Hey thanks for the great comment. One thing about the Pale King - even if you mostly use e-readers, this is a book you should buy in physical copy because the copious footnotes may make reading it difficult on an e-reader. Maybe not though, I don't really know how they work, I just imagine it'd be a scrolling nightmare.

Also, while this may be a surprise to people who regularly read my column, in real life I am a very positive, easy going guy. Whimsical even.
- James_Tanner

Great to hear you are an upbeat guy with a real life!

I went to University of Waterloo with a James Tanner (not you) so I envision you with his face and characteristics. My apologies ahead of time.

Tanner you calling out others for being closed minded is Donald Trump levels of hypocrisy. You think disagreeing with other people makes you open minded. The reality is that you've proven yourself to be astoundingly narrow-minded by mocking anyone who disagrees with you. You're like the progressives who scream about open mindedness and tolerance but try to shut down anyone with an opposing view.
- DoubleDown

hes not "like that" hes the definition of it

If he lived in the US he woulda been out there protesting the election results holding the "trump isnt my president" sign without a doubt

Gross. Do you know what they use to make the paper these days? Waste wood and sawdust is my guess? One of those weird things you use all the time and never think about.

I would guess that the world going largely paper free has caused paper factories to cheap-out and become more polluting than they used to be when profitable.

However, I stress that is a guess.

Until we stop letting Ikea cut down 1% of the world's forrests every year for crappy furniture (assuming that meme was true hahaha) I'm not gonna worry about my use of paper in the books I buy.
- James_Tanner

While I don't know what they use for sure, I believe it's actual trees. I have a cabin in the Adirondaks that we almost lost due to logging. It took a 5 year legal battle with the company doing the logging, and the state stepping in to shut it down. Pretty sad that they can just show up, and start cutting down trees for 5 years in a national park and face almost no consequences.

hes not "like that" hes the definition of it

If he lived in the US he woulda been out there protesting the election results holding the "trump isnt my president" sign without a doubt
- mrn22

You're goddamn right I'd have been out there protesting that farce of an election. It's not about changing the outcome either, it's about pointing out that Trump is a disgrace to your fine country.

Here's the thing: He's a demagogue. That means that he literally says anything that will be popular, even if it's impossible or a lie. Rural people who get educated tend to stay in the cities that educated them. This is a serious problem because rural people elected Trump and fell hook line and sinker for his (provable) B.S.

Whenever the amount of education drops below a certain level, democracy becomes vulnerable to demagoguery. This is exactly what happened.

I am more than willing to listen to opposing points of view, but at the same time, not everything warrants respect. Trump denies global warming and his response to income disparity is that to fill his cabinet with billionaires and cut taxes to rich people and corporations.

He is already the least popular President-elect of all-time and if he can't be prevented from taking office or impeached soon after he does, he will go down as America's worst and least popular President.

Politics aside, his lack of experience is frightening.

I don't think that's an accurate read of the situation. They really do have a new way of doing things and took some balls to move Gudbranson and Kulikov. I like their new direction very much, but it will be interesting to see how it works out.
- James_Tanner

It was funny watching Don Cherry rip the Gudbranson trade basically because...he's 6'-4"

JAMES JAMES JAMES. Yet another poorly written piece of garbage article. The Yotes have been playing well outside of Saturday night and still earned a point. You want to fire Tippett for a team obtaining points that is supposed to be rebuilding. You really don't understand this sport at all my man. And only a moron thinks the Panthers firing their coach is a good thing. You are seriously to uninformed about hockey its ridiculous. Its embarrassing. Like I've said numerous times. SURRENDER THIS ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY TO SOMEONE WHO KNOWS THE GAME OF HOCKEY. You're seriously pathetic bud. just stop.

You're goddamn right I'd have been out there protesting that farce of an election. It's not about changing the outcome either, it's about pointing out that Trump is a disgrace to your fine country.

Here's the thing: He's a demagogue. That means that he literally says anything that will be popular, even if it's impossible or a lie. Rural people who get educated tend to stay in the cities that educated them. This is a serious problem because rural people elected Trump and fell hook line and sinker for his (provable) B.S.

Whenever the amount of education drops below a certain level, democracy becomes vulnerable to demagoguery. This is exactly what happened.

I am more than willing to listen to opposing points of view, but at the same time, not everything warrants respect. Trump denies global warming and his response to income disparity is that to fill his cabinet with billionaires and cut taxes to rich people and corporations.

He is already the least popular President-elect of all-time and if he can't be prevented from taking office or impeached soon after he does, he will go down as America's worst and least popular President.

Politics aside, his lack of experience is frightening.
- James_Tanner

and Clinton would have been as well

All Im saying on Trump is lets see what happens over the next year or so

The liberals crying about the electoral college never had a problem with it till a month ago

First, since the Oilers traded Hall, I have not said they have the best roster in the NHL. I don't even think I said that before they traded him. They will definitely make the Playoffs.

I don't think the Leafs are a lock, don't recall saying that, but the odds are good.

As for why I say the Coyotes are lucky, well, it's because they are. Mike Smith has played out-of-his-mind. Against Columbus, they allowed 60 shots and still managed to make it to the shoot-out.

Do you think a team that allows 60 shots deserved to get a point? Do you know how hard it is to get 60 shots? If you tried to let the other team get 60 shots on purpose, it might not happen. That's how crazy 60 shots is.

And, if you look at what is actually happening, and not just the results, which have been favorable, you see a team that is getting it's ass handed to them night in and night out. Corsi shows this pretty well - that the Coyotes allow 60% of the shot attempts against in about half their games. That is insane.

So, it is not my opinion that they are lucky to have the record they have. It is an actual fact.
- James_Tanner

I picked them to be last in the NHL this year with Detroit, Ottawa, and the Canucks.

I didn't foresee them being good at all, and I don't think they are as good as they've been. Their roster is weak and I hate their coach.

However, credit where it's due I guess. They have been a great team and they even have decent peripherals. I don't see it lasting with their roster, but then again, I thought the Islanders would be a good team this year, so what do I know?
- James_Tanner

Pretty sure you'd hate the cbj even if they iced Gretzky, Lemieux and Howe.....

JAMES JAMES JAMES. Yet another poorly written piece of garbage article. The Yotes have been playing well outside of Saturday night and still earned a point. You want to fire Tippett for a team obtaining points that is supposed to be rebuilding. You really don't understand this sport at all my man. And only a moron thinks the Panthers firing their coach is a good thing. You are seriously to uninformed about hockey its ridiculous. Its embarrassing. Like I've said numerous times. SURRENDER THIS ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY TO SOMEONE WHO KNOWS THE GAME OF HOCKEY. You're seriously pathetic bud. just stop.
- jmichael7753

See, I think it is you who doesn't understand the sport. You say the Coyotes have been playing well? That is factually incorrect. They have been playing terribly. To truly understand the game, or any game, really, you must realize that favorable results do not mean that a team played well.

and Clinton would have been as well

All Im saying on Trump is lets see what happens over the next year or so

The liberals crying about the electoral college never had a problem with it till a month ago
- mrn22

Maybe it wasn't a mainstream topic until a month ago, but I've been having arguments about the electoral college ever since we learned what it was back when Bush "defeated" Gore.

I wish I could get behind your Trump optimism, but his cabinet is insane and he's already pissed off the Chinese.

Maybe it wasn't a mainstream topic until a month ago, but I've been having arguments about the electoral college ever since we learned what it was back when Bush "defeated" Gore.

I wish I could get behind your Trump optimism, but his cabinet is insane and he's already pissed off the Chinese.
- James_Tanner

James, do you not understand how divisive politics are, and why they shouldn't be discussed on HB, and it is not the place for it? It's one thing to have to deal with your often absurd opinions on the sport of hockey, but do we also have to deal with your extreme liberalism? Not to mention the arrogance of literally calling millions upon millions of educated and smart voters, stupid! Enough already. Let's get back to analytics and how the Oilers are the best team in the league, again!

and Clinton would have been as well

All Im saying on Trump is lets see what happens over the next year or so

The liberals crying about the electoral college never had a problem with it till a month ago
- mrn22

Serious question, how old are you? Do you not remember 2000?

Also Trump himself hates the electoral college, at least until it helped him win, then he still hated it for a couple of days, then all of a sudden it was "genius".

James, do you not understand how divisive politics are, and why they shouldn't be discussed on HB, and it is not the place for it? It's one thing to have to deal with your often absurd opinions on the sport of hockey, but do we also have to deal with your extreme liberalism? Not to mention the arrogance of literally calling millions upon millions of educated and smart voters, stupid! Enough already. Let's get back to analytics and how the Oilers are the best team in the league, again!
- MJL

No, you don't. Does your browser force you to read this before you can use your computer?

James, do you not understand how divisive politics are, and why they shouldn't be discussed on HB, and it is not the place for it? It's one thing to have to deal with your often absurd opinions on the sport of hockey, but do we also have to deal with your extreme liberalism? Not to mention the arrogance of literally calling millions upon millions of educated and smart voters, stupid! Enough already. Let's get back to analytics and how the Oilers are the best team in the league, again!
- MJL

Hey good to see you back. To answer your questions/comments in order: Yes, but don't care. Yes, don't read if you don't like it, or rather, accept the fact that in life you have to deal with people who have different opinions than you do. It's not arrogance, it's fact. Look up how people with different education rates voted. Also research what percentage of people who leave rural areas to get an education return. You'll see I'm right. We can do both.

Hey good to see you back. To answer your questions/comments in order: Yes, but don't care. Yes, don't read if you don't like it, or rather, accept the fact that in life you have to deal with people who have different opinions than you do. It's not arrogance, it's fact. Look up how people with different education rates voted. Also research what percentage of people who leave rural areas to get an education return. You'll see I'm right. We can do both.
- James_Tanner

Yes, its arrogance. I guess you think they know the education level of all 50 + million people. You also don't have to have attained a high level of education to be smart. There are a lot of educated people that aren't very smart. I dont have an issue with those that have a different opinion. I do however have an issue with insulting people, and calling opinions fact. Lets move back to hockey.