Follow me on Twitter Follow @TheJeremyLaura
There’s a reason day trading gave people anxiety attacks (and prison time, but another discussion). You follow the numbers, redo the math and reset on an hour by hour basis. The stock market is at that “daily… watch, a little less damaging, and the playoff hunt is in the daily watch as well.
Detroit’s solid5 - 0 win over Calgary did more than snap a rough start to the Western Canadian swing. It kept Detroit just 3 points back of Tampa with 2 games in hand. Unfortunately, New Jersey is just 2 points back (no games in hand) and Toronto is starting to get some separation with a 4 point gap (holding onto 3rd in the division) and a game in hand. Still, 11 days left in the month (leap year) and Detroit can end February in a playoff spot.
I sent the Flyer’s stadium entrance over to the CEO at “the guitar company… (you can see some of last week’s posts for info there). I thought it was an incredibly cool tribute to Sly and with Carl Weathers passing seemed appropriate. Then came the game. I didn’t watch. First, after so long you get down to one game a day sometimes. Second, I think Outdoor Game Fatigue (someone else can copyright that) is very real. The Winter Classic started out as a highlight event. So, the league slaps together 3 to 5 outdoor games each season now. Detroit will face CBJ next year and the “U of M vs. OSU… angle is in full play in the write up.
When Toronto came to U of M stadium, there was a record to try and break (which they didn’t). The Alumni game in Detroit (or games more accurately) were far more entertaining. Comerica Park was jumping, there were 6 people sharing blankets, and the hot chocolate vendor kept accidentally spilling (your choice) of Bailey’s or Kahlua into the beverages. Similar to Detroit vs. Colorado in an alumni game, those players set their ties down and show that glimpse into a bygone era.
Outdoor games where the standings are affected, not my favorite. Too much snow, not enough snow, half the rink is blinding and partially melted as the puck skips through puddles. The special event status is hold for this one (personally). Let me know what you think. The league can’t help themselves if they think something is novel. They will absolutely destroy it.
Speaking of sabotage, after last night’s game the press release regarding Hanifin came out and Calgary’s front office may well have to roll out the “blue light… from the old Kmart days.
Player agents (and players) will often stay quiet so that GMs can get maximum return. Knowing that an offer has already been refuted and some consensus on Hanifin’s next contract, the players put himself solidly in the “rental… camp by announcing he would test free agency. Ever since Tavares departed the Isle, there’s even more of a buzz about getting “something… for a departing player. I have to think that 31 calls will be made in the next 24 hours and Hanifin’s agent will be asked for preference. A trade and sign is still possible, but perception has the stock ticker rolling back.
So, where are you at? Do the outdoor games still draw you in? We talked about the All Star skills competition and now the NHL has a page where you can get pretty much every stat you wanted from those contests. Secondly, what do you do as a free agent? Is a media release a last ditch attempt or do you freely use it to keep the GM on task? Let me know your thoughts, and here’s to hoping another early game will have Detroit in good form against Seattle tomorrow.