redwing77

Well, I for one listened to Troy, though I never knew him. However, I wasn't as eloquent in my player defense as he was. Nor quite as well informed as he in all things Sioux. He will be missed, if not for his great insight alone, for his wonderful work ticking off the haters. RIP big guy.

I'd argue that most blind advocates don't. They only care about their cause. They don't care about any information that counters their cause unless it is easily defended against. If the cause dies for any reason, they will simply find another cause. Its how they roll.

But to a certain extent, I understand 4 winds. The nickname is such a trivial issue when less than half of their kids are graduating high school.... but to drop the nickname issue would be tacit approval. So 4winds is in a bind.

I can't speak for NA people, but I can say this: When you are told that you cannot believe something or not to like something without questioning why, how do you react? Or maybe someone tells others what you believe and it is not what you believe? How do you react then? Do the Spirit Lake people dislike the nickname? I don't know. Do they like it? I don't know. But there is a tendency to vote with emotion. And resentment is an emotion that can be very powerful. They could resent RHHiT and the way he's handled the issue and simply vote for the nickname because RHHiT was against it. It is a way of saying that they did not appreciate the way he handled the issue. Now, I'm not saying that's going to happen. Nor am I saying that the vote will turn out in favor of UND. Who knows how it will turn out. But it will turn out one way or another. THAT is what matters.

Good point. Maybe 4winds is saying that this issue just isn't worth it and the tribes should just drop the issue? Oh.. that would mean UND would get to keep the nickname.... I guess fourwinds would then be a hypocrite.

For the record, I don't care either way the vote goes just as long as the vote occurs. You see, democracy is amazing. First of all, it works (which is more that can be said for such forms of government as dictatorship (this works, but only as long as the dictator remains in absolute control), communism, socialism, fascism, and anarchy). Second, the process is beautiful. No one is truly happy in the process but it doesn't matter. Discontent breeds methodology. IF you don't like it, vote against it. If your efforts fail, organize a new effort to vote it down. If that continues to fail, then you'll have to find a way to survive without it. I cannot stand the state of government in the US right now. I could go into reasons why but it doesn't matter. I voted, I spoke my mind through voting. The results didn't work in my favor this time around. Oh well. That's how it goes. I hope people who have my same or similar political philosophy organize an effort to oppose the current elected officials in the next elections and the results go in favor of my beliefs. If they again don't, then I'll learn to survive until they do (and at this rate, I'm not so positive my fellow believers have their eggs in one basket). In any case, I find those who oppose democracy rather sad individuals who really need to get to parts of the world where it doesn't exist. Then, when they live without it, when their voice isn't heard or if it is heard, it could lead to serious trouble (imprisonment or worse), they come back here and realize "Hey! This place does have problems, but it is a great place and I can live with it if things don't go my way!" Now, I say that having NOT lived in that situation, so I admit that it is a tad biased. However, I don't need to because I believe in the system win or lose.

Can you gain about 100 pounds by October?

You won't. Parise's numbers will decrease. It's my hunch. Just like my hunch about Gaborik's numbers increasing... until his inevitable injury.

I'd hate to say this, but... while I was an Aviation student, I didn't study much at all (basically only studied in my ground school for Private Pilot and a Navigation class). On the other hand, when I switched to Education, I studied all the time. I'm not saying that Aviation is a posh major, but I certainly had a lot of free time while in that college.

Good Parise, I nearly lost my Mexican Village Fajitas at that picture.

I think (MY OPINION) that UND was in the position of having a slot for Forney if he wanted to come back but, if he decided against it, UND wouldn't be up the creek (See Colorado College Moore, John). Now really, the only bit of offseason news is who is going to be Goaltender #3. And I've already weighed in on that one. (how about that pun, Sicatoka! )

They may not like that two headed monster. I was thinking recruiting this guy. Or perhaps we can go multicultural:

I think the third stringer should be this really big guy. Something like 6'3 370lbs. That way, standing, sitting, lying down, it don't matter. He's got 95% of the net covered

Good question. I think he has the talent, yes. Can he stay healthy? How has the USHL prepared him for pro hockey? Those questions stand out. If there is any doubt, then Forney will spend time figuring it out in the ECHL.

No, the Devils aren't a run and gun type team. And you are right, they haven't been as long as I can recall. HOWEVER, last year they did take SOME strides towards opening up... at least until Brodeur got injured. Then they clammed up. I don't think defensive play will change that much. They'll go back to the trap system Lemaire loves so much and the Devils, historically, have been so good at. Both players ARE good 2 way players, true, but imo, Parise has shone brightest when he's allowed to simply go for the puck and try to score when in the offensive zone. Lemaire's system isn't like that. They have set plays and are otherwise seemingly position based offense to prevent opponent breakouts and odd man rushes. It's a very conservative offensive system that doesn't get burned that much but doesn't get much of an opportunity to run up scores that often. Hence one of the reasons why the Wild were among the lower tier of teams in terms of PPG during his tenure. After all, Ralston and Demitra had good offensive totals coming into their time at Minnesota and they then faded into mediocrity. Ralston still had some success, but overall... the totals went down.

I don't know about that. Zajac is fiery as all get out, sure, but the player that I think you are eluding to (letting anger get the better of him and taking stupid penalties because of that) was actually more of Radke's style than Zajac's. Zajac is mellower, IMO, than Radke or Prpich. In fact, when I watched Commodore play, he was much more prone to rage and taking stupid penalties. Greene was actually punished by Hak for stupid penalties at one point. I remember hearing about officials that would critique UND defensemen play (I think that came out in an interview with a UND D... Can't remember if it was Commodore, Smaby, Greene, Hale, Schneider, or Matt Jones). They'd say "Now you're playing better." Seriously... but that's a different rant. Zajac is a fine choice for an A. He's a team guy. He plays Team hockey. He stands up for Teammates. The only thing I don't know is what he's like off the ice and in the lockerroom during games.

3 of 4 correct. I think Langenbrunner's days of being a high end player is at an end. Actually I think he was in a decline when NJ got him. I DOUBT Dallas would have given him up or let him walk (can't remember if he was traded or left via free agency) if he was high end talent at the time. 82SiouxGuy- My opinion of the Wild may change. A lot hinges on how the new regime handles the game of hockey. I don't blanket hate them. There are players I really like on the Wild (such as Koivu and Backstrom and how Havlat). I think they have strength in goaltending depth. They do have great scouting in that department. And I agree, the biggest loser in the Lemaire hiring is Zajac. Sure, he's a good 2 way forward, but a defense-first system is death to a player like Zajac's offense. I see Lemaire changing not at all. I think the defense will stay pretty similar to what it already is. They already run a sort of trap/lock system if memory serves me. Last year they might have opened up a little bit. But I see Lemaire trying to do exactly what he tried to do with the Wild: Set the clock back to 1995. If it not for the new rules and new NHL, Lemaire's style would be fine. The old NHL was fighting, obstruction, and prone to defensive slugfests. That's one reason why the NHL (my opinion here) really died off in popularity after Gretzky retired...and maybe even starting while Gretzky was winding down his time in LA. NJ will not exactly suffer under Lemaire. Their PPG will. Since NJ has been having trouble scoring in past years, this problem is NOT going to go away. As for Lemaire inheriting more... I don't know. I see NJ and Minnesota very similar. They are mainly a 1-1.5 scoring line team just like the Wild. They have an abundance of grinders and they have depth issues in several areas. NJ will not be bad under Lemaire. They'll be mediocre. The question is: Is NJ such a disaster as far as farm system is concerned compared to Minnesota (which is largely considered to have among the weakest prospect pool among those who have signed anyways).

You're such a Finley apologist! You sicken me! We live in a scapegoat society. That's why we blame so many people for so many different things. Gates blames the white police officer, RHHiT blames the white man, and everyone blames the Jews. In sports, it's no different. People decide who they like an dislike. Then they gloss over the things that their favorites do (like the fact that Giambi takes steroids and got blasted. Manny and A-Rod took (allegedly) steroids and everyone loves them). Hey, Bartman interfered with the ball Alou was going to catch remember? No one noticed Gonzo booting a double play ball on the next AB. Genoway is much loved. Finley was not. It's easy to see who would get the blame. As for the incident, yeah. It's done. Hakstol acted. The book has been closed.

And if not, he'll invite both parties to the White House for a beer. Oh my god...

Did he? I think he was good, but he and "elite" is a lot like saying Chris Pronger is a shoe in for the Lady Byng Trophy from now until he retires. PM Botard is supposed to be an offense guy and has he flourished?

C - VV A - Zajac A - Genoway A- Frattin (just to piss off the haters and Gopher fans)

I'd better get my post in here pdq as this thread is certainly headed towards the Red X. I'm not sure I follow you. You make a statement. There is no indication that the statement that started it was made in jest. You use the term "irony" though. Is that what you used to indicate humorous statements? I don't know. I've found ironic events in the past to be not entirely amusing even. Some are, sure, but not all. Disagree with the victim card thing. It's your right. However, it is very much alive. It's been used to rationalize the condition of the NA society. It covers why many don't value education, why too many race unheeded into a lifestyle that lends itself to abject poverty, alcoholism, and to a certain extent disease. It's why the "white man" is among the first things brought up when some NA leaders speak about the ails of their society. Sure, I freely admit that white people over a 100 years ago committed awful acts against the NA people from taking advantage of them to even violence. But 99% of those white Americans alive today had nothing to do with it. So why are they blamed? Because some of their ancestors didn't break their backs for the NA people? Many of THEM were breaking their backs just to survive themselves! What about the Irish immigrants? What about the Jews from Eastern Europe? What about the German, Polish, Belgian, French, Russian, and countless other Jews in the mid 20th Century? Shoot, did we kill 6,000,000 NA people because they aren't blond haired, blue eyed Christians? Seriously, I don't joke about that crap. Everyone, even Caucasians, have their own tragedies. Their unanswered, unfair, and unconscionable experiences can sometimes be compared to that of the NA people and what of it? Unless you are NA, hispanic, or African American, no one cares. Yeah! When's the last time you heard about retribution about the countless Chinese that were used as forced laborers during the railroad expansion? When am I going to get worldly retribution for 90% of my father's family being wiped out because they were Jewish? Do you even hear Jews complaining? Thanks to that psychopath who went into the Holocaust museum, it was news for a little while. It hasn't been news since, iirc, the early 90s when some tried to get at the Swiss Banks to unlock certain bank accounts suspected of being used by Nazis as a sort of treasure trove of lost Jewish heirlooms, gold, money, etc. PLEASE!

He's too old, I think, for MJ. So my guess he'd be either in the ECHL or the AHL.

dagies- Lemaire is PERFECT for the "old" NHL. If the "old" NHL were still in place, I'm sure the Wild would have gone a lot farther than they have. Lemaire's coaching strategies and perspective on offense is NOT truly compatible with the "new" NHL. Slowly but surely teams are coming around. Detroit has it. Pittsburgh has it. Chicago is getting it (for how long is another argument). San Jose is getting it. Washington is getting it. The Wild even have taken steps to get towards it. The Devils are regressing. Lemaire isn't the best choice for the "new" NHL's offense-favoring system. Mark my words, the Devils might make the playoffs this year, but they'll be a non-factor. And that's saying something when they have Zajac, Parise, and the best goaltender in NHL history (ESPN can give breezer BJs to Patrick Roy, but Brodeur is better).

Hmmm... I don't know. I'm not sure I care for people saying whether or not I agree with something. As for the argument, it would be if UND wasn't dealing with an entity led (for now) by a person who staunchly lives in the past. They play the past to gain power or retribution in the present and, to a certain extent, future. That's the premise behind the "victim card." Ron HHiT LOVES the Victim Card because without it, he feels, the Standing Rock Tribe wouldn't have any power. Unfortunately, whatever respect that was held towards Standing Rock by UND students and non NA alums may have been compromised by Ron's very attitude. You don't get anything by whining a lot and feigning weakness under the "crushing" grip of an ethnicity that no longer has any ambition to crush you. The 19th Century is over. As long as people with the mindset of Ron is around, living in the past is all they will allow their followers to do. And it will become a vicious cycle. And the poverty and hardships will continue. That's my opinion. And if that agrees with you, fine. If it doesn't, fine. If that qualifies as ironic, fine.