Lightning Flik

Actually, Mogilny's counted against the cap because he was after a certain age it does. And frankly, I believe that's 35, so yes, apart of DiPietro's contract will count against the cap should he retire. ...at least they don't hafta worry about drafting a new goalie for 15 years.

Well, DiPietro is now an Islander for life, because there is no way they can trade him at all.

That's unreal. How in the hell do you justify that contract? I mean DiPietro is good, but for 15 years?! I never thought I'd see anyone want to sign on that long with one team.

Surely you jest on the 15 year signing thing, right?

Oh hey. I actually got some points.

Ok, I've got a question for you people out there. Through a lot of trades, I've got 3 first round draft picks. But I've sort of run into a problem. Like some help with it. I'm really at a loss for what to draft. I'm thinking of drafting maybe a HB, just because Harrison's not really stamina built and he fumbles occassionally. And by stamina problems, I mean he can only survive 3 big hits per time before needing a serious rest. But at the same time, the guy's racking up yards (1000+ in 9 games), has a carry rate of 5.4, and he's done it only on barely 200 carries. With my subpar o-line that's letting Shockley be sacked enough to be leading the league, I don't know how I can justify drafting a HB when Harrison's doing so well. My QB situation seems really great now as Shockley come into his own (or rather I've figured out how to utilize him proper) and he's putting up MVP numbers and is a candidate for MVP. So I'm not really in need of a QB either, yet Brady Quinn is there... My WR core is pretty awesome as I've got my created self working magic (MVP candidate) and Andre Davis is coming into his own as a second receiver for me. Hell, I threw more to Andre Davis in my last game than myself, and that scares me cause my "#1" always gets the most receptions every game. Defensively, I'm currently #1 in the NFL for rush defense 587 yards allowed in 9 games, so I'm good there too. My pass defense though is attrocious being nearly dead last (28th) in the NFL, but my guys make key pick offs this year so I haven't been hurt badly (except for the first 4 games), so I don't know if I should draft defensively either. What should I do for the upcoming draft? About the only thing I can figure is use a first rounder on a WR perhaps, but after that, I've got no idea. Should I snap up some better CBs, or should I go for better linebackers? Perhaps trade down for more picks? BTW, I'm 9-0 on the season. I'd be more proud of my record though if I didn't play injury depleted teams. My only tough contest was against a fully healthy Patriots team. Oh, and that's something that's odd. This whole season the injury rate is insane. Like the Seahawks have Moats starting because SA and um... what's his name both went down. The amount of injuries currently is insane. I'm just happy that my injury bug happened early in the season.

Well, chaos, I didn't find out about Whistle till like level 17. At which point, I started kicking myself because its so easily grabble of a technic at like 8, I think. Being able to instantly summon battles is much easier than just wondering around from town going "common stupid battle, common".

Ugly, ugly week for me. I went total underdog and get scalded like I should be. Next week SO not making picks like that.

Well I managed to get my PS2 to play some Madden games, and my Bills dynasty is going ... pretty well. I lost Losman and his back till week 5 or 6, so went out and picked up Shockley to fill in and signed Kordell Stewart to back him up. My defense isn't too bad, but my offense is just horrbile. I've got one player doing all the work for the air attack (my created self) and my ground game is being run by Jerome Harrison who's probably only getting running lanes because it breaks down into holes that only a skillful insane madman can get into.

Now you see, I don't really care for that style of show. Well, actually, Haruhi counts as that, but that is different. If it does that for 40+ episodes for Blood, I might pass on that. I like some episodes that don't make it "OMG, YOU MUST WATCH" because that's usually how you get character development and see different sides of characters.

For me, I'm an Edmonton Oiler fan through and through. Brought up and raised on hockey as life, that's how come I'm an Oilers fan. I'll never change that fact ever. That and getting to hold the Stanley Cup the last time the Oilers won it always helps a kid keep allegiences. As for other sports, I'll root for Canadian teams (basketball and baseball), but the only other sport I follow well is now football and that's for the Atlanta Falcons. Although, my knowledge of NFL sucks - as evidenced by my lack of knowledge concerning trying to attempt at Branch for the Falcons - I still root for the Falcons. Not sure why exactly, I just sorta watched some game and really liked it, and just went "well, I might as well root for them" and it sorta stuck. Yeah, very lame reason, but that's basically what happened.

I wanna get into Blood+, but is it really worth the 40+ episodes to get into?

To be honest, the first 4 on each side aren't hard. You just take 3 of the usual suspects, and one that should be on the cusp. The other 4 on both sides is really a crap shoot.

Well, yes, but I usually parked for a bit, leveled up and then went on my way. Only took me an hour's worth of fights on auto to level up enough to get to the next place. Not much of a grind. I consider grinding 2-3 hours in the same spot. And after you reach a certain area of the game, I forgot which, it becomes a breeze to level up and gain equipment so you don't have to level up as much. Earlier on, its pretty harsh. Also, my biggest complain on Star Ocean 3 was the fact that it basically made everything you did in the first two Star Ocean's absolutely pointless and worthless. That and it kills the chance or hope for any sequel doesn't help it.

When I say contenders, I don't mean are one of the teams making the finals. I say that to mean a playoff hopeful. But you are right, no way you can say any team is a finalist.

The fact they signed most of their team for 3-5 years makes them a legitimate contender for awhile. Heck, they may even get to raise a Stanley Cup.

Even though it didn't effect my current matchup, I'm still wondering why in the hell I took Miami? Must've been wishful thinking.

Considering how dark it is, I'd almost say that. Except the music lets down in many areas. Oh, and all you need to do to make Dragon Quest less of a grind, is aquire um... Fatman's whistle tech. Whistle automatically gets battles drawn to you, its pretty much a required technique to get. ...can't believe I forgot Yangus' name. That's terrible of me

Shadow Hearts is always a good choice, but just so you know Covenent is a continuation of the original, whereas To The New World is more or less a new game. If you like strategy RPGs, I'd recommend highly, Disgaea (if you can find a cheap copy, HA) and its sequel. While Suikoden III and IV weren't that great, number V is a blast (speaking of which, I need to stop being lazy and finish it). Dark Cloud 2 would probably be a better purchase. And I see you like SO2, avoid SO3. It sucked. And yes, most RPGs are now supporting voice acting.

3-4. As Leena says, its easier to maintain, but also easier to pass rush for some reason.

I don't fail to understand that. I'm saying if you are pairing up Tanguay onto line one, you'll have no secondary scoring threat on line two. Pronger isn't the be all end all of our defense, it'll do its job just nicely. Sure, he won't be there to absolutely stop one player like Thorton all by himself, but we've got a good enough core that's still there that can do the job. Last year it was the three headed monster in net that killed out season, not Pronger. Pronger though was what helped us make it to the finals, so we're a great seasonal team, just not a playoff great team. If Huselius's goal scoring was improving or showing improvement from season to season, I'd concede to you that he could. But since he's not (20 goals in nearly all seasons), that's probably why you see me sleeping on him. This is also why I say you need a secondary scorer. If the current gameplan is just Tanguay and Iginla on line one, this is more or less why I'm saying you need a secondary scorer, because I don't think you got one. Well, unless Huselius proves me wrong. As for Lundmark, I haven't seen anything to surprise me at all. And 4 goals in 12 games makes me scream SSS, but maybe I'm wrong. But he certainly hasn't shown anything over the year's to surprise me. And I will admit that I like Lombardi, but just like you, I think he's getting to the point where you can't wait on him any more to show up. I'm cutting out the rest because you think I mean no team would do so. On the contrary, probably every team would. Just, me myself. I wouldn't. And I more meant I'd take someone who's still improving over someone who's peaked, hence the Lupul comment. Although, he's a scorer and not a passer, so that comment was a little bit unfounded there. More was going with someone with upside to him, rather than peaking. Sorry for the bad comparison there.

I'm interested to see how this game differs, yet keeps the same types of aspects that made the original so good. I'm just concerned with the periods and stuff taken out because that was an very important part of the other game. However, I do like how we already know why Silmeria gets punished by Odin. Well at least part of the reason. Although, I'm placing bets that there will be a third game concerning the new world that is created and the youngest sister of Silmeria and Platina, whose name I forget.

First of all, let me apologize right off the bat. My last post wasn't the greatest because I was still feeling like shit after wrecking myself in my bike crash. Not good enough excuse, and frankly I'm not trying to use it as one, just apologizing for trying to make it sound like "I'm right, you are wrong" which it does come across as such. Not what I meant to do. I'm not saying he won't be able to help you at all. But frankly you need another person who can score besides Iginla. And yes, Tanguay does score, but you more need a secondary pure scorer to help you out. Yes, he'll help out Iginla, but you need someone who can score and take the pressure off of Iginla, which you don't have. Its like how Edmonton currently needs some defensive help. Sure we'll win games and be in the hunt, but without another Pronger like precense on defense, we aren't gonna go far. I'm not suggesting someone needs to be like Pronger, but we need someone to step up and play that extra defense. I was off by a goal, and you needed to correct that? Geezus... ;; Still, pretty terrible I botched that. Concerning hockey stats, I usually rarely screw up. Anyways, yes, I know the Flames have guys who had scored twenty. That Phaneuf (who is gonna be awesome), Langkow (who plays with Iginla), Huselius, and Kobasew. What I was talking about was more of is one of these guys either needs to step up on line 2 to make it a threat or you need to find someone who can. And frankly looking at the potentials for your second line, doesn't do anything to make me think Iginla will be relieved of any pressure. By relieving pressure, I'm talking about stepping it up and score 25+ goals. I don't think Kobasew or Huselius will be able to do so. Phaneuf, sure he'll repeat, but he'll also be playing mostly with line one if I'm not mistaken so again, the drop in talent from line one to line two is gonna be huge. That's my problem with Calgary's offense, I don't think the rest of the team can show up. If they do, then well, fuck. You guys are Stanley Cup bound for sure. No he's not. A person who's paid that much money should be able to do better than what he has to be paid that. But that's more my own symantics against the overpaying of players. It wasn't meant as a slap to the Flames, just personal preference. And did I ever question his loyalty? No. So please don't bring it up like I am. As I said, I don't like overpaying a player and Iginla doesn't strike me as a seven million dollar a season type of player. Especially when my own team has players who put up nearly as much for cheaper. Look, I only seriously got into NFL about 3-4 years ago, so I don't know all that much concerning cap problems and the financial aspects concerning teams, so I didn't realize it was financially impossible. Still doesn't mean it isn't a bad idea in terms of putting actual talent in front of all those rookies and give Vick a target that has some experience. ...but that's not here or now, and frankly if you want to continue digging this up, put it back where it belongs to be discussed, which is in the NFL thread. This is about the NHL. I'm saying you need another pure scorer to go along on the second line. If Tanguay is gonna be on line 1, which he will be, there isn't gonna be a presense on the next line down to relieve Iggy. That's what I'm trying to get at. While yes, a playmaker is what you need to help Iggy, you need someone to relieve that pressure that he's receiving. I use Lupul as an example of a pure scorer who was cheap so that you could still go out and while not picking up the contract baggage of Tanguay, still getting a good playmaker for Iginla. Also Lupul played on the third line of Anaheim all of last season putting up those numbers and his numbers grew from the year before. I would take someone like that over Tanguay who's peaked. Yes, I overreacted to saying no chance in hell, because Calgary can and I wouldn't doubt be in the thick of things. But as I said, I see everyone in the NW in the hunt and frankly I don't think Calgary's gonna win it if you guys don't have someone else who can relieve the pressure that Iginla's still gonna receive. This is assuming you guys tag Tanguay with Iginla all season, which seems to be the plan.

I thought you told me Reche wasn't doing so well during TC. Or did that suddenly change? But I would still think that Gabriel sees some time higher than #4, or do the Pats just want him as the deep threat?

Apparently you hadn't heard. Its called "flipping a bike". A most wonderful experience. The getting faceplanted that is. No tripping required and its all the rage these days. I believe this right here makes my argument for me. If he's got more points than any player on the team, does not say something getting a player like Tanguay will barely make a dent and that there is something more wrong with your scoring woes than just "oh we need one guy to be special". The fact they can't score and likely still won't with the style of hockey they play (like New Jersey, just sit on a lead). The guy they hired to help them has more points than their 7 million dollar player (and why in the hell IS Iginla paid 7 million?), and frankly only adds 28 goals; when they needed someone who can SCORE not just pass. Key word: score. It is something that Tanguay doesn't do nearly as much as Calgary needs. Yes, yes, 28 goals is nothing to sneeze at. But excuse me, Edmonton has one Joffery Lupul who costs less and allows for other parts to be had and had just as many goals. Yes, you needed an assister, but frankly you need to find a budding second scorer who well... Scores. Cause all Tanguay's gonna be doing right now is setting them up, and frankly that's not going to be enough. I'm using you in the general way. Because typing out Calgary all the time is getting annoying. They just lost Jovo and Bertuzzi in a division that had each team downgrade next to nothing in terms of talent. They'll be lucky to get by the damned Wild for 4th.