MattPie

Agreed, working in terms cap% is the only way to look at this.

It's worth noting that (as I understand it) the Japanese Auto industry is heavily unionized. It's a different culture though, the companies don't try to screw the employees (as much) and the unions understand that and don't get acrimonious.

what, no option for "Yes... in 2019." :)

Same here. I wonder if it's any good.

I don't particularly care if the new coach looks like a runner-up as long as he's the right coach.

Or hop over to Happy Jacks.

It's been "tomorrow" for 10 minutes already, have Babcock and Holland talked yet?

I'm sure it can be read in a lot of ways, but a valid one is "I don't want to say anything bad about this job until I'm 100% certain I'm done." Having just caught up on this thread, this a great summary of the important parts other than the Popcorn Issue as the final shoe drop Babcock is waiting for.

Wasn't there a horse in recent memory that had a ton of owners? I remember it being during the Red and Black years and that the Sabres were relevant when the Derby was on. And at my friends' house after they were married, so that pretty much nails it down to 2006, right? The owners showed up to the race in a school bus.

For some reason, I thought the previous CBA (2005) didn't allow it, but I have no idea on the current one. But yes, an agreement before the trade changes the equation.

I think this kind of deal is a year or two too early for the Sabres. Teams that would want ROR for only one season would be teams on the cusp of real contention, especially those that are fearing they don't have too many kicks left at the can (Vancouver, I'm looking at you). The Sabres can afford to wait until next year and pick him up for free. If the Sabres are .500 next season it'll be a pleasant surprise so why burn assets on a down season. I guess the argument is over the course of a year ROR will be convinced to sign. I'm not buying it; being in Colorado didn't convince him to sign there.

All these trade proposals (expect that Hodgson/Foligno one) seem like an awful lot to give up for a guy that, IMHO, is going to be on the market next July.

:) Kevlar vests are essentially, "in the event you get shot, it won't kill you; but we don't recommend it". This would imply that getting hit with a hockey puck (at a very improbabe 120MPH) is the same energy as being shot with a .380 pistol. That's a bit high, but .22LR is probably a more sensible number. http://wredlich.com/ny/2013/01/projectiles-muzzle-energy-stopping-power/

It's been a lifetime for me. :) (I kid, there's a couple gems in a very large field of rough)

Thanks for the write-up!

You keep saying "kevlar" but I don't think that word means what you think it means. :) Kevlar, as I understand it, is a fabric that is extremely resistant to tearing, abrasion, or puncture. You see it mostly used in bullet-proof (or rather, resistant) garments, gloves for handling sharp things, and a lot of motorcycle applications (gloves, jackets, pants, etc.). IT doesn't protect against impact at all. I have some kevlar stuff in my bike gear, and it feels like somewhat-heavy cotton. Now if you want to talk carbon fiber, that might be more to what you're thinking (light and stiff). The problem there is CF tends to crack or shatter when it's repeatedly hit. CF is fiberglass, but using carbon-weave fabric instead of glass-weave so it's a lot lighter.

And, at the end of next year he may well be gone. Money offered by Buffalo probably won't be an issue, but if he decides he wants to go play for the Seattle Grunge (recently moved from Miami) since they're the odds-on favorite for the cup finals.

How does someone know the cuppy feet part? You seem to be "in the know" so is there place that lists stats (horsestats.com, etc.) or is it message board chatter? Or I suppose you might have direct knowledge of the horses too. :)

While I liked the "Swords of 1000 men" idea that bounced around here a few years ago (catchy and there's obvious sing-a-long parts), I'll say it again: given the last two seasons, I think The Heavy's "How you like me now" with a couple edits would make a great goal song. Cut out (or back) the verses and just use the chrous and bridge.

This! People that complain about Facebook are almost always complaining about things that are easily fixed. "Oh, I get all these game requests!" Block the games as the come along, it takes like 30 seconds and you never have to see that game again. "My friends are constantly posting nonsense food pictures!" Get better friends.

Come on man, bring it: what's a rough estimate of the resonant frequency of the brain? Turns out you're right: Scott Stevens didn't start playing until 1991.

You can, but you can find all manner of fancy bitters on the Amazon.

I like it from time to time, but it tends to be very subtle flavors and not "hearty" eating. I can understand why some folks don't bother. I don't understand, "ewww, it's raw" though. That's just being close-minded.

I found a good post of hfboards earlier but forgot to post it. The other above posts are correct: before there was a draft, teams ran junior teams and your rights were pretty much assigned to the team who owned your team. No draft, so players were courted young, I think I saw Bobby Orr signed with the Bruins when he was 11 (!!!!). At the time, if you were good an NHL team would find you and you'd sign with them. The draft in 1964 apparently only applied to unsigned kids, so it took a few years until the young, signed ones to percolate out of the system. There were still some protections for local players to teams until 1969. It seems like 1970 was the first year the draft was truly open to all teams and players could go anywhere.