Ducks Gameday -- Rich Dad, Poor Dad
by Earl Sleek on Feb 1, 2010 10:00 AM PST
166 comments
Anaheim Ducks (25-23-7, t-12th in west) at Florida Panthers (24-22-9, t-6th in east), 4:30 pm
Anaheim Calling and an east-coast favorite, Litter Box Cats.
I wanted to write today a bit of a think-piece on the contrast between Toronto and Anaheim, specifically as it relates to yesterday's exchange of J.S. Giguere's contract for Jason Blake's. Now nothing in this piece is really going to try to evaluate either player -- for purposes of today's discussion Jiggy and Blakie are both guys who earned big money in the past but are unlikely to do it again. They are "bad bets" -- significant costs with unclear outcome.
Also involved in this "game" (sorry, I'm using the economic term here) are two franchises, the Maple Leafs and the Ducks, with the primary distinction being that Toronto is much more constrained by the salary cap ceiling -- it would prefer to spend more than the cap maximum on its roster, if it could. Anaheim is middle-spending; it has neither the pricing structure nor the ticket demand to spend like Toronto, and is constrained more by its own internal budget than the artificial salary cap.
As such, they look at contract structure differently; I've created a chart to the left to help illustrate my point. The annual salaries for J.S. Giguere's and Jason Blake's current contracts are shown on the bar chart -- the years the Ducks paid are orange, the years the Leafs paid are blue, and we are currently in Yr 3 of each contract, hence the mix of colors there. Additionally, I've drawn a dotted red line which represents their salary cap hits for the duration of their contract -- if you're unfamiliar, for salary cap purposes each player is measured by their averaged salary for a contract. For cap purposes, Giguere is always a $6M/yr player, and Blake is always a $4M/yr player.
To top-spending teams like Toronto, the only number that matters is the cap hit -- they are relatively indifferent to the height of the actual salary bar. Toronto views the annual difference between J.S. Giguere and Jason Blake as $2M -- the space between the red lines. And to Toronto, who figures to spend some $56M or so in cap space next season, that difference is somewhat minor. It's less than 5% of its budget.
From Anaheim's perspective, though, the red lines are rather insignificant; they only matter if Anaheim decides to spend as much as possible, which isn't likely. The heights of the bars matter more in terms of actual profitability, and during Year 4 Anaheim sees the difference between J.S. Giguere and Jason Blake as $4M -- the difference in height of the bars. Against a middle-spending budget, a $4M savings is pretty significant.
It's a mixed-up and contrived game all caused by the averaged-salary structure of the CBA, but that's precisely why this sort of deal seems to make sense for both sides. As long as both sides are choosing which "bad bets" to take on, it makes sense from the Anaheim perspective to take the years of a contract where the height of the bar is below the dotted line; they are paying less for their gamble, probably with less possible upside. From the Toronto perspective, they are mostly indifferent to the height of the bar, so they can absorb years where the height of the bar is above the dotted line. It's not exactly preferable but Toronto is sort of indifferent enough that it works.
In essence, it's sort of a currency exchange: Toronto's currency is cap space, and instead of using $8M of cap space the next two seasons on Jason Blake, it gets to spend $6M of cap space next season on J.S. Giguere. In their currency, they save $2M in future spending. Anaheim's currency is dollars spent, and instead of paying $7M next season on Giguere, it gets to spend $6M over the next two seasons on Jason Blake. In their currency, they save $1M in future spending. Because both perspectives exist, it's a win-win!
Of course, this all is theoretical and pretty much ignores what sort of players Giguere and Blake will be on their new teams, but it does show why there was some built-in reasoning why each team acted the way it did. And I think we'll see more of it in the future -- you may want to pay attention to how contracts are structured, because certain years will appeal to different groups of teams. It all depends on what currency they are dealing with.
One last note: I'm actually pretty glad that Anaheim is not a "Rich Dad" like Toronto. Certainly higher spending is theoretically advantageous towards winning, but as a blogger, doing cap math is a real headache, and as a fan, I'm pretty happy with where ticket prices are. I'm glad I don't have to endure waiting lists for tickets or whatever happens in Toronto -- plus the Ducks have had plenty of middle-spending success. Just my preference, though -- I certainly understand the appeal of limitless spending.
* * *
Now I've still ignored (and still intend to write up) a proper "teary" farewell for J.S. Giguere -- so far both of my reaction pieces have been extremely jaded and detached, but I definitely have a huge soft spot in my heart for Jiggy. The 2003 postseason, despite its ultimate ending, was probably the most magical two months of my life, and that was all on Jiggy's back. He was beyond legendary, saved our asses a ton, and was a fantastic face for the franchise -- that all needs proper recognition, and I'll get to that. For now, though, Teemu Selanne is officially our last connection to the pre-lockout era; that seems kind of fitting.
At any rate, know that I deeply appreciate Giguere's Anaheim legacy, despite not writing about it yet. We are pretty goalie-spoiled in Anaheim, but we shouldn't let a great one like Jiggy pass quietly into the night. Best of luck, Giguere, and thanks for everything.
Prediction: Since today's game is not televised, I won't bother showing you a picture of a webbed foot kicking out of a panther's stomach. Instead, you'll just have to listen to my audiomagination version of it:
Splat!
MEOOOOOOOOOWWWWW!
Bonus Secondary Prediction: A Panthers shovel girl mistakes Jason Blake for a rubber rat.
Go Ducks.
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great post…i need this clarification…as i dont have the attention span or patientence..to look all this up from various sources and figure it out
your right..a full blown thought out jiggy good piece is in order and im comfident you will do a great one…so sad..it came to this…but i knew it when he signed that large contract….had a bad feeling about it
so now what?…i wonder if any other moves will be made….
I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it
LONG LIVE BOC (and from the rink)!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 1, 2010 10:11 AM PST reply actions
so now what?…i wonder if any other moves will be made….
I expect so, and I intend on being surprised. We don’t have a huge sample size of Barstool Bob at the trade deadline, but so far he’s shown a strong willingness to be active — and for the most part, I’ve really liked his results. Exciting times.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
He definitely seems to have a good eye for the future, all the while keeping the monetary constraints of the Ducks in mind. Not throwing in any picks yesterday (after it was initially reported he was giving up a first!) makes the deal a big win in that sense as well.
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
Not throwing in any picks yesterday
Seriously, I thought we were going to have to give up a lot to move his contract.
GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter
Frankly, I would have approved of the trade even if it did involve one of our two first-rounders next year. The fact that we kept them is pretty tremendous, considering we were dealing with what might have been the only GM on earth to eat Giguere’s contract without one of them.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Burke’s loyalty to “his guys” (Giggy) might have fucked him there. No idea how he didn’t wrangle at least a mid-level out of Barstool, especially since the Leafs gave up a ton in the Kessel deal.
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
Timing
The Leafs are still close enough to the rest of the pack in the terrible East that they can get out of the bottom five. If he waits longer than he already has he can’t make the deal.
Elliotte Friendman also said he tried to get rid of Finger but apparently the $1M difference between Finger and Blake was a big deal.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Finger, btw, has a straight-line deal; his cap hit and salary are identical throughout the contract.
In that sense, plus the fact that I think you can hide a bad forward easier than a bad defenseman, I think the Blake choice makes sense.
Anaheim Calling, of course, disagrees. :)
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I was gonna agree with AC about why not gamble on somthing u need…but yea…what if he does suck..and we have to point the “finger” at him…i think ive had my fill of bad Dmen..I cant take them anymore….uuuugggg…
also i have a feeling barstool is gonna parlay this abundance of forwards into some veteran Dman….or at least im hoping…i think AC might be jumping the gun…
I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it
LONG LIVE BOC (and from the rink)!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 1, 2010 11:02 AM PST up reply actions
I don’t dispute that the 500K difference is the equivalent of an entire player, and my first choice would be to move the contract we absorbed, but I dispute that it’s always easier to hide a bad forward than a bad defenseman, especially in Carlyle’s system. Boynton has some offensive skill, and is probably a better defenseman than Brookbank, but Mountain just keeps his head down and plays the system so he’s more effective, even at 1/3 of the price and maybe 1/3 of the skill. In that sense, out of a defensive defenseman like Finger, the system is built to shelter his mistakes. I don’t know if he can play the system— wisniewski and whitney certainly have their problems with it —but he’s not more doomed to fit into the lineup than Blake would be. In fact, with the number of decent free agent forwards that have failed in Carlyle’s system, I’d say Blake would have the tougher time, at least at the Pond.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Feb 1, 2010 1:10 PM PST up reply actions
clearly you haven't seen Messrs. Blake and Toskala play
since their last stints in California.
Blake is useful, just overpaid.
But it would be absolutely criminal if Toskala gives you anything approaching a .900 SVP.
The team stunk in october and early november, I grant you. But he was throwing out a SVP near .750 about a dozen games in. Say your team gives up 30 shots a game — you do the math.
I’m sorry, but i have extremely hostile feelings toward Toskala. If anyone goes glove high, or, horrifyingly, get’s a breakaway, it’s in. I promise.
Yeah, but the other key difference between Anaheim and Toronto is that the Ducks have Jonas Hiller — I don’t know how many games Toskala figures to see down the stretch, but I don’t think it will be that many.
Here’s my advice about J.S. Giguere — Leafs should try to win games before it gets to a shootout if they can. That’s almost an automatic “O”.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
toskala is the worst statistical shootout goalie since they implemented them
I wouldn’t expect Toskala to see much action, either. I mean, you locked up Hiller precisele because he’s the guy.
but I’m sorry, the thought of Hiller getting injured and the Ducks going down the stretch with a tandem of Toskala/Pogge is too delicious.
But given how recent events have gone for leaf fans, they will of course end up being world beaters.
We don’t have to worry about the shootout because the Leafs lose in overtime almost every time.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Feb 1, 2010 6:22 PM PST up reply actions
yea i was gonna mention that…speculating on what hell do is pointless…he always comes from left field…i guess its exciting…im just hoping he doesnt get stupid and trade bobo-ryan-or perry
at the minimum..he keeps ducks fans on there heels..keeps them intrested…could be worse i guess
I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it
LONG LIVE BOC (and from the rink)!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 1, 2010 10:26 AM PST up reply actions
Excellent piece Sleek
And I think we’ll see more of it in the future — you may want to pay attention to how contracts are structured, because certain years will appeal to different groups of teams. It all depends on what currency they are dealing with.
Specifically with frontloaded long-term deals, I think. That’s another reason I’m not adverse to giving out a long term deal with Marleau, because if DW ends up wanting to move him five years down the line, there stands to be some buyers out there.
On-ice, immediately, I think the Ducks are treading water at best and took a slight step back at worst considering Blake is a below average forward and Toskala’s career has been all but ruined. There’s no real upside to moving Giggy in that sense, because now Anaheim is without a proven backup if Hiller hits a rut and/or goes down with an injury. That being said, the dollars definitely work, and the return was more than you (or I) expected to see.
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
Yeah, I should have said — I don’t really expect that either Toronto or Anaheim really wins in this deal. They are, after all, pretty much just exchanging bad bets, and likely all of them fail to deliver. But it does make some sense about which team took which bad bet, I think.
We’ll see on Jason Blake. Probably not today, as his debut seems to be un-televised, but I’m sure one of our future games will get a camera on it. :)
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Non-televised games for Anaheim might be a good solution from here on out. Blake is one ugly motherfuck.
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
Great chart Earl, and I love the currency angle.
They are, after all, pretty much just exchanging bad bets, and likely all of them fail to deliver
I kind of think J.S. has a real high chance of making Burke look good on this one. He looked better this year than last year, he seems to be getting his swagger back, and now he is back with Alluire (sp?). All that plus the guranatee of playing time seem to point to him returning to at least capable starter status. And that’s all he needs to do to perform better than the guy he is replacing. But there is some real upside with J.S.
Hell I think Blake might surprise some people with his new club too. But J.S. I really think was a good gamble for Burkie.
hes gonna have a somewhat better defense also…plus being close to home etc…being the undisputed number 1 guy…i hope it does work out
I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it
LONG LIVE BOC (and from the rink)!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 1, 2010 1:03 PM PST up reply actions
Second.
I have had the pleasure of meeting J.S. at a couple dux in tux and in a private one-on-one lesson at Honda Center, and that guy is first class all the way. He signed both my sons goalie pads, personalized each pad to each of my 2 sons. They are sad, but I have been preping them for a year now that this was comming.
im gonna miss the dick tracy thug jokes..so who gets called up to replace him on the roster? my BFFF mikkaleson? or is there a d trade in the horizon?…
I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it
LONG LIVE BOC (and from the rink)!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 1, 2010 10:27 AM PST up reply actions
Is Sbisa down in the WHL for good to make his next contract more manageable? That guy seems like he’s going to be pretty good from the small amount of games I saw at the beginning of last season. Scott Niedermayer type, good puck mover with skating sense, not a big shot but one that he gets on net.
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
I don’t understand the rule much at all — Arthur will sweep by and explain it.
But apparently he can’t be called up this year except in the case of extreme injury — something about having played too many NHL games? Whatever the reason, the Ducks knew when they sent him down that it was for the season — CBA somehow ensured that.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I think they can call him up, but if they do, he loses a year under his current contract? In other words, he would hit RFA status a year earlier.
If not, then I have no idea what’s going on with that. Weird rule.
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
Arthur explained it to me once, and I’m going to be terrible at trying to recreate his answer…but from what I gathered…it really has more to do with the contract that he with his minor league team – not with the NHL.
GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter
Unless I’m missing something, it’s that he’s under 20 which means he’s “junior aged” – meaning he can only play in Juniors or in the NHL (cannot play in the AHL, which is probably good considering the situation this year anyway)
And once he’s in the NHL and sent down, he’s there for the season. He’s 20 now, but a new season must start, I believe, for him to not be “junior aged” and where we can send him wherever we want freely.
And I may also be 100% wrong and/or irrelevant.
Ohh! You guys!
Haha. There should really be a function on SBN where you can search for your name on comment boards.
Plank, on what you’re talking about just above, we didn’t play him enough games to toll a year off his RFA period. We sent him down before that.
On the original question, Sbisa can’t be called up during the CHL season, but as far as I know, we are free to call him up at the end of his team’s season, which may still be during the NHL regular season. For example, Philadelphia played him at the beginning of the year last year, sent him back to Lethbridge where his team went two rounds in the playoffs (I think), and then once they were eliminated form the WHL playoffs, Philadelphia called him up with a week still left in the regular season. He was traded to a playoff team in Portland so it’s a similar situation this year. It couldn’t be a meaningful call up, but he could still return during the season.
If anyone cares why: it’s because the CHL and NHL have an agreement that you have to play in the NHL or be sent down to the CHL where you’ll be bound to your CHL contract for the duration of the season.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Feb 1, 2010 5:10 PM PST up reply actions
I meant search the various comment boards. SBN has a feature where you can roll call multiple comment boards, but I want one where you can search multiple comment boards
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Feb 1, 2010 7:11 PM PST up reply actions
Got it— thanks Arthur. The agreement between the two leagues makes sense, as they earn revenue irrespective of one another.
Just another drawback of not having your own minor league development team. Although, now that I think about it, maybe Sbisa wouldn’t have been able to play in the AHL since he was already under contract with Portland in the CHL.
Shit. Now I’m confused again. Arthur, Arthur, ARTHUR!*
*Hoping that catches his attention.
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
oh, no this is irrespective of AHL affiliates. I’ll break it down for you sharks style. for example, Logan Couture last year. At the beginning of the year, the Sharks have the option of starting him in the NHL or sending him back to the OHL. If they play him then decide to send him down, the NHL/CHL agreement says they can only send him to the ’67’s, and once he’s there, he’s Ottawa property until he fulfills his contract for that year. However, at the end of that OHL season, he’s free of his contract again, and free for the first time in the season to play in the AHL. Which he did last year, Couture played for Worcester in the playoffs.
It’s designed to keep CHL-eligible kids out of the pro minor leagues, but once you’re done with the contract for the year, they can’t use you until the new season starts anyways, so they don’t care where you play.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Feb 1, 2010 7:19 PM PST up reply actions
sbisa was particularly screwed by the rule because he’s a january 1990 birth, and the rule requires you turn 20 by the end of the calendar year in the first half of the season i.e. december 31st 2009, so even though he’s 20, he still qualifies as a CHL eligible for this year and thus AHL ineligible.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Feb 1, 2010 7:59 PM PST up reply actions
That guy seems like he’s going to be pretty good from the small amount of games I saw at the beginning oflast seasonthis season.
Fucking fuck.
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
yea i was wondering why this guy wasnt up with the big club…id prefer him over eminger-boyton hell even whitney..i knew there had to be some bs preventing it….
I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it
LONG LIVE BOC (and from the rink)!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 1, 2010 10:53 AM PST up reply actions
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention in the gameday, but apparently authorities have finally incarcerated the Registered Sex Offender — he has been demoted to make room for Justin Pogge in the short-term (Toskala may not arrive in time to back up today) and then for Teemu Selanne in the near future.
Also, I think I should have recommended people to read Bob Murray’s comments about yesterday’s activities — a pretty good read, I think.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
but apparently authorities have finally incarcerated the Registered Sex Offender —
hahahahahha
not surprising hes not much use as a bottom-six forward
I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it
LONG LIVE BOC (and from the rink)!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 1, 2010 10:29 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah — it will cause a weird shuffle up.
I dunno — if I’m Carlyle (and history repeatedly shows that I am not), I might start tonight’s game with the intent of seeing what a Blake-Getzlaf-Perry line might do. It’s overplaying Blakie for sure, but if he can somehow ride passenger capably with those guys, then I won’t sweat his contract much at all.
May as well find out, at least.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Spreads out the scoring too. Not a bad idea to give it a go.
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
I’m for it too…simply because he’s an actual left winger to put in that spot.
GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter
yea thats a good point…i notice it a lot on nhl 09…when u got all righties on one line…hard to get off one timers etc..(i assume blake is a lefty right)
I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it
LONG LIVE BOC (and from the rink)!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 1, 2010 10:51 AM PST up reply actions
the article on nhl.com...
about Selanne returning to the lineup said that it was Blake-Koivu-Selanne skating together..
Thanks for that update — good to know.
I can deal with that — wish there was some way I could see it, but oh well.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I liked your idea better.
I prefer the Sex offender on that line, not that its an option at this point.
still Ryan, Getz and Perry have proved to be a pretty damn good line when it wants to be.
That second line with Teemu, Koivu and now Blake will have some pretty decent speed with soft hands.
If it woks out you could almost build a third skill line with Sexton and Lupul, drop the goon line, and make the fourth line your checking line. Getz and Perry can make up for the difference in PIM’s with no goon line.
Blake isn’t shy about shooting, which makes him the polar opposite of Getzlaf. Perhaps that will end up working well?
When I'm not battling in California:
Cycle Like The Sedins
by jamestobrien on Feb 1, 2010 10:54 PM PST up reply actions
Great Post
It’s interesting to see this kind of deal finally happen. People have been writing about it for a while but this is the first one where you can point to it being a factor.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Yeah, let’s do this again next year when Ryan Whitney starts really exceeding his cap number. I’m sure Barstool Bob has Burkie on speed dial.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
u just made me jizz my pants at that possibility
I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it
LONG LIVE BOC (and from the rink)!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 1, 2010 10:52 AM PST up reply actions
Clean up on aisle 6!!!
2009-10 Kings Hockey: Delivering Milk Steaks from the Meat Train at an arena near you!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Feb 1, 2010 10:53 AM PST up reply actions
Aside: an interesting table put together at On The Forecheck — Dirk ranks each team’s remaining schedule with some math.
Good news is that the four easiest remaining schedules in the western conference are (1) L.A. Kings, (2) S.J. Sharks, (3) Minnesota Wild, and (4) Anaheim Ducks. What’s also telling is that nearly half the eastern conference has an easier schedule than the Kings do.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
yea more positivity!!
I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it
LONG LIVE BOC (and from the rink)!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 1, 2010 12:20 PM PST up reply actions
crazy
I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it
LONG LIVE BOC (and from the rink)!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 1, 2010 3:58 PM PST up reply actions
Speaking of good ol’ EC, guess what number Jason Blake seems to have adopted, if you believe the game scoresheet?
Hint: Rhymes with “Pwenty Pix”. There’s some Fake Pahlsson for me yet.
Also, Pogge is dressed as the backup. Vesame Mucho must be stuck in Canada.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Thanks — I might need another good suggestion quickly or that will probably stick on poor Toskala.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Or “ToskaLOL”
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Feb 1, 2010 6:25 PM PST up reply actions
I think I was at the last non-broadcast, which worked well. This sucks. Radio’s alright I guess.
Ohh! You guys!
Yeah, there’s a long list of complaints I’d have about radio — can’t even pause and rewind.
Someday science will save us from all this nonsense.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
So I guess Dion Phaneuf is playing with Francois Beauchemin? That’s an… uh, interesting, (*giggle) choice… umm…
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
Nice job on the analysis Earl. Frustrating to see there are still fans out there that don’t understand cap management vs salary management.
Bottom line – this gives the Ducks enough cushion to comfortably sign Ryan, even if someone pulls a Lowe.
Toskala = why Nabokov is the most overrated goalie in the history of the NHL. He’ll be off the books at the end of the year, so don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out Tosk. Pogge will be the backup next year.
Don't bRuin your life. Practice safe sex. Make love with a Trojan
Toskala = why Nabokov is the most overrated goalie in the history of the NHL.
I’m no Nabokov apologist by any means, but that seems like the biggest hyperbolic statement in the history of BoC.
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
I’m impressed that you were able to follow it up with the second-biggest hyperbolic statement in the history of BoC. :)
http://www.battleofcali.com/
The numbers don’t lie. As much as Sharks fans like to deny it.
http://www.fantasysensehockey.net/2008/12/evgeni-nabokov-numbers.html
Don't bRuin your life. Practice safe sex. Make love with a Trojan
so tell me, do you feel better thinking you’ve put Sharks fans in their place? does that turn you on?? :)
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin
by ang6666 on Feb 1, 2010 6:52 PM PST up reply actions
No. skinny girls with big tits turn me on.
That and the sound of a 1997 Arena Red Porsche 993 Turbo S air cooled 6 cylinder boxer engine at 6500 rpm going through a tunnel. I’ve got a semi just thinking about it.
Don't bRuin your life. Practice safe sex. Make love with a Trojan
me and you need to have a beer
I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it
LONG LIVE BOC (and from the rink)!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 2, 2010 6:37 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah, I saw that in the comments of RudyKelly’s article on Nabby, and I agree with it to a point.
That doesn’t make him the most overrated goaltender in NHL history.
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
Well, this sounds about the time of game where we get burned for doing nothing on our early power plays.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
There should be some expression that deals with when you have to listen to games like this on the radio.
When Teemu scored that last-second goal, I was rubbing my ears in disbelief!
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Steve Carroll: “Do you think we’ll see Wisniewski in the next shootout?”
Dan Wood: “I think we will.”
Earl Sleek: “That all depends, Steve. Is this theoretical-future shootout happening in a game that is televised?”
Sigh.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Oh yeah. A slew of bad penalties while leading in the third? Now this is a game I recognize without seeing.
By the way, there was one trend that I was sort of scared to bring up in today’s gameday — I didn’t want to weight things down with extra negativity, but now that the smoke is cleared here it is:
The Ducks this season suffered a regulation loss in their first game of October, their first game of November, their first game of December, and their first game of January. But fucking February — optimism!
http://www.battleofcali.com/
If anyone cares, I did get to see the three goals on NHL on the Fly, and they were all pretty awesome. Getzlaf’s move in front of the net for his goal especially.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
You can see these highlights on the BoC mainpage, too — SBN added a video sidebar without any real consent, but it seems to be unobtrusive enough, and thanks to horrible TV management, it’s even useful!
http://www.battleofcali.com/
it’s that kind of blase attitude that has let sidebar rape run rampant on this network.
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Feb 1, 2010 9:44 PM PST up reply actions
Do not mess with the Finns, man. Do. Not. Mess. Oh yeah, even with all this blog’s macho “Shoulda popped up after that jaw was broken in two places” blah blah blah bullshit, when all the commenters would’ve been crying like babies for months if it had actually happened to them. The man is willing himself to Vancouver. With the MIGHT. Of his WILL.
Do not mess.
In Dinglebarn We Trust
I believe it was Arthur who coined the term “Finnjury”. I just made it visual. :)
http://www.battleofcali.com/
hahahaha…great!!!
I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it
LONG LIVE BOC (and from the rink)!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 2, 2010 6:35 AM PST up reply actions
Well, Jason Blake didn’t screw us. I went over to some Toronto blogs to check out what they thought of the trade after it happened and they were fucking thrilled to be rid of Blake. I’ll be at the game on Wednesday. You know those douchebags you always see on Televised games that are banging on the glass in the corners? On Wednesday, I will be one of those douchebags. My girlfriend decided to be awesome and got us tickets. Anyway, I’ll get to see Blake play his first, Ducks home game. I’m told I should bring sun glasses as to not be blinded by the whitness of his skin. Anyone else going to this game?
Nice — I’ve been in the corners on the glass once, though it was in Vancouver — it was a good time.
I’ll warn you now ahead of time — don’t stick your beer on the boards, or at least don’t do it very often. Have a blast!
http://www.battleofcali.com/
They must have sent around a bad mug shot and scared GMs off.
Yeah, it’s a sort of weird move, but it does sort of put some focus on who will play on the blueline next year — the message is now that Boynton’s not part of that plan, at least.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
ya gotta belive this also signals barstool is on the phone now..looking for d help?…
I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it
LONG LIVE BOC (and from the rink)!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 2, 2010 9:58 AM PST up reply actions
FYI, Ducks fans — I’m way behind schedule today, so today’s gameday post will be later than usual — sometime in the early afternoon.
I meant to write it up last night, but then somehow got suckered into watching three hours of “Lost”, which is sort of understandable except I’ve hardly seen any of the series before this season. Oh well.
At any rate, I’m out of the house all morning, but will type like crazy once I get back — gameday post will arrive eventually. In the meantime, comment wherever you want!
http://www.battleofcali.com/
killing me softly earl…killing me softly
Ghost Faced Hilla gonna regulate in a hockey arena near you!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 3, 2010 6:43 AM PST up reply actions
I have been MIA
Earl great Donkey Kong and Mario related posts. Thanks for taking your fans requests.
es muy caliente.
Call Him DJ Sleek…
Ghost Faced Hilla gonna regulate in a hockey arena near you!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 3, 2010 12:23 PM PST up reply actions
spinning the psalms on yo radio dial for your listening pleasure…this DJ Sleek KGOD 99.9
Ghost Faced Hilla gonna regulate in a hockey arena near you!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 3, 2010 12:45 PM PST up reply actions
ya got that huh?
Ghost Faced Hilla gonna regulate in a hockey arena near you!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 3, 2010 1:09 PM PST up reply actions
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Pacific Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Jose
|
82 | 51 | 20 | 11 | 113 |
|
Phoenix
|
82 | 50 | 25 | 7 | 107 |
|
Los Angeles
|
82 | 46 | 27 | 9 | 101 |
|
Anaheim
|
82 | 39 | 32 | 11 | 89 |
|
Dallas
|
82 | 37 | 31 | 14 | 88 |
(updated 4.12.2010 at 6:21 AM PDT)
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