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Post by Losing my mind on Feb 3, 2020 10:09:05 GMT -5
Yes my point is they NEVER have anything really to say about the sprot on hockey except that loud mouth idiot Barry "I coached Wayne Gretkzy" Melrose. cant stand barry. but..espn stands for entertainment sports programming network...poker is entertainment. case solved. also, it should be noted that playing poker takes a lot of endurance. i get very tired and start getting a head ache sometimes when playing for over 3, 4 hours. some people can play for days on end. how they do that is beyond me. I played in University, a friend of mine started playing online and did very well. Some of his games would literally last for days. I have no idea how he kept his concentration for that long. It helps that the guy is almost a mathematical genius and can do the probabilities in his head...
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Post by DonnyBrook on Feb 3, 2020 10:44:30 GMT -5
cant stand barry. but..espn stands for entertainment sports programming network...poker is entertainment. case solved. also, it should be noted that playing poker takes a lot of endurance. i get very tired and start getting a head ache sometimes when playing for over 3, 4 hours. some people can play for days on end. how they do that is beyond me. I played in University, a friend of mine started playing online and did very well. Some of his games would literally last for days. I have no idea how he kept his concentration for that long. It helps that the guy is almost a mathematical genius and can do the probabilities in his head... being good at math is very helpful. when i play against "sharks" i can tell right away that they are very good. keeping pressure on players and being able to keep your cool is vital. when i try to bluff sometimes and a player thinks about it a long time i start to really feel the tension in my body. being able to keep your breathing calm is difficult. thats why i usually dont step out of line very often. i want to stay comfortable. i play cash games so if you lose you can rebuy..but it is your money. yesterday i bought in for 600 dollars..i was having a bad go for a while. i ended up winning all but 100 back but sometimes you are really put to the test. you have to know your players. if someone is new to the table it makes it that much harder to figure them out.
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Post by Losing my mind on Feb 3, 2020 15:29:45 GMT -5
I played in University, a friend of mine started playing online and did very well. Some of his games would literally last for days. I have no idea how he kept his concentration for that long. It helps that the guy is almost a mathematical genius and can do the probabilities in his head... being good at math is very helpful. when i play against "sharks" i can tell right away that they are very good. keeping pressure on players and being able to keep your cool is vital. when i try to bluff sometimes and a player thinks about it a long time i start to really feel the tension in my body. being able to keep your breathing calm is difficult. thats why i usually dont step out of line very often. i want to stay comfortable. i play cash games so if you lose you can rebuy..but it is your money. yesterday i bought in for 600 dollars..i was having a bad go for a while. i ended up winning all but 100 back but sometimes you are really put to the test. you have to know your players. if someone is new to the table it makes it that much harder to figure them out. I would give false tells or be talking almost the entire time. I knew I couldn't hide everything so mixing it up worked well to throw people off. Biggest game I was in was $200 buy in and I ended up winning it all. Took my buddies out for a great night!
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Post by madmarx on Feb 3, 2020 15:57:23 GMT -5
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Post by DonnyBrook on Feb 3, 2020 17:52:23 GMT -5
being good at math is very helpful. when i play against "sharks" i can tell right away that they are very good. keeping pressure on players and being able to keep your cool is vital. when i try to bluff sometimes and a player thinks about it a long time i start to really feel the tension in my body. being able to keep your breathing calm is difficult. thats why i usually dont step out of line very often. i want to stay comfortable. i play cash games so if you lose you can rebuy..but it is your money. yesterday i bought in for 600 dollars..i was having a bad go for a while. i ended up winning all but 100 back but sometimes you are really put to the test. you have to know your players. if someone is new to the table it makes it that much harder to figure them out. I would give false tells or be talking almost the entire time. I knew I couldn't hide everything so mixing it up worked well to throw people off. Biggest game I was in was $200 buy in and I ended up winning it all. Took my buddies out for a great night! be able to talk and be at ease while play is going on is a talent.
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Post by Losing my mind on Feb 3, 2020 18:43:07 GMT -5
I would give false tells or be talking almost the entire time. I knew I couldn't hide everything so mixing it up worked well to throw people off. Biggest game I was in was $200 buy in and I ended up winning it all. Took my buddies out for a great night! be able to talk and be at ease while play is going on is a talent. I've been in sales my entire life, makes talking in uncomfortable situations easy
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Post by DonnyBrook on Feb 3, 2020 18:54:26 GMT -5
be able to talk and be at ease while play is going on is a talent. I've been in sales my entire life, makes talking in uncomfortable situations easy you should play more for sure.
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Post by SeaBass on Feb 4, 2020 8:45:33 GMT -5
With the Feb. 24 trade deadline looming, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has his priorities in order.
After a nine-day break for the All-Star Game and bye-week, the team returned to action with a pair of impressive victories over the Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Wild. While Sweeney continues to speak with other GMs, it’s been quiet, but that will change as teams begin to drop further out of contention before the deadline.
“Interesting few weeks coming up,” as one NHL scout said.
Sitting atop the Atlantic Division with 74 points, the Bruins are in the playoff structure but they need to find consistency down the stretch. In the meantime, Sweeney continues his due diligence with other GMs around the league to find a possible deal.
“I want to see our team re-establish itself, playing as consistently as possible and remain healthy,” Sweeney said. “Have continued conversations around the league, like everyone else is doing at this time to see what’s available and how we can improve our hockey club.”
A season ago, the Bruins acquired forwards Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson before the deadline and those additions helped the team reach the Stanley Cup final before a Game 7 loss to the St. Louis Blues.
This season, Sweeney doesn’t necessarily need to make a trade, because the answer could be in-house (more on that later) if all the other possible options fail before the deadline.
“I’d be good if he traded for (Connor) McDavid and (Leon) Draisaitl,” coach Bruce Cassidy said with a smile. “Listen, I coach the team that’s in front of us every night. I like our team. Guys play hard and like one another. We’ve got a good mix of veterans and youth. If (Sweeney) goes out and makes it better, we saw how it helped us last year. It helped us a lot. Sometimes those moves pay off and sometimes they don’t.”
Cassidy understands Sweeney’s toughest job, at this point of the season, is to evaluate the team and which moves, if any, are appropriate.
“As a coach, any time you have more assets to use, or at your disposal, it’s an advantage,” Cassidy said. “If nothing happens, we’ve got a good group in here. We’re going to make it work to the best of our ability.”
Realistically, this core group could have only one, maybe two, legitimate chances to win another Stanley Cup. Sweeney and company understand that completely, so if there’s a way to improve the current roster they will do it.
“We’re in it to win,” Sweeney said. “Would I say ‘no’ to anything? Absolutely not and we’d evaluate everything accordingly and hopefully make the right deal. Whether or not we do remains to be seen.”
Since the Bruins are right up against the salary cap, Sweeney said it would be difficult to make a deal. He’s been creative in the past in similar situations, though, and could make it work again. Plus, he’s invested in the organizational depth and the Bruins now have a few pieces they truly don’t want to part with, with the asking price potentially too high for opponents to easily acquire the likes of forward Jack Studnicka and defenseman Urho Vaakanainen.
“We have prospects that we’re very unlikely to move unless a deal was absolutely appropriate and that’s part of the business,” Sweeney said. “We’d like to improve and add, but we may not. We have a good hockey club and we feel good about our players.”
The Bruins unquestionably need some level of scoring in the top six to balance the entire lineup, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a right wing. If Sweeney decides to acquire a left wing, Cassidy could definitely make it work, especially if that winger is consistently better than Danton Heinen. There’s also the complicating factor of David Backes, the veteran forward who was waived Jan. 17 but who agreed with the team that he does not need to report to AHL Providence, as the Bruins try to find a trade partner to take him and his contract. Sweeney said Backes has not requested a trade and the reasoning for him not reporting to Providence is to protect him in case a deal can be made, or he can work his way back into the Bruins’ lineup.
That aside, there are a few specific names that are on the Bruins target list, according to those inside and around the organization.
Primary targets Chris Kreider, W, New York Rangers: The 28-year-old forward would be a good fit. There’s a reason Cassidy kept the line of Jake DeBrusk-Coyle-Anders Bjork together even after Krejci returned to the lineup. Now that Karson Kuhlman is healthy, he could serve as Krejci’s right wing, and if the Bruins acquire Kreider, he could play the left and provide that power-forward style of game that complements Krejci.
Kreider becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1. To acquire him, the Bruins would likely have to part with a first-round draft pick, along with a current player and a prospect. Sweeney might hesitate at having to surrender a first-rounder, but if he believes Kreider could put the Bruins in a position for another deep run, the GM might just do it.
Tyler Toffoli, W, Los Angeles Kings: The 27-year-old forward is the type of player that could easily slide into the second line right wing position alongside Krejci. The advantage of getting a natural right winger comes in allowing Bjork to move back to the left side, where he’s more comfortable. Bjork has developed well and is stronger at both ends of the ice, but still needs to be more consistent. Of late, his game has leveled off a bit, so now this could be a situation in which that internal competition comes into play to ignite a spark under him.
If Toffoli were in the mix, then Boston’s third line could be Bjork-Coyle-Kuhlman.
Kyle Palmieri, W, New Jersey Devils: The 29-year-old forward is a natural scorer. He’s fast and plays a heavy game, which translates well for the Bruins by having someone available to play more of an inside game. Plus, he’s a proven player in this league, not to mention that he spends his offseasons in Massachusetts. He could slide into the second line right wing position naturally.
Johan Larsson, C/W, Buffalo Sabres: Here’s an interesting scenario. The Bruins like Larsson’s game and the Sabres forward could be acquired for less than some of these other players.
Larsson’s presence on the fourth line could mean a change of scenery for Sean Kuraly, who hasn’t reached his full potential on a consistent basis this season. If the Bruins acquire a bigger body for the fourth line, Kuraly has the ability to play the wing on the third line because of his strength and skating.
Brenden Dillon, D, San Jose Sharks: The Sharks left-shot defenseman could add some size and strength on Boston’s blue line with his 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame. However, his services might not be needed here if Jeremy Lauzon continues to play the way he has for the Bruins. It’s been a small sample size, only four games this season, but the 22-year-old has played well and added some grit while creating some chances offensively.
How about this deal? The Sharks send Dillon and Joe Thornton (more on that later) to Boston in exchange for Backes and Lauzon.
Ondrej Kase: The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun suggested the Bruins could acquire the right winger from the Anaheim Ducks for prospect Oskar Steen and a 2020 third-round pick.
In-house options From a health standpoint, defenseman Connor Clifton (upper-body injury) continues to progress and could be cleared for game action soon.
However, fellow blueliner Kevan Miller (knee) is not close to returning. He’s been skating on his own, but won’t join his teammates for a regular practice in the foreseeable future.
“Kevan has a long, slow progression in front of him and we’re going to be very cautious,” Sweeney said.
Miller’s injury and subsequent setbacks have really handcuffed the Bruins. They could use his size and grit right now, so if he can return to game action he could be the answer Cassidy is looking for on the back end.
Brett Ritchie: This experiment is not over. Ritchie’s played in Providence and has done what the organization asked him to do. He’s a bigger body and could fill a need down the stretch and at times during the playoffs, depending on the opponent and style of play. If he finds that physical aspect of his game on a consistent basis he could be an answer. However, whether Ritchie is built to sustain that style of play for two long playoff months remains to be seen.
Jack Studnicka: If the Bruins stand pat at the deadline, Studnicka could be given an opportunity to play the right side with Krejci for the remainder of the season. Sure, Studnicka’s a natural centerman, and the overall plan was to keep him in Providence for the entire season, but the Bruins need every bit of help and talent to win with this current group.
It’s no fluke that the 20-year-old forward was named the AHL’s most recent Player of the Week, with three goals and two assists for five points in only two games over the weekend. Overall, he’s been playing a solid 200-foot game and he’s logging plenty of ice time in all situations for Providence, where coach Jay Leach is impressed with Studnicka’s work ethic.
If the Bruins do promote him and he’s having a difficult time on the wing, Studnicka could then center the third line and Coyle could be reunited with Krejci.
Trent Frederic: He’s pushing hard in a physical role and it’s likely he’ll get another look in Boston at some point soon. He could come up and play center on the fourth line, which is another scenario in which Kuraly moves up to the third line with Coyle.
Long shots — but fun to think about
Dustin Byfuglien: The veteran defenseman’s situation has been one of the more talked-about storylines in the NHL this season. The Athletic’s Ken Wiebe breaks down the most recent situation, wherein the Jets and Byfuglien are working on a deal to terminate his contract, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.
Byfuglien has not played this season, but if the 34-year-old decides he wants to play then every contending GM in the league would entertain the possibility of adding a player of his stature. The scenario would have to be perfect for both sides. If Byfuglien only wants to play down the stretch and into the playoffs for cheap money, he could be an interesting fit for some teams, including Boston, especially if Miller isn’t able to return.
“He would make every team better if he wants to play,” one NHL scout said.
Since rosters are able to expand after the deadline, it could make sense for a team to take a chance on him.
Joe Thornton: What about a return to Boston for Jumbo? He really doesn’t fit in the Bruins’ lineup and it’s not clear how much the 40-year-old forward has left in the tank, but weirder things have happened. This could be an opportunity for one last chance to finally win a Stanley Cup before he retires, but after so many years with the Sharks, there’s no guarantee he would welcome the opportunity for a return engagement.
If all else fails on Sweeney’s to-do list, and the team acquires the former Bruins captain, Thornton could serve as the third-line center and Coyle could move up to the right side on the second line. Thornton could serve as a net-front presence on the power play, which would make Boston’s already potent special-teams unit better.
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Post by SeaBass on Feb 5, 2020 14:48:50 GMT -5
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Post by nfld77 on Feb 6, 2020 22:56:49 GMT -5
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Post by nfld77 on Feb 6, 2020 23:19:59 GMT -5
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Post by orym on Feb 7, 2020 9:10:43 GMT -5
We have had some success with backup goalies. Chad Johnson, Anton Khudobin come to mind. I think we can get away with someone other than Halak. However, I still prefer Halak if it can somehow get done but I would imagine it is a certainty he ends up walking. I'd be fine with Legace for a season to see how it goes and maybe Vladar comes up at some point and starts to show he is the future. Rask isn't getting any younger!
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Post by SeaBass on Feb 7, 2020 10:00:32 GMT -5
We have had some success with backup goalies. Chad Johnson, Anton Khudobin come to mind. I think we can get away with someone other than Halak. However, I still prefer Halak if it can somehow get done but I would imagine it is a certainty he ends up walking. I'd be fine with Legace for a season to see how it goes and maybe Vladar comes up at some point and starts to show he is the future. Rask isn't getting any younger! I think Keyser is the future or Swayman. I am not sold on Vladar and I don't think Legace is an NHL goalie.
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Post by orym on Feb 7, 2020 10:38:21 GMT -5
We have had some success with backup goalies. Chad Johnson, Anton Khudobin come to mind. I think we can get away with someone other than Halak. However, I still prefer Halak if it can somehow get done but I would imagine it is a certainty he ends up walking. I'd be fine with Legace for a season to see how it goes and maybe Vladar comes up at some point and starts to show he is the future. Rask isn't getting any younger! I think Keyser is the future or Swayman. I am not sold on Vladar and I don't think Legace is an NHL goalie. Ah yes I forgot about Keyser. Would like to see these guys actually get a few meaningful games in and see what they really got. Only way to really know for sure is to have them in the backup role I think.
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Post by nfld77 on Feb 7, 2020 14:12:07 GMT -5
I think Keyser is the future or Swayman. I am not sold on Vladar and I don't think Legace is an NHL goalie. Ah yes I forgot about Keyser. Would like to see these guys actually get a few meaningful games in and see what they really got. Only way to really know for sure is to have them in the backup role I think. AND I forgot about Swayman..I always had it in the back of my mind Keyser would be the future after Tuukka..BUT there's alot of garbage floating around in the back of my mind so Please Beware,Do not take serious..
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Post by kjc2 on Feb 7, 2020 17:47:44 GMT -5
We have had some success with backup goalies. Chad Johnson, Anton Khudobin come to mind. I think we can get away with someone other than Halak. However, I still prefer Halak if it can somehow get done but I would imagine it is a certainty he ends up walking. I'd be fine with Legace for a season to see how it goes and maybe Vladar comes up at some point and starts to show he is the future. Rask isn't getting any younger! A little off backup goaltending topic but I think the direction we go on a lot of issues is closely tied to our playoff success this year. Let’s say we get whoever in the first round and we win, it’s almost guaranteed we get TBay in round two and the Caps in round three. I honestly don’t like our chances against either of those teams, let alone both, not saying we can’t win but it’s a huge obstacle to get through. My point is if we don’t make it out of the eastern conference it would potentially change our whole program going forward. Our aging core would come under scrutiny. Our backup goalie would be way down on our list of issues.
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Post by madmarx on Feb 7, 2020 23:17:56 GMT -5
That’s exactly why Sweeney needs to go all in , the core deserves it ..We should have at least two Cups with this core ..
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Post by madmarx on Feb 9, 2020 8:42:51 GMT -5
Eastern Conference by Pts% Atlantic Division BOS .714 TBL .682 FLA .593 Metropolitan Division WSH .700 PIT .676 NYI .642 Wild Card CBJ .616 CAR .609 ————— PHI .609 TOR .589 MTL .535 NYR .528 BUF .509 NJD .463 OTT 427 DET .268
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Post by KSJ08 on Feb 9, 2020 10:16:26 GMT -5
That’s exactly why Sweeney needs to go all in , the core deserves it ..We should have at least two Cups with this core .. Still blame dam refs for gm5 missed trip/slew foot that cost that game & the series! I also believe it WAS a Buttman conspiracy to have Blues win it for "The Game" I know take off the tin foil hat BUT I still am gonna stick w/that thought
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Post by kjc2 on Feb 9, 2020 11:08:06 GMT -5
Getting back to the backup goalie for next year. If we signed Halak I believe we’d have to expose him to the expansion draft. Also if we don’t sign him I still think we have to sign some goalie that can be exposed in the entry draft.
I don’t even know if we can expose one of our goalie prospects, they are most likely not eligible but I’m not sure.
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Post by madmarx on Feb 9, 2020 11:23:16 GMT -5
Getting back to the backup goalie for next year. If we signed Halak I believe we’d have to expose him to the expansion draft. Also if we don’t sign him I still think we have to sign some goalie that can be exposed in the entry draft. I don’t even know if we can expose one of our goalie prospects, they are most likely not eligible but I’m not sure. The rules for expansion draft are in the Minnesota game thread .. I don’t believe the Yutes can be exposed.
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Post by SeaBass on Feb 9, 2020 11:26:14 GMT -5
I don’t think Seattle would take a 35 year old goalie.
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Post by orym on Feb 9, 2020 20:39:23 GMT -5
I don’t think Seattle would take a 35 year old goalie. I think Seattle will poach a d prospect from us. Not sure at this moment who it will be though. Definitely some options there though. Much the same way we lost C. Miller to Vegas.
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Post by SeaBass on Feb 10, 2020 7:31:13 GMT -5
I don’t think Seattle would take a 35 year old goalie. I think Seattle will poach a d prospect from us. Not sure at this moment who it will be though. Definitely some options there though. Much the same way we lost C. Miller to Vegas. Everyone is predicting Grzelcyk or Clifton.
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Post by DonnyBrook on Feb 17, 2020 10:55:57 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Feb 17, 2020 11:23:26 GMT -5
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Post by SeaBass on Feb 17, 2020 12:34:55 GMT -5
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Post by madmarx on Feb 17, 2020 14:41:00 GMT -5
I’ve said before you need someone in charge whose career ended prematurely from head injuries
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Post by crafar01 on Feb 18, 2020 8:49:27 GMT -5
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Post by DonnyBrook on Feb 18, 2020 10:57:58 GMT -5
im curious to see what JR said to get suspended from NBC. i didnt even know that happened.
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