That Aud Smell

I don't think there are really any more distinctions like this, anymore. Any news organization must position itself to pop on every available medium or platform. TBN has taken a run at this, in fits and starts. For example, Sullivan and Gleason were asked to do a radio show of sorts (after being told to stop appearing on WGR (because they were viewed as a competitor)), and that radio show morphed into a podcast. Your local news TV station is pushing plenty of written content, too.

This is my view of the matter as well. I don't care for the principle or proposition that the game is characterized by traps for the unwary, such that if you make a nice pass and track its progress for a moment, you're apt to get blown up by someone approaching laterally. But I understand that this is how the game was commonly played, for a long time. And this, too. Wilson's track record informs an understanding of what's going on there. Not for nothing: Liverpool lost the Champions League final last weekend in large part because human POS Sergio Ramos took down Mo Salah with a pretty clear intent to injure (an attempt that was successful). I effing hate Ramos, but recognize that winning teams often have players like that on their rosters. I never wanted to get into the weeds on supplementary discipline. I'm more advocating for that sh1t to go away, generally.

My point is that when you come in from that angle, the collision is as likely, if not more likely, to involve contact with the head (or a trauma to the head when it strikes the ice). I suppose it's possible that Wilson made an effort to avoid contact with the head, and succeeded. This is the larger point. We don't need that hit in the game. And, of course, it still can be used in that manner without permitting blindside smears. It's a fair assessment to say that the Vegas player was moving in a direction where his eyes were not focused. OTOH, the idea of "admiring a pass" seems antiquated. The phrase seems to suggest something that's self-satisfied, indulgent, maybe even lazy -- rather, than, y'know, tracking the movement of the puck in order to plan your next move toward a spot on the ice. Also, the idea of your head being on a swivel always seemed to suggest, to me, that you need to have eyes in the back of your head, etc. I now understand the phrase to refer to the idea that you need to be moving your head (and eyes) constantly so as to focus on the direction in which you're headed. Interesting. And I can see the point that's being made now, a bit better. I just don't have use for blindside hits in the game, I guess.

That's like the inverse of a blind squirrel finding a chestnut. Late, blindside hits are, by their nature, reckless. How often do we hear about how fast the game moves (in both the NHL and NFL, actually) and how it's essentially impossible for a hitting player to calibrate the precise manner of contact so as to avoid head contact? Wilson was coming in with a sledgehammer, not a scalpel. The fact that he didn't hit the Vegas player's head is merely good fortune.

15 (20?) years ago players were said to have admired their passes, and then they might get their bells rung, too. (I realize there’s no reported concussion on this play.) I’m not pining to return to the days of Scott Stevens getting guys lined up in the trolley tracks, either. Onward we move, with due regard for player health and safety. Late, blind side hits can leave the game and never come back, as far as I’m concerned. That goes the same for the varietals that end up relatively benign (as this one fortunately did, it appears) and those that end up badly.

Seriously? Every time I tune into the 10 o'clock news, whether on the Channel 2 or Channel 4 affiliate, I see a report from some 20-something I've never seen before. Sure, they keep around a few stalwarts (somehow including the cryogenically preserved remains of Don Postles), but the large majority of the positions are staffed by people who are young and cheap.

I sense that the local paper will go the way that the local broadcast affiliates have gone in hiring their talent: Hire young people, pay them jack squat, and rotate them through on a regular basis.

Lord have mercy. I do wonder: Did Wilson not make principal contact with the Vegas player's (can't spell it) head as a matter of intent or luck, or a combination of both? In that situation, I happen to think everyone involved was just fortunate that Wilson's shoulder didn't inadvertently ride up and knock the other player silly. Because that's what tends to happen when you come in late, blindside, and on a vulnerable player. OTOH, Neil did seem to make a last second effort to front on Drury and then drove up into his face. Anyway: Terrible effing hits, both. One worse than the other. Aptly posed.

Homes. Did you read what I wrote upthread? Because it seems like maybe you did not. Both hits are/involve: Late, blind side, lateral approach, gratuitous, vulnerable player, and a plea from the aggressor and/or his apologists that the recipient of the hit was guilty of admiring his pass. As you say, Neil's hit went higher and had a worse outcome (some of which was a bit happenstance, as his visor really cut him up (something that I have heard has been addressed through better helmet/visor design)). But it's a difference in gradation, not type.

It's overstating matters for me to say that no local coverage would represent an improvement over the likes of them. But only barely.

I regret the death spiral of major local newspapers - I won't dance on anyone's grave. Howevah: It's probably good that he heard that. His angle and voice were often bad for my business/readership -- that's for sure. That seems extreme. OTOH, TBN's editorial board has, of late, been little more than a mouthpiece for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. I.e., the moneyed business class.

that's pretty great. that said, the opening paired riff between the two guitarists was PURE spinal tap.

It’s a late, lateral, blind side hit delivered on a vulnerable opponent well after a pass has been made. Like Neil’s hit, it was even absurdly defended with a suggestion that the victim player was “admiring his pass.” Neil’s hit was worse in that he drove up toward the head and caused lacerations because of, IIRC, how Drury’s visor became involved. So, quite similar. I sense that Wilson’s a significantly better hockey player than Neil ever was, but, like Neil, he’s a dangerous player who needs to be reined in.

Maybe late to this, but what a POS Wilson is, man. That hit was just slightly less awful than Neil's on Drury. Garbage.

Lord, yes.

I count myself among those who think that Antipin had a different path to travel in the NHL, had things gone better for him. I don't lay that at anyone's feet, particularly. There were more than several plays that Antipin made, where I was like, "Wait. Whoa - that was effing NICE right there." I think he had much more to give and offer, and it just didn't come together for him. So, to me, it was more than a Concept situation. He repeatedly flashed signs of becoming a very nice NHL player. I don't feel that way about the other prospects who were enumerated upthread. Edit: Although I do think Baptiste can become a useful bottom 6 player on a good NHL team.

Leaving aside inky’s reason for wanting to scrap — yeah, inside one’s head. It’s Oh Ess Pee.

In any case, no one pronounces “OSP” — it is pronounced “Oh Ess Pee” — yeah?

What a crap game that turned out to be. I hope Ramos slips in the shower and breaks his effing leg. Knocks out Salah, then cold Karius (which may have played a role in the Bale howler?).

Fare thee well, you plug.

@we’ve : the local board told him as much!

Interesting tidbit, for sure. A pity there was no follow up. But that’s PSE for you. //(Awaits reply about how Harrington would have got the answer.)//

I'm not so sure. I think he does really, really care about the goose poop on his property, and that he really, really wants the government to address and resolve the situation for him ... in no small part because he thinks his taxes are too damn high. As in, "I pay so much in taxes, I should get a concierge service like this." I don't discount, out of hand, the calls for tax reform in states like New York. OTOH, I have come to distrust the motivations of the super rich in advocating for lowered taxes. They claim that their position is meant for the benefit of everyone, but I think it's really just to benefit them.

Transit Road, I think. And I agree: I don't *not* go there, full stop, because the owner went a bit bonkers on Twitter and RT'd some weird Info Wars type s h1t. But I may go there a little less frequently as a result. Good call on KP's remarks. And a good metaphor, too.

Interesting. Btw, Kim Pegula’s extensive remarks to TBN were fairly illuminating.