Flyerfan52

Years ago with Jets 1.0 we had fundraisers but it was too little too late. Maybe token shares for the public will show the interest. I wouldn't count on a return worth mentioning but more see it as something like people buying a tile with their name on it on the entrance wall to show their support. For Jets 2.0 Chipman built MTS Center & waited patiently to buy an NHL team. I remember the governments threw in some $s & tax breaks but think he paid the majority. When he had the chance to buy the Thrashers (originally thought it was the 'Yotes) & needed to expand the arena more tax breaks & $s in the form of low interest loans came into play. End result has TN owning the place so reaping all concession $s along with concert revenue. In a small market that was what did in the original Jets as they paid rent but got only a portion of the gate with nada from over priced beer/hot dogs/parking or even the programs sold in the lobby. As a result there is construction in the downtown (some done by TN). Even that has tax breaks & concessions like a lot of lottery machines where TN keeps a much higher % of the take than the bars/restaurants do. As far as rejuvenating downtown on game or concert nights there is a higher police pressence to make us feel safe so that is an added cost for now. But when the high end buildings are completed hopefully there are more people around day & night. It won't get rid of the gang bangers & panhandlers but will probably move them to a different area. ************************************************************************************************ & yeah Carty, governments do like to toss money @ artsy things that few see. We have the white elephant known as the Museum of Human Rights built & supported by only tax $s from all levels of government. It's a sink hole for taxes that was supposed to be a tourist destination. The inflated visitor #s are mostly free passes & they even count leaving the main area to check the gift shop & re-entering as 3 visits.

I remember leaving a trailer full on Canuckleheads in the parking lot in Phoenix a few years back.

I got a out of it as well. It was probably my cousin out in Leaf land that put it up but not positive. Put those 3 is a cage match with McGratton as ref. After everyone beats the Gnome to a pulp let Nenshi & King battle to the end. Who wins doesn't matter but it would be fun to watch & ticket sales/tv rights go to the arena fund. Fans like me across Canada & elsewhere (a shout out to Germany) would probably watch on PPV. The judges (all Calgary residents & Flames fans) have a sober discussion weighing benifits vs. their tax bill (the drinks come later) to decide location, $s alloted & the % split between the city & team as they as most effected. I really can't give an opinion as it's not my taxes involved. ********************************************************************************* I googled who is running for mayor & council but really can't comment on them as I don't live there. I did look @ wards 1 & 2 to see that both have gals that could likely be hostesses on the bandwagon running. Something for DD to look into.

On a lighter note I was reading a farce article (via a link but think the source was something like beavernews) in which the Gnome threatens to move the Canucks to Calgary if council doesn't come across with the $s. I went back through my f/book but couldn't find it.

As everyone is probably aware my choice for this year was a Mason/Grubauer tandem but unfortunately that was not to be. I was never on the MAF wagon & was luke warm @ best with Smith. The strange thing is as I talk to people & read various articles about Smith in Calgary the more faith I'm starting to have in him. I was talking to my niece's husband on Sunday. He's a goalie & a Habs fan (I forgave him as he is a good guy) & talk turned to improved teams so we taked Jets getting Mason (we both live in the "Peg afterall) & he mentioned Smith with that Calgary D. We tend to discuss rather than argue so I let him make his points why that was a great combination & I had no rebutal. There's a dang good chance this works if our forwards hold up their part of the bargain.

I doubt it'll be the D corps he'll be yelling at if he's left hung out to dry by a bone headed play. I trust them but a lot of our forwards have to learn that not only those designated as defense on the game roster should play defense.

SN had a clip of Dougie Hamilton's twist on the "Drive By Dunk". He stops in front of houses with a goalie net in the yard & fires a road hockey ball @ it.

I wish I could believe the high lighted as IMO the Flyers down graded big time going from Mason to Elliott. I'm another that isn't all that confident in the Smith/Lack pairing but figure they are =/> last year's experiment. I hope the improved D makes adequate goalies out of both.

Sign him! 2 way @ league minimum. Then we flip him to the Canucks for their 2nd rounder.

Seems the Rags want to trade Nick Holden so they can add another center. They also only have about 0.5 in cap space. I think we can help them by giving them Freddie Hamilton (0.6125 x 1) for Holden (1.65 x 1) to add further to our D if they throw in a 3rd in 2018. Sometimes I'm so good hearted I surprise myself.

BTW, it was saved until my previous computer died. When I got the new 1 I should have saved it again but us oldies have memory lapses. What was this about? I forgot.

Yes & no. We upgraded our D in a big way, changed the nameplates @ goalie (I'm still not sure if for better but we know what we had last year didn't work) but @ forward basically stood pat. Of the 3 positions the only 1 I feel really secure about is defense. But a possitive attitude is 1/2 the battle. If the players are as confident as we are we're good.

Thanks. Somehow my old sig disappeared so I hunted around a bit & found this. LCB was always my favorite line. Great explanation of Hamonic vs. Larsson. You put it better than I'd have done. As you can tell from my posts I consider the trade for Hamonic the best move any GM made over the off season.

Then you'll be surprised.

He's the last 1 I worry about faltering. Last year was a stress filled 1 for him due to health concerns in his immediate family. We've cut other players slack under similar circumstances.

Elliott told the Philly media that his bad start was a combination of a new team, no familiarity with his defense & a new baby in the house. He said it was after him wife told him to concentrate on hockey rather than rushing home to help with the baby that he was able to turn it around. No mention of Calgary changing D-men. BTW, the Flyers defense wasn't that good last year. What helped a lot is they do play a good team defense.

Totally agree. ********************************************************************* Nashville getting Emilin (4.1 x 1) for a 3rd in 2018 looks pretty good too. An already great top 4 became an even better top 5.

That was confirmed today.

2.75 per season. Found out this morning from Philly people.

I was just thinking that with retention on both Smith & Lack while allowing for the Murphy buyout (part of the cost for Lack) we are spending 5.725 for the tandem. Roughly what MAF gets in salary.

Even better I'd like to see the Eddie Lack that played 1 year for the Moose.