Good morning PPP. So with the preseason under way hockey is back on TV and being talked about. On Wednesday night the family and I went out for dinner at a sports bar. The oldest was enthralled with the soccer game on the TV's and then saw Sports Centre and laughed that TSN had to show a Senators/Sabres game.
I did something right I guess.
Some highlights of Kessel scoring for Pittsburgh came on and the kid looked up at me and asked "Are we still Leafs fans?"
Oh boy. His first ever favourite player (though as an infant he'd stop crying when Mats Sundin was on the TV) was traded and I guess he's not over it.
"Well buddy, I still am, I mean they've done worse to me, but if you want to keep cheering for Phil and be a Penguins fan that's okay too."
"Why did they trade him? That's stupid he's awesome."
"Because they hate you" said the Habs fan across the table.
"What? Why?"
"Well, I can't argue with her but it's your decision. You can cheer for both if you want, but remember. The Penguins will eventually go bankrupt again, and maybe it will stick that time."
No decision on that front yet, but he was in some very deep thought. Until TSN's bit on Goldie Goldthorpe came on and he laughed at his hair and we moved on into telling the kids stories about how batshit insane hockey was in the 70's and 80's. They loved the Milbury shoe story and Derek Sanderson chasing Habs fans out of the forum in skates, then not being let back in (read his book, it's pretty good).
There's my story, and here are some links.
Leafs Links
Which prospect makes the Toronto Maple Leafs? Part 1: Forwards - MLHS
Vintage Leaf Memories - Michael Langlois: After all this time, I’m still a Reimer guy….
Brian Leetch discusses 1996, 2016 World Cups in Q&A - World Cup of Hockey 2016
Maple Leafs captain Phaneuf takes Marner under his wing at camp - The Globe and Mail
TLN'S Preseason Top 10 for the 2016 NHL Draft | The LeafsNation
Waive Goodbye | The LeafsNation
William Nylander could become the AHL's first 100 point teenager | The LeafsNation
And the rest
The NHL has a responsibility to suspend Patrick Kane - SBNation.com
Women writers at SBN (a few PPPers, who are always great reps of the site) got together and voiced their opinions. The article is fantastic and well spoken (especially for a large group writing it). The response in the comments and online was predictable. Regardless of goons, much respect to the writers for speaking their minds and sharing their strong opinions regardless of what comes after.
Lawyer for alleged victim in Patrick Kane case withdraws representation - Second City Hockey
Patrick Marleau will haunt you forever...as art - Battle of California
What's going on with Brayden and Luke Schenn in Flyers training camp? - Broad Street Hockey
Down Goes Brown: Which teams have the odds for a Cup in the next five years? Part two.
Food Flap: Islanders and Barclays Center haggle over pressbox meals - Lighthouse Hockey
10 Pens Thoughts: Preseason's all fun and games if no one gets hurt - PensBurgh
BarDown: Real life story of the original Ogie Ogilthorpe
Bruins' Chara leaves game with upper-body injury | theScore
Bruins D is falling faster than Volkswagen stock.
Report: NHL to review Clarkson's knee-on-knee; likely no further discipline | theScore
Good job, dumbass.
Don't fill up on reading those just yet, we've got two articles coming out for you today. Species and his review of Metro moves this summer and another Wisdom of the Crowds piece from Charlotte's Webster
It's Friday, lets get down.
