black label

This is actually becoming my favorite part. John Scott has never made more than 800k a year. The only on they guys out there making under a million are on entry level contracts (like Larkin). Those rookies and 2nd, 3rd year players are looking at 30-50 million dollar contracts in the very near future.

Now I ask you, who's going to appreciate a Honda Pilot Touring more? The kids with the million dollar future, the vets with millions in the bank, or the guy who meet made a million and will probably have 4 kids by the time I post this whose career is winding down?

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

I actually said that it's good that he won the car, a guy who actually needs it and can appreciate it

TacoBello

You guys make him sound so poor and hapless, lol. In two seasons of hockey, he's likely made more money than many of us will make in 15-30 years.

Good for him though. I'm glad he walked away on top with all of this.

black label

Not poor and helpless, just recognizing that guys who get a 5 year 36 million dollar contract are pretty much set of life. John Scott won't retire when he leaves hockey, he has to go get a job like the rest of us.

He's as far from a spoiled athlete in America as you can get and unlike Phil kessel getting a honda Crz, he'll actually appreciate and put his prize to good use

Yumcha

Again, it has worked out well...like, the situation really turned into a feel-good story. BUT, IMO...it never started out that way. If black label is going to spout how he voted Scott in because he actually APPRECIATED Scott as a player or was a fan, I will by quite cynical.

The entire reason why Scott was in the ASG was because the voters did it entirely as a gag and wanted to see a giant "goon" who can't skate go into a game with a bunch of very elite NHL players. It was always intended to be a spectacle and mockery.

The only reason we are even smiling nicely about it now is because the situation luckily worked out great with Burns, Sutter, et al doing a great job of integrating Scott into the game AND the fact that Scott handled this entire situation with class and humor.

Yumcha

LOL...no offense, I doubt you had those intentions when you were gleefully voting him in multiple times daily.

black label

Did I think he'd pot 2 goals and walk away with the MVP? Absolutely not.

Did think the fraternity of NHL players would get behind him and feed him passes so he could try score? Abso-freakin-lutely.

Yummy do you remember me asking about Brandon Bollig when he was a hawk? Asking if he could be a good 4th line grinder who was responsible enough to be out there? I had already been following his career as a nuclear deterrant and knew he was good at that part.

Yumcha

I very well remember you asking about B52 (Bollig). I do not at all challenge your belief that enforcers have a role in the game...I still think they do and if you ask any skilled player, they would answer yes as well. Fact is, they do keep the opposing players honest.

But, the fact we're talking about the ASG is another story. Should a Bollig-type be in there? Unless he's scoring at a Neely-type-clip, it does pretty much go against tradition/convention of showcasing the elite talent of the NHL. Again, only reason Scott was in was because voters initially were trying to make a mockery of the selection process. Frankly, I thought it was also mean. Just happy it worked out great in the end.

This is nothing like a country of Latvia rallying behind their player to get him into the game because at least Girgensons has some skill.

black label

Well I did say is wanted to see him lug his ass up and down the ice in a 3 on 3 tourney. Maybe it's the Bostonian in me but I like the tough guys. Names like Wensink, Neely, Thornton (not joe, the good one), and PJ Stock are legendary names here.

Only 1 of those guys is a "real" all star but all of them are celebrated here. Would you expect anything less from the fans of the "Big Bad Bruins"?

black label

And the tradition of showcasing the top talent is what made the all star game into a massive snoozefest. No one cared about the ASG and if you keep doing what you're doing you'll keep getting what you're getting. Adding a journeyman tough guy made this entertaining.

black label

Yummy, I guess the best way to explain this is I wish the campaign was to get Ahawn Thornton there. He would have been my preference for the all star enforcer but there was no way to fight the ride against Scott.

ST is my favorite Bruin since PJ Axelsson. And say what you will "fisticuffs" is part of the NHL, that's why it has it's own section in the rule book. Who was the best guy in the league to have on your side when fisticuffs broke out? I'd say John Scott, he is the best in the league at what he does.

Yumcha

Scott's absolute destroying of Westgarth will always remain one of the great memories...He was a well-liked member of the Hawks. And from what I can see, still friends with people like dumb@$$ Kane. They appreciate what he did for them.

There is a reason why Hawks keep a Mashinter-type around as well. Again, no objection on the role of enforcers. What I do NOT like are the shenanigans of "agitators" who cross the line into full-stupid like Torres, Cooke, Burrows and similar...and even worse is when some of them fail to answer the bell and turtle.

Anyhow, end of day...just glad the ASG turned out to be the best one I've seen in recent memory for ANY sport.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

BL always loves a random chance to take a shot at Big Phil

TacoBello

Um, did anyone watch the league's two worst teams duke it out for supreme supremacy?

No?






Oh.


Cuz the second coming of McJesus happened.

Yumcha

^ I dunno...Sid kinda yawned and scored a hat trick. And pffft, on this day a couple years ago, some kid named Sam Gagner scored 8 points on my Hawks.

McJesus nothin'.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

All Star Game, what All Star Game?

TacoBello

I dunno, 18 years old, back after missing 37 games, getting 3 points in the first game, one of which was the nicest goal ANY Oiler has scored all season is pretty damn impressive to me.

Granted, it was against the worst team in the entire league, BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT, OKAY!?!

Yumcha

Okay fine...as an Oilers fan, you've been kicked and beaten enough. I guess we'll let this one slide.





I did catch some analysis on Clendening making his Oiler debut...he looked good and as I've said before, will be a decent D-man. All the poor kid needed was a chance. Hope he is successful there.

TacoBello

Man, I know we've had the last 753 first round draft picks, but it's been nothing short of brutal watching this team play, close to 10 years now. It's just agonizing. I also find it hard to cheer for a team that isn't local. I mean, there are many other teams I like, but it's not like I get to watch them play all the time, or see crazy fan support, etc, like you do for the home team.

I feel like I'm an Oilers fan by default, just growing up here

Yumcha

Despite having moved to a new place from Chicago, I have had ZERO loyalty or care for the local sports teams. My allegiance is with the teams I grew up with in the Windy City...through heartbreak, misery, or glory. And only team from Chicago I can really be proud of are the Hawks. But, even with them, I have some bitter, bitter years in my memory of that hockey team.

Anyhow, I look upon the Oilers with amusement because of how many new-lives they've received and still are among the worst. They aren't far from getting another lottery pick...but, seriously...the team does NOT deserve it.

TacoBello

I think (or at least hope) they won't get the first draft pick this year. Now that Connor is back, they'll likely win a few more games. They'll still be shit. But they'll be shit, with only a 1.5% chance of winning the first pick. I don't foresee them winning again. For the love of Christ, they better not win again.

TacoBello

Shiiiet... zack kassian is doing way better than I thought he would. 2 goals and 5 assists in 8 games. Who'da thought? Maybe he did clean himself up

Yumcha

Oil have not played the class of the NHL yet...albeit, sure...Connor coming back has had a nice trickle effect throughout the line-up. But, we'll see when the Oil have to play against some true playoff contenders.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

qft. I have not lived IN THE CITY since 1976, still and always will root Yankees & Rangers like I did when I was a kid.

TacoBello

Why you gotta rain on a brotha's parade? Not everyone can have guys with a perfect record [for raping] on their team.

Yumcha

Speaking of the Hawks, yesterday's game against the Phoenix Coyo-Jets had me dying...Coach Q losing his mind or per Twitter -- "going Tortorella" -- was hilarious. Too bad he didn't do his crotch grab...


And yeah, in 2 games, Oilers' goals-per-game goes up by a whole goal with Connor back...sure, against putrid-defense teams...but, still...that's impressive. He's a remarkable player...no doubt about it. Just again, sorry...too bad he's an Oiler. Seriously, Edmonton does not deserve him.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

I hate Simmonds so very much, nice to see him get the gate.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

So if a player gets an intent to injure penalty and the player he hits is injured do they get a supplemental?

Simmonds is out & so is McD.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

The officials have seemingly left the building.

This game is about to become anarchy.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

OMG 2 in a row? Tie with 12 seconds left? Win in shootout?

No wai!

Yumcha

Yumcha

Well, there goes that Oilers bubble...they got demolished by the Habs who were desperate for a pick-me-up.


Need to bust out of a slump? Play the Oilers.

Yumcha

Just regular season but that was a nice beatdown by the Hawks on the Stars...proving that the road in the playoffs will still likely be through Chicago.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Sid 1st NHL star of the week, well deserved.

ASG, what ASG?

Yumcha

And Oil play another decent team in the Isles and get their @$$es handed to them even worse.

Connor McDavid may have talent but on a team with no-D...he can score allllll he wants cuz, nobody's stopping the puck from going into his net!




I heard a new term today about Edmonton's "great" defenseman, Justin Schultz: Jultzing.

Yumcha

About time he started getting me some darn points!


Makes you wonder what was wrong with him earlier in the season.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

About time he started getting his TEAM some points

He jumped from like 80th in the scoring race to like 15th in the month of January

I think that Coach Johnston and his boring ass system was sucking the life out of the offense and the team as a whole. They're a whole different team now

Yumcha

Well, the NHL needs him scoring too. Sid being Sid is good for the sport.

Yumcha

Maybe if he continues this torrid pace, he can give Kane a run for his cab-money!

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Going to the game tonight