text:
'Everyone has skill'
Jason Strudwick
June 24 2013 08:37AM
It has been a lot of fun watching these playoffs. There has been everything I like about hockey....hitting, lots of net front and corner battles and intensity. The Cup final has been very good.
I watched Game five with some friends, and of course when a bunch of Oiler fans get together to watch the playoffs at some point the conversation comes back around to the Oilers. I really enjoy listening to the comments from Oiler fans about their team. This time the topics ranged from goaltending to coaching and everything in between.
I have heard this all before so nothing really new there until the topic of how the Oilers would do against the Bruins or the Hawks in a seven game series came up. This is where the inspiration for this article came from.
Two of my friends were going at it about how the Oilers would do. My one friend kept saying the Oilers would be fine, maybe not win, but fine because of all the skill they have acquired through the draft. The other said they would get run out of the building, most likely lose a seven game series in three games for the first time in history.
Finally the negative guy said this... 'Yes they have skill but everyone has skill'.
Truer words have never been spoken.
Top teams in the NHL have skill in their top six forwards. That is why they are a top team. It is very rare for a team to have regular season and playoff success without a lot of talent. Here is the Oilers' top-six compared to the same group on the Bruins and Blackhawks.
As of right now the Oilers top six:
- Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle
- Magnus Paajarvi, Sam Gagner, Nail Yakupov
The Bruins (healthy):
- Milan Lucic, David Krejci, Nathan Horton
- Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, Jaromir Jagr
The Hawks (healthy):
- Bryan Bickell, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane
- Marian Hossa, Michal Handzus, Patrick Sharp
The Hawks and Bruins top six are a handful. They have everything you want in that group.
Super high end skill...Krejci/Jagr, Sharp/Kane.
Strong defensively.... Bergeron,Toews
Big Bodies/Battlers..... Lucic/Horton/Marchand, Bickell/Hossa/Handzus
We can all agree these are some of the best players at what they bring to a top six group. The only guy who is over his head is Handzus and that is because of age.
Here are the same skills sets broken down for the Oilers top six group right now.
Super high end skill... Hall/Nuge/Eberle/Yakupov/Gagner
Strong Defensively....
Big Bodies/Battlers....Paajarvi
How does the mix for the Oilers top six look now? Is the mix there to compete with the top teams in the league?
The Oilers are heavy in top-end skill but very light in other areas. This is no one's fault in my opinion. It is just the way the draft classes have been the last few years. The challenge now is for MacT to get better balance in this group.
As time passes these guys will develop into more complete players. They will get stronger and heavier. They will have the chance to become more well-rounded players, especially on the defensive side of the puck. The goal would be for Dallas Eakins to feel comfortable putting them on the ice to protect a lead with a minute to go in the game. Learning that part of the game will take some time.
The issue for the Oilers in my opinion is this...who will be that big body and the battler in this group? Right now I don't see a guy that fits the mold. I think Paajarvi has the size, but this needs to be developed as well as an edge to his game.
These types of players are so valuable in the playoffs that most teams will not part with them for free. Drafting is one option but then you must wait for them to develop. Adding this type of player is the biggest challenge for MacT and the Oilers brass.
It is clear that when you compare the Oilers to the two Stanley Cup finalist that the mix for the Oilers top six is not right. I have no doubts that all the players I listed for the Oilers are NHL players, just not on the same team and lines. The problem is they are all very similar. It is a recipe that will not produce success.
Moving forward MacT needs to evaluate what he already has, recognize what is needed and figure out a way to bring those skills in. This won't happen in one summer, these thing take time.
"these things take time"??............sigh
June 24 2013, 08:47AM
No doubt there's still work to do, though I think the argument could be made that eventually the group would look something like this:
Skill: Eberle, Gagner, Yakupov
Good defensively: Nugent-Hopkins
Battlers: Hall, new guy (Horton?)
Hall as a big body/battler might get some eyebrows, but he seemed to play that role at times last season - he's average-sized rather than big, but has some edge to his game. Actually, I wonder how much a physical edge becomes part of Yakupov's game long-term, too - he seems to enjoy hitting.
Anyway, I do wonder if the Oilers go after Horton this summer - he can play with anybody and adds a unique skillset to the group.
Looking at the top two lines is one way of looking at this, I think the oil have an advantage becasue they can share high skill accross three lines and add the pieces around that way. Eberle Hopkins XXX- Hall XXX Pajarvii- Yakupov Gagner XXX
June 24 2013, 09:16AM
I'd say RNH and Hall's possession numbers at their tender age project to extremely good defensive players.
I know it is playoffs and all but if we go off of records the past two years head to head, the Oilers have more than held their own against the hawks. Just sayin.
June 24 2013, 09:21AM
Sure looks like the Oilers are still a few yrs away from even being a playoff team. MacTavish has a shot at Hartnell, Ott and Clarkson in the coming weeks. That would go along way to help address this problem area. Clarkson would be the most difficult to bring in. Would a 5 yr 25 million dollar deal be enough to drag him away from the swamp? Have to think a 4 yr 15 million dollar deal would keep him at home if he wants to remain in Jersey/stay home.
@Jonathan Willis
I 100% agree, I don't think many people would have Hossa as a "big body" over high end skill. I think what makes great team so great is there top playiers fill 2 or more of this same roles (hossa-big talented, datsyul-defensive skilled, malkin-big talented)
i think the analysis in the OP is off and should look more like this ..
Super high end skill... Eberle, Yakupov, Gagner
Strong Defensively.... Nuge
Big Bodies/Battlers.... Hall, Paajarvi
Hall last year added a major "cycle along the boards and kick the puck out to the shooter" component to his game last year. He's a battling playmaker as of last year and i suspect this trend continues.
Nuge is a very strong defensive player. he was one of a very few plus players on the Oilers last year and did it on a bum shoulder. His pursuit checking is excellent.
the Oilers need to improve on their defensive play in the top 6 more than anything. doing this via the Centre position is the best way to do it.
@I'd rather have Shock and Awe, over just Bold...
I agree with your opinion that big tougher guys like Ott or Hartnell should be pursued but...those guys are over 31 now and Hartnell's contract ($4.25 mil per yr) is too high a cap hit for too many more years....for a guy turning 32 soon. Ott...as well...is almost at $3 mil and would want up to probably $4 mil plus per yr going into the 2014-15 season as well.
I would rather the Oilers pursue guys at about 29 yrs going ahead than guys heading into the 32 yr stage. Look at the many guys the Oilers traded for in their 30's and how bad that mostly turned out these past years.
Because of what I read lately...I can see (and like) the Oilers going for younger guys like Zack Smith, Nino Neiderreiter, Travis Hamonic, Boyd Gordon, Horton, Bickell, etc.
The contracts may be as big as Ott's will be or Hartnell's but at least they are 2 to 10 yrs younger and still have potential.
If the Oilers are going to blow off another year...which as a fan...I definitely do not want to see... then they may as well bring up Cheechoo and Josh Green for 4th line duty. This is not the way to go in this instance but these two are far cheaper than Ott or Hartnell.
June 24 2013, 09:45AM
Willis is right. I think Hall and Yakupov bring or will bring a lot more physical play then people expect from skill players. The only concern is if it will bite them with injuries... But I think that with what they are going to bring we may only really need 1 more (most likely LW or 2C spot) nuclear deterrent with skill. This position is gonna be the most expensive and difficult to fill. I think that the rest of the teams positions can be used to create overall toughness. but that 2C or 2LW spot is a critical cog.
June 24 2013, 10:08AM
Horton would fix things in a hurry.
Hall-Nuge-Ebs Yak-Gagner-Horton Paajarvi-Gordon-XXX
@Jonathan Willis
I hope the Oilers do not go after Horton.
He will get term and a lot per season.
He is clearly having shoulder problems and his concussion problems are going to catch up with him. Look at the history of guys with multiple concussions and they do not age well.
He can no longer fight and although that is not always necessary, ideally the Oilers have a top 6 guy who can take care of the kids a little bit. Horton has had the benefit of playing rough and tough with Lucic as his wingman. I am not sure he can do it solo.
The current Oilers team against either of Chicago or Boston in a seven-gamer would be a slaughter. We wouldn't win one period of one game, let alone a game.
Agreed our top six might be competitive (might). But our bottom six, D and goaltending isn't even comparable. Dubnyk against either of this year's starters? Yeah right.
Watching the finals for me is a painful reminder how far we actually have to go to be a competitive NHL team capable of mixing it up in the playoffs.
I still think the Oilers should create a new paradigm shift in how winning teams are built. Lets call it the oopti-oop. Just way to much skill and talent that simply overloads the opposition.
Or they could just draft Nichushkin if he's available, then get Nick Antropov as a cheap UFA for three years to play in between the two Russian kids.
No one seems to like this idea though.
@ David S
While I do not agree with you about Dubnyk (Especially against Crawford), I do agree that our Top 6 can compete, but our bottom 6 / Defense can not.
@ Will
I Like the idea if Lindholm is not available also at #7. (Or Barkov, McKinnion etc... Forgone conclusions)
June 24 2013, 10:43AM
Yeah, that sounds about right.
Hall and Yakupov could bring more nastiness, but at this point there are just flashes. Same for Paajarvi you could say. He's gotta let them drop some more. They all do. None fall into the PF realm of a Lucic or Bickell, however.
There's a need for that in the top 6.
Not sure about Horton. Concussion issues, shoulder issues. One year contract and it's likely a no harm no foul signing. Any longer would be a mistake IMO. The hope would be a better option.
How I see the top nine right now:
Hall-RNH-Yakupov ???-???-Eberle Paajarvi-???-Gagner
June 24 2013, 10:45AM
Bryan Bickell was a no-body at the star of the season now he is hailed as the next Cam Neely. The Oilers need to fill 3 or 4 spots in their forward group with grit players with offensive potential. Maybe even borderline Ahlers who are waiting for their chance. Any big body gritty player has the potential to be the next Bickell playing on a line with Nuge and Ebs. I'm sick and tired of watching the Oilers get dominated physically all over the ice. I'd be targeting Clowe, Morrow and other gritty guys with high priced two year free agent deals. If the player doesn't fit then you trade him for a 2nd or 3rd round pick at the deadline in two years. I have complete confidence in Mac T. I remember when the Oilers drafted Yakupov I thought to myself, "I like the pick because he was the best player but Tambellini better put Gorillas around these kids to fill out the lines. " Instead Tambo did very little and rolled out 4 lines of figure skaters. If not for good goaltending we might be picking 1st again this year. Keep up the good work Struds.
June 24 2013, 10:45AM
... so you would suggest..... Hemmer?
@ David S
While I do not agree with you about Dubnyk (Especially against Crawford), I do agree that our Top 6 can compete, but our bottom 6 / Defense can not.
@ Will
I Like the idea if Lindholm is not available also at #7. (Or Barkov, McKinnion etc... Forgone conclusions)
Thanks, I like that you got that it would be Nichushkin basically only over Lindholm and Nurse.
There was a great article outlining how our top line pretty much eats up the competition in nearly all categories. So, how to make our second scoring line better is really the question. Antropov seems to be a player like Penner. Big body, has demonstrated real talent (67 point career year playing with Kovalchuck), but maybe doesn't live up to either his potential or price tag. Since he's 33, and coming off a long contract where he was good not great, I think he could be had for a decent price. Put him with a skilled Russian (of which he'd have on either wing) and it could be a deadly line. We get a size upgrade, someone who can win face-offs, and even some veteran presence which is badly needed in our top 6. As a second line playing against weaker competition, that line could dominate.
June 24 2013, 10:58AM
@David S
Dubnyk>Crawford no question. Crawford always looks shaky to me letting out bad rebounds or somehow ending up in the corner with the puck in front of the net.
Anyway, I think a series against boston would end in 4 games with half the team injured, whereas a Chicago series might be a little closer but still ugly and end in 5 games. Both these teams have great depth in their forwards and defense plus 1-2 stud defenseman. Boston has a great goalie. Ugh. YOu have your work cut out for you Mact
June 24 2013, 11:08AM
Sure looks like the Oilers are still a few yrs away from even being a playoff team. MacTavish has a shot at Hartnell, Ott and Clarkson in the coming weeks. That would go along way to help address this problem area. Clarkson would be the most difficult to bring in. Would a 5 yr 25 million dollar deal be enough to drag him away from the swamp? Have to think a 4 yr 15 million dollar deal would keep him at home if he wants to remain in Jersey/stay home.
Clarkson will be 34 at the end of a five year deal, and there's every chance his production will drop off before then. $5M for that player could really throw the salary structure out of whack. Pass.
While I am a supporter of getting a guy like Horton as a UFA, I would still want very complete physical exams of him starting at the end of these finals to enusure there is no serious damaged goods coming over, especially in a type of four to five yr offer deal.
I agree with many and do believe that the Oilers seriously need a big left winger type bull with skating power and offensive skills for on the 2nd line...but the team needs one who does not act reckless either. With the type power play abilities this Oiler team can have (in two Units never mind just one), we need a guy to help accomplish this as like plus Hall, Yak, Ebs, RNH, etc, to draw penalties as much as possible.
The third line should have both very good two way skill with grittiness and some offensive flair like say Gordon, MPS, (along with maybe Patrick Thoreson coming here too) .....and the fourth line should be like a past Grier, Marchant, Larocque type line..lol..which would be awesome right now for the Oilers.
BTW, does anyone think that Patrick Thorsen maybe being signed and coming back would be better and/or more ideal in place of not signing Petrell or Jones???
Size ,grit and skill needed in top six . Our fab 5-6 basically is lacking in the first two . Gagner just compounds that . No one else is doing very well with an abundance of smaller players , so it should come as no surprise that we will continue to flounder trying to run average to small personnel . Sure you can get several average ones to help , but unlikely we will get any of them ,as they are cherished by their parent clubs .
We have done well drafting skill , but poorly drafting size and skill together .
Super high end skill... Eberle, Gagner
Strong Defensively.... Nuge
Big Bodies/Battlers.... Hall, Yakupov
I don't see paajarvi sticking in the top 6. I imagine they add another big body, as paajarvi is more of a defensive specialist. Anyone questioning if yak is a battler can meet me by the bike racks. I think theres a litt overlap with hall (all three) and yak (1and 3).
June 24 2013, 11:56AM
If the Oilers are going to blow off another year...which as a fan...I definitely do not want to see... then they may as well bring up Cheechoo and Josh Green for 4th line duty. This is not the way to go in this instance but these two are far cheaper than Ott or Hartnell. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Like you mentioned, Green and Cheechoo are much closer to what'll happen here. If money is the issue at hand here, then you're right, the Otts and Hartnells are too much player for this market. Bring on more soft smurfy types, cause they're younger and Edmonton can afford them. Prepare for doom, NHL!
Getting outshot by a super wide margin was what these kids were most prolific at last year. The element of "super skill" that it takes to do that is currently available in the battle river hockey league... for cheap.
June 24 2013, 12:36PM
Jason: Mact sees Sam as a winger with his sub 47% FO. RNH is a sub 40% FO center.
So at best Top 6 wingers Hall, Gagner, Yakupov, Eberle RNH As a Center.
if RNH continues at Sub 40% Can you justify him at Center.
Hall-XXX-Gagner RNH-XXX-Eberle MP-XXX-Yakupov Smyth-XXX-
Scotty Bowman allways stated he believed in offensive pairs with a physical puck retrieval player with the dynamic fwd pairs. I can think of only 3 Centers with with size; high take away; and FO count are hard to get.
June 24 2013, 12:47PM
Bickell is going to get overpaid based on what he has done during the playoffs. He's going to be Fernando Pisani 2.0
Make no mistake, I loved Fernando but it is a mistake to throw dollars and term at a guy who plays well for a 2 month stretch of time.
Let's also remember that Lucic and Krejci (while playing pretty dominant hockey in the post season) aren't quite as dominant in the regular season and both have a tendency to disappear at times. This year they had 27 and 33 points respectively.
I understand there is more to the game than scoring points but one would be tied with J. Schultz for 5th in scoring on the Oil and the other would sneak in at 4th.
If those guys played here then everyone would be up in arms because they weren't putting together huge offensive seasons (even though they don't have a track record of doing so) and we would try and drive them away after a season or two.
Hard to project anything as yet until we see whom might be added and where . Generic acquisitions unlikely to excite the fans .
Might tomorrow bring Luongo , Bieksa , Raymond and Vans. first round pick for Hemsky , Horcoff, Fistric and Dubnyk ?
Ryan Kennedy of Hockey News has Lazar as Nbr.6 , Drouin 7, Ritolainen 8 , Nurse 12 , Nicushkin at 21 .How close might he be ?
Bickell was pretty useless when he wasn't playing with Toews and Kane. His passes resulted in turnovers and his stickhandling is almost as bad as JF Jacques'. But put him on a line with Toews and Kane, and all three of them play like their the best line in the league, good enought to overcome a defensive stallwart in Chara. Pretty amazing what happens when you have the right pieces together.
Anyone think if we can get Penner back here on a 2year 2.5M-3M it would be that bad of a move? I think Eakins may be able to bring the beast out of him and we've all seen what he can do when he's on his game. I've always been a big Penner fan and would welcome him back here. I think he's done in LA.
Struds: "The Oilers are heavy in top-end skill but very light in other areas. This is no one's fault in my opinion. It is just the way the draft classes have been the last few years."
oh its someone's fault alright. whomever it was that thought drafting Gagner, Cogliano, Schremp and trading for Nillsen, Brule.... notice a pattern. drafting Gagner was ok, but why all the other smurfs? totally miss read the league.
1. Lowe, after the 05 lockout, thought the league was going back to finesse and skill. bad picks/acquisitions followed under his direction. that, and creating the most entrenched ol' boys club in the league. he hires friends, no the best. fail and fault.
2. Tambellini. for blowing every acquisition he made, sitting on his hands most of the time, mis-evaluating his team, and thinking he could draft and develop his entire roster. fail and fault.
3 Pendergast. no need to explain. fail and fault.
@Quicksilver ballet
i'm also disturbed that it appears they are ready to just let another season slide. sad, but very possibly true.
June 24 2013, 06:00PM
What I originally thought when I read the headline is that you're going to write an article about how everyone on the Bruins and Blackhawks has skill.
They don't have marginal NHLers in their roster. Their 4th lines contribute. The Hawks can afford to sit Stalberg out for stretches during the playoffs. The Bruins' 4th line has won games for them. And it's a good bet that bottom-pairing defencemen from either team would not just challenge for, but claim the 3-4 pairing outright in Edmonton.
The talent drop-off for the Oilers outside our kids and Smid/Petry is steep.
David S says:
"Watching the finals for me is a painful reminder how far we actually have to go to be a competitive NHL team capable of mixing it up in the playoffs."
Couldn't agree more. The argument that the Oilers would do okay because of their success against the Hawks in the regular season doesn't carry very much water as we're talking about the Stanley Cup Finals, where the tempo and intensity picks up, when every game is a live-and-death battle.
Also Jason Strudwick is correct about the Oilers lack of balance. MacT has a very difficult challenge in bringing balance to the the Oilers roster so it can eventually compete for the Stanley Cup. Compete for the SC isn't the same as make the playoffs.
Nice piece Strudwick, where have you been? Nice to see you working out the fingers on the keyboard or touchscreen or typewriter or chisel and stone slab......
We are watching the Hawks play the game the Oilers should be playing, and had every chance to play for 3 years straight.
The Hawks are using an NHS influenced Adjusted-Hybrid, like LA used last year, more things are the same between LA and Chicagos system execution than it may seem at first glance.
The Bruins havent really been in this one in my opinion, their goaltender has been outstanding holding the Hawks back.
The word balance comes to mind.
System balance.
Yes everyone has skill in the NHL, that isnt a revelation, system acumen and execution has and always will be the defining factor in determining a Championship team.
I disagree about MPS I believe he is ready right now and is providing what we need how we need it. I just dont agree with you all on what it is we need. The Kings owe me a Ring for the NHS contributions and so will the Hawks after tonight. I guess you could say I dont agree with much of anyone .
You want to stop the Hawks? Same as stopping the Oilers.
I want to see 7 games so here is the keys for Boston to defeat the Adjusted-Hybrid of the -- Oilers-Hawks-Kings-Blues ect. The NewAge Hockey System keys.
You need to limit the possesions by holding on to the puck once you gain the o-zone, Stop the perimeter shots from being taken so fast and take it all the way in after you have gained the zone and the Hawks are setting up, dont try to take it in off the rush as you enter the zone, one lateral pass and charge all the way in with the puck to the outside and your arm to the inside pushing in on them to prevent leaking it to the middle where the Hawks are strong and funneling you,
Do NOT make half-decisions , carry the mail every time and force them to drag the big bodies down, Stop using your size defensively and adjust your system so you use it offensively, short anerobic rushes from inside the blueline after they begin to set up and are in transition.
If you do this it will force them to attack you in the neutral zone and you will gain the advantage there by drawing them out of their own comfort zone.
If you simply do as you do and allow them to let you have the o-zone as they have been doing counting on your taking a perimeter shot fast and giving them the puck back immediatly, then make one fast pass laterally and a charge right in alternating sides for 60 minutes you will win the game.
If you try to finesse the NHS Asjusted-Hybrid the Hawks will scorch you badly. It is a superior system. The Bruins have simply been hanging on not taking it to anyone.
Abandon the Tactical Shooting Program because it needs a transition base to be effective and let the constant and consistant net drives replace that influence dynamiclly in support of your set play system base, wake up. Just make sure you COMMIT and take it all the way in dont start getting cute and bleeding the puck to the middle or they will eat you alive.
Smarten up, the Hawks need the boards or open ice to use you size against you, give them neither and drive that puck to the net pushing to the middle keeping the puck outside. |Do NOT headman it towards the net this is critical, their system is set up to quickstrike you so if you leave pucks in the middle you will be eating them.
Boston must control the momentum of the game by maximising and optimising every possesion they get in the same way, by driving it to the net over and over repeatedly until something on the Hawks simply breaks down. If the Bruins shoot the perimeter shots and give the puck up to fast without a solid drive to the net they will lose. Every possesion must count. The illusion that this has been a defensive series must go if Boston is to come back, they actually believe that crap.
The Bruins need to forget the one shot and a rebound mentality and do more than try to get lucky on an NHL goaltenders glove side, because they cannot rely on the transition game the Bruins need to abandon the Tactical Shooting Program and drive the puck in the old fashioned way, by hand. Treat every possesion like it will be your last and take it to the basket hard or go home.
There is no comparing the two systems we are seeing here, the Hawks use a clearcut NHS Adjusted-Hybrid and the Bruins use a Hybrid and apply a few of the same core values LA borrowed from the NHS last year. Equate the transitional aspect of the Hawks game to the "adjusted" part and it will make more sense.
The Bruins still use set plays as their catalyst{HYbrid}, and the Hawks less so as they use dynamic managment tactics instead{NHS Adjusted-Hybrid}.
For the Bruins to win tonight the stats page tomorrow must read, less shots on net, less hits, more goals , more penaltys for, the simple action of changing the dynamic puck managment momentum in the Hawks zone will change the entire game, remember if the Bruins drive it to the net every time they will be forcing the temder to cover it up most times, this means a face-off in ther Hawks zone instead of a transition back down Bostons throat consistantly,the same as a shot and a rebound in dynamic terms, so great right?
I just gave the Bruins a way to turn the series around, the ONLY WAY to battle Chicagos new look. The NHS way. A way to take back momentum they would never have done on their own.
I predict the Bruins will believe their own BS and the Analysts BS, that this has been a close series, IT HASNT. The Hawks have dominated everywhere but the scoreboard. I think the Bruins try to take the NHS Adjusted-Hybrid on and will be scorcehed for 5-6 goals if they do this.
No set play Hybrid system will ever dominate an NHS Adjusted-Hybrid because of the offense the transition style provides and because of the reactive defensive tactics available that allow a consistant quickstrike threat. Dynamic managment tactics slay set plays 24/7365.
And on that note if I were coaching the Hawks I wouldnt have helped the Bruins with this data and they would have blown Boston out 6-2. Boston is just lucky the Hawks arent using the NHS or this would have been over in 4 games.
You can effectively stop the NHS Adjusted-Hybrid this way but not the fully initiated and engaged NHS.
This my friends is how you win tonights game against the Hawks.
The transition game didnt take Boston to the final traditional set play mentality did, the Hawks are forcing them to play a transition game, you fellas just dont see or feel it like I happen to. Dance with the girl you brung to the dance for christsakes. Play the transition game against your own grain and you are playing with fire.
Seguin should be taking it to the net like Taylor does.
Ooops, sorry Struds I forgot to say I disagree that our top six is that out of whack from a size vs balance perspective.
All you need are average sized NHLers across the board, find the numbers and see if we are there if they make you comfortable, the principal remains the same.
You dont need them bigger fellas they are just nice to have because their sphere of influence is so large. Not heavy, but large.
Proper system acumen and execution wins every time over size.
This is hockey and its all about who scores the most goals the fastest this defense first stuff is pure BS. You arent "wearing me down" using your size advantage if it is 3-0 at the end of the first period my friends, ha ha ha ha, never.
Goals are thrown like jabs in hockey and land like George Forman right hands when they go in. Teams who look for size are looking for a knockout punch every time and are backwards in my opinion. No one is throwing bombs for 60 mins, simply no one. But any average sized team can throw jabs for 60 mins as long as they make them accurate.
It is like Soccer talk, crap, you take the two most beautiful games god ever created and you make them defensive because you cant find enough beautiful minded coaches and Athletes to make it work, sickening, yes yes I know everyone wants to play right.
Hockey games should always be 8-6 and so should Soccer games, with that many possesions it is actually a sign of piss-poor managment and coaching tactics when the scores ae 1-0 and 2-1, a travesty of the highest degree. Not good defense, a lack of ability to generate offense in an offensively catalysed sport, I call that utter failure.
There is a huge organised coaching and product marketing and business and labor structure conspiracy to this whole issue we dont have time for.
Set play perspectives were forced into these sports, these sports naturally cater to a creative and transitional approach, all set plays do is make it easier to play the game cerebrally for many men who cant think creatively and transitionally.
Set plays level the playing field cerebrally,like it or not. They let slower adjusters find stability and success .
Two more years and we will see a full blown switch to the NHS Adjusted-Hybrids transition game, remember Murphys Law? Well the europeans are just getting good at the set play systems so naturally it is time for the NHL to evolve again, ha ha ha . Now Don Cherry will have ammo till he retires.
The full NHS is ready to go anytime now, it wont hurt to wait another year or two to utilise it, the more teams who now use a Hybrid or who adopt the Adjusted-Hybrid the better, the NHS feasts on them all.
i think the analysis in the OP is off and should look more like this ..
Super high end skill... Eberle, Yakupov, Gagner
Strong Defensively.... Nuge
Big Bodies/Battlers.... Hall, Paajarvi
Hall last year added a major "cycle along the boards and kick the puck out to the shooter" component to his game last year. He's a battling playmaker as of last year and i suspect this trend continues.
Nuge is a very strong defensive player. he was one of a very few plus players on the Oilers last year and did it on a bum shoulder. His pursuit checking is excellent.
the Oilers need to improve on their defensive play in the top 6 more than anything. doing this via the Centre position is the best way to do it.
Thats a pretty good look.
I think we will need to look to improve your idea of defensive ability via a system focus on that prolonged backchecking pressure we all got used to seeing that has gone A.W.O.L.
If we employ a stand-up defense which is advisable then the forwards across the board will react more traditionally and will use the prolonged puck pursuit backcheck, we have been trying to finetune the transitional perspective like other teams so we have not really needed this approach.
As long as our defense remains mobile and transitional we dont need that type of defensive support at the regular times, we need it in different areas at different times.
A transitional defense has a big offensive upside if you have a skilled team, but a set play system CAN allow you to have substantial offense with a slightly tighter defense if you do in fact have sick skill deep in your roster. Only if you have a huge imbalance of skill like we do now.
I think if we tune in the transitional system we will see so many goals you wont care about the lack of backchecking because we will have the puck most of the time.
You make accurate player valuations both in their individual physical projections AND their dynamic impact on the ice as well, excellent job.
Dude. C'mon.
In two years the super skill of those 5 guys will trump the other two teams hands down.. It's icing 2 #1 lines. It won't be those top 6 guys that lose the games for us.. Just like the story is now.. Hall was becoming a freight train out there, Yakupov is going to be incredible hard to check off the puck when a full grown lion. Ebs is magic hands, and in a few years time everyone will be talking about how RNH's defensive game is the best in the league. He's already ridiculous on the back check. It's not the top 6 losing games for this team.. Pretty sure they light up Chicago regularly.
@Jonathan Willis
Hall has a good frame, he's just a skinny kid right now. By the time he hits 21-ish he'll keep the weight on and build muscle/size. He'll eventually fill a Glenn Anderson/Mark Messier type role.
Nuge will never be big, Gretzky/Yzerman size. But he's intelligent and skilled like them.
I'm hoping Yakupov can grow to play like Marchand, Ovechkin or Jagr.
Nathan Horton would be a perfect fit for the Oilers as he already has a bum shoulder!
I am not as worried about the top 6 forwards as I am about the blue line. Right now the Oilers are three regular d-men short of a functional NHL defensive corps, and even further from a playoff calibre group. This is one area where not every team has skill, and it shows.
June 25 2013, 10:39AM
I definitely would have added:
Defensive specialist: Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson
Physical: Hall
But your story overall is Bang On.
Just wait 'til we play NHL 14 next year. With the new 'Enforcer Engine' making fighting and intimidation a much bigger part of the game our Oilers are dead... lol! This might be the perfect time to come out of retirement for that reason alone, Jason!
June 25 2013, 10:46AM
Super, non-related question:
I just realized you were with the Rangers around the same time as my friend was, Terry Virtue. He had a great minor league career...and was up from time to time. Did you play with him, or know him?
Just curious Jason, thanks!


text:
- Product Details
- Fabric Estimator
- Rewards
A nifty little sketchpad of men's bottoms templates, or croquis. These sticky memo pads are the perfect tool for brainstorming and fast sketching for students, designers and home sewers alike. 80 figures/80 pages. Use these pads to sketch and then stick the pages to moodboards and more.
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PLEASE NOTE: The above numbers are estimations only. Please take into account garment size, lining and fabric width.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
My name is Aliyah. I'm an 8th grader at Baldwin Arts and Academic Magnet School. Along with loving Girl Scouts, I love playing volleyball. I've been a Girl Scout since I was in 1st grade. I've had lots of fun too.
The event I liked the most was when we went with our troop leader and co-leader to a huge Girl Scout Event. It was awesome! The companies that Girl Scouts get cookies, fall product and uniforms from were all there. I met professional basketball players, took a picture with Tony the Tiger, tried out computers, and we played games like golf, basketball and archery.
I also enjoyed going to Florida to the beach with my troop. Even though it rained while we were there, we got a chance to see the white sand and learn what the different color flags on the beach meant and we even built sand castles. Some of these helped us earn a Girl Scout patch. I am looking forward to being able to travel to other states while I am in Girl Scouts.
I am proud to say I'm a part of 100 years of Girl Scouting. I enjoyed the 100th celebration at Alabama Shakespeare Festival. There were tables where you could do basket weaving, make key chains, earn patches, buy cotton candy and Girl Scout cookies. My favorite table was the face painting booth. The girls painted a picture of a volleyball on my face.


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For a quick dessert, top these banana waffles with hot caramel sauce and a dollop of whipped cream!
Waffles can be frozen and thawed for later use. Just pop them in the toaster for a quick morning bite.
To mash bananas quickly, place bananas and milk in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.


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Storm cleanup continues in Carter County
HAMPTON, Tenn. - While the storms continue to sweep through our area, some people in Carter County are still cleaning up Tuesday night's mess.
Rocks, limbs, and other debris fills the roads off of Browns Branch Road in Hampton. "It was very scary. I've lived here 40-some years, and I've never seen it get this bad," said Regina Stevens.
Stevens looked outside her window and saw the creek in front of her home gushing with water, and two of her cars stuck in the driveway. "There's mud all in it. There were tree logs stuck under it, boulders, all kinds of trash," said Stevens.
The Carter County Highway Department cleaned some debris from the creek to help the water flow, but it didn't stop it from flooding Steven's shed. "There's probably 6 inches of mud in the floor of it," said Stevens.
Down the street one neighbor is dealing with a large hole in their front yard, where the water caused it to cave in. "You can see that it's deep and it has bent the tiles all to pieces down in there," said Brenda Pritchard.
Another neighbor had their boat turned over and water rushing down the bank close to their home. "It was just like a war zone, I mean the water was so bad," said Pritchard.
Crews have been out there since late Tuesday night moving things like rocks and debris from the roadway. Residents tell News 5 they just hope they are spared from the next storm. "I hope it doesn't happen, maybe it'll just bypass us and it won't come back," said Stevens.
"I hate to see anyone lose their stuff, it just tears me up. I hate it for them," said Pritchard.
The Carter County Highway Department told News 5 some people were evacuated from their homes because they were scared the water would rise.
They also encourage anyone who sees water covering the road to not drive through it, but turn around and find another way.


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Above photo by Moneer Masih-Tehrani. Image on projection screen © Jerry Ghionis
Jerry Ghionis helped get the first-ever WPPI NYC event at Manhattan's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 26th underway with an enlightening quote during his Keynote presentation titled Imitate, Emulate or Innovate. "Copy from one person and that's considered plagiarism," he told the audience of over three hundred. "Copy from many and they call that research."
Ghionis went on to discuss how he enjoys doing his research at the movies or by looking at magazine layouts. "The way I interpret it later on is my own," he added.
WPPI attendees appeared fully engaged as the veteran photographer showed movie scenes that helped inspire some of his most intriguing engagement and bridal portraits. "See something which gives you an inception," he stated simply as clips from some of his favorite movies flashed on the screen, followed by portraits of his that were inspired by those scenes. "That's the whole point of my talk today, the inception of an image," he continued. "If you see something that you find interesting, act on it." Examples he has acted upon included the famous "upside down kiss" from Spiderman, the passionate kiss in the rain between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in The Notebook, and a scene from a Katy Perry video. Ghionis also showed images from a two-day engagement shoot, inspired by the August 2007 W Magazine layout of David and Victoria Beckham as photographed by Steven Klein.
Ghionis wrapped up the talk with some sage advice: "Find your own voice, just make sure you feel it… don't try too hard. Feel it, don't think it."
The whole day was packed with a slew of educational offerings from some of WPPI's tried-and-true favorites, including Cliff Mautner, Jasmine Star, Lindsay Adler, Sal Cincotta, Doug Gordon, Bambi Cantrell, Tamara Lackey, Dawn Shields and many others. A two-day tradeshow followed up the Wednesday seminar lineup and was co-located with PhotoPlus Expo. The entire event offered a nice buildup to WPPI 2012, which takes place in Las Vegas February 16-23 at the MGM Grand. Last year, WPPI attracted over 16,000 attendees. This year, we promise an even bigger and better show! Register now at http://www.wppionline.com/show/register.shtml.


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Jellypop Adria Wedge Sandal
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Item # 240614
Get roped in by the cutest wedge sandal from Jellypop. The Adria espadrille will add pizzazz to everything in your warm weather wardrobe.
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Location: Brooklyn
June 09, 2012
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|Posted by Brian S. on July 12, 2004 at 02:17:31:
Just found this on ebay and thought I'd share this with everyone here; there is a brand new in the box Kohler Barrington Waterguard rear outlet toilet for sale, with no reserve price and the starting bid is still at only $100, no one has bid yet. It is 3.5 gpf, and is marked Commercial Use only, so someone had this before the 1.6 gpf law went into effect for commercial use. This is a great buy for someone looking for a new rear discharge toilet at a fraction of the cost. Check it out:
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Jim Mallinder revealed that his Northampton players are excited by the prospect of playing the Scarlets in Sunday's LV= Cup semi-final.
Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder said his Northampton players are excited by the prospect of playing the Scarlets in Sunday's LV= Cup semi-final.
It is the Saints' third Anglo-Welsh semi-final in the past four seasons, and while it is the first tournament meeting between the sides since November 2008 Sunday's game will be the third time they will have clashed in 2011/12.
So far it is one win apiece, with each side coming out on top on opposition turf. But with a place in the first final of 2012 at stake Mallinder says there is plenty of incentive for the Saints to step things up this weekend.
"This weekend is a semi-final. It's exciting and a chance to win something," he told SaintsTV.
"We've got a home draw, but we've played Scarlets at home already this season and lost, so we've got to be on our guard.
"They're a successful side with players who like to play expansive rugby. They're well coached and while they like to put the ball through the hands they've got some good forwards as well.
"But if we play well we can win and get through to the final. Looking at the forecast it's looking like it's going to be dry and we're looking forward to playing some rugby."
Meanwhile, the Scarlets have won their last two league games convincingly with maximum points and say that momentum will put them in the right frame of mind for another victory at the Saints' ground, despite the hosts formidable home record.
With a rich heritage and success in Cup rugby, the Scarlets say they are relishing the opportunity to be in the final running for silverware this season and look forward to the tough challenge of beating Northampton again on their own turf. Scarlets and Saints met twice in the Heineken Cup pool stages this season.
Wing Liam Williams was one of the star performers in helping the Scarlets through to the last four of the LV= Cup and his contribution has been recognised by his inclusion on the 'Breakthrough Player' nominee shortlist for the competition.
"This is one of our three competitions we're still in the battle to win and that's we are where we want to be – in the play-off stages. The more this group experience this type of intense rugby, the better. The vast majority of our Scarlets team on Sunday will not have been in this type of scenario before and they are eager and ambitious to prove themselves as a group," said Head of Rugby, Nigel Davies.
"This game provides these with a great opportunity to go to Northampton and show what they can do, a lot of our emerging players have really pushed the more established players in our squad this season and so it is a great chance for them now on a bigger semi-final stage."
Davies said that the team's ability and focus on their game without the ball had improved this year and the key was their ability to stay in tight games.
"I think there is a lot in our game at the moment, we know what we can do in attack, but this season we're showing we can stay in games and play with some composure. We'll take a lot from our last two matches and scoring maximum points – momentum and belief is a crucial thing in rugby," he said.
"We have a lot of respect for the quality that Northampton bring, they will look to dominate up front and particularly at set-piece. They've come back strongly from the start of the season and will be fired up for this game on the back of our last meeting at their home and they'll have less disruption in terms of squad international commitments than us.
"That said, we have created more strength in depth this season and the boys who shown huge commitment this season throughout and have kept us in three competitions, deserve the platform and chance that this game brings us.
"Everyone's keen to be involved in this game, we have a proud tradition of Scarlets Cup rugby, we know what is about, and that preparation is everything. It's a one-off game, get it right on the day and anything can happen. It's just a really exciting prospect to be in a semi-final in the Anglo Welsh competition and it means everything to these players and our supporters to be in the fight to win something."
The Scarlets make one change of personnel in their line-up that won against Connacht last weekend, with Dominic Day coming into the second row, Aaron Shingler moving to the back row and Josh Turnbull in for the injured Jonathan Edwards (calf strain).
The teams:
Northampton: 15 Paul Diggin, 14 Vasily Artemyev, 13 George Pisi, 12 Tom May, 11 Scott Armstrong, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Calum Clark (capt), 5 Christian Day, 4 James Craig, 3 Paul Doran-Jones, 2 Andy Long, 1 Alex Waller.
Replacements: 16 Ross McMillan, 17 Soane Tonga'uiha, 18 Tom Mercey, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Ben Nutley, 21 Ryan Glynn, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 James Downey.
Scarlets: 15 Dan Newton, 14 Liam Williams, 13 Gareth Maule (capt), 12 Adam Warren, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Liam Davies, 8 Kieran Murphy, 7 Josh Turnbull, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Emyr Phillips, 1 Rhodri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Kirby Myhill, 17 Phil John, 18 Peter Edwards, 19 Sione Timani, 20 Matt Gilbert, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Nick Reynolds, 23 Iongi Viliame.
Date: Sunday, March 11
Kick-off: 13:00
Venue: Franklin's Gardens
Referee: Jérôme Garces (France)
Assistant referees: Robin Goodliffe, Andrew Watson
Television match official: Trevor Fisher


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Felmini Belted Buckle Bootie
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Looks like you've got more shoe shopping to do - have fun!
Item # 264955
Snake skin winds its way into this season's hottest trends and this belted buckle bootie from Felmini represents in a fresh new way. The python-embossed leather cuff will make your style sizzle.
- Leather upper
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- 2½" stacked heel
- Synthetic sole
- Imported
By: chelsieeee
Location: Omaha, NE
January 28, 2013
Not sure if grandma ordered the right size...
"I had my grandma order these for Christmas and I told her a size 10, which would've been a 42, well I opened to find a 41. The shoes are a little tight but nothing unbearable. I kept them because I loved them so much and there was no more of the red in my size. So basically, they probably run true to size, and are super comfortable! They're definitely worth every penny."
By: LoverofShoesinPA
Location: Philadelphia, PA
December 08, 2012
Gotta go red!
"Heels are on the low side for me, but I love the red -- a really fun shoe -- even better in person!"
By: SheGeo
Location: Phoenix
November 24, 2012
Perfect, Versatile Bootie
"Gorgeous natural color in the beige, goes with everything, goes anywhere. Top has slits that allow just the right amount of roominess allowing you to slip 'em on and go. Easy to tuck in pants! Great with a long skirt. Not too high, not too tight, just right!"
By: size64me
Location: Montgomery, NY
November 19, 2012
"I bought these in brick color. Very comfortable. I have them on right now, I tuck my jeans inside of them to show them off. They are true to size also."
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By GARY ARRINGTONSports writer
When given the chance to speak after the game, "Good game girls," was all Alexis Swasey, a starter last season for Emery, could say. And that really was all that needed to be said as the Emery Lady Spartans defeated their first round 3-A State play-off opponent. Final score was Emery 81 and Grantsville 59 and again the game was not this close.
This was a game of pure domination by the Emery team. Although it took Emery about two minutes to actually start playing, it was over almost as soon as they did. Emery's smothering defense led to a 17-9 first quarter score as they forced six Cowboy turnovers and stole the ball another five times. Frustration was clearly visible on the faces of the Grantsville guards.
Emery then extended the lead to 47-28 at the half as the Spartans had fantastic shooting led by Meagan Pearson's 11 points as she hit three consecutive 3-pointers. Jodie Lundell kicked in two 3-pointers and Frankie Komar one 3-pointer and Emery was rolling.
At the half, Head Coach Steven Gordon complimented his team, "Good half of basketball, that was excellent effort and excellent execution. Way to shoot the ball, don't rush things, make the extra pass and things will open up." He then encouraged his team to play better defense, "Move your feet on defense, don't just reach."
Well it must have worked as the Spartans came out and scored the first 12 points of the second half enroute to leading 75-36 at the end of the period. Meagan hit another 3 and Rachel Rasmussen scored 7 points including another 3. Emery hit 10 3-pointers in the game.
Emery had balanced scoring in the game as four Spartans hit double figures and three others had a shot at it but passed up open shots. No Emery player played more than half the game as almost everyone got game time.
Meagan and Jodi Robertson each had 17 points as they led the scoring. Rachel scored 12 points and Camille Fehlberg scored 10 points. ShiAnne Allred had 9 points, Jodie Lundell had 7 points and Frankie had 6 points. Sierra Bridgewater scored a point late in the game.
Camille also had 7 steals, 3 rebounds and a blocked shot. Meagan had 2 steals and 2 rebounds. Jodie L. had 4 rebounds and 2 steals while Rachel had 4 rebounds, 2 steals and a blocked shot. ShiAnne had 4 rebounds and 4 steals. Jodi R. had 9 rebounds and 3 steals as she may have played her best game as a Spartan. Jodi is just a sophomore.
Gordon was full of praise after the game, "Great ball game, way to show up to play tonight. We have one week of basketball left, let's give it our all," and then he added the most important truth, "If you show up with the intensity you showed tonight, you'll beat whoever it is we play. We're the best team out there." And that says it all.
And that is why Alexis is right with "good job girls." There is much more to accomplish as their aim is at the big trophy as they win it all. This game is just a step to get to their final destination.
Emery will open the tournament in St. George with local favorite Hurricane on Thursday. Hurricane finished second in the south region and has the second best record in the tournament. Game time is 5:50 p.m. at the Burns Arena on the campus of Dixie State College.


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The Good, The Bad, and the Canucks Connection
Marda Miller
May 31 2012 03:29PM
Image via Masshole Sports.
This is a weekly feature that will highlight The Good, The Bad and The *fill in the blank* exciting things that are currently happening in the NHL. The Finals are here! (Good) All the teams that were actually good during the 82 game regular season, are not even contenders (Bad) Let's see if there will be more than five games played before a champion is crowned.
The Good:
The Finals are finally here! This means that we are that much closer to seeing the Canucks playing hockey again. Yes, that is about as good as it gets for me. I honestly didn't think that it would be the New Jersey Devils advancing in the East to face off against the LA Kings in the final showdown for NHL's Holy Grail. I was secretly hoping that it would be the New York Rangers, only so that the coaches from the 2004 Final could have a rematch. Also because the Rangers had something in common with the Canucks: they were both number one seeds coming into the playoffs. The Rangers could have potentially been the toughest opponent for the Kings to to have faced. Plus they have a Vezina nominee, Henrik Lundqvist. But no, it's the Devils that are next in line to be assassinated by Kopitar and crew, even though their goalie, Martin Brodeur, is a multiple recipient of the Vezina Trophy.
Does anyone think the Devils even stand a chance? The Kings have been specialists at destroying teams in these playoffs. The sixth seeded Devils bring little intimidation when you've already beaten the first, second and third seeds, all in five games or less. We will most certainly witness a franchise winning a Stanley Cup for the first time. This is good because it will help with visualizing the Canucks' future.
The Bad:
The team that will win the Stanley Cup this year will not be the Canucks. Even though enough time has passed and I should be over my lofty and idealistic dream, I am not. I really thought that this was their year and I hate being wrong. You know what else is wrong: EA's NHL predictions. Last year the famous EA sports simulation showed us all images of the Vancouver Canucks winning and raising the Cup over their heads. I believed in you EA! You were smarter than humans and their emotions and their frailty. You were smarter than seawalls and pumping tire comments and concussions and broken backs. None of that mattered to you, so it didn't matter to me. And you know what, you broke my heart EA. We all know how last year ended and you were WRONG!
This year, the EA NHL Simulator predicted that that the Stanley Cup champions would be the Pittsburgh Penguins, that was back in October. Oh look EA, wrong again. Then the other day the genius computer came out with another premonition: The LA Kings will be the 2012 Stanley Cup Champions and it will take them 6 games to do it. Well, last night they ticked off yet another Game One win. Wait, could EA be right about this? Personally I think this series should go to 7 games because it's just not fair for the Kings to have it so easy. They have to suffer at some point. It was harder for them to make it into the playoffs than it has been playing through them. Winning a Stanley Cup should not be this effortless. They are an eight seeded team and no eighth seeded team has ever won a cup before. They way that they have been breaking records though, I am pretty sure that the Kings are about to make history.
And The Canucks Connection
It's been a very strange playoff run. We are left with two teams in the Finals who have suffered minimal injury getting here it seems, the Kings and the Devils. And while they both have their star players and goal scoring Captains, there are a couple of familiar faces on each bench. The Canucks connection (look for good where you can) sees two former Canucks players face off on opposite ends of the rink; Steve Bernier with the Devils and Willie Mitchell for the Kings. So while the Canucks will definitely not be Stanley Cup champions this year, at least one of two former Canucks, will be. And at least it won't be someone we hated.
May 31 2012, 09:01PM
And so if one, meaning me, had a choice of who will win the Cup it is New Jersey all the way. Although I turned it off last night, too boring for my diet, common sense tells me that LA is going to win hands down. I am not a Willie Mitchell fan, but always liked Steve Bernier, just knew he had more but struggled to find it.
We have endured years of not even making the playoffs, but we have also been teased for the past 4 years, last year hurt in the biggest way possible. I still bare resentment that we are not in the finals, and of course forget it's a game. How many sleeps until camp? How could anyone believe that EA Sports can predict a game, or the outcome of a series. I would be more inclined to have faith in a Squid, at least it is part of the biological world. And lastly; rumors are flying that Luongo signed with the leaf's today. Any merit in this? No news is bad news...
"suffered minimal injury"
This makes me sad. : (
Who cares about Luongo,good luck to anyone dumb enough to take luongo, they are gonna need it. Although, he has his fans..like AV. AV loved Luongo so much it cost him his one and only chance at the cup. AV's gonna wake up many a nights cursing Luongo's name in a cold sweat years after his retirement. TheCanucks team is fractured, look at the first round loss tot he Kings. You have a team divided into two, the country clubbers on AV's side, and the rest who still despise him for playing his pets in the finals. Look for a long losing streak early next year, both Av and Gillis will go before the end of the year.None of their top players deserve the C, wimpy Sedin, Basketcase Luongo, and of course, the narcissist Kesler.


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int common_elements(int a[], int b[]){ a.sort();b.sort();n, o = 0, 0;common = [];while n < len(a) and 0 < len(b):if a[n] == b[o]{ common.append(a[i]); n += 1; o += 1;}if (a[n] < b[o]){ n += 1;else{ o += 1;}}
reguest for member 'sort' in 'a'. which is of non-class type 'int*'
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Bare Traps Rusty Bootie
Sorry, this item is sold out!
Looks like you've got more shoe shopping to do - have fun!
Looks like you've got more shoe shopping to do - have fun!
Item # 255233
Keep your feet warm, dry and stylish in these suede bungee laced winter boots from Bare Traps. The Rusty bootie features soft faux fur lining and the Stay Dry System, which offers weatherproof technology for water repellency and breathability.
- Water resistant suede and fabric upper with Stay Dry System technology
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rugged and comfy
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Comfy Boots
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Random encounters. Every battle feels like an unnecessary interruption.
Random encounters. Every battle feels like an unnecessary interruption.
the game developers putting advertising in the game when were still buying the game for $50+
Terrible Storyline Or Terrible Sound/Music
Avatar And Sig By Freakshow!!I dream of a better world where chickens can cross roads without having their motives questioned.I Have Patty Hurst Syndrome!
Horrible Voice Acting for the game. How annoying is it to listen to the main characters with an annoying voice, a voice that lacks excitement, and etc.
Graphics dont bother me as long as gameplay is good.
Long cinematics that cant be skipped. I like RPGs as much as the next person but when you have to listen to 30 mins of bullshit then you die and then you have to listen to it over again...You know what I mean.
Games that start out too slow. Gimme something to work with, like some cool power, or some action, but dont take ages to get to the good stuff.
bad gameplay, bad/no plot, and too much repetitive ness


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|Posted by Dwayne Dunbar on April 09, 19100 at 12:33:06:
It's one of those Grome two handeled faucets, cold water side. I replaced the hard to find rubber thing that screws on to the stem deal. This rubber is what comes in contact with the seat and shuts off the water flow. What's happening is a singing noise that varies in pitch with the volume of water passing thru the faucet. Full blast no noise. I replaced both the hot and cold water rubber things but the cold is the only singer of the group, and it ain't no Bing Crosby! How do I stop the noise?
|Replies to this post


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since formatting fails with a missing brace
would automatically be inserted with the correct indentation.
what is considered "correct"
I think that learning the harder/manual way is necessary if one really wants to learn the craft of programming.
what about those poor saps who use PICs they are stuck with ASM and BASIC
Also, interesting that Lady Ada of Ada fruit uses that name, is this the reason why
She wrote its first programs, in its assembler mneumonics (sic)... Sadly, she died young (and painfully) of cancer.
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By Sally Milano, USTA.com
For the first time ever, the USTA is honoring coaches across the country who have implemented a "no-cut" tennis policy that welcomes all students interested in playing on their school tennis teams without turning anyone away.
Twelve exceptional middle and high school coaches who implemented this "no-cut" policy were honored by being named to the 2013 No-Cut Coach All-Star Team. The coaches were nominated for the award by their respective USTA sections.
"These recipients embody what it means to be an advocate for our sport," said Jason Jamison, National Manager, USTA Schools. "We are proud to recognize their efforts to ensure players of all levels are part of a team."
The 2013 No-Cut Coach All-Star Team includes: Joe Arias, Center Moriches High School in Center Moriches, N.Y.; John Cyrus, El Dorado High School in Placentia, Calif.; Laura Ecton, Poudre High School in Fort Collins, Colo.; Kenneth Griffith, Henry E. Lackey High School in Indian Head, Md.; Ryan Hoag, Washburn High School in Minneapolis; Richard Johnson, La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, N.M.; Ryan Knarr, Conrad Weiser High School in Robesonia, Pa.; Kevin Knoch, Perry High School in Massillon, Ohio; Deanne Larsell, Benson High School in Portland, Ore.; David Riedmayer, Beaufort High School in Beaufort, S.C.; Troy Saulsbury, Kearney High School in Kearney, Neb.; and Vonda Harris-Webb, Grand Prairie High School in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Since 2006, more than 4,000 tennis coaches nationwide have made a commitment to offering a no-cut policy, with some programs consisting of more than 100 players on a high school team -- ensuring that young players experience the fun and fulfillment of playing tennis and participating in a school sport.
To qualify for the USTA No-Cut All-Star Team, coaches must be currently implementing a no-cut policy on their tennis teams, must currently registered with the USTA as a "no-cut" coach and must have coached tennis for a minimum of five years.
Click here to register as a no-cut coach or to learn more about the program and free registration incentives.
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Those $%#@&# bloggers: what to do?
Robin Brownlee
September 02 2010 01:37PM
Hockey blogs and hockey bloggers aren't going anywhere. That's a reality the Edmonton Oilers and other NHL teams have to accept and come to grips with, and the sooner the better.
Thankfully, that's a realization that seems to be slowly taking hold as teams and their media relations departments tackle the issue of how to handle blogs and bloggers, specifically when it comes to access and accreditation.
What are the guidelines for issuing credentials to bloggers who aren't parts of mainstream media outlets, like The Journal, TSN or Sportsnet? What should they be? How do teams decide which websites are granted access and credentials and which ones aren't?
David Staples, at The Cult of Hockey in The Journal, has written on the topic more than once. So has Greg Wyshynski at PuckDaddy and Eric McErlain at Off The Wing.
As a member of the mainstream media who also blogs for a non-MSM website, this one, it's a debate I've been drawn into more than once at levels both philosophical and personal -- most recently this week, when I had a protracted discussion with J.J. Hebert, director of communications and media relations for the Oilers.
Hebert and I have disagreed often about access and credentials for non-MSM outlets. I've argued that some websites, Oilersnation among them, should be granted the same courtesy as their MSM counterparts.
Of course, my position on that, some would point out, isn't altogether altruistic -- I'm one of the fortunate few who gets paid as a blogger. Even with mainstream gigs like co-hosting the Jason Gregor Show on TEAM 1260 and covering the Oilers and Eskimos as a freelance writer for the Canadian Press, it's in my best interest to take that stance. Oilersnation puts money in my pocket. So, my version of the discussion NHL teams are having about bloggers continues with Hebert.
The juxtaposition between MSM websites and non-MSM sites and how they are perceived and treated by teams like the Oilers came up again this week because of my personal circumstances.
For the 2010-11 season, I'll be writing for NHL.com and covering the Oilers much like did when I wrote the beat for The Journal and The Sun, at least for their home games. That means attending morning skates and writing game stories and features on the Oilers and visiting teams.
It's a gig I look forward to and one I'll be taking on while continuing with Gregor's show and writing for Oilersnation with increased frequency. At least that's my plan. If only it was so simple.
I'm not out to put Hebert on the spot here because he and his staff are doing their best to address the ever-increasing number of requests for credentials as they pertain to the proliferation of hockey websites.
With The Journal, The Sun, TEAM 1260 and CP, I've been accredited by the Oilers dating back to 1989. In terms of NHL credentials, I've had them since 1982, when I convinced the Vancouver Canucks to give me a spot in the parking lot and a seat in the press box.
Essentially, Hebert told me and my editor he'd be happy to issue me a pass for NHL.com (or TEAM 1260 or CP, for that matter), but that he'd have a problem -- one that's been ongoing -- if I was going to continue to use my access to gather material for Oilersnation because this site isn't recognized as part of the MSM.
One of the problems facing Hebert is that when Gregor and I write for Oilersnation, he gets calls from other bloggers: "If Brownlee and Gregor get a pass, why not me?" The argument is that if we get in, everybody should and that if they don't, we shouldn't. I don't buy that, but I get how the issue could be a pain in Hebert's ass.
Here's the Oilers policy, or lack of same, as Staples recently reported:
"Allan Watt, vice-president of broadcast and communications for the Oilers, says, "We don't have a policy, only a position which is consistent with the other Canadian teams regarding bloggers. We take the position that we don't accredit websites and bloggers not affiliated with or employed by a mainstream media. We also reserve the right to deal with these requests on a case by case basis."
I believe the position, as stated by Watt, is far too restrictive and needs to be reconsidered. There are a lot of bloggers producing well-written, thought-provoking and insightful accounts and commentary that draw millions of page hits and, as a bottom line, enhance awareness and interest in the Oilers, and all NHL teams for that matter.
Not all those websites, as has been pointed out before, have an interest in getting credentials. They can do what they do without them. But some of those sites do want access, and there's no legitimate reason in 2010 that those sites, including this one, be dismissed without consideration because they aren't affiliated with MSM outlets.
That said, the Oilers have every right to decide what websites and outlets they issue credentials to. They have a right to expect and maintain levels of professional conduct and coverage. It's their show.
What needs to happen is for the Oilers and all NHL teams to adopt a position that they will issue or decline credentials based on the merit of the website applying for same.
What is the history of the site? Is the content fan-boy trash or mindless gibberish laced with profanity, or does it resemble, at least loosely, what you find on MSM sites? How large an audience does the site reach? Is somebody just looking for a free seat in Rexall Place or a chance to get into the dressing room? Is the content and commentary being produced of a "professional" standard? On and on.
Asking those kinds of questions, and others, in establishing policy for issuing credentials to non-MSM websites translates, at least initially, to a helluva lot of thought and extra work for media men like Hebert. But the time has come.
If an old-school, inked-stained wretch like me has come to the conclusion that there's a lot of well-written, worthwhile content and commentary out there being produced by people who have never been near a journalism school and who aren't employed by MSM outlets, it's likely long overdue that NHL teams recognize it as well.
Websites like Oilersnation aren't going anywhere. Hockey blogs and hockey bloggers are here to stay and they're going to have their say, one way or another. From where I sit, that's a good thing.
It's time for the Oilers, time for every NHL team, to open their doors and embrace that reality.
Listen to Robin Brownlee Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the Jason Gregor Show on TEAM 1260.
I think Watt has given away what this is really about before. The Oioers perceive blogs and websites as being competition for edmontonoilers.com. They don't own radio stations, tv stations or newspapers and don't generate enough info to justify doing so - they'd end up having to cover all sorts of non Oiler stuff to fill the time. web content is easy though. They own a portal. It is, at present, the best place for original source material. Say they start giving me access and I travel to Edmonton to exercise it. I start posting audio and video on my own site, along with my own commentary, which isn't the neutered crap you get on oilers.com. Suddenly, I'm directly competing with them. If was in my second or third yea of law school and had the time and access, it's something I'd think about doing. This is about preserving their monopoly on a specific medium, I think.
In any event, say they decided they would accredit blogs with some demonstrated sustain and readership. What are we really talking about? Ten guys at most, a bunch of whom don't even live in Edmonton?
I think Watt has given away what this is really about before. The Oioers perceive blogs and websites as being competition for edmontonoilers.com. They don't own radio stations, tv stations or newspapers and don't generate enough info to justify doing so - they'd end up having to cover all sorts of non Oiler stuff to fill the time. web content is easy though. They own a portal. It is, at present, the best place for original source material. Say they start giving me access and I travel to Edmonton to exercise it. I start posting audio and video on my own site, along with my own commentary, which isn't the neutered crap you get on oilers.com. Suddenly, I'm directly competing with them. If was in my second or third yea of law school and had the time and access, it's something I'd think about doing. This is about preserving their monopoly on a specific medium, I think.
In any event, say they decided they would accredit blogs with some demonstrated sustain and readership. What are we really talking about? Ten guys at most, a bunch of whom don't even live in Edmonton?
Agreed. Nice comment.
HAHAHA Uh.... yeah.
Wait a minute.
*Ponders Baggedmilk ogling in the post-game dressing room*
Yeah, Good point.
September 02 2010, 07:00PM
I can understand the Oilers not wanting to allow the bloggers access to press row in their building. They have no control over what is being written in most if not all cases. If they can't temper/control what's being written then why endorse it, period. They can't keep hiring their biggest critics. Bum Stauffer is a good example, he's not an overly gifted color man for the Oilers, but that's the only place Katz could hide his critical arse. He had a good thing going with Total Sports and the Oilers effectively ripped out his spine by hiring him and tempering/severing this critcism all together. You can't do in msm what you can do in the viral world.
Must just be chafing JJ's arse with all this valid criticism being leveled their way this past year with little or no control over it. Finishing 30th in a 30 team league has been boffo for the western based bloggers and hell for the Oilers administration i'm sure.
September 02 2010, 08:56PM
Good post, Robin. I would never want access, even if offered, but there's no reason some guys who want it should be denied. My only quibble is that I don't think this is about "professional" writing and reporting standards. Guys who get drunk on talk radio shows get access. It's about control. The first bloggers who do get access with the Oilers will be the ones who play nice. It won't be the ones who criticize the team, even if their writing and reporting is spot-on.
Andy you have a problem with a controlled experiment that tries to raise awareness? Real astute comment on your part.
September 02 2010, 09:15PM
@Towel Boy"Who saw this coming!!!"
Hey! There is a blog called that too....isn't there? ;)
Case & point right there. A guy who has a good take on things & doesn't have time to even hardly post on his own blog....
Don't you worry...I have HUGE plans for my site for the upcoming season...
*runs of to see if website is still active*
Yeah...like I said: HUGE PLANS.
Robin, be careful what you wish for. With access comes the inevitable selfcensorship. It's only natural that articles would get toned down for fear of losing access.
September 02 2010, 09:50PM
Robin, be careful what you wish for. With access comes the inevitable selfcensorship. It's only natural that articles would get toned down for fear of losing access.
I've got access. I'm talking about extending that to other non-MSM writers.
So if one of the issues is that it would take too much work to develop criteria for qualifying which bloggers to give credentials too, why don't the bloggers themselves take on that work? Setup an association that spells out the criteria, continually reviews and adjusts that criteria with the NHL teams, and does the leg work to determine which bloggers meet the criteria. Each team could give a quota to the association of how many bloggers they'll accept, and the association determines which ones get it as long as they meet the criteria and, say, a vote amongst the members.
That gives the teams a body to go if one of the bloggers gets out of hand, and puts all the work on the bloggers to organize it, qualify each other, and hold each other accountable to whatever standards are agreed to. At the same time, a league wide association would hopefully have enough clout to avoid being influenced to writing certain stories by the teams. Should strike a good balance, no?
September 02 2010, 11:28PM
NHL teams are not about to relinquish control of who they issue credentials for to an outside group, nor should they.
Screening and accrediting websites isn't a matter of being too much work for media personnel, it just means more work.
September 03 2010, 12:04AM
I'm sure the Oilers probably like to keep an eye on whats being said about the organization, if Glen Sather didn't agree with what Dick Chubey had to say about the Oilers over a period of time, could they go to a rag and have a msm guy removed, or take away his access?
September 03 2010, 07:09AM
Cranky old Chubes had a long run. He was eventually moved aside for Dan Barnes, who earned the promotion.
I haven't heard of the Oilers seeking to have any writer moved off the beat since I got here in 1989, which covers the Sather, Lowe and Tambellini eras.
NHL teams are not about to relinquish control of who they issue credentials for to an outside group, nor should they.
Screening and accrediting websites isn't a matter of being too much work for media personnel, it just means more work.
Don't they already?
When you were granted access did the Oilers do it after assessing you individually or based on you being employed by the Journal/Sun or member of the AP or some professional writers association?
September 03 2010, 09:58AM
How would the Oilers or the NHL for that matter measure the level of professionalism of one's site?
It's a question that needs to be answered, however, perhaps a good measuring stick is to see how many "bloggers" are people who are or have been employed by the MSM? Audience metrics would be harder to capture however, and how would one know if the blogosphere is reputable?
Oilersnation exists at the level it does because of writers like yourself, Lowetide, and a couple others. It gets creditability from your background.
It all comes down to measurement of what blog has the beef and what blogs are just fan blogs.
September 03 2010, 10:39AM
@Oiler Country
There are some very talented writers who have never drawn a pay cheque from the MSM, so I wouldn't weight that too heavily.
It really isn't that difficult for an NHL PR guy to look at websites over the course of a few months and separate the "Look, I got a picture of Cogliano with his shirt off on my cell phone camera" from those providing content more substantial.
Like I said, they should look at: -- What's the content? Is the content balanced and fair, even if it's not necessarily positive? -- Who writes for the site? -- How much traffic does the site draw? Five-thousand page views a month, or a million etc? -- Does the site pay writers? Does the site spend money to cover the team, such as by sending writers to the draft, league meetings etc? In other words, is it competing against MSM sites by covering issues and events? -- Based on content, does the site need access to games or is it a case of somebody just trying to get into Rexall for free?
September 03 2010, 11:57AM
@Robin Brownlee
Well not control over issuing the credentials. But I do wonder sometimes wonder if control is at the heart of this issue. Which could be why bloggers get shut out.
With regular MSM people having those credentials or not having them can greatly effect their job, earnings and by extension their family. I often wonder how much opinion or content is mentally transferred to the not going to use bin. Because they always have the fear that their credentials can get yanked and having to deal with those people daily.
With most bloggers if they get their credentials taken away and having no boss to answer to if the Oilers take issue with them. It means they have very little control over what a blogger might write. I do not mean a bunch of swearing or the like. But having things written that put them in a bad light and receive real biting criticism. Maybe the blogger even witnesses things (that a MSM guy would only discuss with other MSM guys but never write) and has no problem writing about it.
This is of course all opinion from the outside looking in. It is hard not to have the feeling sometimes that we often only get part of the story and a small portion of the real opinion of the MSM member.
September 03 2010, 01:00PM
Of course you don't write everything you see or hear, at least as a beat writer who travels with the team -- that's part of the understanding you enter into with the gig.
Some bloggers would last five minutes because they might choose not to follow the conventions. Like you said, without an editor to answer to and ongoing employment at a news outlet to consider, some people might take the approach that anything they see or hear is fair game and if they cross the line, so what?
The tell-all guys would get weeded out very, very quickly. Adios.
@Robin Brownlee
Absolutely Robin. There ass would be outside Rexall so fast they would not know what happened. The problem with this scenario is if someone steps beyond that invisible line and reports something juicy that has not been heard (TMZ like). You as a mainstream writer would probably have no choice but to cover this. You would get scooped per say and also because of the possible fall out that would ensue how much access would the team grant at that moment. It takes one mouth. As a fan and a blogger I want my team covered but also protected. Individual basis based on reputation, experiance and player/team trust, is the only way to go.
Eric McErlain's blog is called Offwing Opinion, not Off The Wing.
While a segment of bloggers out there might disagree -- those who think the MSM doesn't ask the "tough" questions they would or tell it like it is as they would -- staying within the understood guidelines doesn't mean you have to kiss up to get along.
A few simple (and reasonable) examples of what we were expected to avoid as reporters who travelled with the team and had access most people don't.
-- If player X is playing through an undislcosed injury, don't use the fact you have access to the room and medical areas to write, "Hey, I noticed Sam Gagner had a big ice pack on his knee today . . ."
-- Don't make public private conversations that are overheard on the team flight, bus or hotel.
-- Reporters sometimes end up eating or socializing in the same restaurants etc as the players. Don't suggest that "Player A gets more ass on the road than a public toilet seat." If the law/curfews etc aren't broken, what players do away from the rink isn't public domain. We aren't paparazzi -- "Look, it's Sheldon Souray with two hot chicks . . ."
It's mostly common sense stuff.
While I'm not sure if any of your three examples reflect the concerns of the blogging group you mention, "-- those who think the MSM doesn't ask the "tough" questions they would or tell it like it is as they would --"*, some might well disagree with your grouping of the first example with the 2nd and 3rd.
I'm sure there are some that would have interest in your 2nd and 3rd examples, but I don't think those are particularly good examples of information bloggers feel the MSM should, but doesn't, report. Those have nothing to do with hockey, they are tabloid material unrelated, as you rightly note, to covering hockey. Obviously the line gets murky at some point, but I've never read any respectable blogger criticizing the MSM for not revealing the type of information gained in examples 2 and 3.
That said, I'm not sure everyone would agree with you on whether the first example is "reasonable", since a player performing poorly because/while he's injured is (at least arguably) a "hockey" story.
I think most would agree that, even if you're reporting on strictly hockey-related stuff, if you're writing and publishing articles with no tact or respect for those involved, there would be some concern that your access might be limited going forward. But does that mean the reporter should be obliged to treat injuries as a secret if the team doesn't release the information itself?
That said, I understand that if you report information that was understood to be off the record, your sources probably dry up quickly.
* I think these criticisms relate more to questions asked of GM's and coaches than of players.
September 03 2010, 09:16PM
The Oilers (and NHL) need to ask themselves: "why does the MSM get media passes?"
The answer: free media coverage to fans to generate interest.
Do blogs generate fan interest? Obviously. In fact, blogs have the most devoted Oiler (NHL) fans of all.
So what's the problem?
The Oilers management sound regressive on this policy.
Here's the solution: grant blogs access if they have XXXXX number of hits per day. You have to be this tall to ride this ride.
It's a simple solution. Get with it Oilers. I only read national papers, but get most of my hockey news from blogs - it's more timely, entertaining, colorful, and often has much deeper analysis.
(... and more maroons, but you can't have it all.)


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Mike Schopp's Blog
SCHOPP: Running with the Devils
by Mike Schopp
posted May 28 2012 8:16PM
The framed picture of downtown Buffalo under evening snow clouds shook, then rattled, then gently settled back onto its pins, leaving no trace of its sudden, personal earthquake. Nothing fell from a shelf, which still surprises me three nights later. Not even my dog was startled enough to trot downstairs, although I think that's because of the noisy air conditioner in our bedroom where he'd dozed off Friday night.
By the time the commercials had ended before overtime of Game 6, it was just me and my TV. The dog, the wife, the kids and all the people I sit near at Sabres games were asleep.
The emotional side of me was prepared for defeat, in this case a Rangers goal, because that's what always happens. I mean not really, that's just how it seems. Last year I built my playoff pool team around the Lightning and while I got a few weeks of fun out of it, ultimately they fell one game short of what I needed and a loss is a loss. I've probably won a couple before but I don't know. For some reason the losing is much, much more memorable.
I need to skip ahead so that you don't think you're reading some clumsy Dashiell Hammett attempt. Before the playoffs, I picked New Jersey to win the East and loaded my pool team with Devils. And I've been (loudly) picking the Rangers to come up short all season long. And that's it. When Adam Henrique ended it I literally jumped off my couch so high that my head bumped the ceiling. Undaunted, I jumped at least five more times, moving toward the television, muting my repeated screams of "YES!" so as not to wake the uninterested.
I'm happy to have been right, but I'm somewhat ashamed of my attachment to it all.
It was before the handshake line that I started pondering my reaction to a game between two teams I've really never cared about. Holy cow that's weird, I thought. My friends probably would get it, but if my listeners ever knew that I cheered like that for another team, what would they think? I can't remember too many times I reacted to a Sabres win that way. It's probably less than five.
But it's true. And every time the last three days that I've thought about the playoffs -- which I've been doing numerous times a day every day since Game 1 of Round 1, all the while hoping the Devils would at least make the finals -- I felt relief. I had no game coming up to worry about. These were strong feelings. You know, for sports.
So what's it all about?
When we root for the teams we root for, what is it that we're backing? It can be anything, but the most interesting comparison is between your personal stake (like mine with New Jersey) and your hometown team. Rooting for the Sabres is rooting for the people of Buffalo. It's me rooting for you and, like it or not, vice versa.
I've got nothing against that. I want people here to feel good, and I want the community to share in exultation, and I want whatever minimal economic bump there is when a team wins, and so on and so forth. I just want to know what's really at the core of it. Do we really all like each other this much?
I think much of how we all root for the local teams is that like anything it gives us an easy and harmless card to play in conversation. Talking about the Bills or Sabres is like talking about the weather. It's assumed that both you and they are on the same side. Like how we all presume that when we talk about how nice the sunshine is to a stranger that he or she doesn't want it to be raining. As humans, we want affirmation.
I'd always rather reason it out. The upcoming Olympics will again be a challenge for me. Do you root for Americans you don't know anything about against a nice-guy, hard-luck foreigner that NBC just profiled? I don't. Should I?
All this has nothing to do with riding a winner. It's against my DNA to pick favorites so I often lose. And when I do, it hurts. Again, the emotions are pretty much the same.
I think the detachment half of the equation is natural. As we age we don't harbor the same sugarplum fantasies about our athletes, and our sports. When I was 9 I probably cried when the Bills lost a playoff game to San Diego but part of the reason is that I assumed Joe Ferguson was crying too.
It's not like that now, if it ever was.
I'm still not sure what to do with this realization, that I'm rooting for myself moreso than the collective. Do I want to suppress it? Not all of me does because there isn't much about sports anymore that brings on intense emotion like this did. Do I want to flaunt it? No, because most sports fans don't want to hear it. I'll probably just keep playing it where it lies.
I'll stick up for this maneuver to this extent: Without this attachment, I'm probably only barely watching these playoffs. If the only thing that mattered was the Buffalo Sabres' order of finish, I'd hardly be watching a second of this year's postseason. But to me it isn't, and as it happens my horse is in a duel down the stretch with a chance to win.
What's better than that?
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