Smitty

Huh? Iginla would have been a great choice for captain. He has the experience and leadership qualities, don't you think. Where did the analogy for Iginla come from? I only disputed the comparison between Thronton and Crosby. BTW, why are we debating the choice for captain? Its not like Crosby's wearing it...he's an A. Again, an excellent choice. Castus: I understand the sick feeling thing, but understand, this team has way more weapons and offence than the Turin team. Way more. I think people should calm down. Every tournament is going to have patches where your team plays subpar. I don't like it either, but if you're expecting a blowout every game, or even an all star team like Canada to perfectly execute game plan every game, your expectations are far too high. Frankly, this was a good game for them. they still got a win, and a wake up call. Win win in my opinion. Guess I am more optimistic than some. Lets see how we do against the US on Sunday. Smitty

While I think Pronger is debatable, you don't leave someone like Neidemayer off this team. Too much experience, too much ability to ignore; I don't give 2 cents what his +/- is this year, doesn't matter a whit for this Olympic tournament. Hey - I'm from Edmonton, and I am supposed to hate Pronger. but given the size of Russian forwards, you may want someone of Pronger's size to deal with them. I'm willing to wait a little bit to see if really is a liability. Don't know what games you watched Reh, but Pronger was pretty good in Salt Lake. And in Turin, when you get shutout 3 of the last 4 games, you know defence isn't THE issue. BTW, great coaching, great game plan by the Swiss to keep it close. Have to give credit to them - they skated hard and checked hard, and that does help mitigate the difference in skill. Quite effective. Classic way to play as an underdog. Plus it helps when your goalie stands on his head. Smitty P.S. Bhurt; many comments from the fellow players and commentators about Crosby's willingness and dedication to the game. He's a superior choice for the A; and it grooms him for 2014. Thornton has choked in the playoffs, and hasn't won a Stanley Cup; Crosby has.

Get better Jay, love your videos and I'm glad you're going to make a full recovery. I'm hoping Karma has something in store for those bastard cowards. Smitty

Just wanted to reiterate to you depressed Flamer fans out there that, contrary to some people's opinions, I don't think Iginla is washed up. Smitty Nice hat trick Iggy (commentators saying he really had 3). What's it like playing with real linemates?

Just bought a Sage RPL+ 590 custom build off Ebay. Nice components, including a maple burl handle. Not sure if I'll end up liking it over cork. But yeah, my impression is, especially with something like an RPL+ - i.e. discontinued - , I have absolutely no warranty. So it is a bit of a wing and a prayer in terms of (1) The builder knows what he's doing and (2) your own responsibility in taking care of the rod. Smitty

I was told by my buddy that one of the things the NHLPA did 'win' in the last negotiations for the CBA, is that, in exchange for a salary cap, the players got a minimum spending threshold, PLUS there were to be no more "incentive" based contracts. Frankly, I think incentives are the ONLY way to go, but its obvious why the players wouldn't want them. I get sick of players pulling what I term a "Todd Marchant". Todd Marchant was about a 38 point per year player. Then, golly gee, what a surprise, he goes into the last year of his contract before UFA, and viola, what a freakin coincidence, he pulls out a 60 point season. Oilers have to let him go (smart), because they know he was going to get overpaid; and he was. Same with Shawn Horcoff, Fernando Pisani, and Bobby Holik (45 million dollar contract from the Rangers). It sickens me to see players cash in on the "one magical Todd Marchant year", and then go back to the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th line players they are (even though they're getting first line money). Anyways, that's a bit of a hijack, not alot to do with Kovy, because he is undoubtedly a top talent. Very few pure goal scorers can be found in the league; they're definitely tough to come by. So assuming he continues to stay healthy and lights it up in NJ, he'll get the league max or somewhere close to it. Frankly, it was a good move for Atlanta - it was a hell of an offer from them, and I agree with the previous posters; one hell of a risk for New Jersey. Ironically, I read in the paper today that the Atlanta mgmt are not adverse to trying to sign him as a free agent. Oh, that would be delicious irony for NJ....lol I think LA will try to sign him. Chicago can't afford him with the contracts they've got, maybe Boston, maybe the Rangers. But LA would seem like a fit for a ego like Kovy's. BTW, don't count Pittsburgh out of the playoff picture just yet.... Smitty

Jay; Fair point about not having much to play with; but, I still think he's not nearly a complete all round player like the other two. So from my perspective, he has far from proven he's worth league maximum. But some team will probably be dumb enough to pay him that much. I mean really, even if he played with a great set-up guy like Joe Thornton, and his average production goes up 10 to 15 goals per year (scoring 55 to 70 goals), is that really worth committing over 10 million per year, especially if some GM is dumb enough to offer him 9+ years??? I guess its the length too that bothers me; you might justify paying a player like that for 2-3 years in the middle of their prime... I mean 12 years, my gosh, that would have taken him till he's 38 yrs old! No NHL'r is worth 11.2 million avg cap hit at that age! Smitty

So Kovy wants the league maximum, eh? He thinks he's better than Crosby or Ovechkin? Arrogant jackass. Salary cap is at, what, about 55 million? And he thinks he's worth about 20% of one team? Leaving 45 million for 22 other players? The rest of the team will average out to 2 million a year?? Any team that gives him that much is screwed. Maybe, just maybe if he was a modern day Gretzky or Orr. Maybe even a Lemieux or Messier. Just maybe. Maybe!!! But he's not even in their league. As I said, pay Crosby or Ovechkin that much, if anyone. And NJ got him that cheap because he's going to try and "cash in" on July 1st. Only way for him to get league maximum; create free agency feeding frenzy. Let's hope no team is that stupid. What the hell I am saying...we're paying Horcoff 7 million... -sigh-; wonder how much scotch I have left... Smitty

I feel better just hanging out on this thread. Smitty

I think I'm more of a Flames fan now than you Reh. Scary. I don't think the Flames are that bad. Obviously, Flames fans aren't at used to being as hopelessly frustrated as Oiler fans. I think I was drunk the entire month of January... Smitty P.S. I pray that Reh didn't bust an ankle jumping off the Flames bandwagon though...

Not convinced he's done yet. Good game, Jarome. Oh, and you're welcome Flamers. Oilers provide the perfect Rx for struggling teams. Smitty

BobLaw: Just sad. Clearly the dirty part was Maxwell being blindfolded and forced to use his bad arm for "casting". How the hell did you miss that???? Smitty

I'd love to join, but by the nature of my current geographical locale, I am by definition excluded, cause there ain't no way I am making that commute. But I'd love to come as an observer, keep everyone honest, and throw rocks in Taco or Bhurt's pools. j/k And I think Maxwell should be blindfolded and forced to use his bad arm for casting (if he has one). Smitty

Alright Wolfie! Score one for the Fox News, Bill O'Reilly, and Pat Robertson brigade! Yes! Smitty [Oh! Oh! Oh! Noticed the Biblical reference! Can we pretty please get into this. C'mon, I'll reply to yours: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Now, a suggestion for a reply; use the Old Testament - God was much more angry and vengeful in that book. Something about floods and pairs of animals]

Rickr: Ah, don't let our anti-americanism pastime get you down Rickr. Its right behind hockey, curling, and poutine in terms of popularity. Besides, we'll make an exception for you; you know how to cast a fly! And, you don't own a Ranger bass boat. And besides that, you have to allow some ignorance here Rickr. After all, don't your fellow Texans think we live in igloos and wear Beaver hats? [Edit: Like I said at breakfast, just think of the whining and complaining if the US beats Canada in the mens hockey for gold. Not betting that will happen, but just sayin'...]

"There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home." Kenneth H. Olson , President of DEC, Convention of the World Future Society, 1977 "The world potential market for copying machines is 5000 at most." -- IBM , to the eventual founders of Xerox, saying the photocopier had no market large enough to justify production, 1959 "I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with the best people, and I can assure you that data processing is a fad that won't last out the year." -- The editor in charge of business books for Prentice Hall, 1957 "Television won't last. It's a flash in the pan." -- Mary Somerville, pioneer of radio educational broadcasts, 1948 "Television won't last because people will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night." -- Darryl Zanuck, movie producer, 20th Century Fox, 1946 "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." -- Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943 Yep. Definitely a fad.

At best, incomplete, at worst factually wrong. If we're going to continue this debate lets get something quite clear; the parks madate was originally for people's enjoyment AND as a wildlife refugia. Completely shortsighted Dax. You should try to broaden your perspective; I suggest some of the thoughtful writing by Jim McLennan, who has written some good 'editorials' on C&R being a management tool, instead of a religion. Not every Albertan feels the way you do, nor is it biologically necessary or sound to have blanket C&R. Its not prudent fisheries management practice, and its incredibly naive. People like keeping fish in this province. That's not a bad or evil thing, nor does it have to be unsustainable, if properly managed. There is a point, its called food. Well, congratulations. And yawn... (And, oh, btw, lots of members here have shared stories about packing out other people's garbage). Thread about classified waters here: http://flyfishcalgary.com/board/index.php?...p;hl=classified Anyways Dax, if you wanted to stir up some stuff well, whoopee do. All you've accomplished from my point of view is trot out cliches, stereotypes, and exposed your own ignorance/naivety. Chalk one up for the bait fishermen who think we're composed of elitist snobs, lol. But if you want to serve as the high priest of C&R, well, fill your boots. Smitty P.S. If your sole purpose was to troll, well, I'm your huckleberry. Or the dumb 6" stocker...

Someone likes The Office!...

Hey gang: So, starting with Rickr's fundraiser back in Dec., here are my raffle results: 1) Win - Use of Rickr's Panorama condo, 2) Win - Grizzly hackle and a pair of binoculars at the NFLT Gary Borger/Mike Lawson seminar, 3) Win - flybox at Phil Rowley's 2 hr Stillwaters seminar on Saturday, 4) Win - TU phones me today and now I've won a guided trip with Phil Rowley! Good God. Only question is, which lottery numbers do I play this week? Suggestions? Can't wait for the StreamWatch raffle... Smitty

I don't follow the NFL really, so I can't offer any thoughtful analysis. But I am cheering for the Saints, just because its New Orleans, ya know. Smitty

Taco: Well, I recently won an auction on Ebay, so I'm the proud owner of a 4 piece, RPL+ 5 weight. Not sure if I told you that at the breaky, but I'm am definitely not looking to trade into a 6 weight. Unless its a 10 footer, perhaps! Smitty Not sure what you mean by that??...

Just to fast forward, if you want to skip gory details, here is the concluding page of dpreview's waterproof cameras: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterp...roup/page17.asp Based on their recommendations: #1) Tie - Canon PowerShot D10 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 #2) Pentax Optio W60 (this is interesting, it scored higher than the w80) I have the Pentax Optio w10 and have been very happy, though its several generations old. Smitty

Sorry to have missed you Boblaw. And glad you found your camera. Was hoping your kids liked the cake Rickr, just love brown sugar icing. And that bacon was so delicious; gonna have to try Fletchers.... Thanks again Rickr, it was great to meet everyone and it was most kind of you and your family to provide the food and the locale. Awesome. Smitty P.S. Yeah, the name tag thing sounds good for next year...

I had a great time; came for all three days, and I crammed my brain full of presentations and workshops. Decided to focus on stillwaters (makes sense, from Edmonton and live 2 mins from a trout lake), so I saw a lot of Brian Chan and Phil Rowley. I learned a ton and so I'm chomping at the bit for the lake to become ice free. Also want to go to the Yukon even more now, and Jim McL's presentation on the Crow Country was entertaining as usual. Was looking to add a rod for lake fishing, but in the end, I didn't bite (especially since I recently found a 4-piece 590 RPL+ on Ebay that I won). Like the breakfast, it was good putting names to faces, and just meeting people. Stopped at Bass Pro Shops on the way there and back, plus, got t know some of the flyshop staff from the various flyshops in Cowtown, including the new fellas at SouthBow. Hopefully I can go next year! Smitty (Mike)

Quite true. But I would think, with the exception of some quarterbacks/receivers, most people are rabid fanatics about the school as a whole, as opposed to one player. But I get what you are saying. Nick: You stand corrected; best place in the world to be a criminal right now is Russia. No stable criminal justice system, the inmates run the asylum so to speak, and lots of natural resources - similar to Canada - to get rich off of, and no eco huggers to worry about (just threaten to kill them). Just sayin'... Smitty