UMFan83

No surprise. Laviolette's games with that were stupid. I said it during the game and I still think Leighton didn't deserve to be pulled from Game 5. It was an onslaught and the only goal he could possibly be blamed for was the one Bolland got behind him, but that's a tough bounce. Not that any of it matters. Both goalies are just stand-ins who probably aren't going to do anything spectacular. EDIT: By "both goalies" I meant Niemi and whoever starts for Philly, not Leighton and Boucher. Understood. I think all 3 goaltenders that have played in this series have just been so-so. But I also think Niemi has the best chance of putting in a great game. Hopefully he does. I had that thought after I posted that. If there is anyone who is capable of standing on his head at this point, especially in a tough environment, I think it's Niemi. I don't think he will, but he's got the best chance. Haha, who would have thought back in April that if you were discussing which of the remaining 3 goalies to potentially see playing time in the Stanley Cup finals is most likely to stand on his head for a game, the answer would be Niemi. I agree with that sentiment, but he hasn't looked all that confident the last few games. In game 1, he was shaky and gave up goals, but he looked confident getting into position and covering the puck. In game 2 he looked great. In game 3 he started looking shaky IMO, started getting caught out of position, started giving up juicy rebounds. In game 5 he made a save and didn't know where the puck was and was so scared of it bouncing into the goal, that he just stood still. Turns out the puck dribbled away and was sitting there waiting to get tapped in, and it did. I realize goalies stop pucks and don't know where they go all the time, either they get caught somewhere on their body or between their knees and skates, or whatever. But the kid couldnt even move his head. Maybe I'm just being hard on him, but thats a tough goal to give up in that situation.

Some are speculating that if they add Notre Dame, that'll be it for right now. The Big Ten has always wanted this expansion to be gradual. I just don't think it's terribly realistic. Adding Notre Dame probably won't do much, if anything, to expand the footprint of the Big Ten Network. Adding Nebraska would, though. I'd be shocked if they added more than Nebraska and Missouri if Notre Dame joins, though. It might not expand the footprint of the BTN, but I'm sure adding NBC as a partner wouldn't hurt that very much. Besides, ND does have a pretty spread out fan base, its possible the BTN can expand because of that.

I like the locker room pack. I think it includes the locker room t-shirt and hat, the DVD and 2 pucks. I could care less about the pucks though. The last time a team of mine won the championship, my allowance was $10 a week so purchasing championship material was out of the question. IF THE HAWKS ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO WIN ANOTHER GAME, SOMETHING THAT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT AND MIGHT NOT HAPPEN, I won't know what to do with myself.

So will there be a signability issue with him? I read he expected to go within the first 35 picks and that he's already committed to Alabama.

Why is that? I'm sure if Ryno had to choose between the 2 jobs he'd lean towards the Cubs, but the guy wants to manage, and there are absolutely no guarantees he'd get the Cubs job. There have been rumblings that he'd be considered but who knows if they really want a rookie manager to take over instead of another experienced vet. What if the ideal candidate who is already managing becomes available in the offseason? If he thinks he has a good shot of getting the Cubs job after this season, I don't think he would take the Orioles job now. His preference is to manage here. Has he said that? I would think his preference is to manage anywhere, and there are no guarantees he would get offered a job with the Cubs. The Cubs basically humored him by letting him coach the low minors when he asked to be considered for a managerial spot in 06. He surprised people by doing well at it, but I still don't know whether the Cubs are really actually considering it. The last 3 managerial hires they've made have been older, established managers with some level of track record. If they did go a different direction, I don't necessarily see them going with Sandberg just because he was a great player for them.

Why is that? I'm sure if Ryno had to choose between the 2 jobs he'd lean towards the Cubs, but the guy wants to manage, and there are absolutely no guarantees he'd get the Cubs job. There have been rumblings that he'd be considered but who knows if they really want a rookie manager to take over instead of another experienced vet. What if the ideal candidate who is already managing becomes available in the offseason?

LOL at the legitimacy of this Bleacher Report: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/402179-the-good-the-bad-and-the-cubs-how-bryce-harper-may-end-up-wearing-blue

I trust Wilken based on the previous drafts, but he's really putting his reputation on the line with me here.

I'm watching the replay of yesterday's game on Comcast, and I noticed something about Buff. He looked really angry all game. When he scored both of his goals, he didn't smile or really celebrate at all. He had this "there, are you happy?" look to him. I wonder if he was called out before the game either by Q or his teammates, and he played with a chip on his shoulder. I mean for a player who has been know for his over the top reactions to goals previously in the playoffs, it was weird to see him not show much emotion at all after scoring huge goals in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Because I was there, I'd go with either that one or Hossa's GWG in that game. Probably Hossa's, actually. The crowd was ecstatic when Kane scored, of course, but Hossa's came right after that long and very tense four-minute penalty kill to start OT. It was an amazing atmosphere. I went absolutely crazy for that. As I said at the time, I haven't geeked out like that in years. I was a 5 year old kid for 20 seconds. If those 2 goals weren't the top, they were 2 and 3. I just picked Versteeg's goal because going into the Vancouver series, I had a bad feeling that they'd beat us. Then they demolished us on our home ice in Game 1. Then they came out and just embarrassed the Hawks in the first few minutes of game 2. The only scored 2 goals, but they could have easily had 4-5. At that point, most of us on the board were livid and thought the Hawks just flat out quit or were just not playing their best. But after that flurry, Seabrook got a quick goal that really helped calm everyone (that's a goal that should have been in my honorable mentions). And I don't know, when Versteeg scored that goal, I just had a great feeling we would win the series, which was a 180 from what I felt 2 hours prior.

Geez, the cheapest tickets on Stubhub for Game 7 are $780 for a SRO seat. Another random thing I was thinking about.... If you could for some reason choose how you wanted the last 2 games to be played, what would you choose? A) Game 6 at home, Game 7 in Philly B) Game 6 in Philly, Game 7 at home Basically the Hawks have 2 chances to win the series. The commonly used phrase is that "in a game 7, anything can happen". No doubt the Hawks would have the advantage at home, but with everyone giving everything they got, I feel like the advantage is less than another random game of the series. So you could choose to play Game 6 at home, giving you your best chance of winning on the first of your 2 chances. The risk is of course, if you lose that game you have to play game 7 in Philly. I do like having that home game as a fallback in case of losing on Wednesday, but I'd love this series to end without going to a game 7.

I'd say Byrd would be considered if he were to be 1st in the rankings of a highly regarded advanced baseball statistic. One that could measure the total value of said player by projecting how many wins this player gives a team rather than putting a replacement level player in there instead. This statistic should put him 1st at least amongst his NL OF peers that have over, lets say 100 ABs. If you can find me evidence of such statistic, I will then consider including him into this discussion.

Random but if you had to pick your favorite goal of the playoffs so far, which would you pick? I'll start with my honorable mentions: Kane's SH goal G5 vs. Nashville, Hossa's GW goal G5 vs. Nashville, Sharp goal on 2-on-1 G2 vs. Vancouver, Any of Buff or Toews' goals in G3/G4 vs. Vancouver, Kane's goal from the Neutral Zone faceoff circle G6 vs. Vancouver, Buff's GW goal G1 vs. San Jose, Buff's GW OT goal G3 vs. San Jose, Buff's GW goal G4 vs. San Jose, Kopetsky's GW goal G1 vs. Philly, Hossa/Eager goals 28 seconds apart G2 vs. Philly, Kaner's breakaway G4 vs. Philly (only one in a loss), Sharp's goal to put away Philly in G5. But my favorite goal of the playoffs was Versteeg's GW goal with 90 seconds left in Game 2 against Vancouver. I'd say the goals in Game 5 vs. Nashville were probably bigger in terms of not going down 3-2 in a series, but that goal really changed the entire complexion of the Vancouver series. If he doesn't score there, the game probably goes to OT, and the Canucks could have easily won and taken a 2-0 lead heading to Vancouver. Instead the goal ties up the series 1-1, gives the Hawks a crapload of confidence after falling behind 2-0 in the first 5 minutes of the game. It was a gutcheck moment and possibly the lowest point of the playoffs so far, and they responded. Plus I love how the goal was scored. Steeg did his trademark "hold the puck way too long" and passed up a freaking open net, but the Hawks recover, pass it around, it gets to Versteeg again, and puts up a beauty right past Lu, pops the water bottle, and leaves the memorable image on Lu lying face first on the ground in defeat.

The only 2 people that will be in the discussion will be Silva and Marmol. I guess Soriano would have a slight shot, but I haven't looked to see how deep the OF candidates are this year.` If the decision was today, I'm gonna guess only Silva goes. If Silva falls apart at some point in the near future, Marmol is a great backup pick. Despite Marmol's awesome K numbers, the Cubs crappy season combined with no players getting much hype means that they will only get 1 All Star for the 2nd year in a row.

By "well-rested" does he mean because he's been in the box a bunch for retaliating against Pronger, or does he mean that Buff hasn't been giving 100% in this series? My take is he was suggesting the latter. But I don't really know for sure. I thought he was implying some combination of "he's been worthless" and "he's been dogging it." Which was hard to argue with. No doubt, when Buff goes max effort, nobody can stop him. He's just always been one of those guys who can't get himself to stay at top speed for more than a game or two at a time. Remember when he went nuts earlier this year when he was trying to make the olympic team? Then he disappeared again. Just give us one more game, big guy. Then you can go shopping for a new blazer. The goal at the end of this game shows me what Buff is capable of: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yaqBQDIhNA Edit: It's also my favorite goal of the regular season.

By "well-rested" does he mean because he's been in the box a bunch for retaliating against Pronger, or does he mean that Buff hasn't been giving 100% in this series?

I don't think you are. What he's suggesting is that the Cubs trying to trade for Jake Peavy would not be a good idea.

Gotta love the NL. Dontrelle Willis has an ERA somewhere around 6.00 in his 3 years (22 starts) with the Tigers, then goes to Arizona and pitches 6 scoreless innings with the DBacks. Jake Peavy wins a Cy Young and is known as one of the best pitchers in baseball with San Diego, goes to Chicago and has an ERA over 6.00.

Looks like most of Pittsburgh didn't either.

The winning pitcher of a baseball game played in Pittsburgh, PA on June 7, 2010.

It's hard to imagine Kenny Williams actually selling. I see him trying to pry Roberto Alomar out of retirement or something, but if true, thats a brilliant idea. They have the perfect setup for a team thats selling, veterans on one year deals and hoards of relief pitching. Combine that with a pathetic minor league system and a decent chunk of their core being aging its a no brainer.

Too bad your not going to a weekday game. You could get there an hour before the game and still have decent odds of getting 4 seats within 2-3 rows from the front.

Also, I've seen tons of comments about no penalty called when Briere got hit in the eye by a high stick, but haven't seen anyone mentioned when almost the exact same thing happened to Campbell earlier in the game, although he didn't seem to be bleeding like Briere was.

From a Flyers blog: What game was he watching?

FWIW, Puck Daddy still has Pronger in the Conn Smythe lead after game 5. It isn't unprecidented to see the losing team win it. Remember the trophy is for most outstanding player of the playoffs, not just the finals. It just happened back when Giguere won it in like 04.