Talking to one probably not a good sign either
- Canada Cup

Guitar solo of the week.

First of all no, most players are certainly not available.

Bennett being available is a fact, due to him asking for a trade.

There is zero evidence Ritchie is available. Why the (frank) would Boston trade Ritchie?

I asked you if there were better options, you said Ritchie. So ironically I ask you...why are you saying Ritchie is an option as it’s a fact? There is zero evidence supporting this.
- Santo_44

According to Merriam-Webster (That is a dictionary by the way) Available means obtainable. Most things are obtainable for the right price. Hell even Gretzky was traded.

You insinuated there are no cheaper options than Bennett available. Making it sound like fact. Then you basically in a round about way say prove it, show me the evidence. Prove that there is not.

I think its pretty close to a fact most every player in the NHL is "available/obtainable". Ritchie would most definitely not be a player that would never be traded no matter what the return, so I would suggest he is available. Not sure how you prove a player is or isn't available. But that is your M.O. Spew your thoughts as if they are fact then ask people to prove it when they have an opinion. It is pretty much impossible to prove the availability of a player until after the fact. Bennett seems more likely to be traded. He may be more ""available" than most. But what if Calgary doesn't want to move him for the offers they are getting?

Even someone as stuck up and close minded as you must realize that if we are looking for playoff grit there will be cheaper options before the trade deadline. You or I or any other Leaf fan may not like them as much as Bennett. But the "prove it" schtick is getting tiresome.

First of all no, most players are certainly not available.

Bennett being available is a fact, due to him asking for a trade.

There is zero evidence Ritchie is available. Why the (frank) would Boston trade Ritchie?

I asked you if there were better options, you said Ritchie. So ironically I ask you...why are you saying Ritchie is an option as it’s a fact? There is zero evidence supporting this.
- Santo_44

There’s “evidence” Bennet wants to be traded. Has anybody in Flames management said anything about wanting to trade him?

There’s “evidence” Bennet wants to be traded. Has anybody in Flames management said anything about wanting to trade him?
- Canada Cup

Prove that they haven't

Guitar solo of the week.

- winsix

Yeah, David Bowie

Talking to one probably not a good sign either
- Canada Cup

*walks away whistling*

From last blog-

A few years ago, you could look on the NHL stats pages and sort stats like hits and giveaways/takeaways by home and away.

The discrepancies were hilarious. There was one team that had a stingy hits counter - they had less than 50% of hits at home as they did on the road.

I truly believe it was so embarrassing to the league that they took it off.
- Atomic Wedgie

I did that a lot, too.

The difference between the hits the Islanders had was insane. Think they had literally 5 times as many hits at home than on the road. And visiting teams hits were cut almost in half.

Calgary is notoriously stingy with what they accept as a shot on net. I remember Burkie telling a story on Sportsnet about the goalies going to him to complain that their SV% isn't as good as it could/should be because they don't count a lot of the shots as shots.

According to Merriam-Webster (That is a dictionary by the way) Available means obtainable. Most things are obtainable for the right price. Hell even Gretzky was traded.

You insinuated there are no cheaper options than Bennett available. Making it sound like fact. Then you basically in a round about way say prove it, show me the evidence. Prove that there is not.

I think its pretty close to a fact most every player in the NHL is "available/obtainable". Ritchie would most definitely not be a player that would never be traded no matter what the return, so I would suggest he is available. Not sure how you prove a player is or isn't available. But that is your M.O. Spew your thoughts as if they are fact then ask people to prove it when they have an opinion. It is pretty much impossible to prove the availability of a player until after the fact. Bennett seems more likely to be traded. He may be more ""available" than most. But what if Calgary doesn't want to move him for the offers they are getting?

Even someone as stuck up and close minded as you must realize that if we are looking for playoff grit there will be cheaper options before the trade deadline. You or I or any other Leaf fan may not like them as much as Bennett. But the "prove it" schtick is getting tiresome.
- jribout

You’re best off to smile and wave.

Non sequitur alert:

Left Field is a solid brewery.
- mjones242

I don't like strong beers.

FFS, just make something at 5%.

Too bad, because it's walking distance to my brother's house.

My brother who just told me he's got the Covid.

He's fine, but we are slightly worried he may have exposed my parents.

No problem he has Marner carrying him. He should be able to score on an end to end rush with Marner getting the second assist, or have Marner turnover the puck just inside the blueline and get a lucky bounce so he has a clear break to the net.....
- jribout

I don't like strong beers.

FFS, just make something at 5%.

Too bad, because it's walking distance to my brother's house.

My brother who just told me he's got the Covid.

He's fine, but we are slightly worried he may have exposed my parents.
- Atomic Wedgie

(frank), let’s hope not.

(frank), let’s hope not.
- Garnie

I think we are good.

He saw them eight days ago, and they haven't shown any symptoms. He wore a mask the whole time.

I should probably un-invite him to my Superbowl party, though.

Another incredible "slashing" penalty was just called in the Carolina/Columbus game.

I think we are good.

He saw them eight days ago, and they haven't shown any symptoms. He wore a mask the whole time.

I should probably un-invite him to my Superbowl party, though.
- Atomic Wedgie

Ahem!

You’re best off to smile and wave.
- Garnie

Great advice. I usually read pause and laugh or read on. But I have been bored the last couple of days. I will move on now....

Leafs scars run deep. I have friends who still don't believe they are a good team and are still waiting for the shoe to drop on this year's team.

Ahem!
- Canada Cup

Fun Super Bowl parties

https://www.globaltv.com/...7-11eb-bb92-0242ac110005/

I think we are good.

He saw them eight days ago, and they haven't shown any symptoms. He wore a mask the whole time.

I should probably un-invite him to my Superbowl party, though.
- Atomic Wedgie

Na, you’ll be fine.

Leafs scars run deep. I have friends who still don't believe they are a good team and are still waiting for the shoe to drop on this year's team.
- Aaron_85

Hope he is patient. May is a long way away.

https://twitter.com/Hocke...tatus/1358537414273363974

I have zero option trading Engvall.

I prefer to keep Dermott because depth, because Sandin needs to grow. If we have to turn to Sandin in the playoffs, well... I don't believe it goes well. Everyone made him their female dog in his own end last year, and that was the regular season. There's nothing wrong with needing to mature before being flung into the limelight, having Dermott as a 7th D shields Sandin from that.

That being said, I'm okay trading Dermott in the right deal.

My bigger question would be how many players on higher salaries are we trading for before it means we're trading Hyman as well. Because Bennett, Gibson, etc... These guys all cost money and there's only so much of that.
- joel878

The nice thing about Bennett is that he's versatile (C/LW) and is physical. He can slide up and down the lineup and push players like Vesey and Soup out of the lineup. There's no question he makes this lineup and they're better for it.

Dermott is eminently replaceable. He's playing by far and away the most protected mins on the team (2/3 Ozone starts). I'm not too concerned with Lehtonen and/or Sandin playing 8-10 mins a night in the playoffs and leaning heavier on the top two pairs.

If we're holding onto a depth guy over bringing in a player who can slide up and down the lineup and add real value, like Bennett, it's a no brainer to me.

Then again, I have a proven anti-Dermott track record here, so take that with a grain of salt. (but I have provided basic and fancy stats to support my Dermott-is-a-mediocre-bottom-pair-d-man screed in spades I believe)

EDIT: Bennett is also UFA at the end of this season so the Leafs aren't committed in keeping him past the Stanley Cup victory.

Hope he is patient. May is a long way away.

- jribout

I’m only thinking in terms of winning the Canadian Division and getting to the semifinals. I’ll consider that a success after the last few years. If we do that and lose to Boston in the semis in game 7, my suicide note will make it clear that I considered the season a success

The nice thing about Bennett is that he's versatile (C/LW) and is physical. He can slide up and down the lineup and push players like Vesey and Soup out of the lineup. There's no question he makes this lineup and they're better for it.

Dermott is eminently replaceable. He's playing by far and away the most protected mins on the team (2/3 Ozone starts). I'm not too concerned with Lehtonen and/or Sandin playing 8-10 mins a night in the playoffs and leaning heavier on the top two pairs.

If we're holding onto a depth guy over bringing in a player who can slide up and down the lineup and add real value, like Bennett, it's a no brainer to me.

Then again, I have a proven anti-Dermott track record here, so take that with a grain of salt. (but I have provided basic and fancy stats to support my Dermott-is-a-mediocre-bottom-pair-d-man screed in spades I believe)
- mjones242

Jimmy Tanner would like you to provide a Bennett HERO chart and a Dermott JFresh card. And a top 10 list of REM's greatest songs.

The nice thing about Bennett is that he's versatile (C/LW) and is physical. He can slide up and down the lineup and push players like Vesey and Soup out of the lineup. There's no question he makes this lineup and they're better for it.

Dermott is eminently replaceable. He's playing by far and away the most protected mins on the team (2/3 Ozone starts). I'm not too concerned with Lehtonen and/or Sandin playing 8-10 mins a night in the playoffs and leaning heavier on the top two pairs.

If we're holding onto a depth guy over bringing in a player who can slide up and down the lineup and add real value, like Bennett, it's a no brainer to me.

Then again, I have a proven anti-Dermott track record here, so take that with a grain of salt. (but I have provided basic and fancy stats to support my Dermott-is-a-mediocre-bottom-pair-d-man screed in spades I believe)
- mjones242

I'm not hell bent opposed by any stretch. My question is how it fits in the long run.

Vesey is an easy out but he makes league min, I have zero desire to push soup from the lineup.

Simmonds and Bogo will need raises, definitely Simmonds... Unless the implication is Bennett replaces him going forward?

If Thornton or Spezza retire, those are spots which are currently paid league min which would require more money allocated to them, Robertson would presumably take one but even he makes more money.

If Andersen is off the books, you have 5 million in free space of which I'm betting Hyman needs at least half and you still need another goaltender.

Lehtonen is going to need a new contract and should he earn his place it won't be as cheap as he's getting either.

I get Pridham is a stud at what he does but at what point does he say alright guys, (frank) off. 🤣

Jimmy Tanner would like you to provide a Bennett HERO chart and a Dermott JFresh card. And a top 10 list of REM's greatest songs.
- gergeswillems

Only 10?