It’s a slow Monday with a pretty uninspiring line-up of hockey games, so it’s only natural for our brains to turn to woolgathering.
– We recently learned, via the Star-Ledger, that the Devils dressing room is embroiled in “an iPod war”. The article seemed to be suggesting that Dainius Zubrus, emcee of the Devils dressing room iPod, was being picked on for his taste in music, with Zach Parise leading the charge. Since we’re so cool as to not have recognized a single artist or song that Zach was complaining about (hey, you meddling youths, get off our lawn!), we can’t really choose sides. But we’re pretty sure we have the solution to their squabble , a solution that worked so well last year when there was bickering about practice drills — a suggestion box! It’ll be totally anonymous so no one will know who submitted “Great Big Globs of Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts”… Greener.
– We’ve praised Tom Gulitti of The Bergen Record for his excellent Fire & Ice blog, but we’d also like to suggest that Devils fans make sure the Star Ledger Beat Writers Blog is a daily visit, too. Rich Chere (we know!) and Colin Stephenson have been doing some fun summations of problems facing the Devils, and Stephenson’s live blogs from games are pretty fun. What we have them most to thank for, though, is introduction to The Shot Club. TG’s mentioned it, too, but we’re fairly certain it surfaced in the Star-Ledger first. (But don’t hold us to that. You know are we are with things like “facts” and “reality” and “serious serious serious”.) Anyway, the gist is that Zach, Travis, Pando and assorted others hit the ice extra-early to practice taking shots. We can only assume that in Zach’s mind “The Shot Club” also includes smoking jackets, thick aubusson rugs, brandy snifters, and revenge plans. We can only assume in Travis’s mind he’s frantically trying to find someone else to carpool with so as to not have to get to the rink early enough for Shot Club.
– The Super/Amazingleague White Elephant Sale was a great success, with several trades going down. It’s good to see our normally staid GMs firing up the fax machines and phones! Keep up the great work, everyone!
– Look! One of Boxworthy’s ancient totems!
There’s only one rule about shot club…well, it’s more of a guideline than a rule.
From the iPod wars: You mean Zach has never kissed a girl? Somehow, I’m totally not surprised by this.
Well, this may be an explanation for the devils woes. I didn’t know Katy Perry or Breaking Benjamin before today, but I can now say that if I had to listen to it before a game, I’d probably want to throw myself under the Zamboni.
But we could definitely send Boxworthy some suggestions:
I’ll start with this obvious choice: a great classic
If this doesn’t pump them up, I don’t know what will.
I love how indignant Zubrus is getting over being criticized for whats on his iPod.
Anyway, the gist is that Zach, Travis, Pando and assorted others hit the ice extra-early to practice taking shots.
Hold the phone. Are we sure that they’re hitting the ice to practice firing pucks at a net and not hitting the ice early to down a few test tube shooters of the liquor du jour before practice?
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: to all youse guys! :D
Are we sure that they’re hitting the ice to practice firing pucks at a net
Whoa, whoa, whoa — who said anything about a net? They’re Devils. They’re practicing firing shots at a coach. :P
And good morning, everyone! I was promised snow today, but you know what? It looks suspiciously sunny out there right now.
Oh, and Mags, I’m doing a happy, happy dance right now in the empty hallway here at work because I have a knitting pattern! You’re the greatest!!! :D
I was promised snow today
We’ve got some snow here. Just enough to coat the trees and grass and make the morning commute mildly entertaining.
Amy, I’m trying really hard not to be bitterly, bitterly jealous. :P
I did that thing like when I was a kid last night, where I’d been told it was going to snow, so every time I walked past a darkened window I would strain my eyes imagining I could see the snow starting to accumulate in the night outside. (When it finally does snow this year, and I’m suddenly reminded that I hate shoveling it, driving in it, and having it sitting there in crusty little patches before it completely disappears, you all can laugh and laugh at me.)
Good morning, everyone! I drove through patches of very, very light sun-snow this morning. I think I saw a total of 80 or so flakes, tops, but it was still enough to make me pommerdoodle!
WHAT??? You had snow??? GRRRRR!
Well, I got to walk right past an 8-point buck today. I nearly could have touched him. So I have that. :P
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::: at you guys, Ookies.
Does it console you to know that I woke up and it was a mere 50 degrees outside, Schnookie, with not a chance of snow? :D
Hey, 50′s nothing to sneeze at! At least it wasn’t, like, 80. :P (And yes, I’m glad that if I can’t have snow, at least someone else out there can’t have it either. Heh.)
I think Schnookie wins the “my commute was more kickass than yours” battle. Deer beat snow every time.
Deer and snow. Feh, I got drizzle! Don’t fall off your chair now, but it was awesome!
Ugh, who am I kidding.
Schnookie, no problem. Happy to help :) Take pictures when you make it!
Deer beat snow every time.
Well, magnificent bucks beat snow around here, but snow’s a lot more rare than deer in these parts. :P (I also walked right up close to the brash little baby does in the big field right inside the security gate here, and out along the road came within about 20 feet of what I think was a red-tailed hawk. He was chilling on top of a low telephone pole and waited until I was right under it to get peeved at my approach and fly a few yards away into a tree. I think the wildlife all knew I was without a good camera today.)
And Mags, I definitely will take pictures of the hat! I’m so excited for it! Now I just have to figure out where my double-pointed needles all are…
Now I just have to figure out where my double-pointed needles all are…
Story of my knitting. Seriously. Just buy new ones, you’ll find the old pair the second you walk in the house with the new set.
BTW, for when Redank gets here, the toes thing works in goalie skates, but it’s hard and involves a lot of toe picking. And crossover starts are do-able, but a LOT slower than starting normally.
Just buy new ones, you’ll find the old pair the second you walk in the house with the new set.
HA! So true. :D
And I just have to whine, my interwebs are STILL all gummed up. This has been a problem since last Friday! How has it not been fixed yet? It just took me FOUR MINUTES to open an email!
my interwebs are STILL all gummed up.
I’m sorry! I don’t know how to fix that… Kick it?
Hm. Maybe kicking the interwebs is a good idea…
Too bad it’s one of those intangible things.
I might be better at kicking at intangibles than I am at kicking real-life things. That would explain my most memorable kickball moment: striking out. (Yeah. In kickball.)
Hello everyone! I just finished teaching another awesome class in using Excel. For the first time ever, I think I succeeded in impressing a room full of people with the mindblowing powers of Google Docs. Usually I’m there like, “Come on, people, it’s real time collaboration! Why aren’t you flipping out?!?” I’m such a dork.
I’ll start with this obvious choice: a great classic
Grrrreg, :^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
That song is all kinds of wonderful ridiculousness.
Pookie, I’m so glad you finally found a receptive audience for google docs. It’s actually amazing to me that google hasn’t added you to their payroll for how ardently you talk them up all the time… :P
It’s actually amazing to me that google hasn’t added you to their payroll
I think that ALL the time!
Where do you find that stuff, Grrrreg? That was hilarious!
And what an adorable Boxworthy totem!
In other news, the Blues picked up Crombeen. Quelle surprise.
I just saw that, Patty. I also just read that Lehts may be hurt again. Ugh.
the toes thing works
Neat! I’m going to try and get my goalie to do it now! I see you did not include an injury report, so that’s good.
Aww, I’m sorry, Crombeen fans! If it’s any help, each crappy move is one step closer to Hull getting fired…
Where do you find that stuff, Grrrreg? That was hilarious!
Moskau is a classic! I don’t know exactly where it came from, but we used to have great fun with that song during my first years in college. Those were the days. Now I’m still lingering in grad school (doing a PhD), so I’m pretending nothing has changed.
If it’s any help, each crappy move is one step closer to Hull getting fired…
The question is, how MANY crappy moves is it going to take for Hull to get fired?
I’d rant about why even though Crombeen wasn’t the greatest player ever that it was important to have him, but you know what, it really doesn’t matter. Hull might as well be auctioning the players off for some golf balls and ham and Swiss melts. I don’t think Hull is really thinking “long-term” here.
I don’t think Hull is really thinking “long-term” here.
It really doesn’t seem that way. So what’s the deal with Les Jackson? Who’s really in charge there? And are they both incompetent?
Yeah, I’m not that attached to Crombeen, but Modano liked him so I liked him. :D But sheesh, if you’re going to get rid of him, maybe try to get something in return? You don’t have to undo the cap relief, but we could use picks or something! Gah!
Yeah, I don’t know what Jackson’s doing. “Scouting in Sweden” is usually where he is for press conferences. I think Hull waits for him to leave town then makes crazy moves and giggles to himself that he got away with something while Dad was a work.
AT work, I meant. Of course.
Mornin’ all!
Sorry things are so crappy for the Dallas fans. Hey, I thought Crombeen was just one of those roster fillers, up and down from the minors. I just remember him always trying to fight. Am I way off?
Anyhoo, how’s everyone doing? good I hope.
The question is, how MANY crappy moves is it going to take for Hull to get fired?
Well, it took six years of running the Rangers into the ground before Neil Smith was fired, but only 40 days of doing it to the Islanders. So really, it’s anyone’s guess. :P
He’s still pretty young, so I don’t think he’s officially just a roster-filler (like Chris Conner is turning out to be). But I thought they really liked him. When he and Neal were skating with Modano, they were their best line. If Mo had to choose, he’d probably choose Neal, but they still need a guy on the line to push people down so the skill guys can work.
Mostly I just wish they’d stop for a minute. Stop panicking. Stop having to give people away to make up for cramming the cap full.
It would help if we could play a game again. Too much free time for them. :D
I’m off to training again. Later!
So what’s the deal with Les Jackson?
I have NO idea. The general concept of the co-GMs was that Jackson would bring the front office/business perspective and Hull would bring the game knowledge and the player perspective, and it was my understanding that they would work as a team.
Who’s really in charge there? And are they both incompetent?
Your guess is as good as mine, pretty much, on who’s running the show.
I’m trying to not to knee-jerk here, but it really feels right now like the inmates are running the asylum. (Patty, Myra, feel free to step in and let me know if I’m being emotionally heinous or overreacting. :D)
Hull really does not like the defense-first kind of hockey that Dallas plays, especially with relying on the forwards to be defensively sound. He wants more straight-up offense more of the time. I suspect he’s rebuilding the team to his specifications, which makes me curious as to what the hell Les Jackson is doing. Then again, I have no idea what the hell I’m doing on a daily basis, so what do I know?
And I also don’t wonder if the Sydor trade was brokered to keep Modano, and in some senses, Zubov happy. I really don’t see where we win on that trade, personally, other than maybe in the locker room. It makes me feel a little uneasy to hear that we’re bringing in a guy for “intangibles”.
Hull really does not like the defense-first kind of hockey that Dallas plays
Yeah, he sure talked a big game about hating it when he was a player, too, but didn’t mind winning Cups with it.
Yeah, he sure talked a big game about hating it when he was a player, too, but didn’t mind winning Cups with it.
Hey, as long as it got his foot in the crease, right?
Yeah, he sure talked a big game about hating it when he was a player, too, but didn’t mind winning Cups with it.
I’ll have you know he could win Selke if he wanted to!
I’ll have you know he could win Selke if he wanted to!
The way he talks, they should’ve given him every award in the League for every year he played…including the Vezina.
It makes me feel a little uneasy to hear that we’re bringing in a guy for “intangibles”.
It could be worse. You could’ve gotten Mr. Intangible himself, Chris Drury.
I’ll have you know he could win Selke if he wanted to!
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Good ol’ jackass Hullie.
You could’ve gotten Mr. Intangible himself, Chris Drury.
::shudder::
God, a fate worse than death!
Good ol’ jackass Hullie.
I’d feel slightly more amiable to him if he were screwing with some other team.
Good ol’ jackass Hullie.
I’d feel slightly more amiable to him if he were screwing with some other team.
Heh. I should mention that Pookie was pretty much quoting Hullie. Back when he was still with the Blues he bitched that he didn’t understand what the big deal was with defense-minded forwards, and claimed he could win the Selke if he really wanted to because being defensively responsible isn’t hard. I guess he just wasn’t ever inclined to give it a try. :P
Schnookie, his book is a laugh riot because it’s pretty much like all of that Selke nonsense (that and a lot of SRS BODY ISSUES). Being a defensively responsible forward just means you don’t have what it takes to make it as a million point scorer, duhhhh!
I can’t believe he let someone go…for free! For heavens sake, someone should’ve put Crombeen’s salary in persepective for him, like how many chicken nuggets that would buy him at McDonald’s or something.
In Crombeen’s favor, though, his dad was a NHL player and his dad played for the Blues. So that must be nice for him.
And…I’ll shut up about Crombeen now. How about those Devils, huh? :D
And…I’ll shut up about Crombeen now. How about those Devils, huh? :D
Let’s keep talking about Crombeen, shall we?
Sigh.
I can just imagine how hilarious Hull’s book is. *Eyeroll* (All of that said, having talked to someone who worked with him at NBC, Hull’s apparently a lot more hilarious than the rest of his in-studio contemporaries. Not that that should surprise anyone. I mean, what ISN’T more hilarious than Ray Ferraro?
I can just imagine how hilarious Hull’s book is.
Let me put it to you this way: he makes running from a bear on the side of the road in Canada sound boring.
That and I’d say roughly 40% of the book is devoted to him discussing how fat he is, and 60% is devoted to discussing how awesome he is.
Not that that should surprise anyone. I mean, what ISN’T more hilarious than Ray Ferraro?
I pretty much expect Hull to show up anywhere half-drunk, so I attribute any hilarity to his alcohol intake.
Let me put it to you this way: he makes running from a bear on the side of the road in Canada sound boring.
That and I’d say roughly 40% of the book is devoted to him discussing how fat he is, and 60% is devoted to discussing how awesome he is.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
That and I’d say roughly 40% of the book is devoted to him discussing how fat he is, and 60% is devoted to discussing how awesome he is.
The poor dear was probably working off of the perception that the book would then be 100% awesomely fat. :)
discussing how fat he is
As if there were still any question why he gave a certain pissant a four year contract well beyond his worth:
Brett: Sean, do these jeans make me look fat?
Sean: Yes, and that manicure does nothing for you. Let me fix it.
The poor dear was probably working off of the perception that the book would then be 100% awesomely fat.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
And redank, I can’t imagine the Avery signing played out any other way. I mean, it’s obvious now that you mention it.
The poor dear was probably working off of the perception that the book would then be 100% awesomely fat. :)
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
and :^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: to you too, redank.
When your own mother is assuming that you ate THIRTY FIVE roast beef sandwiches all by yourself, yeah, I don’t know what to make of that. I mention that a lot with Hull, but it’s so astounding, so staggering that it’s just a sheer slice of WTF.
The poor dear was probably working off of the perception that the book would then be 100% awesomely fat.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
He’s like “That’s fat with a ph-, right?”
With the notable exceptions of any Caps-Devils games :D, y’all keep me in stitches and are my favorite blog to read up on another team. Keep up the lovely (and hilarious) work!
Figured I’d pass along a short interview our radio guy did with Doc Emrick that is posted on the Washington Capitals site:
http://capitals.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=PodcastPlayer&pid=104&iid=9218
Aw, thanks for the kind words and for the link, jmu_capsgirl!
He’s like “That’s fat with a ph-, right?”
Exactly.
The way he talks, they should’ve given him every award in the League for every year he played…including the Vezina.
Well, I wouldn’t object to tying Hull to the goalposts and having players shoot pucks at him. If he thinks he can get the Vezina for that…activate him.
Sorry, I seem to never have time to do more than stick my head in during lunch, then it gets crazy busy and I have to go.
Caitlin, I do not think you are being over emotional about HullJack. I just don’t understand how we could give up a player like Crombeen for nothing. But I’m pretty much baffled by the whole trade side of hockey anyway.
Patty, we’ll be tuning in to see the lovely Mr. Boucher play for the Pens tonight. Catch y’all later.
Oh and andrew, I heard last night that the Sharks had scored 8 powerplay goals in 2 games. That is insane!!! Have a great time at the game tomorrow.