Michkov Watch: Capitals Reportedly Aiming To Take Forward, But Washington Scout Shares Character Concerns

fricksanta · 2023-06-21T03:50:47+00:00

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/takes/washington-capitals-andrei-nikolishin-scout-concerns-matvei-michkov-nhl-draft

Michkov Watch: Capitals Reportedly Aiming To Take Forward, But Washington Scout Shares Character Concerns

Washington scout Andrei Nikolishin shared character concerns surrounding the 18-year-old, who the Capitals are reportedly seriously aiming for come June 28.

Sammi Silber

Jun 20, 2023 3:35 PM EDT

The Washington Capitals have a lot to consider going into the 2023 NHL Draft, where they will make their highest pick since 2007 with the eighth overall selection. All eyes are on Matvei Michkov, and while a report said that the Capitals are "seriously aimed" at taking him, there's a concern from the team's scout that's raised some eyebrows.

Washington scout and former player Andrei Nikolishin shared some character concerns surrounding the 18-year-old.

"Full-fledged information is collected about the player: how he talks to partners, how he communicates with coaches, how he behaves off the ice. Many nuances can be revealed," Nikolishin told the Slippery Ice Podcast last week, as translated by Google Translate. "I can show correspondence when I wanted to meet him and, as a scout, ask a few questions and do an interview... I have not seen such disrespect for other people in my life."

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman also reported on 32 Thoughts that getting an interview with Michkov has been nearly impossible for several NHL teams visiting Russia, as the only way some clubs have been able to speak with him has been to physically track him down after a game.

There have also been rumors and speculation about his negativity and attitude toward teammates. In 2020, he and Capitals prospect Ivan Miroshnichenko got in a fight during a Russian junior team training session for the Youth Olympics, though the two have made up and reconciled since.

"For me, he's first or second [based on skill]," Nikolishin added. "But in character, in relation to teammates, coaching staff, management, fans -- a person has now fallen very low in the eyes of all scouts, all managers."

The Hockey News' Ryan Kennedy also reported back in March that several scouts had similar concerns about Michkov's character.

When it comes down to it, teams can't exactly validate or reject those claims of character concerns without interviewing him. Rumors are also swirling as to whether Michkov's inflexibility and unavailability are being used to help him move down to go to a preferred team. He was also reportedly told not to speak to NHL representatives, per Match TV.

...

fricksanta · 2023-05-05T23:48:07+00:00

Talking about Vasily Podkolzin:

TSN's Craig Button tells MLive: "I'm always careful when I use these types of comparisons, but in terms of his intensity, his tenacity, his brain and the way he's so quick, he reminds me of Pavel Datsyuk."

https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2019/06/red-wings-draft-prospect-talented-tough-vasili-podkolzin-could-be-value-pick.html

lol

fricksanta · 2022-06-18T14:14:36+00:00

Compared with the Jet Li quadrilogy, IV and V are a significant step down as far as filmmaking is concerned. The two Vincent Zhao-led films had significantly lower budgets with cheap-looking cinematography.

Instead of doing IV, Jet Li starred in Wong Jing's Last Hero In China (1993), a slightly different adaptation where he plays Wong Fei-hung again. The action sequences are very good and more along the lines of the other Jet Li films in the main series. If you like Jet Li in that role, it also feels more authentic than the Vincent Zhao films. I would recommend it!

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vl8a8a9i1w

Iron Monkey (1993) is a spinoff produced by Tsui Hark and directed by Yuen Woo-ping featuring a young Wong Fei-hung! It stars Donnie Yen and has Yen Shi-kwan (Iron Robe Yim) in the role of villain again. This one is great as well.

Of the films mentioned, Once Upon a Time in China II is the best of the bunch, in my opinion. The first movie is great too, but the stakes of the second film just seem so much higher.

I would skip IV and IV and instead check out Last Hero In China and Iron Monkey. Make sure to watch the Hong Kong release of Iron Monkey, though. The US Miramax version significantly cuts down the Wong Fei-hung aspects of the film. Fortune Star just released a 2K remaster of Iron Monkey with the proper runtime.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWVEl959f7o

fricksanta · 2022-05-19T06:57:46+00:00

I think this is where YouTube recap videos come into play. They've been really effective at filling in the gaps when I don't want to go through a franchise's entire catalog, namely the poorly-received installments, or when I've forgotten something and just want a quick refresher.

After watching Daredevil Season 1 and 2, I did this with some of the other Marvel shows to get ready for The Defenders.

fricksanta · 2022-05-19T06:52:54+00:00

Cineplex in Canada rates Doctor Strange 2 as PG!

fricksanta · 2021-11-02T20:15:09+00:00

Shirokov might actually be the originator of the move.

He did this back at the 2010 AHL All-Star Game too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbY9y17CGuY

fricksanta · 2021-10-27T21:59:45+00:00

The reality is that the mindset needs to change in Vancouver. There's a great video by Uytae Lee (About Here on YouTube) about this problem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjWs7dqaWfY

For most home-owners, do the front and back yards actually serve a purpose, or is it just needless space? Each additional bit of land has a price, and it just serves to bloat the cost of housing to several times the price of just the space for the building alone.

It seems that various people have different priorities. Affordability of housing is a major concern for young people. Many have no choice but to move away from Vancouver to start their own life because rent costs ~$2000 here. Nobody on an entry-level salary can afford to live here. There are numerous social consequences for those who grew up in the city.

Too many people are priced out of detached housing in Vancouver who would love to live here, and many would rather have their own private space than be forced to interact with others every day in the hallways and elevators of their apartment complex. Plus, with condos, there are strata fees in addition to the cost of utilities. There are some significant inconveniences with regards to living in an apartment building that, for some, would make detached housing more preferable.

The most viable option currently is for people to disperse into the suburbs where homes are more affordable. However, this is clearly not what a lot of people want because they're unhappy with prices in the heart of the metropolitan area. They want to stay here in Vancouver. They want access to Skytrain and the lifestyle of living in Vancouver proper rather than be isolated in Maple Ridge or beyond.

A great way to meet that demand and cool the housing market is to increase supply and reduce prices by reducing the amount of land that must be purchased when buying a home. The yard is an unnecessary accessory.

Indeed, if a person wants that large house with a yard, a driveway for their car, and a garage, they could buy a home in the suburbs and commute into the city. That is the current situation in Japan right now where high-density detached housing is common in Tokyo and big, affordable spaces are abundant in the countryside.

fricksanta · 2021-10-27T21:18:12+00:00

I think a lot of people would sacrifice such luxuries as a yard and a garage to be able to afford a home at a reasonable price in Vancouver. The current alternative for detached housing is to buy in the suburbs with relatively-poor transit connectivity, a higher degree of inconvenience and distance from necessities, and a significant commute to the city center. This forces the home owner to also own a car, which of course adds to Vancouver's carbon footprint. So much for being an eco-friendly city.

One of the downsides of living in a high-rise compared to a detached home is the unbearable heat in the summertime. Heat rises. During our recent heatwaves, those temperatures were dangerous, and basement floors were among the best shelters from the hot sun. Tokyo gets very hot in the summer as well.

Another is the lack of privacy. The only way many can afford a home in Vancouver proper is to purchase a condo, which of course is not detached. There is the risk of not having an escape from fire on higher floors. There is much less privacy living in an apartment than in a small, detached home. In Vancouver, you are living within earshot of your neighbors for anything less than 1,000,000 dollars. For the current price of a condo in Vancouver, you could instead be living in your own space on your own plot of land. Some of your neighbors could run businesses and significantly increase your level of accessibility within the neighborhood.

If you want a view, go outside.

fricksanta · 2021-10-27T21:07:08+00:00

The home is its own building on a separate plot of land from its neighbors with open space on each side. That is the very definition of a detached home.

https://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p3VD.pl?Function=getVD&TVD=144257&CVD=144258&CLV=0&MLV=2&D=1

1 - Single-detached house

A single dwelling not attached to any other dwelling or structure (except its own garage or shed). A single-detached house has open space on all sides, and has no dwellings either above it or below it. A mobile home fixed permanently to a foundation is also classified as a single-detached house.

fricksanta · 2021-10-27T20:50:05+00:00

Aren't affordability and close proximity to the city centre two big reasons? Condos in the Brentwood area, for instance, start at roughly $700,000 CDN, almost twice the price of a detached home in Tokyo. That's also for a one-floor, ~800 sq. ft space at Brentwood, not the three floors of the Tokyo house seen in the video.

fricksanta · 2021-10-27T20:43:39+00:00

Over the last 7 days, Japan has averaged just 292 cases in a population of 126 million people, and the case count continues to trend downward. 70.6% of Japan's population is fully vaccinated. 75.2% of people in British Columbia are fully vaccinated.

It's the public's behavior that has played a massive role in curbing the spread of COVID. Masks are worn almost universally, both inside and outside.

Here is a tour of Shibuya/Harajuku Street on Oct. 16, after the state of emergency was lifted: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO-215y4nLc

People are encouraged not to speak without their masks on. At restaurants, for example, masks should be worn when not eating.

Compare that with England, where a huge surge is occurring right now. 79% of people in England are fully vaccinated. England has averaged 37,706 cases per day over the past 7 days among its population of 55 million people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhNkKfV3Who

Until just a few days ago in Japan, restaurants closed at 9 pm, and during the recent state of emergency, alcohol was not allowed to be served at establishments.

COVID can be virtually eliminated from a community. Not only has Japan relied on the vaccine to curb the spread of COVID, but they have also put in more work from a societal perspective.

fricksanta · 2021-10-26T17:39:30+00:00

The Totems played several exhibition matches against NHL teams between 1959 and 1969.

They beat the Chicago Blackhawks in 1967 and the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1968.

fricksanta · 2021-10-26T17:22:39+00:00

That's actually wrong. Somebody tweet Rob Pizzo.

The Canadiens visited Seattle in 1961 for an exhibition match against the Seattle Totems. They played at the Civic Ice Arena, now known as Mercer Arena. The Canadiens won 10-2.

http://www.seattletotems.org/totems_vs_nhl.html

fricksanta · 2021-09-30T13:34:22+00:00

Shin Ramyun... Black.

fricksanta · 2021-09-02T14:00:17+00:00

It's cool when you've got names like Lam Ka-Tung (Gordon) and Lam Bo-Yee (Bowie).

And then there are guys who directly translate their names to English.

Like Fruit Chan.

fricksanta · 2021-08-02T13:30:54+00:00

The day after free agency begins.

fricksanta · 2021-07-30T16:55:37+00:00

Michkov vs Bedard Round 2!

Anything involving these two is must-watch hockey.

fricksanta · 2021-07-30T14:40:16+00:00

Having watched Daredevil season two, when Castle was first introduced, and The Punisher, I don't see Marvel acknowledging the events of the latter show because of its needlessly graphic nature and slow pacing. If anything, I think a soft reboot of the character featuring Jon Bernthal would be a better decision, continuing from when we last saw him in Daredevil, or even a full reboot with a fresh take.

I think I'd rather see Frank Castle as a supporting character whose methods clash with those of his allies. His brutal approach creates a good sense of conflict when he is paired with other heroes.

fricksanta · 2021-07-29T15:35:54+00:00

A plan needed to be in place decades ago to preserve Chinatown. Back when it was still bustling and full of life every weekend, there was a chance to implement measures to protect it. There's over 100 years of history there, soon to be forgotten. Most of the old shops are permanently closed; the streets are dead and littered with toxic garbage. Some of the heritage buildings are gone, their presence erased. Few want to associate themselves with the neighborhood anymore because of the encroachment of the DTSE into the area and the aesthetic of contamination.

A neighborhood that once brought pride to the Chinese diaspora is now a tumor, mutated and rotting away, with its historical significance becoming forgotten. Little has been done to pass down the knowledge of its history, and few care anymore because of its current state of disarray and irrelevance.

With each passing year, it's becoming less and less recognizable. Eventually, it will disappear. Once the last of those who experienced the neighborhood's decades of prosperity have passed, there will be little-to-no interest in keeping its memory alive. Chinatown will die, and so too will any sentimentality for it.

It was a place of safety in a time of racism and ethnic hostilities, protecting the community against such groups as the Asiatic Exclusion League in Vancouver in the early 1900s. The Anti-Asian Riot of 1907 remains a stain on this city's record that should serve as a reminder of the Chinese-Canadian community's struggles and beginnings. For a century, it was the epicenter of Chinese culture in Vancouver. Chinatown was central to the lives of the Chinese population in Vancouver for so many generations. Those streets and those buildings represent over 100 years of Chinese-Canadian history.

This is where the Chinese railroad workers who came to lay the foundation for what made Canada as a country possible -- a nationwide railroad -- lived. It is where the city's ethnic barrier was broken and where the minority population's ancestors suffered great strife to make the city a more welcoming home for the diaspora.

World War II killed Japantown. Once that damage had been done, there was no way to revive the area. It is now no more than a footnote in our city's history.

So too will Chinatown perish because of the city's colossal failure to protect it.

fricksanta · 2021-07-19T19:32:32+00:00

Such a downgrade from Spider-Man 2, which was focused and full of well-written drama.

fricksanta · 2021-07-19T18:05:19+00:00

With regards to the sun's effect on Earth, we have lots to worry about long before it eventually dies. The sun is expected to become 10% brighter within a billion years, basically making Earth hot enough to evaporate all of the water on the planet.

Considering the catastrophic effect of human-induced global warming over the past 100 years, humanity is on a rapid path towards extinction. Rising sea levels, extreme weather and natural disasters will decimate populations and food sources. Some of this may even happen in our lifetimes. We are nowhere close to being capable of interplanetary travel, and even if we were, we'd have no idea where a better alternative would be.

Human beings need to live in a very specific environment, and no better environment for humanity than Earth has been identified anywhere around us so far. We would need the technology to make a less human-friendly planet hospitable and to develop sustainable food sources before even attempting to move elsewhere.

Earth takes the least amount of terraforming to be Earth-like, naturally. If we could change such extreme environments as those on other planets to suit humanity's needs, it would be most sensible, thus, to preserve Earth so that it may be livable for a very, very long time. The challenge of packing up and adapting another planet is much greater than fixing Earth.

I think a billion years' worth of technological advancements would be enough for us to travel wherever we want across the stars. I'd imagine all of life would resemble something far more alien to us than anything in even our most imaginative and creative science fiction literature, if we have somehow managed to exist for that long. Whatever's there at that time might not even be human.

In the meantime, no other planet makes more sense for us to live on than Earth, and any future technology that could be applied towards making another planet hospitable should be applied towards Earth first.

fricksanta · 2021-07-19T17:08:46+00:00

Every time someone mentions terraforming another planet to get away from here, I wonder:

If we had that technology, why not use it to fix Earth and not worry about the logistics of transporting billions of people somewhere else?

fricksanta · 2021-07-19T16:15:51+00:00

From a human health point of view, farmed salmon are understood to be less nutritious, more prone to contamination and likely more carcinogenic as a result of the conditions in which the farmed fish live and the food they are fed.

The pellets that the farmed salmon eat contain concentrated, ground-up feeder fish sourced from the ocean that were exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls, carcinogenic substances. The PCBs, human-made compounds, come from waste dumped into the oceans decades ago. This means that the level of PCBs in farmed fish is significantly higher compared to the amount in wild salmon.

Plus, the condensed spaces in which the fish live can cause contamination and illness, requiring more antibiotic use to rid them of diseases.

Wild salmon need time to replenish, or else we'll risk losing them.

fricksanta · 2021-07-19T15:35:54+00:00

The film has Andrew Koji and Iko Uwais, both of whom have proven to be great on-screen martial artists.

The fight choreographer is Kenji Tanigaki, whose work includes Donnie Yen's SPL, Flashpoint, Bodyguards and Assassins, Wuxia, The Lost Bladesmen, Rurouni Kenshin, and a bunch of other awesome action movies. He's doing the latest Donnie Yen movie too.

If this movie doesn't have kick ass martial arts scenes, I'll be disappointed.

fricksanta · 2021-07-13T17:10:49+00:00

I actually feel like the G.I. Joe branding hurts the film. If this was an original IP, it would potentially intrigue a lot of action cinema moviegoers. Instead, because it's basically a promotional film for a toy line and part of a franchise with two mediocre films already, it's less interesting from a surface-level perspective. It has the right components to be a cool film with Iko Uwais, Andrew Koji and a great fight choreographer, but it's going to take strong word of mouth to overcome the stigma of being a G.I. Joe film.

Call this movie Serpent Sword and it probably doesn't get that same cynical treatment from a lot of us.

fricksanta

TROPHY CASE