#freejame

I would much rather play in front of a sellout crowd of 1,000 than in front of a crowd of 1,500 out of 16,000 (I think that’s what Barcley holds for hockey). Not to mention the costs. When reading about the issues facing the WNBA, venues and operating costs seem to be a huge issue. Everyone wants to play a massive arena but sometimes what’s best is playing in a place where capacity can be reached.

The O’Reilly situation continues to perplex me and I’ve more or less landed on there’s a lot of information we’re missing. To me, there’s four explanations: 1.) ROR “lost his love of the game at times.”—I can damn near guarantee that anyone who is fully invested in any line of work, to include other Sabres on last years roster, would have a severe lack of fun and enjoyment over the course of a year in which they constantly failed, and I couldn’t imagine a single one of them held that against him, especially considering the effort was still there night in and night out. VERDICT: Not an issue/no reason to trade/bad look for the franchise 2.) ROR is a quitter and the fans/media revolted—see previous bullet. The fans saw ROR comments on the season and saw a quitter and a cry-baby and revolted against him as being a member of the organization. The fans pay the bills and Terry recognizes this and “ordered/requested” J-Botts move him. VERDICT: Huge issue from both a management standpoint and an ownership standpoint. Nobody wants their owner meddling in hockey ops and nobody wants to see their GM be a pushover to appease stupid people. Not a real reason to trade/bad look for the franchise 3.) Locker room strife—Jack and ROR just could not get along and Jack would not tolerate a single more day on the team with ROR/ROR wanted to be the leader of the team and it was clear that this team is intended for Jack and ROR asked to be traded because he didn’t want to play second fiddle. Verdict: this takes a little bit more speculation, but it’s possible XGMTM made assurances about leadership, roles, and responsibilities that were not held up by J-Botts when he took over. J-Bott wanted to be an “honorable franchise” and when he could no longer fulfill the promises of GMTM he got the best return he could (Biggest problem is the return, but the intentions are “pure.” But id take a scummy organization that wins over this nonsense.)/Jack saw himself and ROR as competing for leadership roles and responsibility and this irked Jack because he saw it as ROR encroaching on his territory and wanted him gone (huge issue of this is the case, as Jack puts himself over the team. My least favorite possibility but I feel like some combination of this scenario is what happened) 4.) J-Bott felt ROR was expendable/depth was more important for the team than a 2C/Mitts would equal ROR production Verdict: Huge issue. J-Bott would have been right that the team needed depth, but not at the expense of the 2C. If this is the reason for the trade, J-Bott isn’t long for the NHL. The moral of the post post is I’m right there with you. He had to go? Something is missing and I doubt we ever know. Regardless, I’m over the trade, but not quite over being confused by it.

Part of the issue is having far too much space. I don’t see why any team needs more than a 2000 seat capacity. I feel like appropriate venue size would go a long way towards helping build a sustainable league.

In their defense, it is pretty difficult to tell what thread you’re in on mobile now.

Damn, I’m really sorry to hear this. I was just grilling my parents yesterday about keeping on their appointments, you couldn’t be more right about the importance of it. Thankfully you were able to catch it early. I wish you nothing but the best going forward.

How often is it goalies win this award?

Can you expand on any of this that you’re able to

Most adults have to pay to play hockey and now every woman must as well. Something also tells me that adult women’s hockey isn’t the competitive speed these women would like. Given the choice of playing hockey for little pay or paying to play, most people are going to choose being paid. The highest level they are able to play now is college or national team, neither of which is paid at all (I believe national team is stipend though). There is nothing to be exposed to.

Are the women on the national teams foregoing their obligations? Otherwise it seems like a few noteworthy players cost a whole bunch of women an opportunity to play competitive hockey. I’m sure for many of the women that alone was worth playing, never mind the pay. Just as I’m sure it’s the case in many men’s professional leagues.

Specifically it was in response to Kruppstahl, but I felt like it could have been applied to others so I didn’t think to quote him.

I can’t imagine they would. He just played his longest season of hockey ever and is probably at the point where he is beginning to train for next year. I imagine they want him to develop more on their plan than play more hockey that they view as meaningless.

The sport of hockey has grown immensely in North Carolina because of the Canes. I recently finished playing some college puck down there and everyone who was on the team and from NC was an avid Carolina fan, watching as many Canes games as I watch Sabres games. There are definitely fewer fans, less passion for hockey, and a lesser understanding of the game, but they do have devoted, knowledgeable, and passionate fans who have suffered through what was previously the longest playoff drought. I absolutely hate the Canes, but to say the Canes have had no impact in NC throughout their history is a boldface lie. With that said: Go B’s (???)

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t intent and history taken into account for the suspension itself? I’m also pretty sure DoPS considers playoff suspensions to be the equivalent of two games per game. McAvoy doesn’t have any history (to my knowledge) and the hit was worth two games, three at absolute most. I don’t think it’s terrible he only got a game. Should have definitely been five last night.

Someday I’ll get to all 30 MLB parks... MLB: OPACY (Orioles), Old Yankee Stadium (Yankees)*, Fenway (BoSox), Sky Dome (Blue Jays), Jacobs Field (Indians), Comerica (Tigers), Angels Stadium of Anaheim (Angels), O. co Coliseum (Athletics), Shea Stadium (Mets)*, Nationals Park (Nationals), Citizens Bank Field (Phillies), Wrigley (Cubs), PNC Park (Pirates), Jack Murphy Stadium (Padres)*, Coors Field (Rockies), AT&T Park (Giants) Coors, Camden, and PNC are probably my favorites. NHL: FNC, Bridgestone Arena (Predators), PNC Center (Hurricanes), Bell Centre (Canadiens), Canadian Tire Centre (Ottawa) All of them are nicer than FNC NFL: RWS, First Energy Stadium (Browns), Nissan Stadium (Titans) No preference I’ve never been to an NBA game.

Those poor folks over at MLE not being able to manipulate their talent for lesser pay...

Doesn’t Arizona hold his rights still?

This turned into a fun game. Great period.

I don’t think it was meant to be, but I think it is if that’s the case.

In a similar vein, does hockey have rate stats?

What are you favorite marvel movies?

I went and saw Endgames last night. I would say it’s a top three Marvel movie, but it did take a while to wrap up at the end (maybe it felt that way because it was pushing 1am). I’ll tell you what though, I’ll never understand people who clap in support of something or someone, when that something or someone cannot hear you. It drives me absolutely insane.

Re: Gronberg defense playing forward It’s more about a fluidity of movement and cycling than it is forwards playing defense and defense playing forward in the offensive zone. The other most applicable area would be breakouts, where it’s as simple sometime F1, F2, and F3 aren’t your LW, C, and RW, which isn’t exactly “new.” In fact, I’m not sure any of it is really “new” if you look at old Soviet footage.

That’s what I’m saying. He seems like he runs the type of system that I look for in a coach, as well as being flexible and adaptable. I’m not too concerned with the lack of NA coaching experience, but that’s more because I like his quotes and believe he knows what he’s doing.

Aside from maybe lack of NA experience, where’s the catch on this guy?