has the potential to require it, this is the one.
Furthermore, imagine how much more delightful the celebration will be when they pull the upset, and suddenly instead of just being happy, you’re a drunken reveler!
That’s what I’m saying. I’m not usually much of a self-medicator at all, but I feel like if any game has the potential to require it, this is the one.
I’ve got a bottle of Vicodin all ready to go.
I’ve got a bottle of Vicodin all ready to go.
It can’t be THAT bad, can it?
Good morning IPB!
I was just totally traumatized in anthropology class. We were watching this video on different cultures, and they were talking about hunting. All of a sudden, they were spearing a giraffe repeatedly. It was horrible! As if the horror of losing Matty O to IR wasn’t enough.
It can’t be THAT bad, can it?
Oh, it can. Okay, probably not, but unlike Meg I don’t have to worry about going to work the next morning so I’m going all the way, baby!
alix, that’s hilarious! But also very, very sad!
Guys, they just put up the rest of the All-Star roster for the West (sorry, -Ookies):
http://www.nhl.com/allstar/2008/west_roster.html
WTF. They put Zubov on there? I don’t know why they even bothered – they know he’s not going to show up. They might as well give it to the next d-man on the list.
(I don’t like the idea of Zubov & Pronger playing together.)
You’ll be glad to know Getzi made it, Schnookie.
We were watching this video on different cultures, and they were talking about hunting. All of a sudden, they were spearing a giraffe repeatedly. It was horrible!
OMG! That’s terrible! Poor Alix! Are you ok? Do we need to send help (seriously. I’m going to send you my Canucks cards anyway, might as well send you something else)
I am OUTRAGED by the selections for the WC All-Star team. I mean, I haven’t even heard of most of those guys, let alone seen any of them play in the last three years. Why is the NHL trying to alienate me? :P
(Actually, the Marauders are very happy to see Duncan Keith on there, because he’s one of the players I picked myself, ages and ages ago before he became the huge-time star he am now. And I’m glad to see Getzi was named to the squad, because it means I can actually attend the game in person. I mean, since my stated reason for going to games is to have sex with him, it stands to reason that if he wasn’t there, I wouldn’t be either. Well played, NHL. Well played. Good job keeping me interested.)
Oh, and alix, I’m so sorry about the giraffe video!
Hee. I’ll be fine with the Canucks cards.
Oh my gosh! They’re actually sending a Sedin! Wow! I feel kind of bad for Danny, but I’m sure he won’t care.
And now I’m almost late for class, so I better run. Talk to you all later!
Thanks, Schnoookie.
The Waffles are happy for Manny Legace, Chris Pronger, Anze Kopitar and Henrik Sedin. Who knew my team were such popular prom queens?
The Mother Puckers are happy that Shaun Horcoff made the All-Star team.
The Waffles are happy for Manny Legace, Chris Pronger, Anze Kopitar and Henrik Sedin. Who knew my team were such popular prom queens?
Hee! The Chinchillas have Legace, Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Stastny. Stastny is totally on the bad list at present though.
You guys, after all that talk in the comments yesterday, I decided I wanted to order Katamari and Guitar Hero for myself and they. do. not. exist. here. I need to move back home *sobs*
We had some difficulty finding Katamari online for Heather, actually. If that’s any help at all.
I decided I wanted to order Katamari and Guitar Hero for myself and they. do. not. exist. here. I need to move back home *sobs*
What?! NO! That’s seventy kinds of wrong.
Schnookie, I’m glad I’m not just going crazy. I’m finding the problem is that it hasn’t been written for any European systems, just Asia and America. I could order a copy from there, but I can’t play it in my PS2. Same with Guitar Hero for my Wii. Fail. (ok, stopping with the whining now)
I’ll get my coat.
NICE POST! Holy Cow!
Mags, where is home originally?
Admit it! TELL US WHEN!
Hahah! I always laugh when you include that in a post.
I don’t know, Caitlin. Here’s what he says:
“This is a huge honor for me and I am very excited to represent my team at the All-Star Game,” said Zubov. “My teammates had a lot to do with this because I would obviously not being going if it wasn’t for them. It should be a fun weekend and I’m really looking forward to it.”
I agree that I don’t like it when he’s on the same ice with Pronger. I wouldn’t put it past him to elbow a teammate in the head.
I wouldn’t put it past him to elbow a teammate in the head
I can’t believe Derian Hatcher put a teammate on IR before Pronger.
“This is a huge honor for me and I am very excited to represent my team at the All-Star Game,” said Zubov. “My teammates had a lot to do with this because I would obviously not being going if it wasn’t for them. It should be a fun weekend and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Ah, translation:
“I’m really unhappy about receiving any sort of personal attention, but Brett Hull & Les Jackson have told me I need to suck it up and go anyways and give you reporters a decent soundbyte. I’m not thrilled with it, but Brett’s explained that Paragraph 5, Subsection C, Part (a) of my contract obligates me to go to such frivolous festivities. This will be the weekend from hell, and I wish it would end as soon as possible. I just play for my team and because I love hockey. I wish you all would leave me alone.”
Amy, actually I’m not sure I really have a “home”. Most of my family live in upstate New York, Ontario and Quebec. My best friends live in New Jersey and Nova Scotia. So I guess home is the Northeast.
Patty, surely not even Pronger would do that (besides, Russian could just deathglare him)
Wow, Caitlin! You do speak Russian!
Patty, surely not even Pronger would do that (besides, Russian could just deathglare him)
Haha!
And Pronger would probably break his elbow on the glass after Zubie ducked the hit and he slammed into the glass instead of into Zubie.
Wow, Caitlin, you’re goooooood.
Wow, Caitlin! You do speak Russian!
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::
Patty, surely not even Pronger would do that (besides, Russian could just deathglare him)
Not only will Russian deathglare him, he’ll put him in a headlock!
Admit it! TELL US WHEN!
Hahah! I always laugh when you include that in a post.
I won’t lie — it always cracks me up, too! :P
NICE POST! Holy Cow!
Thanks, Katebits. And really, you can just keep piling on the praise…
And Caitlin, my real-life, face-to-face encounter with Zubov was at the ’98 A-S Game in Vancouver, so I guess there’s precendent for him to be there.
And Pronger would probably break his elbow on the glass after Zubie ducked the hit and he slammed into the glass instead of into Zubie.
Considering the elbow pads that guy wears, that is unlikely. But hey, it’d be fun!
And Pronger would probably break his elbow on the glass after Zubie ducked the hit and he slammed into the glass instead of into Zubie.
He’s very good at that. He gets himself around hits all the time, and I’m not sure how he does it.
Jen mentioned to me that she’s seen articles/reports done before about how Zubov hardly ever has to look at the clock, but somehow can always tell if time needs to be added or subtracted and is always the first to tell the refs about it. I don’t know how he does it either.
He’s some sort of magical Russian, I guess.
I decided I wanted to order Katamari and Guitar Hero for myself and they. do. not. exist. here. I need to move back home *sobs*
Wait….so you have a PS2 and a Wii, but bought in Europe? Or boughtin the US and taken overseas?
And Caitlin, my real-life, face-to-face encounter with Zubov was at the ‘98 A-S Game in Vancouver, so I guess there’s precendent for him to be there.
Yes, he’s gone before, although in recent years he hasn’t been. Given his intense dislike for media, cameras and people in general, I’ve always stuck by my belief that the Stars had to bribe him to go every year he was eligible to go.
Russian is just mega smart. That’s what it is.
you have a PS2 and a Wii, but bought in Europe?
Yes. You can’t take an American system and use it here (as my sister discovered with the Xbox) because TVs don’t use the same coding.
Ok, I need help. What kind of game is Katamari and is it available for Xbox 360? I want to play this game so badly but I don’t even know what it’s like!
I don’t know how he does it either.
He’s some sort of magical Russian, I guess.
Before the fall of communism, he was the subject of secret soviet experiments to create a superhuman hockey machine to reclaim the ruined reputation of Tretiak. Among the bionic improvements is a digital clock implanted in his right ankle.
Speaking of Pronger, apparently he’s a big Giuliani supporter (thanks, Battle of Alberta!). Setting politics aside, there’s something very right about Pronger supporting such a nasty human being. I’m totally getting a kick out of it.
Before the fall of communism, he was the subject of secret soviet experiments to create a superhuman hockey machine to reclaim the ruined reputation of Tretiak. Among the bionic improvements is a digital clock implanted in his right ankle.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::
*gasp*
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
You know, you can still buy Tretiak bobbleheads. (I kinda want one!) Speaking of Russians, did anyone check out the Russian Superleague brawl Mirtle posted? Craziness.
Yes. You can’t take an American system and use it here (as my sister discovered with the Xbox) because TVs don’t use the same coding.
Mostly, kinda, sorta, true, but sufficient for our purposes. However, there are some ways around it that might be useful. Lemme talk with my friend over at Gamestop and see if he knows all the salient details.
And no, it doesn’t void warranties.
What kind of game is Katamari and is it available for Xbox 360?
Sadly, Katamari pre-dates the 360 and was a Sony exclusive (I think).
Speaking of Pronger, apparently he’s a big Giuliani supporter
*sigh* Prongs? Why?
Ok, I need help. What kind of game is Katamari and is it available for Xbox 360?
It’s a totally AWESOME game. I’m not sure how you’d explain it really, but my favorite thing about it is how simple it is. You really only use the little toggle things – no crazy button combinations which kill me in other games. Don’t know about it being available on X-Box though. Sorry.
Matt, man, if you can help I seriously owe you big. The only reason I haven’t screwed with my PS2 so it can play stuff from abroad (because I know it can be done) is because of that freaky warranty drivel people throw at me all the time.
You know, you can still buy Tretiak bobbleheads.
Y’all ever taken a trip to the HHOF? Last time I was up there, I was wandering around in the very back and stumbled on something very cool. In a random display case on the back wall, was Tretiak’s Order of Lenin flag. Just kinda draped over some old photos of something else…. I forget what. I walked right by, then my mind clicked and said “HEY! LOOK AT THAT!!” It was very cool.
kms2, Katamari is the pure, video-game distillation of joy and fun. It’s wildly simple to play, and the conceit is just that you roll a little ball over all manner of objects and pick them up as you roll over them. The more objects you pick up, the bigger the ball gets, and as the ball grows you can pick up increasingly larger objects. In order to win you have to reach a certain size in a given amount of time. It’s AWESOME. There are three games, and the third one, Beautiful Katamari is for Xbox. I HIGHLY recommend it (although the first one, which is for PS2, is my favorite).
You know, you can still buy Tretiak bobbleheads.
Y’all ever taken a trip to the HHOF? Last time I was up there, I was wandering around in the very back and stumbled on something very cool. In a random display case on the back wall, was Tretiak’s Order of Lenin flag. Just kinda draped over some old photos of something else…. I forget what. I walked right by, then my mind clicked and said “HEY! LOOK AT THAT!!” It was very cool.
I can’t find who asked – I’m too lazy to look that hard – but the Katamari sequel is availabe on X-box 360. I have no idea if it’s the same, better, worse etc.
Technically, it’s the 3rd sequel that’s available on the 360, and rumored to be released soon on the Wii (although not confirmed). You can get the 2nd sequel on the PSP. Sadly, the original and 1st sequel are only on PS2
The Xbox Katamari is HD. The graphics are completely dizzying. And on the last level you roll up continents. It’s easier than the first two, and the music’s not as good, but still. It’s Katamari. (And there are a zillion more Royal Presents, so the prince [or, as we call him, Zach] gets lots more hilarious outfits.)
Anybody that’s never seen it or played, here’s a quick sample of gameplay.
Y’all ever taken a trip to the HHOF?
I’ve never been, but I want to go!
In a random display case on the back wall, was Tretiak’s Order of Lenin flag.
OMG MATT! You speak my language. I’d give my eye teeth to see that!
I have never played Katamari, and now I’m a little scared to play, for fear I will never step away from the console ever again. I mean, Guitar Hero’s bad enough.
no crazy button combinations which kill me in other games.
I’ve pretty much given up on NHL ’08 because I can’t make my players do any fancy moves. They get the puck, skate up ice, and shoot. No passing, no checking, nothing. My teams always suck even worse than the real life Kings.
Schnookie, your description of Katamari is absolutely hysterical. I definitely need to get the game!! I’m currently hooked on GH but I think I could use a break. My brother just got GH this week and played for 7 hours straight and beat it on Easy and Medium. He went to bed at 5 am, slept through his alarm, woke up at 10am and was late for work. He’s the worst lawyer ever.
OMG MATT! You speak my language. I’d give my eye teeth to see that!
The other thing that was really impressive was that the Stanley Cup (original) was in this nice vault, along with some old rings (removed from the cup to make room for more names) and a few championship rings (like, for fingers). The place used to be a bank, I guess.
One of the 2 currently-used cups is on permanent display, but totally not behind any sort of glass. They encourage you to go and touch it, to get your picture taken with it. And it’s not the crappy amusement-park pics that you’d see in the US. They happily took photos of me and the cup on my camera, my sister’s camera, and my friend’s phone. They didn’t even mind holding up the line so we could snap some pics of just the cup, with nobody near it. That was awesome!
here’s a quick sample of gameplay.
thanks for the link. I”ll have to check it out later because I can’t access youtube at work…so lame.
anyway, I’m off to a workshop. Cheer for my Kings tonight, we’re playing the Leafs!
I’ve pretty much given up on NHL ‘08
Ewwwwwwwww. NHL 2k8 is sooo much better. I rock at that game, with pretty much the same technique!
NHL 2k8 is sooo much better
Really?? I got NHL 2k7 last year and I thought it f’ing sucked, which is why I went for NHL ’08 this season.
Really?? I got NHL 2k7 last year and I thought it f’ing sucked
Oh, well then never mind. I’ve always preferred the 2k games to the NHL ’0-series.
Yeah, I can’t play sports games at all. I want to but I can’t! Too many buttons!
I was talking to the guy at the card shop who wants to put an ad on my blog and he said that Derek Roy wore manpris when he came in to sign some stuff for them. That cracks me up.
Jen mentioned to me that she’s seen articles/reports done before about how Zubov hardly ever has to look at the clock, but somehow can always tell if time needs to be added or subtracted and is always the first to tell the refs about it. I don’t know how he does it either.
He’s some sort of magical Russian, I guess.
He is magical Russian. We know this. Magical Russian scared of Christmas Cards
Yeah, I can’t play sports games at all. I want to but I can’t! Too many buttons!
My incompetence in the face of buttons is one of the biggest reasons I don’t have a video game system.
Russian is just mega smart. That’s what it is.
Oh, Mags, I was going to tell you this, as I think you’d find it funny.
Jen has a friend who plays in an adult hockey league that practices sometimes at the same rink the Stars practice at. One day, they spotted Sergei Zubov coming out from the Stars locker room after the Stars had practiced, and these people were walking up to Zubov and trying to talk to him and stuff.
The poor man apparently just couldn’t deal with it, so he told them, “Oh look, Mike Modano’s over there,” and as the fans went cruising to look for Modano (who wasn’t really there, I don’t think), Zubov sneakily escaped out the back way.
Some might think it’s kind of a jerk move, but it’s classically Zubie and I think any Stars fan would expect him to run away in terror like that, if they knew anything about him.
Magical Russian scared of Christmas Cards
Well, there could be a bomb in there. Or anthrax.
Or something saying, “You should really win the Norris Trophy.”
The poor man apparently just couldn’t deal with it, so he told them, “Oh look, Mike Modano’s over there,” and as the fans went cruising to look for Modano (who wasn’t really there, I don’t think), Zubov sneakily escaped out the back way.
Awww, cute. It’s his version of, “Look a hobo!”
Magical Russian scared of Christmas Cards
Maybe he was Santa in a past life.
I can’t do any of the fancy moves in NHL ’07 either, but I can pass and shoot and check and stuff. But not like, deke, or win shootouts. If I tie in regular, enjoy your 2 points, computer. Luckily for me, I tend to win with big scores :D I haven’t got ’08 *through gritted teeth* because it’s not out here yet.
I don’t know if NHL 2k is any better, I’ve never played it.
Awwwww, Russian is so adorable! It might be assy, but it’s also totally clever. I mean, realistically, if you had to pick between someone who can deal with the attention versus someone who has trouble with it, I’d send people over to the first guy too.
My incompetence in the face of buttons is one of the biggest reasons I don’t have a video game system.
Same here. I can play Tetris well, and that’s about it.
Jen has a friend who plays in an adult hockey league that practices sometimes at the same rink the Stars practice at.
It was his little brother actually.
It was his little brother actually.
Crap, I can’t read! Damn, I should’ve told you to post it. ;) You probably would’ve told it better anyways.
you told it better than i could’ve actually, especially today.
Mags,
You do know that they did make PAL versions of We <3 Katamari as well as Me & My Katamari (sequels 1 and 2) for the PS2, right?
You do know that they did make PAL versions of We <3 Katamari as well as Me & My Katamari (sequels 1 and 2) for the PS2, right?
Meaning that you could play them on a euro PS2, which I imagine you could pick up fairly cheaply used….
Q: What could make the upcoming game against Ottawa better?
A: Connolly being out in addition to Roy and Afinogenov.
Matt, I am so aware of that it hurts. I also know I have been ALL OVER THE PLACE an have not found a copy.
Q: What could make the upcoming game against Ottawa better?
A: Connolly being out in addition to Roy and Afinogenov.
*headdesk*
Q: What could make the upcoming game against Ottawa better?
A: Connolly being out in addition to Roy and Afinogenov.
Ohhhh no. That’s no good.
Connolly being out in addition to Roy and Afinogenov.
What is going on with the groins in this league?
Ohhhh no. That’s no good.
I know, right? And as it turns out I can’t just drink through it because my parents need me to call them at 10. They’re about to go on vacation, so I expect that I’m going to get their in-case-we-die instructions.
What is going on with the groins in this league?
They need to do more yoga.
I can’t just drink through it because my parents need me to call them at 10. They’re about to go on vacation, so I expect that I’m going to get their in-case-we-die instructions.
How vital do you think these instructions are? Because I would just set a timer for 10:00 and then proceed to drink throughout the game. Really, what could they possibly be telling you in their instructions that you’d need to be sober to hear?
A: Connolly being out in addition to Roy and Afinogenov.
Fabulous. More Andrew Peters! Well, I’ll just pull for Kaleta to wipe out Chris Neil. We’ll call it a moral victory.
It’s not that their instructions are vital, Schnookie, it’s that they’ll want to talk, and I’ll need to chat with my dad about Project Runway and even though I’m an adult I just feel weird talking to my parents when they’re both sober and I’m not.
Fabulous. More Andrew Peters! Well, I’ll just pull for Kaleta to wipe out Chris Neil. We’ll call it a moral victory.
But Paille’s back. So Paille in theory could cancel out Peters.
and I’ll need to chat with my dad about Project Runway
Oh, well, if you’d mentioned that in the first place I’d never have suggested you drink before talking to them! :D
But Paille’s back. So Paille in theory could cancel out Peters.
That totally works for me.
And just for the record, I feel very strongly that the wrong people won and lost on PR this week.
“What is going on with the groins in this league?”
Psh….puckbunny.
Kidding! Good morning everyone! Congrats to IPB for popping the 1,000 comment mark last night!
Oh, well, if you’d mentioned that in the first place I’d never have suggested you drink before talking to them! :D
Yes, my father has strong opinions about PR. He’s a devoted watcher.
And just for the record, I feel very strongly that the wrong people won and lost on PR this week.
I agree, Heather, and so did all the people I was watching with. We want Ricky to go home so, so badly.
Hey Andrew!
Man, the Sabres just can’t catch a break can they. That is some screwed up karma going on right there. I don’t know what it’s for, but someone had better find out, fast.
I feel very strongly that the wrong people won and lost on PR this week.
I agree, Heather! Although I guess I’ll give Christian the benefit of the doubt based on the strength of his previous work. I hate, hate, hated the winning design, though! That was so heinous!
And good morning to you, too, andrew!
Kidding! Good morning everyone! Congrats to IPB for popping the 1,000 comment mark last night!
Hello there, andrew!
Psh….puckbunny.
Psh, yourself :D.
I hate, hate, hated the winning design, though! That was so heinous!
Ooh, that bedazzler shit was so bad. Although, as my roommate pointed out, very northern New Jersey.
We want Ricky to go home so, so badly.
Why are they even keeping Ricky around? What do the producers like about him? Is it because he cries on command in his interviews? His designs have been consistently bad and he’s not a compelling television character. I just don’t get it.
Ooh, that bedazzler shit was so bad. Although, as my roommate pointed out, very northern New Jersey.
Hm. That’s a VERY good point.
Ooh, that bedazzler shit was so bad. Although, as my roommate pointed out, very northern New Jersey.
Also, very Derek Roy (channeling my inner Gambler’s sister)
The kid was kind of annoying but I do love that Christian got paired up with with the mouthy, attitude filled one.
I hate, hate, hated the winning design, though! That was so heinous!
What is up with that? She’s such a judge’s pet and I don’t know why. Personally I think I liked Chris’s dress the best although Sweet P’s was lovely as well.
Meg, I’m not a Ricky fan either. But I did enjoy his, “When I had a girlfriend I made her prom dress. That should’ve been a clue.” But seriously, dude could you make it 10 minutes without crying?
Ooh, that bedazzler shit was so bad. Although, as my roommate pointed out, very northern New Jersey.
Hey now! We may love our Topsy Tail, but that’s going too far!
( http://www.1worldmall.com/hairstylingtool/ )
His designs have been consistently bad and he’s not a compelling television character.
This is what we don’t get. We understand keeping a bad designer because it makes for good television. But he doesn’t. And really, most of their characters have at least been interesting designers, like Santino or that guy on Project Runway Canada.
“When I had a girlfriend I made her prom dress. That should’ve been a clue.”
That was DEFINITELY the best line of the night. That cracked us up hugely.
I really don’t get why the judges like Victorya, or if it’s not them, why the producers like her.
I am, like, impossibly awful at judging the evening dresses (I always like the things the judges pick as the worst and hate the winners), so I sort of willfully forget them as soon as the show is over, so I have no idea which one Chris designed. But I do remember liking Sweet P’s a lot. Consequently, she should have lost, because that’s how clued-in to whatever PR’s sense of fashion is. :D
“Psh, yourself :D.”
Ha!
So…what are we all talking about here? Project Runway huh? Cool! Never seen it. I’ll just be over here.
andrew, we saw you coming and quickly changed the subject to something you wouldn’t be able to participate in.
So…what are we all talking about here? Project Runway huh? Cool! Never seen it. I’ll just be over here.
I agree. So how about the weather? And that local sports team?
(as an aside to the ladies, I was forced to watch at least 3/4 of Santino’s season. Damn that live-in gf!)
I haven’t watched Project Runway yet, but Ricky won, I take it? Who was eliminated?
No, Amy, Ricky didn’t win but I wanted him to be eliminated. Kevin was eliminated.
“andrew, we saw you coming and quickly changed the subject to something you wouldn’t be able to participate in.”
Aww Schnookie, you sound just like my mom when you say stuff like that.
I was forced to watch at least 3/4 of Santino’s season.
Did you at least get to see Santino’s Tim Gunn impression? It is amazing how often we find ourselves saying “Where’s Aaaaandrae?” in Santino-as-Tim voices around IPB Manor.
And that local sports team?
We covered that! Only half of them are playing tonight and they’ve driven Meg to debating when exactly it would be most beneficial for her to start drinking. Next subject! :-)
Aww Schnookie, you sound just like my mom when you say stuff like that.
**snort-cough-choke-snort**
**falls out of his chair**
We covered that! Only half of them are playing…
I think I meant in a Yankees/Mets, Giants/Cowboys sort of way. Totally not hockey.
“Where’s Aaaaandrae?”
When Andrej Sekera was up from Ro-cha-cha I said this all the time but Mark didn’t understand what I was doing. But that might’ve made it even funnier.
Did you at least get to see Santino’s Tim Gunn impression?
I will deny that to my dying day.
…
…
*nods briefly*
When Andrej Sekera was up from Ro-cha-cha
Hrm….see, I’ve always called it Rottenchester, but I think I like this better.
I think I meant in a Yankees/Mets, Giants/Cowboys sort of way. Totally not hockey.
Oh! Well, the Yankees suck and the Mets have three catchers. Eli Manning will crack at any moment. The Bills are done but Paul Posluszny rules!
And that local sports team?
I’m pommerdoodling over the fact that I’ve found someone else that uses that phrase.
Did you at least get to see Santino’s Tim Gunn impression? It is amazing
I agree. Tim Gunn as Santino + Nine Inch Nails Closer is comedy gold.
Oh! Well, the Yankees suck and the Mets have three catchers. Eli Manning will crack at any moment. The Bills are done but Paul Posluszny rules!
Well, nobody asked you anyway! It was a conversation over in the corner, not near you!
Pbbbbbbbbt!
Tim Gunn as Santino + Nine Inch Nails Closer is comedy gold.
That was probably one of the best things on television.
“I’m pommerdoodling over the fact that I’ve found someone else that uses that phrase.”
My and my buddy always do that…we usually say something that either offends or makes others slightly uncomfortable, then it’s the obligatory, “So, how ’bout them Nicks?”
Makes us laugh anyway.
Aww Schnookie, you sound just like my mom when you say stuff like that.
I’m so glad to hear that, because after “don’t ever tell lies”, the Blogging Handbook stresses that the purpose of a good blog should be to make your readers feel at home.
Well, nobody asked you anyway! It was a conversation over in the corner, not near you!
What? I thought that was an accurate and insightful summary of the local sports scene :-)
“…the Blogging Handbook stresses that the purpose of a good blog should be to make your readers feel at home.”
Sweet. Now toss me a beer!
I think I meant in a Yankees/Mets, Giants/Cowboys sort of way. Totally not hockey.
The Yankees are the root of all Evil, the Mets have… issues, I pray for greatness for Eli Manning but I am not hopeful, the only thing I know about the Bills is J.P Losman…
(I have never watched PR. It was on here for a while but the stupidity of the contestants killed my soul. I’m sorry)
Sweet. Now toss me a beer!
For a change, I can actually do that! *throws a beer at the computer*
What? I thought that was an accurate and insightful summary of the local sports scene :-)
That might be true (ok, it IS true) but it was mean, you pooping all over my Mets and Giants. At least Mags was nice about it…
**cries softly to himself**
Do you need a beer too, Matt?
WOOHOO!! The work day is over!!!
Sweet. Now toss me a beer!
*Tosses beer*
Aw fuck. I wonder how I explain the need for a new monitor to my employer…
I have never watched PR. It was on here for a while but the stupidity of the contestants killed my soul. I’m sorry
See, what I like about PR is that, unlike other reality shows, it’s one that is actually about talented people and the creative process. It’s absolutely fascinating to me, as someone with very little artistic or creative impulse, to watch people who are so incredibly talented going from challenge to design concept to construction process to finished product.
Matt, don’t cry. I like the Mets, okay? I want them to win. I do. Does that help? At all? No? Can we atleast agree that the Yankees suck?
Do you need a beer too, Matt?
I’m more of a Scotch sort of man. I’d trade domestic, light and cold for Old, weathered and Scottish any day!
“For a change, I can actually do that! *throws a beer at the computer*”
Ha! I like it.
it’s one that is actually about talented people and the creative process. It’s absolutely fascinating to me, as someone with very little artistic or creative impulse, to watch people who are so incredibly talented going from challenge to design concept to construction process to finished product.
I’m sure it totally is and I just got a bad episode and a bad series of exchanges between 3 drama queens, but I just did. not. get. it. I’m sorry. And seriously, I’m all about fashion, I love making my own clothes and the whole process involved, but the show just didn’t work for me.
Schnookie, that’s why I like PR too. It actually requires some ability. I know nothing about clothes – I wear jeans and t-shirts 98% of the time – but it just fascinates me that a group of people can take a very basic assignment and come up with so many different ideas. Even the ones that suck are far better than I could ever do and interesting to watch.
Can we atleast agree that the Yankees suck?
I may not know a lot about baseball, but one thing I know to be absolutely, positively, gravity-hurts-and-oysters-will-kill-me true is that the Yankees suck!
I’m more of a Scotch sort of man.
Sorry dude, don’t have any of that lying around. The beer was actually so I could take a picture of it to attach to Derian Hatcher’s note about Danny Briere. You know, because it’s his reward (along with the $50). But my thinking is that sending that at the moment is rillyrillyrilly bad timing.
Schnookie, that’s why I like PR too.
That’s why I like it too. And I watch with a couple of people who work in fashion design who swear up and down that they could never ever do what the designers are doing on the show because it’s so difficult.
The challenges that get me on Project Runway are the ones that are usually the ones using non-fabric materials. I wouldn’t know where to start, but these designers come up with things like Austin Scarlett’s corn husk dress, that coffee filter dress from last season, and Rami’s and Chris’ dresses from the Hershey’s challenge this year.
I may not know a lot about baseball, but one thing I know to be absolutely, positively, gravity-hurts-and-oysters-will-kill-me true is that the Yankees suck!
Hell, yeah!
Ok folks. I’m heading home for the day, so I’ll see you in like….uh….45 minutes?
**starts walking and day-dreaming about women in hockey jerseys carrying bottles of scotch**
Austin Scarlett’s corn husk dress
That remains one of my favorite things I’ve seen on TV ever.
Bye Matt! Have a good day-dreamy walk!
Also, very Derek Roy (channeling my inner Gambler’s sister)
Mags gets a gold star for today! (Seriously, the bedazzler gag will never not make me laugh.)
Guys, Kevin got eliminated?! I’m SO SAD!! He was my favorite! Well, at least Chris is still around, right?
Anyway, guess what I did today? I made a new friend! And not just any new friend, the best kind of new friend: A new hockey friend! It’s always a good thing when a guy responds to me saying I’m from Buffalo with, “All I know about Buffalo is the Sabres.” (I’m willfully ignoring the fact that the only reason he knows about the Sabres is because he’s a Hasek fan. Lalalala!) And even better, he used to play hockey. And EVEN BETTER, we’re going to go to a Berlin game in a couple of weeks! Pommerdoodling!
Oh, and it should go without saying that this post is every kind of brilliant, but I’ll say it anyway. Brilliant!
The beer was actually so I could take a picture of it to attach to Derian Hatcher’s note about Danny Briere. You know, because it’s his reward (along with the $50). But my thinking is that sending that at the moment is rillyrillyrilly bad timing.
God almighty, Hatcher just has to screw everything up!
I still can’t believe he hit a fellow teammate who was NOT Danny Briere.
YAY! That’s awesome, Gambler! Hockey friends are the best kind of friends.
Wow. I go to class for a while and the Canucks end up with a new player. And it’s not a defenceman. Hee.
Yay Gambler and Gambler’s new friend! Which game are you going to?
Caitlin, I just… he’s hopeless! Hatch. Seriously man. You’re killing me.
I go to class for a while and the Canucks end up with a new player.
Who, if I may ask, alix?
Ovie has a deal or at least, they’re close to it. $9mill a year. That’s not bad.
Caitlin, Kris Beech from the Blue Jackets.
Gambler, that’s SO AWESOME! I’m so happy for you meeting a new hockey friend, even if he seems to have some slightly dubious credentials as a Sabres fan. I hope you have a great time at the game!
Caitlin, I just… he’s hopeless! Hatch. Seriously man. You’re killing me.
I KNOW, RIGHT! Derian, please, it’s not that difficult.
How can you get so close and yet so, so far?
I think he’s just teasing us and being mean.
“God almighty, Hatcher just has to screw everything up!”
He does. The guy is such a moron. We were all making fun of the Flyer fan in my non-IPB fantasy league, and even he wouldn’t defend the guy. In fact, he said that if it were his team, Hatcher would be in charge of handing out tape.
Hey Gambler! Glad to hear you’re having fun! Remember to stop and take it all in…
Caitlin, Kris Beech from the Blue Jackets.
Thanks! …I know very little about him.
As far as that Ovie deal goes, I’m not sure how I feel about that. $9 mil/yr seems a little excessive (he’s good, but I think there’s a limit there) and I’m not sure how much cap space the Caps actually have. (This is why I need a capologist IPBer to help me out here.) Either way, it seems a pretty heavy blow to their cap space….
“As far as that Ovie deal goes, I’m not sure how I feel about that. $9 mil/yr seems a little excessive…”
Oh Caitlin, don’t be such a wet blanket. They did the same thing with Jagr and look how that turned ou….oh, right. Nevermind.
Hey now! We may love our Topsy Tail, but that’s going too far!
Hey! I used to have one of those! I might even still have it.
I used it a lot for fishing cables through walls. :D And turning my ponytail inside out, of course.
even if he seems to have some slightly dubious credentials as a Sabres fan.
Well, he has dubious credentials as an NHL fan, period. (He’s Swiss, so his favorite team is Swiss and he follows the European leagues.) Outside of the Hasek thing, he admitted to owning a Mighty Ducks jersey, just because he likes it. He must belong to the Bryzgalov Club for Cartoon Duck Enthusiasts. But I’m not complaining, I’ll take what I can get, especially if it gives me the opportunity to see live hockey!
“Thanks! …I know very little about him.”
Neither do I. I don’t think he’s the answer to our top 7 forward woes, but you never know. Maybe he’ll be a late bloomer.
Ugh, top 6 forward obviously, not top 7.
Cap? I don’t want to hear about the cap! I just want the Sabres to sign everyone for however much money the player thinks he’s worth! And hell, add a bonus on top!
Hi, Gambler!
Gambler, sounds like you’re having a blast.
That Ovie numbers put him in the same ballpark as Sid. (BTW, Sid’s going to go from having $850,000 salary this season to $9 mil next year. The mind is blown.)
I used it a lot for fishing cables through walls. :D
I’m not the only one! WEEEEEEEE!
I’m not sure how much cap space the Caps actually have. (This is why I need a capologist IPBer to help me out here.)
Usually, that would be Vinny or me, but Vinny is not here and I’m too lazy to look it up. Crosby is making 8.75 next year, which Vinny and I considered not a steal, but a reasonable price. 9 isn’t too far off from that, but I’m not sure. It’s definitely not cheap.
That’s so great, Gambler, that you found a hockey friend! Hockey friends are the best!
And you thought you wouldn’t get to go to any games while you were there. Maybe when you get back you’ll have an alternate European team to keep up with.
Gambler, are you going to the Eisbären? Which Swiss team does he like, did he say? *is curious*
Crosby is making 8.75 next year, which Vinny and I considered not a steal, but a reasonable price.
Even given that he’s Hockey Jesus, I can’t justify that number to myself. He’s raking ~1/6 of the cap. A single man does not make a team…
9 mil seems a little excessive to me, but not surprising. With a cap, though, if Ovie signs for a huge amount, he’ll only have himself to blame for the fact that he’ll always be surrounded by players making less than a million. He can’t take a fourth of the budget and then start wondering why he always has minor-leaguers to work with.
Even given that he’s Hockey Jesus, I can’t justify that number to myself. He’s raking ~1/6 of the cap. A single man does not make a team…
Word.
9 mil seems a little excessive to me, but not surprising.
And is that the cap hit ot the front-loaded total?
Oh I like Beech already, just saw him give Phaneuf a huge hit on youtube hehehehe.
How long is Crosby’s deal? He’s probably one that’s going to be under-paid in later years of the deal, if the cap keeps going up.
DiPietro’s 15-year deal is pretty crazy, but by the 10th year, he’ll probably be making the league minimum. (If the team was smart and wrote in a no-renegotiate clause, that is.)
I’m not the only one! WEEEEEEEE!
Let’s tango again!
DiPietro’s 15-year deal is pretty crazy, but by the 10th year, he’ll probably be making the league minimum. (If the team was smart and wrote in a no-renegotiate clause, that is.)
Actually, considering how silly a 15-yr deal is, Snow at least made some good choices. It’s really heavy up front and evens out nicely after the first 5. They were going to have to pay him anyway so why not? Plus, from what I hear it’s lock-solid.
Patty, Crosby’s is 5 years to end in 2013, Ovie’s is supposed to be 6. I don’t know if the cap CAN keep going up, but who knows. Those two might be a steal by the end.
Let’s tango again!
Duhn-Duhn-duhn! Duh-duh-duhn-duhn-duhn! Duh-da-duhn!
**dip**
Oh Caitlin, don’t be such a wet blanket. They did the same thing with Jagr and look how that turned ou….oh, right. Nevermind.
ZING!
I actually can kind of, sort of, a tiny bit see Sid’s salary making sense, just because a playmaker, theoretically, makes the players around him better (although the ongoing quest to find Sid a winger suggests there’s a bit of a hole in that argument). I totally don’t get giving that kind of money to a sniper. But if the Caps want to get themselves tangled up in the “Sid v. Ovie” comparisons and try to tell themselves that the fact that two guys are marketed together automatically makes them equals as players, well, far be it from me to tell them how to run their business.
Hey, before the cap, the Stars inexplicably gave Bill Guerin a 5-year, $9 million deal.
The cap hasn’t prevented prices from climbing back to that range, but it’s raised the bar a little for what kind of player gets it, I guess. (Offer sheets to RFAs notwithstanding, of course.)
Duhn-Duhn-duhn! Duh-duh-duhn-duhn-duhn! Duh-da-duhn!
**dip**
Whee!
How long is Crosby’s deal? He’s probably one that’s going to be under-paid in later years of the deal, if the cap keeps going up.
Didn’t Crosby admit he purposely took less money than he could have asked for so the Pens had more cap space to build a better team?
he’ll only have himself to blame for the fact that he’ll always be surrounded by players making less than a million. He can’t take a fourth of the budget and then start wondering why he always has minor-leaguers to work with.
Exactly. I mean, there’s a limit to what you pay people. While I dig Ovechkin, it feels like it’s crossed the line from negotiating for his fair market value to getting a little greedy.
Didn’t Crosby admit he purposely took less money than he could have asked for so the Pens had more cap space to build a better team?
I wouldn’t say taking $8.7 million rather than $10 million is really leaving that much on the table.
Didn’t Crosby admit he purposely took less money than he could have asked for so the Pens had more cap space to build a better team?
Not entirely. He said they were looking for a number that would fairly reflect him while simultaneously allowing the team the opportunity to sign Malkin and Staal to contracts they deserve.
“Hey, before the cap, the Stars inexplicably gave Bill Guerin a 5-year, $9 million deal.”
For being such a big fan of Army, you are certainly building a strong case for his dismissal, Patty!
Didn’t Crosby admit he purposely took less money than he could have asked for so the Pens had more cap space to build a better team?
I love Sid but come on! He’s not making that much less than Ovie’s alleged deal and while I’d agree that playmaker is more valuable than a sniper that’s still a pretty big friggin’ chunk of the cap for one guyto be making.
I hope the cap doesn’t keep going up or Buffalo is screwed.
it feels like it’s crossed the line from negotiating for his fair market value to getting a little greedy.
It’s like what the guys on NHL On the Fly Final said, he’s a star player on a not so star-y team. Any time you’re that good and don’t have the immediate prospect of a chance at winning it all, you’re going to be a bit “show me the money”. I don’t necessarily agree with this approach, but I can understand it.
“I wouldn’t say taking $8.7 million rather than $10 million is really leaving that much on the table.”
Exactly. This is the dark side of a “free market”. If the NHL’s GMs want to continue handcuffing themselves to lousy deals, then so be it. There’s not much to be done about it, short of blowing up the CBA and having a 3rd party assign salaries, leaving agents out of it. Like that will ever happen.
While I dig Ovechkin, it feels like it’s crossed the line from negotiating for his fair market value to getting a little greedy.
If Ovie signs for 9 he’s making .3 more than Sid but Sid gets to be a hero for taking less than his market value and Ovie is greedy. I don’t know, I don’t see it. I think they both took took much if they’re serious about having a good team around them.
And you thought you wouldn’t get to go to any games while you were there. Maybe when you get back you’ll have an alternate European team to keep up with.
Hey, I never thought of that! Maybe I should look into Mannheim. Yo-Yo used to play for them!
Gambler, are you going to the Eisbären? Which Swiss team does he like, did he say? *is curious*
Eisbären rings a bell, but I’m not exactly sure. I just heard an invitation to hockey and had to keep myself from getting all pommerdoodly in public. But I’ll definitely let you know when I find out more. And he did say what the team was, but it was in Italian so I can’t remember it. They play in the Italian part of Swizterland, though, which I’m told is about the size of a button, so there can’t be too many teams there.
This Ovie deal makes me very nervous. Very nervous, indeed.
I think they both took took much if they’re serious about having a good team around them.
The difference in my eyes is that Hockey Jesus looked and figured out what it would take to sign Malkin and Staal, then made his negotiation. Ovie is just grabbing.
Now how can I call one greed and the other not so much? Name me 2 Caps prospects that are close to signing and having any impact close to Malkin/Staal…
I think they both took took much if they’re serious about having a good team around them.
I agree. Vinny and I discussed this around the time Crosby signed the deal. She figured 8.7 was a pretty good number for him, I felt that if he really wanted to win with great teammates who also make what they deserve, he was going to have to make more of a sacrifice. And really, with his endorsement deals, he could have dropped a bunch more. At this point, do the Penguins really have enough cap space to sign both Malkin and Staal to deals they deserve? (although, I’m not sure Staal’s worth is so great this year. Poor Veela)
And more importantly, does it matter. GM’s will do what they do. If they want to handcuff themselves, they’re welcome to. Just don’t come crying if you don’t win.
This is the dark side of a “free market”. If the NHL’s GMs want to continue handcuffing themselves to lousy deals, then so be it. There’s not much to be done about it, short of blowing up the CBA and having a 3rd party assign salaries, leaving agents out of it. Like that will ever happen.
Isn’t the CBA supposedly able to be reopened next year?
I think they both took took much if they’re serious about having a good team around them.
I agree with you, Heather, but I’ll also add (a bit seriously and a bit playing the devil’s advocate) that Sid has discussed how he felt a certain responsibility to the PA to be taking something that reflects “market value”, whatever that is. Now, as someone who’s always appreciated that Marty never gave a shit whether he was making what the PA deemed to be market value, I really do scoff at that justification for hogging almost 20% of his team’s cap, but I can see his point.
Isn’t the CBA supposedly able to be reopened next year?
Sort of. Portions of it (RFA and contract extensions) only.
Now how can I call one greed and the other not so much? Name me 2 Caps prospects that are close to signing and having any impact close to Malkin/Staal…
I can’t. But I still don’t really see the difference. Both contracts are going to handcuff their teams big time, upcoming prospects/other current quality players or no.
Name me 2 Caps prospects that are close to signing and having any impact close to Malkin/Staal
I can only name you one, but I hear the Backstrom kid is pretty good.
I can only name you one, but I hear the Backstrom kid is pretty good.
Yeah, Backstrom is good and he’ll get a better-than-entry contract. We’re still not talking a lot of $$ though…
(If the team was smart and wrote in a no-renegotiate clause, that is.)
They didn’t have to. There’s no renegotiation under the present CBA. Of course who knows what the next CBA will bring.
On the Ovie-Crosby thing: as far as I’m concerned if you’re in the 8-10 million range per year you’re not taking one for the team and there’s not much room for moral superiority. They’re both in the same boat.
“Sort of. Portions of it (RFA and contract extensions) only.”
Yeah, and let’s not think for a second that the NHL will do anything other than rubber stamp it and send it through. It seems like they always delay the inevitable by extending the CBA until it can’t be extended anymore, then renegotiations finally start.
I agree with you, Heather, but I’ll also add (a bit seriously and a bit playing the devil’s advocate) that Sid has discussed how he felt a certain responsibility to the PA to be taking something that reflects “market value”, whatever that is.
I guess. I just think talking about it and doing it are totally different things. Even if his intentions were good, Sid’s going to be eating up a lot of the cap and I really think that’s going to be even worse when they talk with Malkin but he’s not going to get an itty-bitty contract. As Mags pointed out, Sid is making an ass-load of money through endorsements and other outside sources. Saying, “Hey, I’m making a sacrifice” and then taking 8.7 million doesn’t gibe. By then again, I make $10.50 an hour…
We’re still not talking a lot of $$ though…
No, true. We’ll just have to see eh?
Anyhow, Devils playing Carolina tonight eh? I think I’m going to nap before the game (and hope I don’t sleep through my alarm this time). See you guys at game time!
Caitlin, Russian is in the ASG graphic on NHL.com. I wonder who’s heads are rolling for that one right now.
Yeah, and let’s not think for a second that the NHL will do anything other than rubber stamp it and send it through.
Actually, I’m hearing a lot of chatter about some changes to the extensions, if not the CBA. A lot of the GM’s are pretty pissed they can’t resign their players during the season when the player already wants to stay. It’s causing a lot of backlash when you start talking about veteran defensemen and the impact on star forwards. References: see Neidermeyer #1.
If Ovie signs for 9 he’s making .3 more than Sid but Sid gets to be a hero for taking less than his market value and Ovie is greedy. I don’t know, I don’t see it. I think they both took took much if they’re serious about having a good team around them.
Okay, I didn’t really phrase this correctly or get this out right. Apologies all around, IPB.
Crosby’s making $300,000.00 less than Ovechkin. True. Do I think Crosby is overpaid? Absolutely. (That’s a ridiculous deal, but if the Pens can support it…Sigh.)
However, Crosby’s team has the talent already, in my opinion, to go win a Cup. I personally think Crosby asked for too much money as well, but Ovechkin’s team is hurting a lot more for additional talent and Ovie may have just hurt his chances of getting better guys on the team. Crosby let them fiddle with the numbers a bit, while everything I read was that Ovechkin was asking in the $9/$10 million range and wouldn’t budge. (If I threw my body around like he does, I might ask for $9 or $10 mil/year as well.)
Crosby’s salary (eventually) is going to hurt them, but for now it looks like they’re making everything work – at least from everything I’ve read. If I am wrong, please feel free to correct me, as sometimes I miss stuff.
I don’t know if anybody’s worth that kind of money. Period.
I mean, sometimes I think we overpay Turco and he’s making $5.7 mil.
“Anyhow, Devils playing Carolina tonight eh?”
Oh, that should be a barn burner eh? Hasn’t Carolina been stinking out loud lately.
Speaking of…Are you ready for tonights match up, alix?! Should be a lively one.
Er….wow typos…… Changes to the extensions, if not the RFA’s….. causing backlash when talking about….W/ regards to tagging room.
I don’t know if anybody’s worth that kind of money. Period.
I’ve been of that opinion for a long time, but apparently no one who has any sort of say in the money matter of American professional sports is.
Crosby’s salary (eventually) is going to hurt them, but for now it looks like they’re making everything work – at least from everything I’ve read. If I am wrong, please feel free to correct me, as sometimes I miss stuff.
Nailed it.
Mike Green is supposed to be pretty dang good too.
I’m still a huge Sid fan, but I do find it rather silly he could be taking one for the team “only” getting $8.7. He would have probably looked better just not saying anything.
Caitlin, Russian is in the ASG graphic on NHL.com. I wonder who’s heads are rolling for that one right now.
Don’t worry, he’s very furiously typing off a memo to Hullie as we speak.
Schnookie, sorry, upon reading your comment I realized you were actually talking about the PA not the Penguins. Again, I get it and I’m sure the players don’t want other players under-selling themselves… But Sid’s a big boy, perfectly capable of telling the PA to go screw themselves because he wants to win (a la Marty – I also appreciate that about him). It’s not he was going to be in the poor house even if he took a little less.
I’ve been of that opinion for a long time, but apparently no one who has any sort of say in the money matter of American professional sports is.
It all comes back to math. The talent pool is a bell curve. Lots of decent players, few stars. Any time you move outside of the main pack of “ok” players, you’ve got exponentially diminishing returns. But, you also don’t win a cup without a few…
At this point, do the Penguins really have enough cap space to sign both Malkin and Staal to deals they deserve?
On the other hand, why can’t Malkin and Staal give a discount? Even if Crosby did give a big discount (and since he’s not the highest-paid in the league, I do consider it at least something of a discount), why does he have to and those players he’s supposedly leaving room for don’t have to?
This was a problem I had when Tampa was signing their “big three” after they won. I don’t remember who was first, but there was talk about how the first guy wasn’t really taking one for the team because he was failing to keep the contracts for the next two in mind. As if he should give a discount so the other two can get what they deserve. Why should he? They won’t be.
(Just a general point… I don’t have numbers to back any of that up, just what I was thinking when I read the stories about it.)
“Speaking of…Are you ready for tonights match up, alix?! Should be a lively one.”
I am, Andrew! I like seeing the Sharks. Hopefully the Canucks put up a bit more of a fight this time. But I have some rum on hand just in case they don’t.
Saying, “Hey, I’m making a sacrifice” and then taking 8.7 million doesn’t gibe.
I completely agree with you. But my point is that Sid has paid some lip service to the idea that he felt a responsibility to be taking a contract that wouldn’t deflate other players’ salaries. It’s easy for us to look at this and say, “Duh! Taking that huge a piece of the pie is STUPID”, but you can look at the Devils players who signed for less than market value in the late ’90s to see how the rest of the PA reacts to that. Stevens and Marty were excoriated by ex-teammates for “artificially” keeping the team’s salary structure out of whack with the crazy figures on the open market, the PA challenged the contracts they signed, and the team was lambasted for being cheap. I can see how Sid, with his all-consuming desire to be as non-controversial as possible in order to maintain his marketability, would want to steer clear of being the guy who makes those waves. I don’t agree with his motivation, but I can understand where that justification is coming from.
Crosby’s salary (eventually) is going to hurt them, but for now it looks like they’re making everything work – at least from everything I’ve read. If I am wrong, please feel free to correct me, as sometimes I miss stuff.
I guess. But the Caps have almost the same amount left over after Ovie’s contract to sign players as the Penguins do after Sid’s, the only difference is that the Penguins have some of those players in place already and the Caps don’t. I’m still not seeing how that makes one player greedy and one player admirable.
But I’ll move on. Obviously we’ve hit a loggerhead :-)
It all comes back to math. The talent pool is a bell curve. Lots of decent players, few stars. Any time you move outside of the main pack of “ok” players, you’ve got exponentially diminishing returns. But, you also don’t win a cup without a few…
True, true!
For the record, I’m also used to overpaid being Dallas Cowboys kind of overpaid. As in “67 million dollars overpaid.”
It’s not he was going to be in the poor house even if he took a little less.
This is also true – Crosby could never play hockey again and he’d stay rich from endorsement deals and so on and so forth.
I didn’t really intend to lump those two into one comment and have one reflect on the other (I hate having the flu), but that’s the way it came out. Sorry guys.
“On the other hand, why can’t Malkin and Staal give a discount?”
We’re asking professional altheles to be altruistic, not really what they’re known for. Also, we’re asking them to ignore not only what their agent is telling them, but also to ignore the pressure from their union (who is made up of essentially guys within their own ranks!). No one really takes all that much of a discount to stay with a team (a few exceptions aside.)
I’m still a huge Sid fan, but I do find it rather silly he could be taking one for the team “only” getting $8.7.
Back when I heard about his signing, I was really thinking he meant he was taking one for the team by not demanding $12. Which they probably would have paid him.
I’ve been of that opinion for a long time, but apparently no one who has any sort of say in the money matter of American professional sports is.
At least hockey hasn’t hit baseball and football levels of salaries. Those are exorbitant, and make some of these hockey deals look like a drop in the bucket.
the only difference is that the Penguins have some of those players in place already and the Caps don’t. I’m still not seeing how that makes one player greedy and one player admirable.
The difference, I think, lies in what the Caps are already spending. While the numbers are similar, the Caps are certainly lacking backup for Ovie. It would stand to reason that the Caps would likely have to spend more than they are now to improve (which I know is not necessarily true, but a likely scenario). Meanwhile, the Pens have more stability, giving them more time to see where the salary cap goes and how much room to expect down the line. The Caps really need to start making moves now to be competitive 2 or 3 years down the road.
“But I have some rum on hand just in case they don’t.”
Ah rum, the trusty old back up! I’ve got a buddy coming over to watch. Therefore pizza and beer will be in order.
“But I’ll move on. Obviously we’ve hit a loggerhead :-)”
Oh my god, why would you hit a turtle? That’s just mean!
I was really thinking he meant he was taking one for the team by not demanding $12. Which they probably would have paid him.
They couldn’t have, even if they wanted to.
Sucks about the flu, Caitlin! Get well soon. (I feel like sending you a card. Now that I have your address, I’m totally going to send you stupid cards for the most minor things. I love mail. bwuahahahaha)
Anyhow, nap now! Monster earache, go away!
It’s not he was going to be in the poor house even if he took a little less.
This is what I love about Marty Brodeur. When he signed his latest deal (that has him in the low $5 million range), the NY media started howling about how cheap Lou is, and isn’t this an outrage, and Marty should have been asking no less than $8 million, and Marty shut it down by saying something to the effect of, “Hello! $5 million a year is a lot of money.” Of course, Sid doesn’t have Marty’s alimony problems, so maybe he has different motivators… :P
As if he should give a discount so the other two can get what they deserve. Why should he? They won’t be.
Except that if the first player had, maybe the rest would. Now granted the chances of that are slim, but you never know. The Devils fans can cover this better than me, but it’s my understanding that a few of their players did just that – all took less money so the team could stay together longer as it was.
Schnookie, I totally get what you’re saying about the PA etc. I just think it’s stupid. It’s not like he would be deflating other’s values that much and I had seeing the guys who actually have the power to change things up a little do exactly what everyone has already done. I understand Sid’s motivation… but I don’t understand Sid’s motivation.
…but Ovechkin’s team is hurting a lot more for additional talent and Ovie may have just hurt his chances of getting better guys on the team.
Very good point.
Hooray! Matty O has gone 2 full days without any symptoms. Maybe I’ll get him back sooner than I thought.
“Of course, Sid doesn’t have Marty’s alimony problems, so maybe he has different motivators… ”
Y’know, sometimes the truth is just right there in front of you.
No one really takes all that much of a discount to stay with a team (a few exceptions aside.)
Right. That’s what I mean… One guy on the team will be asked to take less so the others can take what they want. That’s what I’m talking about. The idea that Sid should keep Malkin’s and Staal’s contracts in mind, but nobody will ask Malkin to keep Sid’s in mind. They won’t say, hey, if we have to pay you that extra million we won’t be able to keep Sid.
But I’ll move on. Obviously we’ve hit a loggerhead :-)
I just think the cold & flu medication I’ve taken has done nothing to ease my symptoms except to make me all wonky.
That and having the flu has discombobulated me. Perhaps another time, Heather?
Schnookie, I haven’t read Marty’s book (yet) but I did read an excerpt where he talked about signing a contract that a lot of of people didn’t like – I’m not sure if it’s the same one you’re talking about or not – and his argument was, “Hey, I might be a little underpaid now but in five years when I’m x number of years old and not performing like a kid anymore (not that that’s really happened yet) I’ll probably be overpaid.” I think I fell in love with him at that moment because… it made so much sense.
Stevens and Marty were excoriated by ex-teammates for “artificially” keeping the team’s salary structure out of whack with the crazy figures on the open market
When Jere Lehtinen signed a $3mil/3yr deal a couple of contracts ago, he got a lot of crap from other players and the PA. He just said, “I want to play for Dallas, and that’s plenty of money, so what’s the problem.”
” I’ve got a buddy coming over to watch. Therefore pizza and beer will be in order.”
Sounds like a good time!
When he signed his latest deal (that has him in the low $5 million range), the NY media started howling about how cheap Lou is, and isn’t this an outrage, and Marty should have been asking no less than $8 million, and Marty shut it down by saying something to the effect of, “Hello! $5 million a year is a lot of money.”
Marty brought that up in his book. Basically, he signed the deal that worked out best for him, in that it helped keep more money for the team to go out and sign people to play in front of him. As we’ve all beaten to death, one guy does not a team make, and Marty got that.
Of course, Sid doesn’t have Marty’s alimony problems, so maybe he has different motivators…
Finding pants that fit?
andrew, I’m so glad the Sharks are playing again! Have they been sick? Were they out of the country?
Y’all are going to end up at the end of the year the only team with games left to play!
And it’s quitting time. See y’all after the Sabres game tonight.
Sucks about the flu, Caitlin! Get well soon. (I feel like sending you a card. Now that I have your address, I’m totally going to send you stupid cards for the most minor things. I love mail. bwuahahahaha)
Eee, I lurve mail! As soon as I get yours, something’s going in the mail to you!
I hope your ear feels better!
The idea that Sid should keep Malkin’s and Staal’s contracts in mind, but nobody will ask Malkin to keep Sid’s in mind.
Well, Sid’s the top dog. I think that’s part of being the heart of the team, again like Marty Brodeur. Sacrifices, rightly or wrongly, start at the top or should atleast.
Listen, I’m not going to blame the Kid for taking a lot of money – as an individual player, he’s certainly worth it. I’m just not going to throw him a parade for taking one for the team, especially while criticizing Ovechkin. That’s all I’m saying :-)
I haven’t read Marty’s book (yet) but I did read an excerpt where he talked about signing a contract that a lot of of people didn’t like
No one’s ever liked any of the contracts he’s signed, except for Devils fans. :P (Oh, and I guess the other players on the team who got what he left on the table liked them, too, even while some of them still groused that Marty was keeping them from making more by setting an artificial cap on player salaries within the Devils organization… See? They just can’t win!)
Patty, I love your point that one guy shouldn’t be expected to take less money just so the team can meet the demands of another guy who isn’t taking less.
I haven’t read Marty’s book (yet) but I did read an excerpt where he talked about signing a contract that a lot of of people didn’t like – I’m not sure if it’s the same one you’re talking about or not
That’s the one. And his book is pretty good. Not as good as Chico’s, but not bad.
See ya, Amy!
Have a good nap, Mags!
When Jere Lehtinen signed a $3mil/3yr deal a couple of contracts ago, he got a lot of crap from other players and the PA. He just said, “I want to play for Dallas, and that’s plenty of money, so what’s the problem.”
I also think another motivating factor is that Lehtinen loves Dallas and was terrified before his contract negotations (from what I understand) that he was going to be traded, so they threw in a no-trade clause, because I believe he either requested it, or they wanted Scary Jere to stop worrying about it. :D
Perhaps another time, Heather?
Oh, sure Caitlin! Any time :-)
LOL!!! Best google hit of the century….. “spacek’s home furniture”
I’m out too. Catch you guys later.
Okay, I’m outta here too. The clock is ticking if I want to make chili before the game starts! (Which I probably won’t. Pasta tossed with olive oil and pepper it is! Dress it up with a nice glass of wine and it almost seems like a real dinner!)
I’m just not going to throw him a parade for taking one for the team, especially while criticizing Ovechkin. That’s all I’m saying :-)
I gotcha… I was kind of off on a tangent there and had forgotten about Ovechkin. It’s two different arguments for me. I don’t think Ovie should necessarily give a discount, and I don’t expect him to complain that the team is not trying to win when they fail to sign anybody else. I don’t want to hear it from Sid, either.
In fact, I don’t like to hear anybody, discount or not, say that their teammates aren’t worthy of him. I haven’t ever heard Sid or Ovie say that, but I’ve heard it before.
” As we’ve all beaten to death, one guy does not a team make, and Marty got that.”
Cheers to Marty though, I like it.
Joe Thornton signed a $7.2m deal and everyone here was gushing about how cool he was to take such a big discount. I thought, “holy shit, that’s not much of a discount.” But now that he is literally, single handedly carrying the entire team, I’m like, “Wow, what a discount he gave us!”
I also think another motivating factor is that Lehtinen loves Dallas and was terrified before his contract negotations (from what I understand) that he was going to be traded
Isn’t he sweet? I do remember something along those lines, now that you mention it. He’s won three Selkes, yet he’s not sure if the team wants to keep him.
“andrew, I’m so glad the Sharks are playing again! Have they been sick? Were they out of the country?”
Stupid schedule…they’ve been off for a week. But apparently a flu bug has been tearing through the dressing room, so I’m glad they had a few days to get healthy.
Bye Meg, Amy, and Schnookie!
Bye Meg! Bye Schnookie!
I should probably go to. I have a bunch of reading to do before the Canucks/Sharks game.
I thought, “holy shit, that’s not much of a discount.” But now that he is literally, single handedly carrying the entire team, I’m like, “Wow, what a discount he gave us!”
And in just, what, one year? he’s underpaid, compared to the latest FA frenzy.
Joe Thornton signed a $7.2m deal and everyone here was gushing about how cool he was to take such a big discount. I thought, “holy shit, that’s not much of a discount.”
Oh, well Big Joe’s the exception. He can do no wrong in my book ;-)
Go Canucks! (Sorry, andrew.)
“And in just, what, one year? he’s underpaid, compared to the latest FA frenzy.”
He actually just signed that extension this past summer. And if you ask me, I think he’s worth more than Sid. Of course I’m more than a little biased.
“I should probably go to. I have a bunch of reading to do before the Canucks/Sharks game.”
You should also go practice crying! Haha yeah! ‘Cause the Sharks are gonna win! Woo!
“I also think another motivating factor is that Lehtinen loves Dallas and was terrified before his contract negotations (from what I understand) that he was going to be traded”
Awww, that’s so cute! Poor button.
I’m really excited to see what happens this summer in Canuck land, because we have a few big contracts coming off the books. It will be interesting to see if we can finally get that impact scorer.
What’s the deal with that Leipold guy buying a majority of the Wild? I thought he was still wrangling the Nashville sale. Did that go through? (I must have just gotten numb to the noise about it and missed the conclusion. Or maybe I’m thinking of the Oilers.)
Hee. They, not we. I don’t think I’ll be negotiating with Nazzy or B-Mo.
“I don’t think I’ll be negotiating with Nazzy or B-Mo.”
Depends on which cab you end up in.
I think Leipold was the Nashville guy too, Patty. But I don’t know the whole story. It’s been a pretty busy hockey news day.
The Nashville sale was a bust,,.,
I’m just not going to throw him a parade for taking one for the team, especially while criticizing Ovechkin. That’s all I’m saying :-)
Just to clarify:
Didn’t Crosby admit he purposely took less money than he could have asked for so the Pens had more cap space to build a better team?
I asked that as it appears above because I honestly couldn’t remember how much Sidney was making per year and if I was correct in assuming that he took less – I never realized it was so much little less. It looks bad next to the Ovechkin comment, but I didn’t intend it that way.
Just for clarification. :D
Didn’t Crosby admit he purposely took less money than he could have asked for so the Pens had more cap space to build a better team?
Well, he took less than the 10-11 everybody assumed he would get.
He’s won three Selkes, yet he’s not sure if the team wants to keep him.
Yeah, I know. I love Scary Jere so much – plus he is the nicest man.
When we got Jussi Jokinen, the Stars told him he couldn’t play if he didn’t learn English, so Lehtinen helped teach him English. Awww…!
“You should also go practice crying! Haha yeah! ‘Cause the Sharks are gonna win! Woo!”
Ooooh burn HA HA. I would love to deny this vigorously, but the Canucks haven’t really given me anything this season to back up my denials. So ummm…try your best Canucks :p
It will be interesting to see if we can finally get that impact scorer.
According to Stars fans, we’re going to get the impact scorer! So back off! He’s ours!
Unless they want Boucher for him, then you can totally have him.
(It’s my biggest fear, y’all.)
…so Lehtinen helped teach him English.
Yikes!
What’s the deal with that Leipold guy buying a majority of the Wild? I thought he was still wrangling the Nashville sale.
I think the NHL has a special deal on NHL franchises. Most people buy just one without realizing the discount they would get if they bought two.
Unless they want Boucher for him, then you can totally have him.
(It’s my biggest fear, y’all.)
Norstrom will go first if anyone, I think. Bouche is still injured, Norstrom’s healthy, he’s making $4.25/mil a year and isn’t doing as much as I think they thought he would.
Well, he took less than the 10-11 everybody assumed he would get.
Right. Crosby didn’t take .3 less than what he knew Ovie would want. He took quite a bit less than he could have demanded.
And, who knows, maybe 9 for Ovie is a lot less than he could demand on the open market.
Well, he took less than the 10-11 everybody assumed he would get.
Right. Crosby didn’t take .3 less than what he knew Ovie would want. He took quite a bit less than he could have demanded.
And, who knows, maybe 9 for Ovie is a lot less than he could demand on the open market.
And, who knows, maybe 9 for Ovie is a lot less than he could demand on the open market.
If I wasn’t so drowsy and falling asleep, I’d argue this. But for now, you win.
Norstrom’s healthy, he’s making $4.25/mil a year and isn’t doing as much as I think they thought he would.
Aside from being healthy (for now), though, what’s in it for the other team?
The Nashville sale was a bust,,.,
That’s what I thought. I thought Leipold was the owner that was trying to sell. I guess he was the buyer…
If I wasn’t so drowsy and falling asleep, I’d argue this. But for now, you win.
Hey, if you have an argument at all, you win. Because I will bail on my assertion. I was just guessing.
I think the NHL has a special deal on NHL franchises.
Haha!
Aside from being healthy (for now), though, what’s in it for the other team?
A “veteran presence” and being able to boast of having a Swedish defenseman with Gore-Tex around his eye?
…I can’t see them dangling Bouche out for trade, but I can see them throwing Daley out there, for some odd reason.
If I wasn’t so drowsy and falling asleep, I’d argue this. But for now, you win.
I’ll take it, Matt. It’s less than the individual maximum (20% of the cap, so let’s say roughly $10M), but it’s also more than anyone’s giving their youn kids. I could see another GM giving him $9M also, but I dunno about $10M. Kevin Lowe already spent his allowance, and I’m not sure anybody else is rich enough/stupid enough to try to make Ovechkin their entire team (because it’s worked so well for Washington).
Norstrom will go first if anyone, I think.
I pray that you’re right, Caitlin! *wrings hands*
And look! I got my first double-post ever!
Hey everyone! I survived my epic meeting on union contract! I walked out of the room grumbling “stupid union keeping me from the interwebs!” only to find myself reading all about Sid’s contract here and thinking, “Sid does have a responsibility to his union….” Ugh. Seriously, though, I agree with everything said here, so I’ll not start it all up again, although I will say Ovechkin could have helped his team a lot more by waiting to accept an offer sheet so the Caps could get a shitload of draft picks. Just kidding!
Let’s see what I missed today…
alix, I’m so sorry about the giraffe video!
Gambler, that’s so cool about your new friend!
Everyone who’s mentioned wanting to play Katamari — RUN don’t walk, to the nearest version of Katamari that will work with what you’ve got. If you don’t have anything (Patty, I’m looking at you) the $150 for a PS2 will be worth having Katamari to play during the off-season. A summer’s worth of an activity that made me forget about hockey was priceless!
“…and I’m not sure anybody else is rich enough/stupid enough to try to make Ovechkin their entire team”
I’m glad you already discounted Lowe, because if anyone’s stupid enough to sell off the whole apple cart, it’s that guy.
It’s less than the individual maximum (20% of the cap, so let’s say roughly $10M)
See? I totally forgot about the individual maximum.
Hey Pookie! Sorry about your union meeting!
I pray that you’re right, Caitlin! *wrings hands*
I understand. I live in total fear that they’ll trade Mittens. *covers eyes*
Everyone who’s mentioned wanting to play Katamari — RUN don’t walk, to the nearest version of Katamari that will work with what you’ve got.
Even better, roll something while you run–that will help get your head in the game. I do love the Xbox 360 game, now, but some of the levels are really tough. How the eff can I make a 13M plant katamari in just five minutes, you silly excuse for a father?!!
the $150 for a PS2 will be worth having Katamari
what?!?! $150?! You can pick them up around here for like $45…
alix, I’m so sorry about the giraffe video!
I meant to say sorry about that too, alix. That must have been awful! You know, even though I’m not in love with a giraffe, I still would have found it pretty disturbing, too.
“Depends on which cab you end up in.”
Hee!
“Depends on which cab you end up in.”
I also meant to say that a day at IPB just isn’t complete now without a cleverly inserted cab joke, well played!
I’ll ask my sister if I can borrow theirs. And try to find the game… And if I do like it, I’ll get a machine of my own. Although with my internet/hockey addictions taking up 90% of my time (including time I’m at work), I might not be able to do it. :D
Oh, and nobody’s really going to follow this advice, but in case you’re all cash-rich and bored mindless and willing to do anything suggested in a comments section:
The Simpsons game on Xbox is pretty fun, too (actually maybe more fun to watch than play), and they have a lot of “tribute” levels to other video games (Medal of Homer, for example).
One of the levels is a Japanese video game, and the boss is a Milhouse dressed up as a King of all Cosmos. The description doesn’t do it justice; I was on the floor laughing. It may be worth buying / playing / beating just for that cut-scene itself.
“alix, I’m so sorry about the giraffe video!”
Hee. Thanks, Pookie. It was pretty traumatizing.
“I meant to say sorry about that too, alix. That must have been awful! You know, even though I’m not in love with a giraffe, I still would have found it pretty disturbing, too.”
Thanks, Patty.
Milhouse dressed up as a King of all Cosmos.
Holy crap! That sounds awesome!
…in case you’re all cash-rich and bored mindless and willing to do anything suggested in a comments section:
Except for the cash-rich part, that’s me!
Norstrom will go first if anyone, I think. Bouche is still injured, Norstrom’s healthy, he’s making $4.25/mil a year and isn’t doing as much as I think they thought he would.
He is making a lot, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be the first to go. He isn’t producing, and the fact that he has been out injured a few times this season and now has to wear a knee brace for every game doesn’t help his case.
I hate to say it, but I think Bouch is the biggest trade bait we have, but I thankfully don’t see them getting rid of him.
btw, I’ve been out of the comments for a few days. Vinny didn’t kill herself after the Ducks murdered the Leafs last night, did she?
I wish now that we could play the Leafs 8 times a year. Seriously, maybe 6 skaters had their best game of the year, all in the same game!
He is making a lot, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be the first to go. He isn’t producing, and the fact that he has been out injured a few times this season and now has to wear a knee brace for every game doesn’t help his case.
It doesn’t but I hate to say it – there’s teams that will pick up people you don’t expect…I seriously though Samsonov wouldn’t get picked up, but he did.
I don’t think they’re going to get rid of Bouche. They’re going to make some trades, I think, but I don’t think poor Philippe is moving anywhere for a while.
I don’t think she did, Earl, but I haven’t heard from her lately…
Hey, we routed the Wild and they came back a week later and routed us back. So you never know!
Oh god I just got a horrible thought; what if they try to trade Robi again?
I don’t think poor Philippe is moving anywhere for a while
I hope y’all are right, but let’s not talk about it anymore. It upsets me. *whimpers*
Oh god I just got a horrible thought; what if they try to trade Robi again?
GOD, NO.
PLEASE GOD. Spare Pancake Face from a trade, please. I want him to stay in Dallas for a long, long time.
I don’t want them to trade anybody! (Althought Norstrom would be okay.)
I hope y’all are right, but let’s not talk about it anymore. It upsets me. *whimpers*
Okay, Patty…I’m fresh out of Jerk quotes though!
Who knows, maybe they’ll shock us all and won’t trade anyone.
The only 2 D-Men i wouldn’t feel sad if they traded are Norstrom and Niskanen. I know they have it bad for Nisky, but *shrug*
Hey, we routed the Wild and they came back a week later and routed us back. So you never know!
Well, in the case of the old Ducks vs. Leafs rivalry, there’s no such thing as “a week later”. I’ll mark my calendar now for three years from now when Toronto ventures out of their precious time zone again.
Well, in the case of the old Ducks vs. Leafs rivalry, there’s no such thing as “a week later”.
I meant if your 8-times-a-year wish came true. :D
I meant if your 8-times-a-year wish came true. :D
Good point. Alternatively, we could agree to meet up in the SCF and try to make it last seven games, but I don’t know if that could happen in reality. Or even in semi-fantasy.
“Alternatively, we could agree to meet up in the SCF and try to make it last seven games, but I don’t know if that could happen in reality. Or even in semi-fantasy.”
Since neither team will likely make the playoffs?
Since neither team will likely make the playoffs?
BURN!
Oh, wait! Nieds is back, so they’re going all the way!
Earl and andrew, when your teams take their EC road trip, they can stay in the same hotel for the whole thing, like the Stars did.
“Earl and andrew, when your teams take their EC road trip, they can stay in the same hotel for the whole thing, like the Stars did.”
Seriously. I think the Sharks have all five games in something like 7 nights. It’s going to be absurd.
Oh, wait! Nieds is back, so they’re going all the way!
I can’t tell if you’re joking or not, so here it is: 8-2-2. Tough to keep snickering at the notion.
‘Tough to keep snickering at the notion.”
Oh I’ll keep snickering. You just watch me snicker.
I guess (per a McErlain e-mail to Fanhouse) that the latest report on OV: 13 years, $120 M.
Wow.
13 years?!?!? No fucking way. I know McErlain’s a big shot and all, but I cannot believe that’s true. I just can’t believe it.
I guess (per a McErlain e-mail to Fanhouse) that the latest report on OV: 13 years, $120 M.
Wow.
I was about to say something concurring with andrew about snickering about the Ducks, but that just totally derailed me. I don’t like to use this word here (sorry, Meg @@@@@), but if that’s for real, that deal is retarded.
We are discussing the contract, and Boomer is totally sounding like a deaf little old lady: “What is it?” “For who?” “HOW much?” “How LONG????” And then we had this exchange:
Schnookie: “Did they learn fucking nothing from Jagr?”
Pookie: “No.”
I mean, I know Ovechkin’s the face of the blah-blah and all, but if the Caps are a terrible team paying OV his rookie deal (I dunno, a mil?), how’s it going to help them to push another $8M to that and away from other teammates? I guess there’s some savings coming from the Jagr mess washing away, but I dunno if it needs to be spent as quickly as possible.
It’s definitely a double-edged sword for a Caps fan.
Oh, and Eric just sent an addendum:
Update per Tarik: $124 million over 13 years.
First six, $9 million, last seven, $10 million.
So we were under-informed.
“13 years, $120 M.”
Eep!
Well, looking at the other 10+ year deals that have been dealt recently, I would say that I would rather have Ovie than DiPi or Richards. Still, that is an insane deal.
And to think I was joking about the Caps stupidity earlier when I was talking about the Jagr deal…
It’s definitely a double-edged sword for a Caps fan.
It really is. I feel a tiny bit sorry for them.
Wait, his salary goes up later in the contract?! Aren’t most of those long contracts front loaded? I’m so flummoxed by this.
13 years, $120 M.
I am dead.
Washington probably thinks the dollar will decline to the point where $10M in seven years is worth about a buck-fifty in today’s dollars. Ted Leonsis probably made a straight-line graph, and is laughing all the way to his $124M-dispensing ATM.
I can’t tell if you’re joking or not, so here it is: 8-2-2. Tough to keep snickering at the notion.
I guess that proves it!
*SNICKER!* :D
Well, looking at the other 10+ year deals that have been dealt recently, I would say that I would rather have Ovie than DiPi or Richards.
Pretty Ricky and Richards are at least locking up only mid-range money in their long-term deals. We’re teetering on the brink of a recession right now — are the Caps actually banking on revenues holding steady or going up over the next 13 years? I’d rather have Ovechkin than those other two guys, but I’d rather not have that kind of money tied up in anyone.
if the Caps are a terrible team paying OV his rookie deal (I dunno, a mil?), how’s it going to help them to push another $8M to that and away from other teammates?
I agree 100%. I really liked whoever it was who asked recently what, aside from size and hitting, made Ovechkin so much better than Pavel Bure. I mean, they’re a last-place team with attendance problems even with him. I don’t get valuing him this way.
I am dead.
And I am outta here! See you guys later.
Washington probably thinks the dollar will decline to the point where $10M in seven years is worth about a buck-fifty in today’s dollars. Ted Leonsis probably made a straight-line graph, and is laughing all the way to his $124M-dispensing ATM.
Oh of course! How could I have scoffed at his plan?
13 years, $120 M.
Are y’all sure about that? Surely not.
I guess that proves it!
Well, if you’re looking for more correlary evidence of the team’s improvement, check out my monthly liquor bill!
“I’d rather have Ovechkin than those other two guys, but I’d rather not have that kind of money tied up in anyone.”
I know, me too. I was just trying to pull a positive out of this insane new fad of DECADE long contracts. Gah!
Well, if you’re looking for more correlary evidence of the team’s improvement, check out my monthly liquor bill!
I wasn’t being sarcastic that he improved your team, I was being sarcastic, saying that his return has already punched your ticket to the SCF.
I don’t doubt it’s an improvement. But I’m not ordering patches for their jerseys, either.
The one thing I like about this supposed contract is that I can’t wait to hear Caps fans booing Ovechkin when he comes into town five years from now with whichever team picked him up at 50 cents on the dollar and, thanks to the rejiggered CBA, left the Caps paying 75% of his salary. CAN’T. WAIT.
I really liked whoever it was who asked recently what, aside from size and hitting, made Ovechkin so much better than Pavel Bure.
But he enjoys playing so much! Look how much fun he’s having! :D
The one thing I like about this supposed contract is that I can’t wait to hear Caps fans booing Ovechkin when he comes into town five years from now with whichever team picked him up at 50 cents on the dollar and, thanks to the rejiggered CBA, left the Caps paying 75% of his salary. CAN’T. WAIT.
That IS juicy. :D
Dang it, I missed Earl. He probably really thinks I don’t think the Ducks have improved at all since Nieds returned. I mean, I am not a fan of the guy, but I’m not an idiot! :D
But he enjoys playing so much! Look how much fun he’s having! :D
It’s true — guys who are having fun should TOTALLY be getting $10 million a year. What am I, stupid? (Don’t answer that.)
(And have I mentioned I CAN’T WAIT to hear the choruses of boos?)
Schnookie, I think you need to save a document that collects your thoughts on this contract when it was signed, so that you can pull it out in 3, 5, 10 years and see how close you were.
That’s what I did with DiPietro. I predicted that he’d be ready to move before they were ready to move him. I think the ball started rolling when he realized Bill Guerin was his Captain. :D
And Schnookie, were you the one that mentioned a search term for Spacek’s furniture? (I’m so lazy, I’m not even going to go look for it.)
The reason I ask is because there used to be (might still be) a Spacek’s Antiques in Tulsa. We used to shop there all the time and the owner claimed a relation to Sissy Spacek. He pronounced it like Jaroslav does, though. I wonder if it’s the same guy.
And Ovie negotiated his own deal, too.
“And Ovie negotiated his own deal, too.”
I don’t know if it’s justified, but I’m always leery of players who negotiate their own deals. I think it was probably just Miro who pissed me off and made me this way.
Not to keep bringing him up, but Marty negotiates his own deals. (Yeah, that’s right: he’s PERRRRRRRRR-FECT.)
“Yeah, that’s right: he’s PERRRRRRRRR-FECT.”
He’s a himbo.
Alrighty! I’m going home! Woo hoo! See you guys later!
Go Sabres! Go Sharks!
Obviously I’m way late to the party, but I just wanted to throw a couple things out there that may not have been already said. First, on this:
The idea that Sid should keep Malkin’s and Staal’s contracts in mind, but nobody will ask Malkin to keep Sid’s in mind.
Well, Sid’s the top dog. I think that’s part of being the heart of the team, again like Marty Brodeur. Sacrifices, rightly or wrongly, start at the top or should atleast.
If Shero and co. don’t ask Malkin, Staal, and the rest of them to cut back a little for the sake of having a legit contender, then they deserve to be smacked. I have always fully expected that the only way we can keep the team together is if everyone agrees to a bit of a cut off the top, the motivation of course being able to continue to play together on a team that has a chance to legitimately and repeatedly contend for the Cup. From the start I looked at Sid’s agreement to accept that cut as example-setting for everyone else.
Second, regarding Sid’s (or anyone’s) “responsibility” to the NHLPA: what has always bothered me most about the PA is that it has demanded its members stay responsible to it while it doesn’t stay responsible to them (e.g., on matters of safety). Remember how the union pitched a fit about Mario’s salary when he came back and made all this noise about him being a benchmark-salary player? Right, for all those other player-owners. Yet it can’t say, “Listen, players, put on the visors, tighten your chin straps, and stop elbowing each other in the heads.”
Ooh, actually, that just made me think of a possible negotiating point: financial incentives for visor-wearing.
From the start I looked at Sid’s agreement to accept that cut as example-setting for everyone else.
I meant to add to this: if it doesn’t turn out that way, I’ll be baffled, and more than a little annoyed.
I’d rather have DiPietro than either Ovie or Richards. Why? A good goalie gets you into the playoffs, a better than average one gets you deep, and a great goalie wins you the Cup. One star forward does not a Cup winning team make, else the Pens would have gone much farther last year and the Caps… well, wouldn’t suck.
Oh, and I forgot to say, Shawn Horcoff would likely gladly give up his spot so Zajac or Parise could play. I know it’s not a “fan” “vote”, but what the hell – he knows all about Western biases, I’m sure, having played hockey in Michigan!
A good goalie gets you into the playoffs, a better than average one gets you deep, and a great goalie wins you the Cup. One star forward does not a Cup winning team make, else the Pens would have gone much farther last year and the Caps… well, wouldn’t suck.
I couldn’t agree more, MikeP. Although I’d take the Richards and Pretty Ricky deals over Ovechkin’s even more because of the dollar amounts. I mean, it’s all well and good for all parties involved now to say “Let’s spend this kind of money on this kind of guy for the next few years”, but assuming they do start winning, that’s gets expensive, and it requires having to make hard choices when the cheap kids and previously unheralded role players start growing up and getting names for themselves. Sabres fans can tell you that, and they haven’t even won anything yet. So if the Caps put together a little run, a few years from now suddenly everyone on their third line thinks they’re worth $3-$4 million. Their third defender has a contract year and wants $5 million. Their fourth and fifth defensemen want $2 million and can get it somewhere else. The guys on the top two lines, the ones who are supposedly benefiting the most from Ovie’s presence, are suddenly worth top-two-line guy money. And the Caps are handcuffed, because they’ve already committed to their… high-scoring winger? That just seems like the wrong position to be the one they don’t have any flexibility about.