Domain: tiger-web1.srvr.media3.us User Profile: bignick33 | TigerDroppings.com
Favorite team:Boston College 
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Number of Posts:30
Registered on:3/31/2011
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I went to school with Brian Boyle, Andrew Alberts, Cory Schneider, Pat Eaves, Nathan Gerbe, Ryan Shannon, Stephen Gionta, Benn Ferrerrio, Ben Smith, plus Marty Reasoner's younger brother and Brooks Orpik's younger brother, but it's a little different because it was college haha.

re: Official NHL off season thread

Posted by bignick33 on 7/1/11 at 3:39 pm to
I'm gonna guess that Stevie Y's meeting with Richards was primarily for show. He wants to show Stamkos that he is prepared to move on without him, when in reality the priority is to extend Stamkos forever.

The Philly thing is interesting. By failing to re-sign Leino AND trading Versteeg, that opens up some space. Does this mean they could become a player for Richards?! I hope my math is wrong.

Lastly, as a Bruins fan, I really hope the Flyers or someone else doesn't put out a ridiculous offer sheet for Marchand. The rumor last week was that the deal was done, but that obviously didn't happen. Now, we might have to give Marchand Leino money which would be necessary but as he's a really good young player. The interesting thing about Marchand is that Boston management literally had to tell him to get the hell out of Boston and go back to Halifax, because he was partying too hard. He's not only a pain in the arse to the opposition, he's a pain in the arse to his own franchise.

The contracts being throw out today are all out of whack and this is clearly a bubble. But, there are gonna be enough losers that things won't really normalize until probably about 2013. It'll still be a seller's market at the trade deadline and the 2012 FA class is once again fairly weak.

re: Official NHL off season thread

Posted by bignick33 on 7/1/11 at 3:05 pm to
No, the Bruins didn't even open negotiations with Ryder. Truth be told, 3.5 mil per year is an overpay. Ryder came up big in the playoffs obviously, but he was a pain in the arse in the regular season due to his inconsistent effort.

re: Official NHL off season thread

Posted by bignick33 on 7/1/11 at 2:56 pm to
Ryder to Dallas for 2 years and 7 million. Not a bad spot for him, as he won't be under the microscope. He's a solid goal scorer (and decent backup goalie to?!), but highly inconsistent in terms of both results and effort.
quote:

Wow. Varlamov traded to Colorado for 2012 1st tound pick and choicr of second rounder 12/13. Great value. 2012 will be deepest draft in years and potential top fove pixk.


What the hell is going on today?
Ed Jovanowski get's 4 years from Florida. He'll be dead before that contract ends.

There are some insanely irresponsible contracts being thrown around. For the first time in my life, I'm glad the Bruins AREN'T spending money. But, keep an eye out for them at the deadline again this year and in free agency next year, as they'll have crazy $$ to throw around.
Insane $$ for Erhoff and Wisniewski. I wonder what this means for B-Listers like Kaberle and Jovanowski.
Apparently both Pittsburgh and Detroit have withdrawn their interest in Jagr.
Cook at as low a temp as possible.

re: Coyotes Deal Dead NHL

Posted by bignick33 on 6/30/11 at 3:34 pm to
I actually think Kansas City might work if the team were well-run. The heartland has been surprisingly receptive to the sport of hockey at both the pro (Blues) and amateur (USHL and Nebraska-Omaha) levels. The fact that there's little going on in KC during the winter could work to a team's benefit. And, the arena and infrastructure are already good to go. The question would be finding someone rich and competent with interest (Cuban?!).

re: Getting tickets at Fenway

Posted by bignick33 on 6/28/11 at 2:14 pm to
How so? I said that it's more expensive in advance of the game than day-of, but if you're gonna buy in advance of the game, wait a few weeks before (as opposed to a few months before). Buying in advance is probably the best bet for someone who is coming from out of town, even if it's a bit more expensive.
So far as I know, there's nothing in the rule books about make-up calls.
It's simply not true that tickets are more expensive day-of. They're typically less expensive, because people would rather deal with a reputable online agency and have the tickets in hand in advance than deal with some shmuck on the street. That being said, the peace of mind of having them in hand in advance is often very much worth the cost, and the selection is much more diverse online that it'll be on the street. I'd recommend waiting until a few weeks in advance of the game, because prices are typically inflated well in advance (just the way college football ticket prices are inflated in the offseason and go down a bit once the season starts).

re: Coyotes Deal Dead NHL

Posted by bignick33 on 6/28/11 at 1:42 pm to
Completely off-topic, but do you think Toronto could support an NFL team that's been occasionally mentioned? I've always been under the impression that they could.

re: Coyotes Deal Dead NHL

Posted by bignick33 on 6/28/11 at 1:40 pm to
I have no doubt they'd sell out initially. But, would they sell out ten years from now if they had a losing team? It's the same suggested problems with Winnipeg except on an even smaller scale. And, there are of course the corporate commitment problems that you mention as well. I'd still say it's among the top 5 or so Canadian markets that doesn't currently have a team.

re: Coyotes Deal Dead NHL

Posted by bignick33 on 6/28/11 at 1:37 pm to
Yep, nice touch. I'm in Boston, but I've traveled extensively in Nova Scotia, so it holds a special place in my heart. Beautiful place with wonderfully friendly people.

re: Coyotes Deal Dead NHL

Posted by bignick33 on 6/28/11 at 1:29 pm to
I love the Halifax and its connections with Boston. If a team were moved there, they'd be able to draw interest from the other Martimes, but I have to figure drawing 18k on a consistent basis would be a challenge just because it's such a small city. You're right, Quebec and another Southern Ontario franchise are both more feasible at the current time. In any event, the cup is heading up there for the second time in three years (and, incidentally, it's headed to New Brunswick and Newfoundland as well).

re: Coyotes Deal Dead NHL

Posted by bignick33 on 6/28/11 at 1:08 pm to
Move them to Hamilton, Mississauga, Quebec, or even Halifax. Hell, even a second franchise in Boston or Minneapolis would be more successful than Phoenix. And move the Islanders and the Panthers while they're at it.
Matt Ryan is probably approaching Rivers.
This was an exceptional hockey game...great performances by Thomas and JVR. The Flyers should have buried Boston when they could, especially since Boston was playing with only 5 defensemen. As a Bruins fans, I like the fact that the Bs took the Flyers' best shot and still won.
He was possibly the best LB in college football in 2008. If he'd entered the draft, he likely would have been drafted by the end of the first round. In 2009 he used his redshirt (which he didn't use as a true frosh) and focused on treatment. In 2010, he was not at quick as he was earlier in his career, but was still a productive player, particularly as a rusher off the edge on passing downs. I still think he makes a roster because he will be a very productive Special Teams player at least. Plus, he is a high upside guy.

re: What's your opinion on Mimosa's?

Posted by bignick33 on 4/14/11 at 1:36 pm to
I think it's acceptable if it's in the AM and/or it's outside.

re: Johnnie Walker Blue Label

Posted by bignick33 on 4/14/11 at 11:13 am to
It's really good stuff, but not nearly worth the pricetag IMO.

re: In Boston any must eat places?

Posted by bignick33 on 4/10/11 at 10:26 pm to
These are good suggestions all around. Please report back on what restaurants you liked and didn't like.
Abe and Louies is really supposed to be really solid, but it's also somewhat of a "scene" as it's in a very trendy neighborhood. I'm not a huge steakhouse guy, but you can't go wrong at places like Capital Grill, KO Prime, Grill 23, and Abe and Louies.

If it's nice outside and you have some time to kill, take a walk down Tremont Street in the South End where there are dozens of excellent restaurants. Boylston Street and Newbury Street in the Back Bay are restaurant-heavy areas too, but they are more geared for tourists.

For a great seafood meal, try Neptune Oysters in the North End, B&G Oysters in the South End, or Island Creek Oyster Bar in Kenmore Square. Union Oyster House is a cool suggestion too as it advertises being something like 300 years old and was a favorite of the Kennedys, but the places I mentioned have better food. Try a lobster roll or fried whole-belly clams, as these are two of the local specialties.

Eastern Standard in Kenmore and Citizen Public House on Boylston by Fenway are good for chilling at the bar and downing high quality food and cocktails in a trendy (but not pretentious) atmosphere. Go to the North End for Italian. The best sports bar for higher end food is Jerry Remy's on Boylston by Fenway. If you're into beer, check out The Publick House or American Craft on Beacon Street in Brookline. The dozens of Irish pubs downtown are OK for burgers, shepherd pie, fish and chips, and the like, but don't expect a gourmet meal as they're more designed for drinking (my favorite downtown pub is Kinsale by Government Center).

Despite what one poster said, the culinary scene in Boston is very strong. Sure, chefs aren't as heavy-handed with the seasonings as the are in Nola, but the variety of cuisines and ingredients is very good. The days of the city having more of a reputation as drinking city than a food city are long over. It's now among the best cities in the country to eat, trailing only a few like NYC, DC, San Fran in terms of overall quality/variety.
It's 4 freaking games into the season. They haven't even gone once through the rotation. If they're below .500 at the end of May, I'll be concerned for them.