I keep thinking this is a euphemism. But you and Skip have an alien language sometimes. So who knows.

- FlyersGrace

No, the fish is actually old.

Now that the Cleary thing is done, I'm betting Michael Raffl gets a longer look, but I think Tye McGinn wins that job.

I'm going to training camp with Mini-me on Saturday AM (he's got a fall baseball game at 12:30) and a preseason game on Monday against the Caps.

I'm ready for hockey to start, like, yesterday.
- johndewar

I don't get the Raffl thing. Unless I'm wrong, he's been playing in the SEL and has put up good numbers. He played a few games with Vanek and threw up a few points. Has mid-size (about 6' 190 lb or so) and has yet to play a game on North American ice vs. NHL talent.

I don't think he should be pencilled in. Give him a shot for sure, but I'd like him to at least start in the AHL unless he just dominated at camp.

Actually, it's a step down from Elitserien, the tier 2 league, where he's played.

No, the fish is actually old.
- mayorofangrytown

kettle meet pot.

No, the fish is actually old.
- mayorofangrytown

can you provide a link to support that claim?

kettle meet pot.
- FlyersGrace

and the coffee black

kettle meet pot.
- FlyersGrace

HEY!!!! WTF?!?!?!

Thanks Grace... I'll go drink myself stupid.

Okay, I'll go drink...

I don't get the Raffl thing. Unless I'm wrong, he's been playing in the SEL and has put up good numbers. He played a few games with Vanek and threw up a few points. Has mid-size (about 6' 190 lb or so) and has yet to play a game on North American ice vs. NHL talent.

I don't think he should be pencilled in. Give him a shot for sure, but I'd like him to at least start in the AHL unless he just dominated at camp.
- jmatchett383

I agree....he definitely shouldn't be pencilled in, but I think he'll get a long look in preseason games for exactly the reasons you state: I don't think they have any idea how his skills will translate here in North America.

I'm going with Bill's Miko Pyorala (I don't know how to use umlauts) comparison until I see differently.

I would really like to see Tye McGinn just jump up and steal that job.

can you provide a link to support that claim?
- phi1671

There isn't a single link that I've ignored. I know the fish inside out, and exactly how it smells. In fact it's the opposite. I've considered all the links involving the fish. And more importanly, I can support my statements and back it up.

I agree....he definitely shouldn't be pencilled in, but I think he'll get a long look in preseason games for exactly the reasons you state: I don't think they have any idea how his skills will translate here in North America.

I'm going with Bill's Miko Pyorala (I don't know how to use umlauts) comparison until I see differently.

I would really like to see Tye McGinn just jump up and steal that job.
- johndewar

I agree. I'd like to see some combination of Talbot/Laughton/McGinn on the 3rd and 4th lines. If Raffl looks like he's ready, so be it.

There isn't a single link that I've ignored. I know the fish inside out, and exactly how it smells. In fact it's the opposite. I've considered all the links involving the fish. And more importanly, I can support my statements and back it up.
- mayorofangrytown

Awesome....classic!!!

I agree....he definitely shouldn't be pencilled in, but I think he'll get a long look in preseason games for exactly the reasons you state: I don't think they have any idea how his skills will translate here in North America.

I'm going with Bill's Miko Pyorala (I don't know how to use umlauts) comparison until I see differently.

I would really like to see Tye McGinn just jump up and steal that job.
- johndewar

I like Tye McGinn but over Laughton? Are you looking for both to make it or sending Laughton back?

Not an argument, just asking.

There isn't a single link that I've ignored. I know the fish inside out, and exactly how it smells. In fact it's the opposite. I've considered all the links involving the fish. And more importanly, I can support my statements and back it up.
- mayorofangrytown

Dude, they make restraining orders for people like you....

s'okay...

I like Tye McGinn but over Laughton? Are you looking for both to make it or sending Laughton back?

Not an argument, just asking.

- mayorofangrytown

I think there are (at least) 2 spots to be won. 3rd line winger for once, and at least 4th line center (Hall should be the front runner, but not a lock).

I agree. I'd like to see some combination of Talbot/Laughton/McGinn on the 3rd and 4th lines. If Raffl looks like he's ready, so be it.
- jmatchett383

Don't leave Rinaldo out. He really grew on me last season. I'm a believer!
EDIT: He might look like an extra reject from GREASE but the kid has heart and gotten a lot smarter..
That said I'd prolly slot in Hall as 4th C, keep Rinaldo and McGinn as my wings (assuming Talbot moves to 3rd line). Send Laughton back.
I think Lauighton is good but one more year won't hurt him. Gives McGrinn a chance to shine.

Don't leave Rinaldo out. He really grew on me last season. I'm a believer!
- FlyersGrace

I was counting him as a lock.

Sorry, that wasn't very clear. I'd like some mix of those guys to be featured somewhere on the 3rd/4th lines.

So yeah, something like:

Laughton/Talbot/McGinn - Couturier - Read
Rinaldo - Hall/Laughton - Talbot/McGinn

I was counting him as a lock.

Sorry, that wasn't very clear. I'd like some mix of those guys to be featured somewhere on the 3rd/4th lines.

So yeah, something like:

Laughton/Talbot/McGinn - Couturier - Read
Rinaldo - Hall/Laughton - Talbot/McGinn
- jmatchett383

It's very possible that both Laughton and McGinn make the team coming out of Camp.

It's very possible that both Laughton and McGinn make the team coming out of Camp.
- MJL

They definitely could. There are at least 2 spots for the taking right now.

I know it doesn't compare to a relative dying, but he was as close to a relative as can be. And I don't know why, but I spend as much time on here as I do most anywhere else, so I just wanted to put it out there.
- jmatchett383

I don't think this at all. My wife and I decided not to have children for a couple reasons, our health and economic status being major factors. Instead we have a Chihuahua, and believe me when I say he is like our child. I've had other dogs, 2 which I grew up with, and I considered like brothers, but I couldn't imagine losing my baby. God help me on that day.

Is it Sun yet? I'll take a pre-season game...
ANYTHING.
- FlyersGrace

I like Tye McGinn but over Laughton? Are you looking for both to make it or sending Laughton back?

Not an argument, just asking.

- mayorofangrytown

I'm inclined to send Laughton back, but if he plays out of his mind in camp and preseason, how do you send him back if the goal is to put together the best team? If he plays his way onto the team, then cool....

I expressed a preference for McGinn because he's a bit older and seems to have the requisite skill set to make a living at exactly what I'd want out of a 3rd liner: plays in the high traffic areas, hard to play against, good along the boards, not afraid to dig the puck, decent enough hands, not afraid to fight when asked, etc.

I think McGinn can do all of those things.

I'm inclined to send Laughton back, but if he plays out of his mind in camp and preseason, how do you send him back if the goal is to put together the best team? If he plays his way onto the team, then cool....

I expressed a preference for McGinn because he's a bit older and seems to have the requisite skill set to make a living at exactly what I'd want out of a 3rd liner: plays in the high traffic areas, hard to play against, good along the boards, not afraid to dig the puck, decent enough hands, not afraid to fight when asked, etc.

I think McGinn can do all of those things.
- johndewar

McGinn is more likely to be a 4th line player if he makes the team, but you never know.

Hope you guys don't mind me posting this, but just helps me.

My parents' 19-year-old maine coone was put down Tuesday night. We got him when I was in 5th grade, and I moved out in the summer of 2007, but I'd seen him every day for 13 years of my life. When I moved out, the cat which had been "my" cat actually became a bit hostile towards me (she passed away in February), but the maine coone was always the sweetest cat ever. In the last few years, he's become a bit ragged, losing a lot of his body mass. In the last year, he developed a small mass on his side, which had grown to about the size of a tomato. He lost almost all of his body mass; he went from about 16 pounds to 5. He had a small growth of his lip, and petting him was like petting bones almost. Still, he was incredibly sweet. And I've never seen my dad love a cat so much.

My parents had to put down a cat I don't even remember because he became paralyzed, and another because he wasn't able to eat. But this was the first time they ever had to put a cat down without some huge limiting factor, although all he really wanted to do now was find a nice spot and lay down all day. I wasn't there for it, but I was happy that at least my parents were there with him when he passed. Even being miles away, I still cried that night knowing that he wouldn't be there the next time I went there, and thinking that my parents would wake up the next morning and there wouldn't be a cat to feed. My dad won't talk about it, but my mom and I talked last night.

I know it doesn't compare to a relative dying, but he was as close to a relative as can be. And I don't know why, but I spend as much time on here as I do most anywhere else, so I just wanted to put it out there.
- jmatchett383

thanks for sharing, and i'm sorry for your loss. been there myself with dogs. never easy.

I don't think this at all. My wife and I decided not to have children for a couple reasons, our health and economic status being major factors. Instead we have a Chihuahua, and believe me when I say he is like our child. I've had other dogs, 2 which I grew up with, and I considered like brothers, but I couldn't imagine losing my baby. God help me on that day.
- youarewrong

We're a huge pet family. We currently have 4 dogs that run the house. My son, my wife and I couldn't love them any more and prefer them over most of the people we know. We buy furniture with them in mind. There's not a single chair in our living room or Family room because they don't accommodate a person and a dog at the same time.

I'm inclined to send Laughton back, but if he plays out of his mind in camp and preseason, how do you send him back if the goal is to put together the best team? If he plays his way onto the team, then cool....

I expressed a preference for McGinn because he's a bit older and seems to have the requisite skill set to make a living at exactly what I'd want out of a 3rd liner: plays in the high traffic areas, hard to play against, good along the boards, not afraid to dig the puck, decent enough hands, not afraid to fight when asked, etc.

I think McGinn can do all of those things.
- johndewar

I have to say he pleasantly surprised me when he was called up. He really looked like an NHL player in his stint. I hope his injury doesn't deter him. You have reason to worry when a guy gets his face crushed like that.

I don't think this at all. My wife and I decided not to have children for a couple reasons, our health and economic status being major factors. Instead we have a Chihuahua, and believe me when I say he is like our child. I've had other dogs, 2 which I grew up with, and I considered like brothers, but I couldn't imagine losing my baby. God help me on that day.
- youarewrong

Well, I guess you're right. For a few reasons I don't really want to get into, my grandmother and I became very estranged the last few years before she passed away earlier this year. I mean, I loved her, but she kind of just became a woman that I was friendly with on the rare occasions we saw each other. Losing my parents' cat hit me a lot harder than when she passed.