NHL Season 2018-19

[zachoff]

Avs haven't done a damn thing...

 

[dwm74]

^ Shoot, I'd take Ian Cole back in the 'burgh in a heartbeat. Matt Calvert is a decent pick-up for a role player.

You did lose Comeau, though, so the Calvert acquisition is at least a lateral move. And Yakupov likely won't be missed.

 

[MJ5150]

Wow, @Trouztrouz dislikes Jack Johnson more than I do. So tell me, what's your take on Matt Murray?
I think I take the cake on him though.

-Mike

 

[Funky Ghost]

I like the Folin signing. He's a good all arounder who will be a better than average defensemen on the blueline.

 

[MJ5150]

Hey to my Flyer fan buddies, check this out....
I drove to Portland, Oregon this week for a business meeting. It's a two hour drive in traffic, no big deal.
I stopped about a quarter of the way down for fuel and food and saw a couple homeless guys hanging out in front of the store. I offered them a meal, which they accepted, then they asked me how far I was going. They too were going to Portland so they could catch a train to Oakland.
I offered them a ride, all four of them and their dog. They all piled in my truck and off we went.
As we get up to speed on the freeway, one guy notices the Penguins keychain I have and asks me if I'm from Pittsburgh. I let him know I'm from that area.
He looks over at me and says 'you suck dude'. He's saying this as he turns his head my way to show me the Flyers tattoo on his neck. He's from Philly.
We both laughed about it, then proceeded to have a great conversation about the NHL and hockey in general the rest of the ride down. This guy was my age, and he knew Flyer hockey all the way back to the 70's.
We get to Portland, and as we part ways he gives me a big hug to thank me for the ride and hockey chat. He makes a motion like he is slashing me with a stick, cusses me out, then walks away smiling.
Turns out one of the other guys, who sat in the back of my truck in the canopy, was from Detroit. As he walks away he's chanting about Hockeytown and singing Journey.
Hockey fans are great, even the homeless ones.

-Mike

 

[Funky Ghost]

That's an amazing story Mike

You take the guy outta Philly, but you can't take the Philly outta the guy

 

[DerekW]

I’m still trying to wrap my head around picking up 4 homeless guys.

You’re as brave as you are kind.

 

[MJ5150]

I’m still trying to wrap my head around picking up 4 homeless guys.

You’re as brave as you are kind.

I've been helping out and maintaining friendships with homeless people since high school, which was 30 years ago.
It's a hockey thread, so I won't go too far off into the weeds on this, but I feel strongly about helping disadvantaged people. I am not rich or well off, I don't give away money or whatever they ask for.
However, I do give freely of my time for these folks and help out with a meal here and there, clothing, other necessities to survive like tents, sleeping bags, blankets, etc. You'd be amazed what $20 can get you at Goodwill or second hand stores.
Sometimes these people don't want anything more from you than a smile or some kind of acknowledgement that they exist.
It also helps to be 6'5" and about 320 pounds, so the fear factor isn't really there for me. It's probably the other way around.
Actually, as we were driving down the road, the guy who was the Flyers fan said he was a little scared to get in the truck at first, but could tell I meant him no harm.
Yes, I understand being that big won't stop a knife, a bullet, or another type of weapon, but I can't live my life in fear of what someone might do to me.
Over the last 30+ years I have learned how to read people, especially homeless people, so I can pick out the type up to no good or just looking to 'run my pockets' to score cash.

*Disclaimer* All that being said, there are dangerous criminals, mentally unstable people, individuals under the influence of all kinds of substances, scammers, and bad people among the homeless who are looking to take advantage and even harm those who are not homeless. Heck, those people are everywhere, but you know what I mean.
If anyone who reads this decides they want to give any of this a try too, be very very careful of the situations you put yourself in.

-Mike

 

[Trouztrouz]

It also helps to be 6'5" and about 320 pounds

So tell me, what's your take on Matt Murray?

Uhhhh, whatever your opinion is of Matt Murray, I agree with it.

 

[MJ5150]

Three more years for Fleury.
Matt Murray will be out of the league in three years.

-Mike

 

[zachoff]

^ Shoot, I'd take Ian Cole back in the 'burgh in a heartbeat. Matt Calvert is a decent pick-up for a role player.

You did lose Comeau, though, so the Calvert acquisition is at least a lateral move. And Yakupov likely won't be missed.

I don't know much about Cole because we rarely see eastern teams, but dude looks solid. Don't know much about Calvert either. Comeau is one of those guys I couldn't stand when the Avs first picked him up, but grew to appreciate when the going got tough. Good leader. Yakupov was an ok 4th liner, but meh.

I want them to pick up better defensive forwards. Dump Compher and Andrighetto. Tyson Barrie on D too. That team allowed way too many shots on goal last year.

 

[MJ5150]

Awwww man, Ray Emery drowned.
He was fun to watch play.

-Mike

 

[dwm74]

(More of a thread bump than anything pertinent...)

Gosh, I just noticed the Pens signed Jimmy Hayes. How'd that one slip under the radar? LOL

Let's see...he adds size at 6'5", but has only averaged about 8-9 goals per season in his seven-year career.

I guess they all can't be stars...maybe if he gets to play with Sid or Geno his numbers will go up.

 

[arbitrary]

(More of a thread bump than anything pertinent...)

Gosh, I just noticed the Pens signed Jimmy Hayes. How'd that one slip under the radar? LOL

Let's see...he adds size at 6'5", but has only averaged about 8-9 goals per season in his seven-year career.

I guess they all can't be stars...maybe if he gets to play with Sid or Geno his numbers will go up.

he sucks

 

[dwm74]

^ Concise and to the point. I like that!

I guess I'm just trying to be optimistic...sigh.

 

[arbitrary]

^ Concise and to the point. I like that!

I guess I'm just trying to be optimistic...sigh.

He's incredibly frustrating to watch, he never uses his size, is slower and doesn't seem to have any fight/put in much effort.

 

[dwm74]

Sounds like several other players the Pens have acquired over the years. In other words, a Tom Kuhnackl clone, whom we just let go via free agency. Progress? hmmph.

 

[MJ5150]

Sounds like several other players the Pens have acquired over the years. In other words, a Tom Kuhnackl clone, whom we just let go via free agency. Progress? hmmph.

Oleksiak.
Rutherford sure is high on this guy, and I have no idea why. He doesn't protect anyone on the ice, doesn't punish anyone, doesn't play like he is 6'7".

-Mike

 

[dwm74]

Oleksiak.
Rutherford sure is high on this guy, and I have no idea why. He doesn't protect anyone on the ice, doesn't punish anyone, doesn't play like he is 6'7".

-Mike

He actually picked up his physical play a little bit in the playoffs, but still nowhere close to what a guy of his size could and should be doing. He just doesn't instill fear in his opponents the way he oughta. (Chara/Pronger/Ristolainen)

Re Jimmy Hayes: I'd have rather seen them pick up Benoit Pouliot over Hayes if they're just looking for large wingers with marginal skill.

 

[MJ5150]

Too bad Sullivan had some kind of issue with Reaves and wouldn't play him.
If I was Crosby or Malkin, I would have been upset the day I saw he was traded away.

-Mike