So then the NHLPA isn’t a union in the regular sense of the term … precisely making my point that Seider doesn’t have an obligation to just be happy he’s making less than his union “brother”, right?? I’m otherwise 100% with you that salary inequities, while understandable under the evolution of the CBA and the rising cap, does not ensure harmony in the room I’m sure Seider understands if/when a repeat 40 goal guy jumps over him in the salary structure of DRW Falling (well) behind a young and relatively unaccomplished protege, not so much If I were a neutral, this would be a fascinating case study Regardless it will be interesting to see how this plays out, but as a fan I want a happy and productive Mo Seider Say what you will but Edvinsson is still just a work in process who’s yet to assemble a full productive season without injury (or now without drama) …

OK so answer me this (and BTW there is never a “sure thing” in ANY competition): Let’s say DRW cave in to Ed’s demands and give him 7x11M Do you think your best player cares what some nerd from The Athletic or any other media says how this distant 2nd best D-man is getting $2.5M per annually more than him for at least the next 4 seasons, which totals a mere $10.0M? Player is younger AND has a troubling history of injuries whereas Seider is older, FAR better and never misses a game, and is now arguably your team leader as well?? Walk me through your discussion with Seider, step by step, on why he shouldn’t worry about this “imbalance”, and keep his chin up?!? Now figure how your upcoming discussions with DeBrincat start, if he knows you just caved to an inferior player’s demands??? Good luck getting his deal done for less than $15M per, as he’ll view any opening offer under that warily IF he knows Horcoff and his boss will crumble if push comes to shove Between those two they’ll be earning $20M or so more together in a year than they do now Cap space almost gone Your best player and probable future C again propping up a guy who is now making a lot more than him, and is only a little tweak away from another trip to the IR That’s why fantasy GM types miss the mark in real life negotiations

Gotta partially agree and partially disagree Horcoff just landed himself his dream job as DRW GM If you think he has any real leverage to make demands on spending Ilitch’s money … not really, not yet … he might not have gotten the interim tag had Greenberg gotten the job, or another person Horcoff’s only chance to get the GM job permanently is to make his boss (Ilitch) happy and working within budgets make ownership very happy Look at the Edvinsson case as a test for Horcoff … if he passes, then he is trusted to work out a DeBrincat deal If not, an outside GM will be hired to handle it … and then at the trade deadline, if the deals for 77 and DeBrincat have worked out, then maybe he’s trusted to deal 71 Run that gauntlet and maybe THEN Horcoff gets more play … earns some leverage … it’s a process …

Sign him IF it can be done at the right term and AAV Bridge approach offers both sides flexibility to revisit the term/AAV in (say) 3 years Arguably in retrospect, if Larkin harbored any of his purported reservations with the direction of the DRW organization, he should’ve strongly considered the bridge approach himself Since it appears he didn’t, and opted for max term and security, by changing his tune 3 years in is like having your cake and eating it too What changed in 3 years? I’ve advocated strongly since this came up that his involvement in USA Hockey and resulting relationship with Bill Guerin is the underlying change agent Tampering or not, it has to be a consideration And DRW may push for a more honest bridge style approach if 77 is likely to pull a Larkin in 3 years time? None of this is happening in isolation, and DRW need to be concerned about Seider being resentful if they were to pay 77 several million over 53’s AAV for the next 4 years

The sad thing here is all the Yzer-haters can’t admit that SY was restricted by a cheap cash deficient ownership, as past and subsequent events have demonstrated And he’s young enough so if he isn’t reinstated here soon he will go elsewhere where he will win it all for another franchise, further exposing Ilitch’s buffoonery And that will hurt to the point of leaving a mark …

Frank Robinson (1966) MVP and Triple Crown plus World Series Champions, turned the O’s from the mediocrity of the former St. Louis Browns in exile to a team that was a generational AL powerhouse in the late 20th century rivaled only by the Swinging A’s of Oakland

Actually Yzerman made a trade for Quinn Hughes, and QH rebuffed the deal when he wouldn’t give a verbal on an extension … just like he’s not extending with MIN now IF you believe Ilitch said no, then there would have had to have been a second part of the QH discussion, which was “How much money you gonna pay if I give you your requested verbal?” Keith Gave confirms the first part happened Probably 3-4 people know if QH’s refusal was tied to the money being insufficient or if money even came up No one is saying and no one is likely going to say now, if only because these talks aren’t supposed to happen Given QH’s refusal to extend with MIN who have probably offered him Makar 2.0 money to no avail, and I’m doubting money ever came up with DRW, and even if it did, QH is set on going to NJ

New York Jets Pittsburgh Steelers Denver Broncos Detroit Lions Maybe 1-2 more??

Agreed 100% … if Yzerman was going to be fired, that’s happening in late April after the horrific collapse ending to the regular season THEN he runs the draft in late June and the first week of free agency in July, part of which sees a UFA deal with Anthony Mantha scuttled by ownership This plus the ignorance of his advice on what they can get for Larkin makes it clear to Yzerman that he’s never gonna be allowed to run the team as he sees fit, so he resigns the day the Mantha blowout happens Him and Ilitch agree to the construct that Horcoff was handling the Mantha deal As far as the Larkin leak that was Bill Guerin who was the only beneficiary of the leak, trying as he was to convince 71’s bestie QH to extend at the time … FWIW does any rational person doubt BG tampered with Larkin due to him also being USA GM?? The MIN focused 3 team list gives the game away, no?!?

He gave Larkin, Seider and Raymond very generous long term contracts Also offered Stamkos a very generous deal Edvinsson isn’t nearly as good as those 3 guys Plus he has a history of injuries to consider We found out with both Stamkos and Mantha that he was rebuffed by ownership when asking for an additional year on both deals to seal it The GM works based on ownership’s budget Ownership’s budget isn’t always the salary cap Right there is a big chunk of the current situation

The absence of Edvinsson has not been a noticeable factor … yet. But it should apply pressure to both sides of the negotiation to get a deal done, as Anton has looked very comfortable

Friendly reminder to the Peart contingent that Neil borrowed liberally from the groundbreaking kits used by Carl Palmer in the 1970’s years before NP surfaced Electronic triggers, rotating platform, gongs, percussion elements plus the bell to be played by mouth Two and a half tons, custom made half inch steel shells, decorative woodland scenes engraved by dentist’s drill Ringo loved it so much, he bought it from Carl when ELP retired in the early ‘80’s Now held in the private collection of a big ELP fan So historically, Palmer’s kit wins, Bozzio’s kit otherwise wins for sheer excess

Edvinsson hasn’t demanded a trade yet … and he’s out of contract now, negotiating for an agreeable deal I personally think his team is overplaying their hand … negotiations are hard sometimes Edvinsson is very good but not elite, wants to be paid more than Seider It’s an honest difference of opinion … Larkin is on the verge of breaching a real live signed contract Huge difference You ever negotiate a contract?? Suspect not

Tony C had established himself as a rising star and at the time was the youngest AL player to reach 100 HR’s A month or two later he was almost killed by a beaning in the midst of the ‘67 Red Sox Impossible Dream season Missed a whole year, made a remarkable comeback in ‘69 as AL Comeback Player of the Year, followed that up with 40 HR’s in 1970 … but never recovered full vision, which the Sox discovered and then traded him to the Angels, was never the same and out of baseball Went into sports media in retirement, was a natural and on his way to success but felled by a heart attack before he was 40, couldn’t speak and died a few years later under his family’s care Absolutely tragic string of unfortunate events for a kid who had the world at his feet 😢

Emerson Lake & Palmer hold down about the top 5 slots, virtuoso players all, awesome showmanship, always with cutting edge tech in their time (6) Deep Purple, mid 1980’s reunion with Mark 2 lineup, Blackmore at his best makes them almost untouchable (7) Black Sabbath with Dio, early 1980’s, literally risen from the ashes … awesome (8) Rush - turned onto them by ELP fans in late ‘70’s they would rank higher but suffer by comparison to the real thing, i.e. ELP (9) Judas Priest, Scorpions and 3rd band openers Def Leppard in 1980 on their US debut tour … all amazing (10) Venom at the Paramount in Staten Island circa 1982 with their opening act … Metallica shortly after Mustaine was replaced by Hammett … intense, Venom (RIP Cronos) literally blew a hole in the stage with pyro

Best Venom story ,,, they were on their first (only?) US tour in the early’80’s after the Black Metal release, and their first show was at The Paramount in Staten Island, we traveled 4 hours to see the gig, this was when they we’re probably at their peak with US publicity … … the opening act for the occasion was another band making its East Coast debut, with their new lead guitarist … (More on that later) … anyway Venom start up late, and proceed to blow a hole in the stage with their pyro, also knocking out the power so the gig is delayed 30 minutes while roadies put things back in order and the show goes on, well after midnight Later a hole discovered in the back wall behind the audience from the pyro explosion 💥🔥 Memorable show, first and last time I saw ‘em However we would see the opening band and new guitarist many more times in the future The guitarist was Kirk Hammett, fresh off his replacing Mustaine The band, Metallica …

Hoedown by ELP buries this list … the band used to open with this instrumental, just to limber up for the rest of the Show That Never Ends Emerson and Palmer would push each other to go faster and Greg Lake would hang on for life at the bottom The start of Tarkus (eruption) was also fast Hut of the Baba Yaga ditto And however fast these all were on record, they were faster live, which is why ELP did so many live records Only Purple could come close to ELP …

Answer is Tony Conigliaro, the youngest AL player to reach 100 HR’s, superstar career shortened by a beaming in August 1967 Tragically died young after finally starting to make a new career in sports media All due respect, Mattingly doesn’t belong on this list

I’m willing to bet actions like this one are outright barred in the collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the MLBPA Maybe there is an exception for gross negligence but this stuff doesn’t happen often for a reason … will probably get quickly dismissed

He’s still a quitter and a douchebag, not having to watch that long mopey face doing interviews from the losing locker room is going to be a pleasant change … let Cat, Mo and Ray handle it all