Pimlach

To the bold: You stated old people play golf. Old people don't play baseball. You are also correct, I wrote "turn to" and "continue to play" because it is exactly why people are not inside the house watching NHL playoffs in April/May/June. They have moved on from hockey in most parts of the USA. This all started because we were posting about the length of the NHL season, including the playoffs, and how the Olympics are impacting it. My thought is that most Americans do not watch the NHL playoffs once their team is eliminated. I stand by this 100%. The TV ratings back me up. Even some of the largest US hockey markets tune out after their team is eliminated. These large markets have baseball teams (and basketball teams) to watch. And do not discount the fact that people go outside and play sports themselves. I know you can admit that hockey is the least watched sport in the USA of the 4 major team sports, including the best hockey which is the hockey playoffs? I know you can look that up yourself. When spring time comes in the USA people go outside and they watch other sports and they play other sports - namely baseball (including softball) and golf in the spring and in the summer months. Again, look at TV ratings, look at MLB attendance, look at the PGA TV ratings, etc. It just all dwarfs the NHL. More people in the USA play baseball (including softball) than play hockey, and it's by huge margins. This includes young and old people and men and women. More people in the US play golf than hockey by far. This also includes young and old, and men and women. Those numbers are not close, and I find it odd that you can even debate this. You are absolutely spitting hairs on the baseball versus softball argument. It is essentially the same the game, softball is played more by older men and women than hardball is. Similarly, you are telling me about old man no-check hockey, well that is not is real hockey either. So you will acknowledge no-check hockey as hockey, but do not acknowledge softball? I am sure that puts you in the minority. Since you are one of my favorite posters here I accept that you disagree. I hope I clarified the points I am trying to make.

I actually said turn to baseball, not play baseball. You might want to re-read the original message. More people watch baseball and golf than hockey in the USA. It’s not even a close comparison. Example: You live in Chicago, the Black Hawks are of the playoffs. You are now watching Cubs or Sox, or maybe the Bulls if they are alive. Even more so in LA. Kings out, watch Dodger or Lakers. But if you want to interpret “turn to” as “play”, I stand by my point that far more people in the US play baseball, especially slow pitch softball, in the spring and summer than hockey.

Fair assessment. The Pats* D kept them in the game for 3+ quarters. Darnold game managed and made no mistakes. I was rooting for Plunkett back then when the Raiders won that SB.

OK Taro you get the Boomer of the Day award for this post ^ Old people do play golf but if you think they are the only ones you are living a myth. More young people play golf today than they have at any other time, including women. More high schools and colleges have golf teams than at any other time. I have 7 out of 10 nephews/sons in my family that are dedicated golfers. Your experience is limited to Buffalo and WNY maybe? I lived in So Cal from age 23 to 35 and played fast and slow pitch softball the entire time. There are tons of men's, women's, and coed softball leagues all over the USA in the spring and summer. Way more than hockey leagues - even in Buffalo this is not a reasonable debate. The SC Playoffs are the least watched playoffs of the big four team sports in the USA. The NFL completely dominates US playoff viewership, with games often drawing over 30–40 million viewers, dwarfing all other leagues. MLB (2025 postseason averaged 6.33M) has experienced a resurgence, often leading the NBA in total playoff viewership. NBA playoffs are generally stronger in the key 18-34 demographic, while the NHL trails, averaging over 1M for peak playoff games.

The long season hurts on the front and back end of the schedule. What is worse is that most of the US does not watch the SC Playoffs once their team is eliminated. Americans get outside in the spring and they turn to baseball and golf. Two sports that you can not only watch, but also continue to play as you age.

QB is Seattle's only weakness. Darnold was barely average throwing the ball, he missed numerous 3rd down passes to stall drives, and he was 1/4 in the red zone. Darnold is the Jim Plunkett of modern QBs. A top pick, busted on a rebuild, becomes a journeyman backup QB, and then catches on with a great team with a great defense. He managed the games for them. I think the Bills would have had a tough time because the crap the Bills have at WR would not produce anything against that secondary. Allen would have faced a lot of pressure and the Bills OL, which is better than the Pats*, would have had to play spectacular football to win this one.

Yes. It will come down to the last few days but they make it.

Is this a fair assessment? I am not a fan of Bryson but he is 28 and at 5'9" and 177 lbs he plays in the NHL. You may not like him but he is probably much stronger and physically/mentally tougher than you think. I give him credit for almost 300 NHL games as an undersized defenseman. He is s 7/8 player on an NHL roster. While I don't see him and Metsa holding up in the upcoming schedule crunch, especially when both are in the lineup at the same time. I am sure you are not being literal, but I do think it is a bit harsh to say he isn't a man.

How about Slavin and Eckblad and Faber? Bill Hajt had the best breakout pass of any of the Sabres defensemen in the 70's.

That Super Bowl was a Super Bore. Big Bunny sucked too. I watched out of spite. It was a spite Super Bowl against the Pats*. So happy to see them lose. <insert Larry David GIF>

We could use a steady eddy Bill Hajt type of defender.

I was watch a little SB pregame junk. Yes, I am still bitter about the "interception" and they way the Bills season ended. The hated Pats* squeaking by after getting a free ride in the AFC championship game. Seattle better win this one. Darnold better not decide to suck today.

I think the Blues are in the market for a puck moving, offensive style defender. They do not have any. Thomas and Bryam could be part of a deal.

Robert Thomas would be great add. The Blues will likely listen to all offers but they will want something big back.