Eleven

The NBA starts a series as soon as both teams are known. Always has. Tonight's Game 1 wasn't scheduled in advance; it is two days after both teams were known.

80k difference per this: https://2collegebrothers.com/blog/tampa-vs-miami-pros-cons/ I didn't write it and don't vouch for its accuracy. If you've ever been to those two areas, you would find it probable that Tampa Bay has a larger percentage of northerners. Tampa Bay has a ton of Canadians, too. Miami has a ton of Cubans and Puerto Ricans, which, while very nice people, do not tend to be hockey fans. And don't poke Ybor City my way; I'm aware of it and I also know that it's a neighborhood and not all of Tampa Bay. Shouldn't this be in the Ryan Johnson thread?

If the nugget fits...

It's bigger, but not by an order of magnitude. It's bigger by only 80k. And I don't think it's more of a hockey market than Tampa. Nor will it be. I also think that Tampa has more (or a higher percentage of) transplants from the north, but I can't prove it.

If so, that's even more stupid than usual from the NHL. Part I: How can anyone not love Samson? Part II: ***** Miami and it isn't a hockey town and never will be. And the state it's in is governed by someone whom even you must appreciate is a complete dictator. Yeah I'm rooting for Samson, not for Florida.

Dominik Hasek cleaned out his exhibits at the Czech HHOF. Yes, this is the proper thread, apparently. We are discussing Nathan Gerbe, Zdeno Chara, and Linus Ullmark, so why not the best goalie in the history of the NHL?

Do you have ANY idea how much ***** I took last year (or the year before, whatever) for calling it "Finals" instead of "Final"?

The Sabres need them both right now.

In case the tweet in the first post confuses people, the game is tonight, May 31, and not tomorrow.

He's more valuable at 6D, maybe even at 7D, than a late first-round pick. The Sabres are *not* deep at the position. And defensemen *will* be injured.

Mes Que on Hertel Ave. (with an awesome breakfast sandwich); Banshee downtown.

I don't think it would be smart to trade an NHL defenseman for a chance at a player who might be NHL-ready three years from now. If the team had a surplus of defensemen, sure, but it doesn't.

Oh come on. The timing of his recovery was a bit convenient, no? He's like the schoolkid who is sick all day but is suddenly well enough to go out for ice cream at night.

I know @SDS hates "all about ________" threads, and old threads, but this is why they are necessary. I'd bet that over 50% of the content in this thread has nothing to do with Johnson.

For a league that insists that it wants to develop division rivalries--and I agree with that idea--your schedule seems just fine. (An even better idea is that we don't need 32 teams and that there aren't enough skilled players for that, but the ship sailed a while ago.)

Meanwhile, regarding Johnson... “There’s something special here with the staff and the culture this team has,” said Johnson, who was drafted by the team’s previous regime. “It’s definitely trending on the upward, it’s noticeable. And also it’s cool even what’s happened in the city. Buffalo, I know it’s a major sports city and it’s cool seeing that they rallied behind Damar Hamlin, seeing the support of all the fan base. “I definitely want to be a part of something like that where’s it’s bigger than the game.” This is from Hoppe's article which is linked on the front page.

Why are there two threads about seatbelts now?

This is the most substantial response to my post, so this is the one I'm replying to... 1. Obviously, I didn't watch the game yesterday; I was busy chaperoning parents around. So that's why I didn't know that he was scratched! 2. I have had doubts that Savoie could contribute immediately at the expense of another skater who has been with the team all year.

It might, but it's still a horrible soccer league. If it were in England, it would be between the Championship (the second level, despite the name) and League 1 (the third level, despite the name). MLS is painful to watch. It is slow, not creative, there are no real stars unless they are aged, and the culture is uninspiring. It is bad soccer.

I'm going to ask again about whose spot Savoie is taking and whether that's a good thing for the Amerks right now.

Very smart of the league to slow down any publicity momentum, and interest from casual fans, by postponing Game 1 until Saturday. Brilliant. I know, The more successful league in the considerably inferior sport seems ready to go. And there are no arena issues. Neither Sunrise nor Vegas has a basketball team. Indeed, Vegas's arena was reserved for hockey on Wednesday anyway. The Bisons could pull this off better than the NHL can. The Bandits DO pull it off better.

It's like Canada's plan in every international tournament is to screw around in the prelims and then turn it on in the elimination rounds.

Seat belt in rear seat depends on circumstances for me. I'm not in a rear seat that often. If I'm not in NYS and I know the driver is a good driver, chances are I won't wear one. If I'm in NYS or don't know the driver or know that the driver isn't great, I'll wear it. Front seats, always.

Good--and well in advance of the draft, so they can plan.

OK here's the in-between period guy again. And there is either a medical condition or he is on his tenth drink.