the max

I don't want it to be a problem, al. I just don't understand why something that has never posed a problem automatically has to change with the forum being led by somebody. This is the link to the NHL Season thread for last year, finishing at 34 pages. It's little game musings, injury reports, and random thoughts as the season progresses. It made for some very interesting discussion, and since there are only about 7-8 people that regularly post about the NHL on our boards, it just makes more sense to do it this way, as our madness is confined to the one thread and leaves everyone else alone.

While I can see your fear about that, the NHL season thread generally only goes about 20 pages.

So, if/when the NHL season gets close to starting, I plan on creating an 'NHL predictions' thread and an 'NHL game chat' thread. Would those get closed?

I think that all existing OAO type threads should be kept open for the few of us who actually enjoy that format, myself included.

Does this mean that we have to ditch our NHL Off-season thread?

I don't like the idea of starting threads that will likely get 2 replies and end up bumping more worthwhile threads off the front page. This will likely lead to people posting stupid 'BUMP' in topics just to get them to the top for people to read. I didn't have an issue with only the 5 pinned topics either. Too many changes, al.

I blame the heat.

I have a fungal infection on my left leg that's a complication after surgery on my tailbone over two months ago.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=95735&hubName=nhl Belfour needs back surgery. Apparently he has a bulging disc in his back that's causing discomfort, that's why he pulled out of the World Cup. http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=95580&hubName=nhl Rangers are close to signing Kevin Weekes. He can be a #1 for a team, given the chance. I wish the Rangers weren't the team that gets to showcase his talents. This would give the Rangers good goaltending depth, with Mike Dunham the current starter being there, and Dan Blackburn ready to come back after his injuries last year. I don't understand why they need to sign Weekes. Dunham is due to make over 3 million, Blackburn will make 825K this season, so why sign ANOTHER goaltender? I guess maybe to move one of them. They just drafted Al Montoya in the draft a few months ago, although nobody knows why. Montoya will probably go back to school this season.

Indeed. And it wasn't a good, fulfilling vomit either. It was one of those where you throw up, but you have nothing to throw up because you haven't eaten in the last 36 hours, so it's just phlegm and blood. Not good times. Bad times.

I'm on Vicodin and an anti-biotic. My eyes are red because I just finished throwing up again.

Me as of about 10 minutes ago with my pills.

MLB 2005, although once you get good at it, it's relatively easy. It's a very good looking game though. My favorites are the Bases Loaded Series on NES and SNES, and the RBI Series on Sega.

I have to see the rest of the season as it is, so I'll add it to my collection. December? I know what I'm getting for Xmas now.

Has anyone else ever done a fantasy draft? I was tempted to in NHL, but I don't know about salaries and everything working out. Does it make the game anymore interesting by being able to draft your own team how you see fit?

We have half a bin of Andy Griffith show three episode sets, Ernest movies, and other nonsense. The only redeeming thing in there that I saw was Freeway, which shocked me that they could sell a movie dealing with those kinds of issues for $5.50 in Wal-Mart.

Apparently, my not being able to watch the Red Sox has them winning. I think I'll not watch them even when my cable finally gets put back on.

I'll definitely be picking up the Bird, maybe the Walton. Knowing their reputation with Legends Series in the past (Cooperstown Collection is out now, and NHL Legends 1 is on the way) this will be a very good series. For those wanting to know why Jordan isn't in this series, he likely won't be in for a while, as they've had a problem securing the contract to use his likeness. It's strictly a money thing. The NHL Heritage two-pack looks to be absolutely awesome. For those who don't know, the NHL Heritage Classic took place on November 22, 2003 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton between the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers. It was the first outdoor regular game in NHL history. Released in this two-pack will be Edmonton Oilers captain Jason Smith and Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jose Theodore. Not only will these figures be extremely detailed, but the Theodore pose will feature him with the TOQUE~! This two-pack will see release in December of this year.

Chase Utley only makes 5,000 dollars?!

Uh, you mean Mo Vaughn? You mean Mo Vaughn, the same guy who fell down a flight of dugout stairs never to quite be the same again? You mean Mo Vaughn, the guy who hasn't played in a couple of seasons despite still being paid? Yeah, I'm sure the Sox miss him a whole lot. We miss him. For comedy's sake.

I have Emerson in both my living room and my den. I haven't used my PS2 to play DVD's yet, since I don't want it to burn out or break. Emerson is a cheap, good brand, I've found. Both DVD players are about 60 bucks each. I have yet to have a problem with them.

If they had, they'd have gotten two of the best quotes to sum up this US Basketball team. Craig: You're missing the best players. Brooks: I'm not looking for the best players, Craig, I'm lookin' for the right ones. Brooks: When you pull on that jersey, the name on the front is a hell of a lot more important than the one on the back.

I've tried with young pitchers, but I can't ever seem to get a good four or five starter, so as a result, I end up losing those games. I typically build with one frontline top-notch starter and three decent-good starters and just run a four man rotation. Then, keep a relief pitcher with good stamina in the bullpen for long relief. Most of my money goes to hitting, although I tend to have an aggressive attack, so I like to have two leadoff hitters. Then, I just need one guy who has excellent long ball power, filling the rest of the lineup in with contact hitters. That seems to work well for me.

I've always liked McHale. He seemed to have his head on straight right up until that illegal contract a few years ago. He makes an excellent point about finding people who actually know the game. Kev played with, and won with, one of the best pure basketball players in the history of the game.

Thanks again Mike. And thanks gM. I got your stuff out as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience. For Mr. Avenger: I just made a list of all the ones I can find right now. I haven't really gone up in my attic yet though. You asked for mid-carders, but I'll just make a list of everything. Eddy Guerrero (2 different) RTC Steven Richards Christian Edge Steph McMahon (2 different) Jericho (2 different) Angle (3 different) Sabu (both ECW figures) Sandman/Hak (wCw figure) Tazz Justin Credible (ECW and WWE figure) HHH Albert Jeff Hardy Kane Benoit (3 different) Rhyno (ECW) Raven (ECW and WWE) William Regal (2 different) Lance Storm (WWE) RVD (3 different) Steve Austin Booker T (WCW figure) so yeah, it's not a HUGE list or anything, but let me know.