TheAud

We have this to look forward to: https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025-nhl-draft-rankings-preseason-top-40

Saw them last night in Denver. You are in for a treat. 13-piece band, sounded great. A very tight 20 song, 1:30 long set. A nice trip down memory lane. For a bunch of old fogeys (like me), the crowd was raucous.

Today they announced full refunds for everyone in attendance because Billy had to bail. They in no way needed to do that. I estimate it to be ~$2 million box office revenue they are refunding. They even got the ticket vendor (TIXR) to refund their cut too. Unbelievable. Talk about building fan loyalty...

In terms of being a competitive top line I am more worried about the Thompson-Peterka-Tuch lines defensive play than I am whether they will score enough goals. Like I said, I'd be shocked if a healthy Thompson is less than 35. Peterka's career trajectory is still early but he's at least a consistent 20+ goal scorer with potential for 30+. Tuch is what he is at this point, but that's pretty good so long as they learn to play tougher in their own end. We'll see.

Do you mean what he was the prior two years? He scored 29 goals in 71 games last year. That's a 31-32 goals-in-78 game pace. The prior two seasons he played 78 games each year and scored 47 and 38 goals. Is it possible in his age 27 season this year that he is already declining and we have already seen peak Tage? Sure, but it seems unlikely. If he stays healthy I'd bet a steak dinner Thompson is good for 35+ this year, and more likely 40.

Went to Billy Strings 'Renewal' festival in Buena Vista, CO this weekend. The wife and I had a great time and didn't even get to see Billy! He was there on Friday but flew back home to Michigan when his wife went into labor with their first child. It was announced to all ~10,000 people at 8:20PM on Friday when his band went onstage without him and still banged out two hour plus sets that were fantastic with a little help from guest guitarists. The sense of community and friendly nature of the crowd made it fine although I think folks were a little shell shocked, especially those who traveled far to be there. On day two on Saturday, they had some time to rework the setlist and add in most of the acts who played earlier in the day to make an incredible changing band, sort of reminiscent of a Bluegrass version of "The Last Waltz" (in fact, they played Up on Cripple Creek). The picture shows the setting before nightfall. Mt Princeton in the background. The singer is Molly Tuttle and you will notice she is bald as a cue ball. She normally has a nice wig on but in honor of alopecia awareness month she told the story of having it since she was three and efforts to educate and normalize it for folks, so then she said, "And now for a wardrobe change" and flung her wig off and launched into a song. The crowd went nuts. I thought it was very brave. BTW, Molly Tuttle is a frickin' rock star. She fronted the band in the second set and made us not miss Billy Strings, at least for one evening.

That nickname would really stand out.

Great hockey name, if nothing else.

He just outlasted Tyler Ennis

He last played an NHL game in the 2021-2022 season. In other news, Tony McKegney has also retired.

Tomorrow I'll be at Red Rocks for the Warren Haynes Band with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Weather forecast looks great as well. It's my 5th Red Rocks show this season. I'm living the dream.

Tuch has played 74 and 75 games the past two seasons. What are you referring to?

Practice squad for sure, if not active roster. Great thing is if they cut him I doubt anyone else signs him to their active roster, and no way is Buffalo Joe signing on anyone else's practice squad if he gets the offer from Buffalo.

"...the new guys are hard and fast..."

I'm right there with you. Two of my family members recommended this to me this past weekend. It's in the queue.

A whale of a book. But seriously, it's a bit of a slog at times but totally worth it. Just finished all six books of the Old Man's War series. Some absolutely ripping Sci-Fi and the occasional laugh out loud scene. I will buy book 7 in hardcover when it comes out next year I enjoyed them so much. Currently reading Hyperion by Dan Simmons. Excellent Sci-Fi written in the style of Canterbury Tales. I will roll right into book two of the series shortly.

Well, now you're just trying to bait me into saying something rude as well. Adios.

Got it. Instead of breaking my toes I just deleted all three words of the comment. The last thing I want to do is interfere with the high level of discourse going on here.

Not necessary, but cathartic nonetheless.

Absolutely. It's blindness to optics and lack of focus on what's most important.

They're looking good to draft in the 8th through 12th slot again next year. Mission accomplished!

Your lack of an intelligent response is absurd. Just put me on ignore please. I already ignored you.

What's your rebuttal? Oh, you don't have one.

I expect a searing expose on his signing by Tyler Dunne