Gollumpus

True enough. The only exception would be what may have otherwise been a playoff contender who fell upon hard times with injuries and the like, who are hoping to make a playoff splash for next year. This was why I speculated on the Blue Jackets. regards, G.

I have to admit, I felt that this could have been the year that the Leafs did it (not win the Cup, just get out of the 1st round). Their defense (arguably) was better, and their forwards had some level of truculence beyond just one guy (formerly known as Kadri), and there was a bit of an upgrade in goal. But of greater note, I need pizza.... regards, G.

Yeah, provided that they don't lose a lot of what makes up the core. Obviously, one year of Miller isn't going to get it done for the 7th OA, so what has to be added? A team which "might" be convinced to give up a second/lower 1st round pick for a price could be a more realistic target. Columbus has the 6 OA (Chicago) and their own (12 OA). Maybe that 12th can be had for an acceptable price. regards, G.

Dubas: "Uhm, excuse me, this game wasn't supposed to end this way. Our analytics are better than theirs..." regards, G.

Why are all of those Toronto fans pointing at the exits when they chant, "GO LEAFS GO!"? regards, G.

I'd suggest a pun (or two) about clutch players, but I get yelled at for that kind of thing. regards, G.

"Both officials had there arm up for that penalty call." An indication that both refs are in sync to make bad calls regards, G.

Conflicted. (rhetorical thought exercise for my benefit) I'm looking forward to the Canucks drafting a (largish) RD, and they are all hanging out down at 18 - 20th OA aren't they (eg. Lamoureux, Rinzel)? For that objective, being at 15th is okay by me. This being said, getting a LD at 7OA wouldn't be the end of the world, particularly if he turned out to be a Chycrun clone (maybe Korchinski?) . What else would have to be given up to get that pick? Might the 7th OA be had without trading the 15th? A potential downside of moving Boeser, Garland etc are the ripples from those potential moves; do other core players lose patience, not wanting to be part of (another) re-build, and ask to be traded, or just opt to not re-sign here? Moving the 15th for "something" that would be useful right now could also be interesting. What team(s) would be willing to to exchange a young, mobile, RD with size and is also defensively responsible and plays a physical game, who can also chip in a reasonable amount of points, is team controlled for the next several years on a team friendly contract, and is a good team mate, and is very coachable, for the 15th OA? And maybe Rathbone? regards, G.

The music always makes me think of other works, among them: and... regards, G.

"The Third Man" just started (2100 hrs) on TCM, Friday. regards, G.

What, is Lammikko Swedish? That seems like one of those reserved Swedish kind of responses... regards, G.

This would be justified... regards, G.

Some form of "last man off the ice"? regards, G.

Yeah, I agree with this. regards, G.

The rest of the Oilers are probably breathing a sigh of relief at this news. Should they lose, they can point to the loss of nurse as an excuse for losing. If they win, they can use it as a talking point when being interviewed by the various sports reporters. regards, G.

Well, that first goal was Palatable...... regards, G. I are so clever.

It's @gurn's fault. I got to thinking about "Noise Music" because of the Meme thread. Yoko Ono is from this music tradition. Also, Canada's own, Nihilist Spasm Band are one of those acts which are not really known in their own country, but elsewhere they are legendary. (This is sorta' like how Jerry Lewis was popular in America for his whacky, physical comedy, but in France he was adored as a mime.) regards, G.

She's an "artist" don't you know.... regards, G.

Man, the meatloaf we had at that diner last year was terribad! It was kinda' dry, even with gravy on it, and the mashed taters were overcooked and had a wallpaper paste consistency. and the veggies were also overdone and too soft... except for the peas, they were pretty good. I like peas. I didn't like the cook at that diner, which didn't help with my liking the meatloaf (or not). I'm glad he's not there anymore... regards, G.

Well, it's helpful to Dhaliwal. click, click, click.... regards, G.

This leads to: regards, G.

Without having the rest of the posts... Another cap consideration would be Chara (or Aho, or both) likely not being re-signed for next season. This would be the side where Ekman-Larsson would play, and it frees up $750,000 which could be deducted from Ekman-Larsson's cost (down to $6,510,000). A "reasonable" cap retention ($1 million?) could also help with the move, and could possibly even get an additional return from the Islanders. I'd also assume that the Islanders wouldn't be that interested in Hoglander if they were concerned about future cap problems. regards, G.

Nope. I'd want a sweetner from Philadelphia.......... regards, G.

I don't see the reason for it, beyond some kind of spirit building exercise, but to pull the goalie again, after having another goal scored doesn't work for me. Maybe it will have the opposite affect from what the coach is hoping for. My favourite goalie pulling story is when Montreal needed a win, a tie, or just to score 5 goals in their final game of the season (against Chicago) and they were down 5 - 2 in the third... http://www.greatesthockeylegends.com/2013/04/five-empty-net-goals-in-one-game.html?m=1 "April 5th, 1970. The Chicago Blackhawks score 5 empty net goals en route to 10-2 walloping of the Montreal Canadiens. Needless to say this game was one of the more bizarre games in the history of the NHL!Montreal needed a win or a tie in this game in order to leap-frog the New York Rangers in the standings and qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs. But failing that, the Canadiens also held another tie-breaker over the New Yorkers based on the rules of the day. Even with a loss, Montreal could still make the playoffs as long as the team scored 5 goals in the game against Chicago.You see, Montreal and New York held identical 38-22-16 records. At that time the next tie-breaker was goals scored. Montreal could lose against Chicago 20-5 and still make the playoffs as long as they scored 5 goals.Chicago's Pit Martin scored a hat trick in the game, giving the Hawks a 5-2 lead half way through the third period. That's when Montreal coach Claude Ruel took desperate measures and began pulling goalie Rogie Vachon every time the Canadiens entered the Chicago zone.Needless to say it didn't work. Montreal never did score another goal. Cliff Koroll, Eric Nesterenko, Dennis Hull, Bobby Hull and Gerry Pinder all did on Montreal's unprotected net!" regards, G.

regards, G.