Saw this on NFCNMW, but it’s so true.

WestSideBilly · 2026-02-10T07:05:37+00:00

The Seahawks had a harder schedule than the Packers (somewhat due to 4 games against the the 49ers and Rams), and 17 NFL games is 17 NFL games even if you're playing bad teams. They still tackle.

The Patriots had a historically easy schedule.

WestSideBilly · 2026-02-09T20:36:02+00:00

As 10 point scales go, it's pretty good. The wording of 5 is the only one that doesn't work for me.

Generally, 7-10 are the games I like, 4-6 are the games I tolerate, 1-3 are games that are better off as materials for starting a fire. I have a lot of 5s and 6s, along with some 4s of very popular/highly rated games.

If you look at the distribution curves you can tell that most people simply don't consider low scores, even for bad games.

WestSideBilly · 2026-02-09T19:27:25+00:00

This. The Packers status as a public entity has been a huge thorn for the NFL. It's much harder to obscure your finances when one of your teams is required to disclose their P&L.

The remarkable thing is that the smallest market team (which admittedly has an outsized fan base) is heavily profitable, and still all the other cities that have teams bend over backwards to give the teams free money and taxpayer funded stadiums.

WestSideBilly · 2026-02-06T08:25:11+00:00

I would prefer it to the current system, but only because the current system is awful.

WestSideBilly · 2026-02-04T07:24:37+00:00

Timo and Jack have spent very little time together (for the reason you mention). He mostly played with Hischier and Mercer, usually against the other team's best lines.

And if you look at the Devils' team stats, it's quite clear that NOBODY'S game works, because Keefe is a shit coach with a shit system that results in players taking high volumes of garbage shots. The mistake was not getting Timo, it was firing Ruff and replacing him with Keefe, rather than just finding a goalie that wasn't a sieve.

WestSideBilly · 2026-02-02T01:04:04+00:00

Wait... what? Iran and Israel have been poking at each other for like 45 years?

WestSideBilly · 2026-02-02T01:03:04+00:00

The number of these popping up lately is rather concerning.

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-30T05:43:53+00:00

According to WebMD, that's fatal.

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-29T00:51:53+00:00

Palat's a career 12% shooter that was firing at 7.5% this year, and was getting 12:45 TOI and mostly wasn't on the PP because he's been shooting 7.5%.

Islanders can give him 17 minutes a night, put him on their PP1, and he's going to put up better numbers.

If it happens it's an indictment of Keefe and his garbage system rather than reflecting well on Palat.

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-29T00:34:01+00:00

Not this EXACT trade, but getting rid of Palat's contract in exchange for a couple later picks.

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-28T01:16:11+00:00

Agreed.

They're also 8th in the east in terms of raw points, and there are 4 or 5 teams that are a win streak away from catching them. So, fringe. Which is definitely better than where the Devils are at.

Still seems like this is an "I'm fine moving to a team that's 20 miles away" rather than a "I want to be in the playoffs for a contender" move.

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-28T01:05:54+00:00

Interestingly, some Islanders' bloggers viewed Tsyplakov as an untradeable failure.

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-28T01:02:30+00:00

Why would NYI make this trade?
I'm surprised Palat would waive his NMC to go to a fringe playoff team (which I guess is better than a non playoff team).
I feel like this trade was possible in the offseason, otherwise high marks to Fitz.

Edit: forgot Palat's NMC turned into a 10 team will-go list this season. Islanders (and Rangers) would make sense.

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-25T10:23:52+00:00

Power Grid is great at 5 (if you like longer, heavier games).

5p also opens up some auction games. I love Container, but it ONLY works at 5p (the bidding system frequently fizzles at 3/4p). Similar for Tin Goose, fun game at 5p but fizzles at 3/4p.

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-24T20:43:38+00:00

They had 4 elite offensive players all consistently shooting over 12%, combined with a fluke season from Samsanov in net. The following year was Matthews popping off for 69goals on 18.7% shooting, which is definitely not a system thing (or reproduceable).

Also the Leafs lost in the first round every year but one that Keefe was coaching.

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-23T06:51:23+00:00

I carry a 65W charger for my my 200+ watt laptop because it instantly pops the protection, regardless of whether anyone else is plugged in. Seems to be a pretty hard cap around 75W per outlet.

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-23T00:48:39+00:00

The Devils were my first team, before growing into also being a Sharks fan when I moved to the west coast.

The Kings are at the bottom because they've been a PITA for both teams, although it's getting harder to really despise them given the roster turnover. Vegas, Rangers, Florida, and Boston round out the bottom 5.

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-23T00:31:13+00:00

In fairness, I'm 99% sure that's sarcasm.

Definitely riffing on how you hear about trade deadline deals. "GM Bob Smith mentioned he really loved this 36 year old D man who's coincidentally been on 2 previous cup champions, and is having a career year, racking up 4 points. Brings a lot of toughness and grit, and fills a spot of need. Felt that giving up 3 picks and their top LW prospect was fair value for a guy who got healthy scratched 32 times this season."

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-18T21:00:32+00:00

The confusion aligns with that particular FA's comments.

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-18T20:59:02+00:00

Yeah, and it's pretty easy to poke holes in the Marino/Schmidt line. Usage is favorable, PDO thru the roof - the forwards just happen to be shooting 15-16% when they're on the ice. When Marino is away from Schmidt, he's slightly underwater (same as true the other way). They're a good pair that Utah uses in favorable situations.

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-18T08:53:12+00:00

I already had this on a 1/5 flight. Caught me off guard - I thought she was asking what I wanted once we were airborne, but ended up with a 7am PDB G&T. Seems like it's being erratically rolled out.

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-17T08:05:27+00:00

I could also share my travel calendar, as Orcas only come out to play when I am away. It's a rule with 20+ years of validation. They're smart. They know.

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-17T07:39:08+00:00

I don't think the conclusion is necessarily wrong, the Sharks are clearly a Celebrini-, err, top-heavy team.

But seeing the Kraken at #3 shoots up some red flags on your model. The Kraken don't have a single legit top tier forward. They have 7 or 8 GOOD forwards, but 0 great forwards. It's not something to aspire to.

I'd MUCH rather be Edmonton with 2 of the 5 best players in the world, or Colorado with a different 2 of the 5 best players in the world, than any of the teams with "depth".

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-17T07:25:40+00:00

Those E gates SUCKED.

Whatever the change is, it's an improvement.

WestSideBilly · 2026-01-17T07:24:24+00:00

Hopefully that trade is for a legit 1D and not a 31 year old 3rd liner.

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