TheXym

What happens if Nyquist and Smith both have Calder worthy seasons, Brunner surprises, and Filppula increases his point total? Will the same people bashing Holland now turn around and call him genius? The point about the mighty Wings falling back to earth after decades of excellence due to late drafts and significantly increased parity in the league is one we all need to remember. The Blues had a longer streak of playoff appearances than the current streak of the Wings. How many Finals appearances and Cups do they have to show for it. A lot less than the Wings do during theirs. To sustain the level of franchise he did across the salary cap inception is impressive indeed, since the draft and cap were largely geared to keep a franchise from maintaining such lofty height for so long ("parity"). Furthermore, I wouldn't be surprised if most GM's would up their trade prices for the Wings out of jealously or not wanting to be seen as helping to feed the beast. With the looming CBA changes, things could radically alter the playing field again. Part of Holland's plan may be to see what happens with that so he can react accordingly. Until the wheels come off, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. In some ways he is like the chess grandmaster who can see seven or eight moves ahead, and can sacrifice short term in what looks like a rout to end the match by springing a well disguised trap that NOBODY saw coming.

Bound Away - CAKE

I watch too many movies in the summer when I don't have to teach. +1 to the syrup on bacon. Look for the Vosges Dark Bacon Bar in a gourmet candy shop, I think you will like it. The person below me is afraid of spiders?

Run to the Hills - Iron Maiden

Battle Axe - Quiet Riot

Nope, lifeguarded several summers, didn't burn once. I didn't mean rabbits as food . The eyes are creepy, but I've had several as pets and I was amazed at their personalities. The person below me loves bacon.

Patrick Stewart was EXTREMELY cool when my Dad took me to a sci-fi con when I was a kid, so I'll say Picard. Tom Clancy or Michael Crichton?

Say You Will - Foreigner

Yes, though I had a nice scholarship and was a RA for a couple of years as well. The person below me likes rabbits.

"Fly By Night" - Rush

It won't play on my iPod touch.

"Alone" - Heart

The shade of Hal Jordan's costume in GL in the 3rd edition. (old school comic book fan) The person below me has a favorite bass player.

Available Light - Rush

Props for using the original artist of a tune Queensrÿche covered pretty well. "You Bet Your Life" - Rush

Growing up here in PA, Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies was a favorite. My dad is a diehard Phils fan, and Schmidt was as close to a Steve Yzerman in terms of class, leadership, and excellence as it got. Back then the Phils did a caravan in the offseason with players and coaches that came to my town. Dad took me and I got to meet him and get an autograph. He went out of his way to chat with us for a couple of minutes.

It was a reference to the classic film The Blues Brothers. Coke, hands down, imho. Pepsi is too syrupy for me, though it may be due to a bad experience with Crystal Pepsi years ago. Stargate SG-1 or Stargate Atlantis?

"Don't You Forget About Me" - Simple Minds

"I Don't Believe In Love" - Queensrÿche

"The Thin Line" - Queensrÿche BTW - "Sports" was a GREAT cassette back when I was a kid. Thanks for the flashback.

"Walking on Sunshine" - Katrina and the Waves

London - Queensrÿche

Williams. Ya gotta love the company that made the original Defender arcade game. Jake Blues or Ellwood Blues?

Werewolves of London - Warren Zevon (RIP)

Another Rainy Night - Queensrÿche