IKnowPhysics

Even if it's limited or full NMC for 2-4 years of that, I'm still ok.

I try not to underestimate how ***** dumb other teams are. Especially when it comes to UFA top-end talent that's available for no returned assets. But option #2 is reasonable. While front-loaded, it meets the salary variability rules. I think it's reasonable for both sides to commit to four years in a contract of this magnitude, then open up options after year four (at age 31).

We once, cloak and dagger style, smuggled a human being away from Soviet authorities and, with the right center, he became our best single season scoring player of all time. It is part of our heritage to be bold in the pursuit of greatness.

Solid take.

We don't really need to care much about coaching salary, but this was interesting. Seems like a bargain.

Baro Bujisoto of the Okinawa Claymores Or, and hear me out: Munchma Quchi of the Dubai Scimitars

Bad methodology is bad.

As mentioned in the Around the League thread: Was Botterill interested in interviewing Tippett? Did Botterill get an opportunity to interview Tippett? Did Botterill come to the conclusion that Krueger was a better candidate than Tippett? Did Botterill make an offer to Tippett? Doesn't matter now, but that's never stopped us before. Discuss.

Tage is not a good enough skater, especially considering the specialization of skating and positioning required at high levels of hockey. Defensemen take years to develop properly, and he is too far along to develop to a competent defensive player within his ELC.

Good interview.

Montour played with Risto and McCabe with great success, but it was only for relatively short total times. He also played great with Dahlin. Other players... not so much. If I get some nerd time this weekend, I'll do a defensemen analysis like I did after last season and look at pairings. I think there's some interesting data in the WOWYs about what was tried and whether pairings with good possession correlated into good GF%s.

I think there's a serious case to be had for keeping Ristolainen, based on his promising use with Pilut over McCabe. CF%, GF%, HDCF% (and minutes) in 5v5: McCabe-Risto: 48.08%, 39.02%, 47.59% (482 minutes) Pilut-Risto: 55.61%, 44.44%, 60.00% (222 minutes) Pilut-Risto not only had better possession rates than McCabe-Risto, they had better goal production and high-danger corsi rates. What's also noteworthy is that despite the decent 55.61 CF% and 60.00 HDCF%, the GF% was still only 44.44%. That could have easily been goaltending.

Yeah, the weird part was that the NWHLPA was never on board with the boycott, seemingly failing to address or incorporate the interests of a large number of members: https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/05/02/hundreds-of-womens-hockey-players-announce-boycott/ So while I understand and support what both the NWHLPA and the bocotters are doing, not having the union lead the effort really muddies the waters, and makes negotiations extraordinarily difficult. Nonetheless, the NWHL announced a new deal, and the NWHLPA heralds it as a major advancement: https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/nwhl-agrees-increase-salaries-benefits-revenue-sharing/ But now, just this week, the PWHPA (Professional Women's Hockey Players Association) has been created: https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/05/21/latest-developments-still-have-womens-hockey-divided/ With their stated goals: http://pwhpa.com/ So at the very least, the PWHPA will provide structure, leadership, and a negotiating team for the players that don't align with the NWHLPA, likely including former CWHL players that weren't represented by the NWHLPA. But with a new deal already in place between the NWHLPA and the NWHL, it's unknown if the new PWHPA will accept the gains and advise their members to participate. BUT, according to an interview with Kaleigh Fratkin, one of the founding players that crossed the #ForTheGame movement to sign with Boston, indicated that the movement (and the PWHPA) has their next steps planned: file for incorporation of a new WNHL and get the NHL as a major sponsor: https://www.theicegarden.com/2019/5/24/18637513/kaleigh-fratkin-interview-forthegame-decision-to-sign-with-the-nwhl-womens-hockey-pwhpa-boston-pride So I think what we may see is the PWHPA quickly attempt to take effective control of this situation by representing the majority of NWHL players, and work to form a league with the NHL. In that scenario, the PWHPA organization will ultimately be the one to green light players playing in the NWHL for the next one or two seasons, or to tell all members to hold out, forcing the collapse of the NWHL, and paving the way for a WNHL. Interesting times. There will probably be a movie made about this someday.

Quoted cost of repair at a dealership: $13110. Actual cost of repair at a trusted mechanic: $257. I love my car; the dealership quote almost made me cry, until I confirmed what little diagnostic work they did (nothing) before they quoted me for an all new crate engine. Christ was I happy to get it away from that dealer and get it to my guy. Even my guy was skeptical about being able to find/fix the issue, but I encouraged him a little, and he did not disappoint.

Not always true. Many labor unions thoroughly examine the business opportunities and business practices of the companies that employ their members to find ways to increase revenue or efficiency. Example: Company: We need to cut employee benefits in order to save $X. Union: We've determined you could do A, B, and C to save just as much money without cutting employee benefits, and you maintain good employee morale and retention. The financial growth and success of women's professional hockey is in the mutual interest of the NWHL and NWHLPA.

I think the outer shape should have been a circle, not a shield, BUT this logo will probably be worn as a chest patch, so the badge-like shape will look good on the jerseys next to the circular main crest. It is also noteworthy that the color palette is the modern set. If this patch was intended to be worn on the third jersey, I wonder if this means the third jersey uses the modern color palette too.

Nice. I'm encouraged.

Crisis averted. Best wishes in recovery.

It's not unheard of, however.

Pegula was the owner when Lindy Ruff was fired before Darcy Regier was fired, so I'm not sure what the basis for this potshot is.

He's under contract as an assistant coach for the Rangers. You hire an assistant coach that brings some skills or experience (offensive/defensive tactics, special teams, motivation, teaching) that your coaching staff needs. You don't setup for failure by hiring your next coach as an assistant. Lindy's experience would certainly help some coaching staff, but it'll be up to Krueger, Smith, and Botterill to decide what skill sets they need to add, and Lindy won't be in consideration (see #1).

Retain Steve Smith, hire Kevin Dineen and maybe Ulf Samuelsson.

Negative.