Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Leafs Happenings

Recently, the Maple Leafs made it official by announcing the signing of Jhonas Enroth. Jhonas is a solid backup who can steal a couple of games. He is a solid backup who understands his role and will support Anderson. Expect 20–25 starts so they can keep Anderson fresh.

The Maple Leafs have invited Brandon Prust to a PTO. I like this. He gives the Leafs an enforcer, a no-nonsense role player to protect the kids. Brandon is a leader and a strength in the dressing room. He will lead by example. He won’t get many goals, but his play will pump up the team. This a low-risk move that can only improve the team. If he makes the team, he can become a tradeable asset at the deadline.

The Leafs are still trying to find a trade partner for Tyler Bozak. Not that Tyler is not a useful player, because he is. The biggest problem is the cap hit for a third-line Centre. Tyler is a solid player who can do everything but is not a star in the offensive zone. He is a great role player who will help a team, but the Leafs will have to eat some of his cap hit.

The Leafs will continue to shop Joffrey Lupul. They continue to strike out on this front. They are selling that he is a top-six forward. The problem is, his stats do not back up that claim. The Leafs do, however, point out he was injured for most of the last season. He still has the skill, but does he have the heart?

It would be nice to have some cap room and continue to collect assets for Bozak and Lupul. Time will tell; however, I am getting excited about seeing the young guns. Is it October yet?

Friday, August 19, 2016

Calgary Flames Announce Monahan Contract

Reblogged from Flames Jamalaya.

The Flames announced today they have Monny for the next seven years at $6.3 million.  When the Avs announced the Nathan MacKinnon signing, you knew that Monahan had to get a comparable contract.

So let's compare numbers, shall we?  Mackinnon's numbers last year were 21 goals and 31 assists.  Monahan's numbers clear that with 27 goals and 36 assists, for 63 points. Monny played 81 games, and Mackinnon played 72 games. Mackinnon has a career year 62 points, Monny, 63 points.  So as you can see, the Flames got a pretty good deal both ways.

The contract also puts into perspective the Flames trying to keep contracts under the $7 million a year if they can.  Apparently, the Flames feel having four $7 million players is better than having one $10 million player.  

Which is vital is to the Flames if they want to stay competitive over the next seven years.  Think about it; Bennett's and Tkachuk's contracts are up in the next three years. Elliot is a free agent next season. The Flames will need some cap room to get those contracts done.

It is vital that the Johnny Gaudreau contract stays under the $7 million number. Bennett and Tkachuk will be both stars in the future and will need their money too.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Book Review In the Tick of Time



Are you afraid of insects?  Well, I think Matt Malloy can relate to you,  Until now, Matt Malloy figured he had all pretty sound knowledge of infectious diseases.  Well... hold the phone; not so fast, Mr. Malloy.

Matt finds himself trying figure out what is going to cause a cluster of infections at Buffalo Head.   The further he investigates, the more suspicious he becomes.  Matt puts his knowledge of infectious diseases into action.  Matt furthers reviews a suspicious death, with symptoms he has never seen before. He just can't quite put his finger on it. Then he has to put his finger on it, or he becomes a suspicious case.

Is Matt going crazy? He begins to doubt himself.  He develops more symptoms.  People start to question his professionalism.  He is obsessed with it, and he cannot sleep at night. His health begins to deteriorate; he becomes more and more paranoid. He is constantly trying to find a cure and locate the person who infected him in the first place.  Someone is trying to kill him, stopping him at every corner.  Will he be able to stop them?  Or will become another casualty?  This book will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout.  You won't be able to put it down, and it will give you a new respect for infectious disease departments everywhere!

Pick it up today at pdworkman.com.