The approaching public and private pensions are going to be mind blowing, infastructure at all levels has been ignored for decades, and gov't payrolls are getting bigger and bigger. The tax base isn't growing as much as expenditures and "dead money" spending continues to rise. Detroit just started earlier and crashed faster.
- Marshalle

Its not as bad as you're making it out to be. Pensions are valued two ways. Solvency and going concern. Solvency is the measure of assets versus payouts if the pension plan had to be wound up today. Going concern is a valuation where the pension plan meets its ongoing liabilities and can pay the pensioners.

I forget what the law was regarding solvency valuations. I believe solvency issues had to be addressed or fully funded within three years. A group of corporations approached the government and had the solvency rules relaxed.

As an individual its the going concern numbers you have to pay attention to and most pensions in Canada meet funding requirements for going concern.

While Detroit may be bankrupt it isn't a valid comparison. The cities issues began in the mid 60's and successive city councils did nothing to identify and fix the problems that face the city. It was all avoidable.

Its also not without precedent. NYC was in the death throws of insolvency until the federal government stepped up with loan guarantees etc. with that assistance NYC came back from the edge over a 10 year period.

What we're seeing is nothing new. The 1980's spawned an entire industry around the doomsayers predicting financial collapse and run away inflation. Doug Casey and Howard Ruff made millions off the fear of the population.

I remember one investment guru's publicized strategy was buying good for future consumption because it was a guaranteed 14% profit tax free.


The 80's also gave rise to the survivalist movement.

For everyone worried about the coming financial calamity get a copy of Free the Eagle by Howard Ruff or Crisis Investing by Doug Casey. If you read them you will see we've been here before.

Yes, Montreal's record was deceiving. Toronto had some of the worst possession stats in the entire NHL, and Nazem Kadri had something like an 18% shooting percentage, but Montreal and their upper-level possession stats and 5-on-5 play had the misleading record. Totally.
- oniremosewa

I liked Toronto's performance in that new advanced stat they refer to as the 'W'

You know things are going well for the Leafs when Kadri's high shooting percentage is cited as bad news, gotta love it

before it was Kadri's a bust

now it's ha ha his shooting percentage is really high

oh no what a bummer

You know things are going well for the Leafs when Kadri's high shooting percentage is cited as bad news, gotta love it

before it was Kadri's a bust

now it's ha ha his shooting percentage is really high

oh no what a bummer
- Zezel

Hes not that great, just played on a bad team. Im sure you think the leafs will win the cup this year too?

AP on the way out maybe?
- Snagglepuss

Nope.

Blues just signed his partner for the next 6 years.

Can I have whatever you are smoking??

I thought Armstrong was supposed to be a good GM.. J-BO hasn't been j-bo in like 4 years.. that is a horrible contract for an over the hill player ESPECIALLY with taking money away from a Piets extension..

Joke
- JVince11

Did you watch JBo play last year for the Blues? This is a great deal, and it is not taking any money away from Petro. He is going to get paid, and now has a partner locked up for the next 6 years.

Your comment was a joke.

Did you watch JBo play last year for the Blues? This is a great deal, and it is not taking any money away from Petro. He is going to get paid, and now has a partner locked up for the next 6 years.

Your comment was a joke.
- carcus

E Z. pritty far from great

Nothing wrong with your post. I agree that the leafs game is far from perfect but we did finish what, 8th overall? Again, I have no doubt that the leafs are a better playoff team than season team. I do however have a laugh when I hear the leafs only made it due to a short season. The 4 best teams made the conference finals for God sake.
- clark_griswold

A whopping 2 pts up on 17th overall......... I guess the short season didn't help at all.

E Z. pritty far from great
- Muskoka88

How much does a 1st line defenseman, who play 25 minutes a night get paid? This is a great deal.

I think too many people have grown accustomed to JBo on terrible teams. He is a very good player, and now has a team around him that is very good as well.

With all due respect, Calgary has just plain sucked. Florida as well when JBo was there.

How much does a 1st line defenseman, who play 25 minutes a night get paid? This is a great deal.

I think too many people have grown accustomed to JBo on terrible teams. He is a very good player, and now has a team around him that is very good as well.
- carcus

You're right, big body, lots of mins., I like his play, he needs support to get the respect he deserves. Still a young guy too. Good signing by Blues.
Coaching can do wonders for him, still feel for some reason he ends up being another Komiserek.

With all due respect, Calgary has just plain sucked. Florida as well when JBo was there.


- carcus

The Flames made the playoffs for 6 years before the JBow era. When he joined the Flames, the Flames were instantly worse. The panic trades that first year were partly due to how bad JBow played. He's got all the tools but absolutely no compete.

The Flames made the playoffs for 6 years before the JBow era. When he joined the Flames, the Flames were instantly worse. The panic trades that first year were partly due to how bad JBow played. He's got all the tools but absolutely no compete.
- tincup

C'mon man, all the bad play was based on one player?

Maybe you should look a little deeper,,,management maybe??

The Flames made the playoffs for 6 years before the JBow era. When he joined the Flames, the Flames were instantly worse. The panic trades that first year were partly due to how bad JBow played. He's got all the tools but absolutely no compete.
- tincup

And? The Blues made the playoffs for 25 years in a row. Doesn't mean that they were very good teams for a lot of them.

The Flames were not instantly worse because of JBo. That is just stupid. Blame him all you want for Calgary sucking, it is just not true though.

I remember a bunch of Calgary fans laughing at the trade, saying the Blues were now going to miss the playoffs. You guys were right on about that.


Enjoy your time without JBo. Now you will be soooooo much better. Oh, wait. That is not going to happen.

And? The Blues made the playoffs for 25 years in a row. Doesn't mean that they were very good teams for a lot of them.

The Flames were not instantly worse because of JBo. That is just stupid. Blame him all you want for Calgary sucking, it is just not true though.

I remember a bunch of Calgary fans laughing at the trade, saying the Blues were now going to miss the playoffs. You guys were right on about that.


Enjoy your time without JBo. Now you will be soooooo much better. Oh, wait. That is not going to happen.
- carcus

They were instantly worse with Bouwmeester. Just look at the collapse. Yes, management sucked and made terrible trades but it was a shock to everyone how bad they were doing the year they added him. Like Peca said, one of the easiest players in the league to play against. Soft doesnt' begin to describe him.

The Flames made the playoffs for 6 years before the JBow era. When he joined the Flames, the Flames were instantly worse. The panic trades that first year were partly due to how bad JBow played. He's got all the tools but absolutely no compete.
- tincup

Please. Jbo was very good in Calgary. He was over paid, but still very good.

Please. Jbo was very good in Calgary. He was over paid, but still very good.
- Iggysbff

Like I said, all the tools but the man has no pulse.

They were instantly worse with Bouwmeester. Just look at the collapse. Yes, management sucked and made terrible trades but it was a shock to everyone how bad they were doing the year they added him. Like Peca said, one of the easiest players in the league to play against. Soft doesnt' begin to describe him.
- tincup

I feel your dismay, I've had enough myself as a Leaf fan, but singling out one player isn't fair, if he was soft??? well there are 5 other D to help out, nevermind forwards coming back. I think he is getting a poor rap sheet for the teams he played with IMO.

I feel your dismay, I've had enough myself as a Leaf fan, but singling out one player isn't fair, if he was soft??? well there are 5 other D to help out, nevermind forwards coming back. I think he is getting a poor rap sheet for the teams he played with IMO.
- sloppyseconds2

No, I'm not blaming him for all that went wrong with the team. Bringing him in was one of a long list of blunders.

No, I'm not blaming him for all that went wrong with the team. Bringing him in was one of a long list of blunders.
- tincup

Fair enough, I'd actually like him playing for my team, I know its hard to see that from your side, but I believe IMO he is a good D-man. We will see.

Flames "200-1" So true. Good day.
- deadsector

Oilers should be around there too.

How much does a 1st line defenseman, who play 25 minutes a night get paid? This is a great deal.

I think too many people have grown accustomed to JBo on terrible teams. He is a very good player, and now has a team around him that is very good as well.
- carcus

I think you are exactly right.

I am a huge J.Bo fan. He was pushed to do way too much as an 18 year old and his early years in Florida messed him up. He was always trying to bring the game to everyone else, rather than allowing the game to come to him. But, he has always, in my opinion, been a huge talent, magnificent skater. The Tyler Myers story causes me to reflect a little on the J.Bo early years.

J.Bo played pretty well in Calgary. Was a nice trade deadline add in St Louis. He will be even better next year.

Obviously, I love the signing for St. Louis.

Canucks are definitely the worst bet.
Toronto is right where they should be. Montreal might be a bit high. they should be neck and neck with TO.
Ottawa should be higher than 30-1 but the best value bet IMO is LA at 12-1. they could easily win another Cup.
- DoubleDown

agree with this 100%

Colorado is also a good "risk" bet at those odds