kipwinger

We didn't trade him. He was bought out because he wasn't ever going to play. Otherwise, I agree with you (in part). I did think it was fun watching him hit/charge guys. I didn't think it was fun watching him fight 10 seconds into a game to "protect our stars" or whatever he was supposedly doing.

I travel constantly for my job, all over the world. The only place I've ever been where people don't speak English regularly, and aren't really willing to try, is Russia. It was difficult to find English speakers there. However that did not, contrary to popular belief, stop me from eating, drinking, traveling around, ordering a cab, etc. It just required marginally more effort than usual. Literally every other place I've ever been, not only DID people speak English...but they were dying to speak English to me. Because here's the thing about learning another language, once you know it you want to use it. That's the fun of it. Nobody wants to spend all the time, effort, and frustration of learning another language only to never use it again.

First it was all, "you can't even order anything if you don't speak French". Which sounds horrible...so horrible as to be almost unreal. Then, once he gets called out it's, "I'm just pointing out that it would be difficult". It's almost like he was using hyperbole, bordering on xenophobia and fear mongering, to make a point and then immediately backpedaling once it became clear that A) the point is invalid, and B) we're not as dumb as he thinks we are. Here's the thing Frank, every single place has some drawbacks. Even your beloved Newport Beach for example. The chances of you experiencing an earthquake, traffic congestion, smog, or urban decay in California are probably much greater than a millionaire being unable "to order anything because he doesn't speak French" in Montreal. Last time you were in the Los Angeles area did you not notice any of the substantial problems it has? Or do you avoid going there (and don't plan to) because of all the Hispanic people speaking a language you don't understand?

We can make the playoffs on skill for 24 straight years, but if we miss them on the 25th he'll be here saying "see, I told you we're too soft". Lol.

I absolutely love Patrick Kane. What's not to like about a mulleted smartass who skates like a cheetah, drinks like a Russian, scores goals and wins Stanley Cups? It's as if Joe Dirt were REALLY good at hockey.

I agree about their center depth. However, I think you're underestimating their defense. It's actually pretty good. Carlson-Alzner and Niskanen-Orpik are both pretty good pairings. As Babs' said before we played them last, if Mike Green is your fifth defenseman you've got a pretty good defense.

No thanks on the caps. Aside from having one guy who can win a game all by himself, Barry Trotz is Mike Babcocks kryptonite

Tell us more about this "sissy hockey".

I think the next time Kane does it Jimmy should just come out of the net and wipe him out. Let them award the goal. It would simultaneously give Kane pause the next time he faces Jimmy AND reignite a great rivalry.

I'm confused, I thought we bought all their stuff? Our stores are full of Chinese goods. Wouldn't that make us the Sugar Daddy?

Is there any team that's going to give up, lie down, and forfeit the game? If so, I want to play them. If not, I'd say we should probably just worry about ourselves. It's not like we've played all that well against any of Montreal, Tampa, Pittsburgh, NYR, Washington, or Boston at various points throughout the season.

This conversation makes me think of David Lee Roth's "Yankee Rose" for some reason. I like to think of my America as both a hot chick and a thinly veiled reference to snorting cocaine through a rolled up million dollar bill.

I agree with you about DDP, it's a god damned travesty. But I'm curious why you always say Holland treated Tootoo badly. I mean, he did sign him to a pretty reasonable contract, waived him and let him play in GR rather than sit on the bench, and bought him out so that he didn't have to play in GR for another year. Seems to me, by all accounts, Holland did right by Jordan Tootoo. How else was Holland supposed to act if Babs isn't going to play the guy?

Why is there a weird trend amongst some fans wherein you feel the need to expound upon athletes' personal lives in order to make a point? This reminds me of GMRwings repeated references (and pictures) of McGrattan's girlfriend. For one thing, Alex Ovechkin almost certainly lives in a nice place, and bangs hot chicks. But that doesn't really mean much does it? I mean, Michael Douglas got HPV from Catherine Zeta Jones, and California is home to all sorts of horrible environmental problems. The relative hotness of your girlfriend, or the location of your house, isn't really all that important in the grand scheme of things. But more importantly, you don't actually know Ryan Getzlaf, or his girlfiend, or his life. He's a stranger. You don't know anything at all about him. It's just creepy. Super, duper, creepy. I know you're going to say, "no duh Kip, I'm aware I don't know Ryan Getzlaf". And while that's true, I'm not sure you really understand, believe, or have internalized that truth. So I'll say it again... You Don't Know Ryan Getzlaf

Except Olbermann. That guy rules. He's such a dick. Edit: Lol.

Agreed. I think they're awesome. I could see complaining about them if he broke a rule or something. Instead he's just really super awesome at shootouts. Nothing to see here...except amazing stickhandling and otherworldly dekes...of course.

He actually had four shots. But I think the praise is still warranted.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not gushing over the guy. But I really didn't think last night's broadcast was biased. Nothing jumped out as being overtly partisan. Oh, and I do gush a little over Pierre McGuire. That guy is awesome. I seriously love his commentary. He's like the anti Jack Edwards...in the sense that he actually talks about hockey and isn't a blowhard douchebag.

Yawn.

I thought he just had a quite game because he was dragging around a slow, undersized, one-dimensional rookie all night. Or did was he carrying him on his shoulders? But in all seriousness... I didnt' think the commentary was Chicago centric at all. I personally heard Edzo refer to Datsyuk as "one of the best in the game", "world class", a "sure fire hall of famer". He also called Babcock "the best in the business", and commented that Detroit's success was "remarkable". Also, both he and Pierre were very critical of Versteeg after his little meltdown. I was actually pretty impressed by the NBC boys last night.

I thought we argued about Jack Johnson contracting bankruptcy from Nick Foligno and Brendan Smith sucking as bad as having rabies? I've got to tell you, my long term memory just isn't what it used to be. There was a time when I remembered everything perfectly, my mind was like a steel trap. And if, IF, I was wrong about something I owned up to it before events had even proven me wrong. Now I own up to being wrong, only after events have happened, and the facts are in. Like a sucker.

I don't recall hearing Henrik Zetterberg's name mentioned a single time last night. That's probably not good.

Nah, I'm done bro. I didn't even read that last one. It's a new day, and with a new day comes a whole new set of things to discuss. I can only bring out the best in people one at a time. Yesterday was his turn. Today might be yours. Watch out buddy. Doom!

All things considered, would you say that this picture represents the "Golden Age" of the NHL? I mean, did it ever get any better?

Lol.