Everything Else

Replaceable

By Sam Fels 1615 0

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.

Everything Else

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

By 1177 0

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.

Everything Else

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

By Matt McClure 1238 0

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.

Everything Else

Morning Links 12/6

By Ken Oda 1177 0

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

Everything Else

See A Little Light?

By Sam Fels 1423 0

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.

Everything Else

Morning Links 12/5

By Joe DeTolve 1200 0

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)

Everything Else

Children Of Men

By Sam Fels 1445 0

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

Everything Else

Morning Links 12/4

By Ken Oda 1304 0

Maybe I’m wrong but this reporter should probably Get Smart: CBS

Owners and players to meet today and neither side will bring their Kingpin: TSN

The players side of the table will be Larger than Life: PHT

While the owners send a few faces from the hardliner’s mt. Rushmore: PHT

Meyers says the NHLPA may have to change its Stripes: CSN

But when crossing the boarder some of the labor laws get Lost In Translation: ESPN

Proof that its not just fans who can act/think like Meatballs: SI

Jesse points out the mistakes made by The Man Who Knew Too Little: ESPNChi

For goalies With Friends Like These…: PD

Everything Else

What Are You Listening To? (Stolen From Nucks Misconduct)

By Sam Fels 1140 0

I haven’t done a good enough job of creating stuff where you guys can discuss at length in the comments. So I’m going to steal a page from Nucks Misconduct.com, which I’ve done before (we stole their map idea, which we’re going to bring to this new site at some point). I have a hard time finding new bands to listen to as well, so this is also to help me out as well. And I’ll try and come up with new, night-time discussion threads as we go along here too.

So, what’s on your Ipod these days? Well, everything is on the Ipod but what are you playing? It can be anything. Some new, hipster band where a girl with pink hair plays a theramin with a cat (thanks, Kyle Kinane) or you just rediscovered how awesome Beggars Banquet or Mezzanine are. I don’t care. Whatever it is.

I’ll start you off, it’s been a Velvet Underground day for me, both Loaded and Nico. I was inspired when re-watching High Fidelity last night and hearing “Oh Sweet Nothing.”

Now’s your turn. What’s tickling your ear drums currently?

Everything Else

My College Weekend And Other Notes

By Sam Fels 1374 0

Some stuff to clean up this afternoon:

-I’ll be on Chris Block’s podcast tonight at 8pm. Catch it at The Third Man In.com. No one is more plugged into what goes on in Rockford than Block, so if you want to know what’s going on down there you should check it out. I’ll just be making it up.

-Phillip Danault and Mark McNeill were invited to Canada’s World Junior training camp. Both have at least a decent shout to go to Russia. Danault is considered more of a lock, though Bob McKenzie thinks that McNeill’s versatility could see him land a spot as well. If Bob McKenzie says it, I’ll believe it.