It's his mission.
- A_Tree

And when it's over he'll never want another.

good thing you're not rattled by this.
- Gramps28

this grade school "haha you're mad!" rattling attempt is beneath you

this grade school "haha you're mad!" rattling attempt is beneath you
- daeth

It's his bread and butter.

I am more rattled than anyone on this site

No one can take that from me

I am more rattled than anyone on this site

No one can take that from me
- razr

I've never really seen you rattled necessarily and you've taken your fair share of beatings.

I've never really seen you rattled necessarily and you've taken your fair share of beatings.
- daeth

He can rattle WaterBoy real nice

TRDevil
New Jersey Devils

Location: Toms River, NJ
Joined: 04.04.2014

Today @ 6:30 PM ET

I am a Christian conservative, so I have my thoughts.

I personally think that over and above being in agreement or disagreement with any religion, race, color, sexual orientation, or belief; the other human beings we share the earth with deserve all of the respect, understanding and unconditional love each one of us can offer, if we in turn want a world filled with those type of people for ourselves and our children to enjoy.

I personally don't see this as much a masculinity crisis, but more of a problem with a "me first" type of society we live in, where bullies thrive and we are constantly desensitized to hatefulness in our thoughts and actions to the point that it is almost en-grained in our culture. We seem to all hate one another somehow and in some way. All different types of hate, not just hate on gay people, but religious hate, cultural hate, social class hate, political hate, whatever it is hate is the underlying commonality.

The easy thing to do when we are angry or threatened and feel that hate, is to say that one thing that really will hurt someone. If it's their intelligence, race, religion or color. We all know that one thing to say to really light that fire, and when we attack, we blurt out those hateful/hurtful words or let those thoughts fester into something wrong - and not even representative of our real thoughts, if those emotions are left unchecked. It is detrimental to our relationships with others and is a totally inappropriate way to treat someone. But this only happens if we let our anger/fear/lack of understanding supersede our concern for another persons well being and undermine our compassion or desire for understanding of their world view.

I guess what I am saying we need more of, is the emotional intelligence, and the patience and maturity to not have a knee jerk reaction to something that is upsetting and resist the urge to behave like an angry troglodyte and hurt people with words or actions. We need to turn that emotional response into compassion and understanding for our fellow humans. You reap what you sow, we have sown seeds of hate in our society for long enough. Even if you don't agree, even if you don't understand, it's another person whose thoughts and feelings are just as important and just as valuable as yours, and we all deserve... and need to be treated with respect to feel as though we are in a healthy environment.

We have come a long way, but still have a long way to go in understanding one another if we really want to start taking steps toward a society bereft of hate and scorn.

I know this is a hockey blog and this is a lot for some of you to read, but 49 people are dead due to senseless, blind, hate. Because one man chose to give into his hatefulness instead of seeing past what he didn't understand/agree with. God bless them all.

Great Vlog, thank you.

TRDevil
New Jersey Devils

Location: Toms River, NJ
Joined: 04.04.2014

Today @ 6:30 PM ET

I am a Christian conservative, so I have my thoughts.

I personally think that over and above being in agreement or disagreement with any religion, race, color, sexual orientation, or belief; the other human beings we share the earth with deserve all of the respect, understanding and unconditional love each one of us can offer, if we in turn want a world filled with those type of people for ourselves and our children to enjoy.

I personally don't see this as much a masculinity crisis, but more of a problem with a "me first" type of society we live in, where bullies thrive and we are constantly desensitized to hatefulness in our thoughts and actions to the point that it is almost en-grained in our culture. We seem to all hate one another somehow and in some way. All different types of hate, not just hate on gay people, but religious hate, cultural hate, social class hate, political hate, whatever it is hate is the underlying commonality.

The easy thing to do when we are angry or threatened and feel that hate, is to say that one thing that really will hurt someone. If it's their intelligence, race, religion or color. We all know that one thing to say to really light that fire, and when we attack, we blurt out those hateful/hurtful words or let those thoughts fester into something wrong - and not even representative of our real thoughts, if those emotions are left unchecked. It is detrimental to our relationships with others and is a totally inappropriate way to treat someone. But this only happens if we let our anger/fear/lack of understanding supersede our concern for another persons well being and undermine our compassion or desire for understanding of their world view.

I guess what I am saying we need more of, is the emotional intelligence, and the patience and maturity to not have a knee jerk reaction to something that is upsetting and resist the urge to behave like an angry troglodyte and hurt people with words or actions. We need to turn that emotional response into compassion and understanding for our fellow humans. You reap what you sow, we have sown seeds of hate in our society for long enough. Even if you don't agree, even if you don't understand, it's another person whose thoughts and feelings are just as important and just as valuable as yours, and we all deserve... and need to be treated with respect to feel as though we are in a healthy environment.

We have come a long way, but still have a long way to go in understanding one another if we really want to start taking steps toward a society bereft of hate and scorn.

I know this is a hockey blog and this is a lot for some of you to read, but 49 people are dead due to senseless, blind, hate. Because one man chose to give into his hatefulness instead of seeing past what he didn't understand/agree with. God bless them all.

Great Vlog, thank you.
- CaptainRivet

written by a closet homosexual with Islamic tendencies

CaptainRivet
Buffalo Sabres
Location: GARTH'S CORNER, NY
Joined: 12.26.2008


Yeah, here's what I think. While it's unlikely any of us has a clue about what's inside Darcy's head, and things like the salary cap, NTCs/NMCs, and the declining economy's impact on future revenues make it nearly impossible to trade anyone of any significance, it's not inconceivable that the Sabres could make a mid-season move.

Vanek, Roy, Miller, Pommer are probably not on the block since they represent the young core of this team and are all locked up long-term. We all know Vanek's contract is insane, but given the length and amount of the others, it seems unlikely to me there's a better deal out there. Remember Larry Quinn is a numbers guy, and 5 mil 6 years from now will be looking pretty good. Roy's deal is an especially favorable one for the club. You might even be able to throw Goose into this category b/c his value to the Sabres is high given his hustle and toughness.

Max, Kotalik, and Connolly are popular choices for a change of venue, but their UFA status would mean they'd need to go to a contender for the receiving team to be willing to assume the risk. That said, what's the likelihood of a contender sending the Sabres something worthy of a blockbuster? That's not even taking into account Max sucking for the last 2 years, Kotalik getting a reputation of being lazy, and (Tin) Connolly being more fragile than the leg lamp in A Christmas Story. This, coming from the guy who actually owns a Connolly jersey.

As far as young talent at forward goes, Stafford, MacArthur, Paille are the only roster players in that category. They're all tradable, but not enough to bring in an impact player. To me, the Sabres would need to include one of Mancari, Gerbe, or Kennedy to get another team interested. Possible, though Gerbe seems like he's got a future here.

Lastly, if they're really trying to fix the recent injury problem at defense, they're not going to trade any defensemen. Even still, it's more likely they'll do what they did last year and bring in a veteran like Nolan Pratt to temporarily fill the gap until Weber and Sekera are healthy again (a few weeks?). I haven't looked to see who like that is available, but they found someone last year and could probably do it again.

We Sabres fans have gotten used to the fact that Darcy rarely makes any moves. In fact, who really does anymore? I'd love to be wrong, but not at the expense of 26 / 9 / 30 / 29. You can have Peters. Twice.

I swear the Sabres thread provides like half the material in this thread these days..it's a gold mine

I swear the Sabres thread provides like half the material in this thread these days..it's a gold mine
- Nucker101

That rant looks oddly familiar

what we know:

1. The Wings can and will try to trade Datsyuk's contract. The NHL cannot stop someone trade for the contract etc as what would simply happen is one of two things. a) They keep the cap hit on the books and simply "suspend" Datsyuk for not showing up to camp, thus not paying him any dollars but continue to use the #s towards the cap. or b) "terminate" the contract meaning, Datsyuk would sign a voluntary retirement papers and then the would continue to have the cap hit but not paying him. Either way, the NHL will not step in because they are continuing to be punished by having a cap hit without the player if it were.

1. Datsyuk has been talking about going back to Russia to be closer to his daughter since 2012'... so this talk is nothing new. Dastyuk was told that if he played 15-16, that Holland would not step in his way during the final season of the contract, including not blocking and way to play in the KHL via the transfer agreement. They met on Friday night, after Dastyuk was allowed to think about it... assuming he told KH on Friday night he was done, if not before then.

2. Holland stated that Dastyuk did not fully understand his contract from his last agent as he was under the assumption that he could simply hang em' up, aka, like Rafalski did previously -- however that was a different CBA.

3. The Wings can and will try to trade Datsyuk's contract. The NHL cannot stop someone trade for the contract etc as what would simply happen is one of two things. a) They keep the cap hit on the books and simply "suspend" Datsyuk for not showing up to camp, thus not paying him any dollars but continue to use the #s towards the cap. or b) "terminate" the contract meaning, Datsyuk would sign a voluntary retirement papers and then the would continue to have the cap hit but not paying him. Either way, the NHL will not step in because they are continuing to be punished by having a cap hit without the player if it were.

4. Holland said, he will not trade a high end player (prospect) or pick, he will just eat the money as it is just for 1 year.... and allow the kids to play, potentially meaning playoffs and going through the growing pains in the process.

5. Players rumored that could be considered to move are Jurco, Pelkunen, Sproul and Jensen. There is also potential for them to take on a short term, poor contract back for a roster player if needed.

6. Rumors has it that they will be hard after Stamkos if they can move this contract out, as with removing Richards (3mil), Quincey (4mil), Franzen going back on LTIR (3.9mil) and Datysuk (7.5mil)... that is plenty of room to resign the RFAs and then offer Stammer big.
-----

Prediction:
-Holland uses the space from Richards, Quincey and Franzen to resign the RFAs (Dekeyser, Marchenko, Mrazek).
-Keeps Miller and lets Helm walk with the others and decides again moving the Datsyuk contract.
-KH will make a deal and move out Sproul, Jensen... and maybe Jurco for picks.
-Keeps Howard for this year
-No buyouts
-With remaining cap space, signs Radulov (or another FA) to a 4-5mil dollar deal.

basically, same old' Kenny Holland stuff -- overly loyal, conversative, lets see what youth brings.
- BooBoo997

This was a bit brief and not long winded at all. Could you expand on this a little bit ? Thanks
- Jeropotato

Free agents, Waivers and not coming back.

Like it or not...

Signed Ryan Miller to a 3-year $18 million contract. I know I am not on the same level as most of you but this is one of Bennings I liked. Not the term the goalie. JB wasn't afraid to go out make a statement and get the best goalie off the market. This goes to show how important goaltending is in this league. Without Miller we would have done a lot worse. This is a LikeIt for me.

Signed Radim Vrbata to a 2-year, $10 million deal. I wasn't really a Vrbata fan and when the signing happened I was like Meh but he went on to do very well through one season and was looking promising. Year 2 was a disaster but the fault does not lie with Benny. Good signing and shows we can still attract big name free agents much like Miller. This is a LikeIt for me as well. Although I don't want to revisit it again.

Claimed Brandon McMillan off waivers from Arizona Coyotes. Nothing move.

Released Tom Sestito. Who?

Signed Yannick Weber who is also not being signed again. Gross every game I went to I made known my dislike of Weber. This is a NotLike for me but JB did get him for relatively decent contract. I just am not a Weber fan.

Signed Matt Bartkowski to a 1-year, $1,750,000 contract. See above. Also what else did we have in waiting. Hard to fault a guy for trying to fill a need. His Mom was pretty cool. NotLike

Signed Adam Cracknell to a 1-year, $575,000 contract. Cracknell had signed on a tryout basis. I liked this one a depth 4th line Veteran who made the most of his time. He was great with the young guys coming in. This is a LikeIt for me

Waived Linden Vey and not re signing him It was worth a try Vey had more than enough chances to succeed from the coach and management, I can't fault Jim for letting him walk for nothing but I will. LikeIt

Alex Biega was a good signing depth move and Beiga earned it. LikeIt

The Maple Leafs signed Corrado. I had high hopes a few seasons ago for Corrado but sometimes this happens. This was a mistake on JB's part but the leafs looked like even more of an a$$hole because of their choice to let him ride pine.

Placed Chris Higgins on waivers and bought out. I like Higgins but he lost a step and business is business. At least being bought out it gives him a chance to try out the market.

Signed free agent Michael Zalewski to a 1-year, $575,000 contract. Good Kid. Like this one.

Waived Brandon Prust. I don't think he got a fair shake after his injury. This one bothers me because I think he fit well at times but never really panned out.

Hamhuis. He was my favourite defence man at times. He was injured a lot last season and had a real tough go. As he said the game is fluid. Not hard feelings if nothing works out. Jim handled this well and he didn't. Neither party was happy at the deadline but it is what it is.

Etem the most recent RFA. I think he is Lazy and inconsistent but JB got a hell of a deal for him to show his stuff. LikeIt for the Cap hit

Demko, Stecher, Rodin, Brisboise. All thumbs up for me. LikeIt

I hope he gets Pedan signed up.

Not returning Vey, Weber, Bartowski, Prust, Cracknell, Higgins, Hamhuis and possibly Burrows. All and all Jim did his best with what he had to work with could he have done better maybe.

This team is going to have some freshness and I like it.

- thundachunk

Every idiot in that thread deserves Jim Benning as their GM for eternity.

Every idiot in that thread deserves Jim Benning as their GM for eternity.
- Nucker101

every time i read his name i hear it as the ac dc song in my head

you been.. thundachunk! thundachunk!

yeah yeah yeah thundachunk!

every time i read his name i hear it as the ac dc song in my head

you been.. thundachunk! thundachunk!

yeah yeah yeah thundachunk!
- kicksave856

he's an idiot

he's an idiot
- Nucker101

he's an idiot
- Nucker101

yeah but his intro is epic.

James,

Open your mind here for a moment. Because I think this is where analytics shows you something that is simply not grounded in reality.

David Rundblad is not underrated. He is not overrated. To anyone who has watched him play, being given numerous second third and fourth chances in numerous organizations, he is just awful.

Rundblad is actually, meh, ok coming up the ice—albeit about as fast as a glacier. But he can pass the puck. And he can definitely fire it.

But that's where it ends.

He is horrible defending over 200 feet of ice, because he is so slow, and he is completely non-competitive.

When a power forward like a Ladd, or a Benn, or even a Doan sees him with the puck below the circles, it's like a shark attracted to blood. He will cough up the puck and give up on the play, often leading to goals, because he has the heart of a dog.

And this, while it shows up on the scoresheet as just a turnover and/or a goal against has a huge and bad psychological effect on the entire team.

So yeah, I heard all the pushback the last couple of years, "but he's +11, he has positive possession numbers."

To which I would reply, take a look at his zone starts, and who he's playing with, which was often Duncan Keith. because he needed sheltering big time.

Rundblad is, if anything, overrated by those who point to slices of analytics as proof he's anything more than an AHL-version of Sheldon Souray, Cam Barker or Andy Delmore.

Meaning, if you can dress a guy to just play the point on the power play, in that regard, he's a worthwhile player. But that is a big "if," and typically not a luxury a team can afford these days.

Otherwise, he blows.
- John Jaeckel

[quote=kicksave856]


That guy is so unbearable.

That guy is so unbearable.
- rmiethaner

nobody likes him and definitely nobody likes him as much as he likes himself.

I posted this just before Todd posted the new blog (I swear I think you wait for me to post something to put the new blog up Todd) so I wanted to re-post. Apologies of this is taboo. But I am bored so here you go.

If we stood pat where we are at I have been playing with possible line combos. Not trying to make a 1-2-3 lines, but more lines A-B-C to spread out the scoring. Also not taking Elias into account until confirmed as being ready.

Hall - Henrique - Bennett/DSP - Bennet played with Crosby so he can keep up if he can stay healthy. I also like DSP here for the same reason I list below - presence around the net.
Zacha - Zajac - Palmieri - Zajac and Palms had chemistry + Zacha could be a great combination.
Cam - JJ - DSP/Bennett - JJ can feed Cam and his bomb of a shot while DSP crashes the net and smashes in the rebounds.
Boucher - Fiddler - Blandisi - Not the ideal place for either winger but they do have a physical presence and will get experience. This would be a tough 4th line to play against.
----
Ex: Kalinin/Kennedy - I liked both of these guys effort last year but likewise wasn't overly impressed either. Safe healthy scratches though. I do think JJ is better than Kalinin.

But now if they liked Zacha at third line center:

Hall - Henrique - Bennett/DSP
Boucher - Zajac - Palmieri - May be a better slot for Boucher and he seemed to do well on this line last year.
Cam - Zacha - DSP/Bennett - Zacha in between Cam and DSP would be a fast agressive line, tough to defend against on the rush. Zacha also has great hands and could feed some slick passes to Cam or bomb it in while DSP was charging the net like a bull.
Fiddler - JJ - Blandisi/Kennedy/Kalinin - Fiddler is listed as LW and Shero mentioned 'Hes good on the left side' Also would be a tough line to play against. In this scenario it may be better to let Blandisi work on his pro game for a few months in the AHL and be the first call up when an injury occurs.
----
Kalinin/Kennedy

If they went a more traditional Top 6 - as per depth slot we would probably see something along these lines:

Hall - Henrique - Palmieri
Cam - Zajac - DSP
Boucher - Zacha - Bennett
Fiddler - JJ - Blandisi/Kennedy

or

Hall - Henrique - Palmieri
Cam - Zajac - DSP
Zacha - JJ - Bennett
Boucher - Fiddler - Blandisi/Kennedy
- TRDevil

I know this isn't all THAT epic, but I've just never seen so much stupidity crammed into such a short post. There is literally not a single sentence, or even fragment of a run on sentence, that doesn't scream stupidity there.

If Larsson was enough to get your real number 1 center (Hall), I am convince Ceci, who has more value than Larsson, would suffice at getting RNH or Dratsaitl, whom of which I wouldn't even consider. Turris is better than those two players. It would be a very dumb move IMO.
- PtotheY

If Larsson was enough to get your real number 1 center (Hall)
- PtotheY

okay. Taylor Hall number 1 centre. Got it.

I am convince Ceci, who has more value than Larsson
- PtotheY

Right, okay, Cody Ceci, second pairing on the worst defense in the league, more value than 2nd overall, first line Dman Larsson. Gotcha.

would suffice at getting RNH or Dratsaitl
- PtotheY

oh yeah, Edmonton is for sure scrambling to trade these guys for Cody Ceci. Sure.

whom of which I wouldn't even consider
- PtotheY

Noooo, those guys are no good, and don't make the Sens any better.

Turris is better than those two players.
- PtotheY

Of course he is!

It would be a very dumb move IMO.
- PtotheY

Posting this was the dumb move. IMO.

nice. the rare epic post commenting on an epic post.