I have no problem with the Wirtz organization since the old man died (alef ha-shalom, I guess) - or with McD as running the business side of the Company.

I also guess (but only guess - no sources, no inside knowledge) that his supposed interference with the on-ice product is very much exaggerated. Anyone who expects that the business side won't take an interest in the hockey decisions - and have more or less of an influence - is not recognizing the realities of billion dollar industries.

I just put my 2 cents worth into recognizing that it's easy to appear to be less interested in the money side when the money keeps rolling in. They probably are spending more than the cap every year on players because of the front loaded contracts, buyouts, etc. Being in one of the two or three top US markets helps.

But I also wouldn't be surprised if - quietly and behind the scenes - they weren't one of the more militant ownership groups in the league during CBA negotiations.

I'm good, Mo - and good with the season they just had, given the rebuilding / retooling mode that they are in. I think we've seen more positive developments than I would have thought last summer and through the fall.
- StLBravesFan

It’s easy to think of Toews and Kane as two of wirtz’s best employees. I actually think wirtz considers bettman to be his number one employee. Rocky gets a lit of credit — deservedly do — for helping restore the franchise. But I do believe behind the scenes he is a headliner and relies upon bettman being the bad guy while Rocky gets to play kissy face with the fans. Bettman is doing rocky’s Bidding.

Nothing - see my next post.

I read The Breakaway - by Bryan Smith - excellent (if a bit depressing, because of the family drama) reading - I recommend it. The only problem with it is the Smith couldn't get interviews with Rocky's siblings, especially Peter. I would have liked to hear Peter's side of it.
- StLBravesFan

It was an interesting read; very disfubctional family. The only issue I had was it seemed to be a book that Rocky paid to have written to paint the perfect picture of Rocky.

ho hum bolts come back from 4-2 to win 5-4 and thats with getting nothing on 4 min pp...

kucherov...wow...that guy can pick a corner...
- bogiedoc

Thought I heard the Doc say on a broadcast several years ago (might even be last season) that kucherov had an artificial ice surface installed in his garage to help him work on various facets of his shot. Sound more interesting than a foosball table.

Thought I heard the Doc say on a broadcast several years ago (might even be last season) that kucherov had an artificial ice surface installed in his garage to help him work on various facets of his shot. Sound more interesting than a foosball table.
- Spec41971

Toews built one at his home, too, and skated every day this past off season. Definitely has paid dividends for him with his career year. Not astronomical offensive totals like Kucherov but Nikita's no defensive and faceoff specialist like Toews is.

Toews built one at his home, too, and skated every day this past off season. Definitely has paid dividends for him with his career year. Not astronomical offensive totals like Kucherov but Nikita's no defensive and faceoff specialist like Toews is.
- AEL_Fox

Must have been in his WPG home, because if he installed one in his new mega millions condo in the high-rise, his neighbors might want to kill him after a few missed shots hit the wall.

Pretty sure when they toured the then new Hawks practice facility, they showed Kane trying one out. Maybe he uses that one when he’s in Chicago.

Must have been in his WPG home, because if he installed one in his new mega millions condo in the high-rise, his neighbors might want to kill him after a few missed shots hit the wall.

Pretty sure when they toured the then new Hawks practice facility, they showed Kane trying one out. Maybe he uses that one when he’s in Chicago.
- pdx2ord

Makes sense unless Toews has another home in the Chicago suburbs like Jordan's old home in Highland Park. Yeah, when I heard that story on the Avs broadcast over the weekend, I wasn't sure if they meant his home in Canada.

For those who have the pocket change, Jordan's house is on the market at $14.855 M. Estimated mortgage is $56,600/month.

https://www.zillow.com/ho...rk-IL-60035/4902463_zpid/

Makes sense unless Toews has another home in the Chicago suburbs like Jordan's old home in Highland Park. Yeah, when I heard that story on the Avs broadcast over the weekend, I wasn't sure if they meant his home in Canada.

For those who have the pocket change, Jordan's house is on the market at $14.855 M. Estimated mortgage is $56,600/month.

https://www.zillow.com/ho...rk-IL-60035/4902463_zpid/
- AEL_Fox

At least the mortgage interest would be deductible.

Unlike most of the $120,000 in property taxes.

At least the mortgage interest would be deductible.

Unlike most of the $120,000 in property taxes.
- StLBravesFan

Anyone who can afford a 50k/month mortgage isn’t worried that 10k of it goes to fix pot holes in the road. Or they shouldn’t be.

Anyone who can afford a 50k/month mortgage isn’t worried that 10k of it goes to fix pot holes in the road. Or they shouldn’t be.
- kwolf68

Careful or you'll be branded a socialist!

Anyone who can afford a 50k/month mortgage isn’t worried that 10k of it goes to fix pot holes in the road. Or they shouldn’t be.
- kwolf68

Socialist!

Anyone who can afford a 50k/month mortgage isn’t worried that 10k of it goes to fix pot holes in the road. Or they shouldn’t be.
- kwolf68

Too bad it never actually goes to fixing potholes.

Too bad it never actually goes to fixing potholes.
- HawkintheD

FAKE NEWS!!!

At least the mortgage interest would be deductible.

Unlike most of the $120,000 in property taxes.
- StLBravesFan

Cuz that affects so many people?

At least the mortgage interest would be deductible.

Unlike most of the $120,000 in property taxes.
- StLBravesFan

Mortgage interest is only deductible if your mortgage is $750,000 or less

Too bad it never actually goes to fixing potholes.
- HawkintheD

Potholes is a euphemism for payoffs.

Mortgage interest is only deductible if your mortgage is $750,000 or less
- LAHawk

That just hurts so many of the average middle class folks it is supposed to help. If only these taxes made the rich pay more.....oh wait....

That just hurts so many of the average middle class folks it is supposed to help. If only these taxes made the rich pay more.....oh wait....
- TrueGrit

When was the greatest time economically for the U.S?

When was the greatest time economically for the U.S?
- paulr

.

1865-1913.

.

1865-1913.
- LAHawk

Are those the years that were referenced in Make America Great Again?

When was the greatest time economically for the U.S?
- paulr

1946-1967

1946-1967
- StLBravesFan

Probably pretty accurate. Post war boom.

1946-1967
- StLBravesFan

Wasn't that about the same time frame that the unions were at their strongest as well?

1865-1913 was called The Gilded Age in America, and saw the greatest period of economic growth in American history. Except for 1873, the economy boomed because of hard money policies and industrialization. From 1869 to 1879, the US economy grew at a rate of 6.8% The economy repeated this period of growth in the 1880s, in which GDP grew at an annual rate of 3.8%.

Then 1913 happened (the start of federal income tax, and central planning.

1865-1913 was called The Gilded Age in America, and saw the greatest period of economic growth in American history. Except for 1873, the economy boomed because of hard money policies and industrialization. From 1869 to 1879, the US economy grew at a rate of 6.8% The economy repeated this period of growth in the 1880s, in which GDP grew at an annual rate of 3.8%.

Then 1913 happened (the start of federal income tax, and central planning.
- LAHawk

Sorry about the wonkiness, this is kind of a passion of mine.

Sorry about the wonkiness, this is kind of a passion of mine.
- LAHawk

I actually meant in Modern times but thanks for the refresher. So you're a history geek are you?