Faxes from Uncle Dale

Recent Posts

  • Objects In Mirror Are Not As Close As They Appear

    Objects In Mirror Are Not As Close As They Appear

    I want to take a break from labor stuff and minor league and college hockey, and talk about an issue that’s never gotten as much attention as it deserves. And it’s going to put me solidly in line with Sean Avery, which strangely puts me in a position I’m more than comfortable to be.

    As you may have seen, Sean Avery did an interview with the New York Daily News that was picked up by Huffington Post about how the NHL should have language in the CBA about how punishments will be meted out to those who deal in homophobia and gay slurs on the ice. Avery thinks the way the NHL deals with these things is wildly inconsistent, and he’s right. James Wisniewski can get suspended two games in October ’11 for miming blow jobs at Avery but then Wayne Simmonds goes unpunished for calling Avery “a faggot.” Or Cam Janssen faces no punishment for making horrific remarks on an internet radio show. And these are just two of the most obvious cases.

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  • The Committed Idonije – Bears v. Vikings Is Now Out!

    This week we’ve got the reappearance of The Fifth Feather, Ragnar through history, and lots of jokes about that fucking horn. Get yours right here!

     

  • Your NHL-less Weekend Guide and Thread

    Your NHL-less Weekend Guide and Thread

    I should have been clearer with this in previous versions, but these weekend guides are for you to discuss whatever you want in them. Anyway…

    Friday Night

    Bulls v. Pistons – I’ll admit I totally forgot the Detroit Pistons still existed. Do they really, though?

    Michigan State v. Notre Dame (Hockey) – This one’s on NBCSN, and you can use the time to take a look at Stephen Johns if you’re so inclined.

    Minnesota v. Colorado College – If you have a Dish you can get this one, and these are two top ten teams at the moment.

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  • Replaceable

    Boy, am I getting sick of writing posts out of some haze of depression. I’m sure you’re sick of reading them. Wish there was another way right now.

    I’ve been trying to figure out what’s so infuriating about the obtuseness and tone-deafness of both sides in this. And maybe it’s just the feeling deep down that no matter how much screaming you do or promises you make, you know that the people in charge won’t hear you (I could speak at one constant volume, at one constant pitch, at one constant rhythm, and you still won’t hear….). Maybe it’s just having to witness the aching stupidity of it all. But what is that born out of?

    I think it’s the perception from them, and the feeling for us, of being replaceable.

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  • Telephone, Telephone -NHL Rejects NHLPA's Latest Offer Via Voicemail

    Telephone, Telephone -NHL Rejects NHLPA's Latest Offer Via Voicemail

    In an utterly predictable turn of events, the negotiations over the last 60 or so hours ended with a resounding thud not too long ago, as Bill Daly reportedly informed the Fehr brothers via voicemail that the PA’s latest offer was wholly unacceptable, and that talks would not continue any time soon and all other previous offers were now off the table.

    Pardon me while I yawn.

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  • Telephone, Telephone -NHL Rejects NHLPA’s Latest Offer Via Voicemail

    Telephone, Telephone -NHL Rejects NHLPA’s Latest Offer Via Voicemail

    In an utterly predictable turn of events, the negotiations over the last 60 or so hours ended with a resounding thud not too long ago, as Bill Daly reportedly informed the Fehr brothers via voicemail that the PA’s latest offer was wholly unacceptable, and that talks would not continue any time soon and all other previous offers were now off the table.

    Pardon me while I yawn.

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  • Morning Links 12/6

    Morning Links 12/6

    The owners and players were up late working on a Deal: PHT

    60 games is an important number and may explain the recent Hustle: PD

    Reasons for the movement include more than dropping Smokey and the Bandit: SI

    Of course on somethings they’re still at an Impasse: ESPN

    Good starts are big in a short season, Spector looks at who will be able bring the Heat: SN

    I hear this and the empty chair Clint spoke to are Best Friends: Twitter

  • See A Little Light?

    See A Little Light?

    We’ve been fooled before, and though I want to be optimistic and lead you through the darkness more than anyone, we have to preach caution at the top of our lungs. Though preaching caution loudly would seem to be a very odd tactic, but you’ve never required me to make sense.

    (And before I go any farther, this was all an elaborate (kinda) excuse to post a picture of Bob Mould, and to tell you if you didn’t get his latest album then your life really isn’t all it could be right now).

    After last night’s meeting without the two towers of obstinance, the words “progress,” “optimism”, and “substance” are actually being thrown around. There’s still far to go, and these people could fuck up a piss-up at a brewery. I bet when they get to figuring out “lockout reparations” is where things could get messy.

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  • Morning Links 12/5

    Constructive Day but could this be Entrapment? (Chicago Tribune) (Spector’s Hockey)

    Saving the Hockey World like James Bond:(Sportsnet)

    Merchants near NHL rinks are losing money like The Great Train Robbery: (TSN)

    Will an angry owner speak out, Never say Never..again:(Toronto Sun)

    Players are paying for mistakes like a team in the Valley of the Rising Sun:(Sportsnet)

    Adventures in Team Travel like going to The Rock: (Backhand Shelf)

    From Russia with Love?? An unlikely Gordie Howe Hattrick:(CJAD)

  • Children Of Men

    Children Of Men

    Let’s round up the kids, because we’ve got nothing else to do.

    We’ll start in the Q, as is customary.  Phillip Danault had a pretty busy week before getting his invite to the World Junior Training Camp for Canada next week. Four games, a goal and an assist but an unsightly -4. In fact, Danault is a -8 in his last seven games, which isn’t all that encouraging for a player that’s supposed to be a solid two-way player. It dropped him from +4 on the year to -4. Something to be watched.

    His teammate Brandon Whitney had a much better week, starting all four games. Only went 1-3, but stopped 38 of 39, then 34 of 38, 28 of 31, and 36 of 39 shots in those games. That’s a .923 SV% for those four games.

    Dillon Fournier was a +1 in three games for Rouyn-Noranda

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