Toe

I'm looking for someone for the second line, since right know I have Laich and Knuble playing with Riberio. I want someone a little quicker and with a better shot.

I'll trade Troy Brouwer and a 3rd round pick for Gionta (if I have the cap space...).

Kind of a crazy weekend so far. Tons of upsets.

Saw that on Grantland - just awesome. So awesome.

Shitty. If I lost Ovie for any stretch of games, I'd be screwed.

So many big hits. Mostly on your side of it, but I did get one major hit where Stajan completely levelled someone coming into the offensive zone. It was a tight game all the way through. Took me a little bit to get into the rhythm for face-offs, and your speed kept me from being able to really cycle the puck like I wanted to. I managed to come out of this one on top on the strength of some big rebound goals. That is my team's strength, speed on the rush, and then speed to keep position. That goal by Stempniak was just a killer, I almost put the controller down at that point.

I finally lost, Gabriel and the Flames beat me. It was a tough game, and I was behind the whole time. Good game, tons of huge hits!

Ok, I'll be on right now!

Another super close one for me. I probably had 40 shots on goal, but couldn't score. So, with 50 seconds left, Crosby gets the puck, gets into the slot, and scores with probably the weakest back hander I have seen. I swear at the TV. Then, with 20 seconds to go, I tie the game with a huge slap shot from Ovechkin. 6 seconds to go, Brooks Laich takes a harmless wrister from the top of the circle, it goes off Fleury's blocker and in. FUCK YES.

Gabriel, I'll add you on Xbox Live, and then just post here whenever you are ready. I'll keep checking in here every 15 or 20 minutes.

I should have recorded a hit from one of my games. Hip checked a guy as he entered the zone, he helicoptered into the air clockwise, then spun back down to the ice counter clockwise.

Boston just scared the shit out of me. They scored first, and that was ok. I don't panic, and tie the game in the middle of the second. Then, those fucking Bruins score three straight. I'm down 4-1 entering the third, and my winning streak is on the line. I actually claw back, and six minutes into the third, I've actually got the lead. Boston won't go away, and the bastards tie it at 5. I would win, but holy crap. That was a battle, and it was an awesome comeback. Ovechkin scored FIVE GOALS in the game. I checked the stats after, and I had taken 16 shots on goal with him in the game. SIXTEEN! Ovie now has 20 goals this season.

Awesome!

Gabriel - you available during the day tomorrow? Two computer teams offered my their first round pick for Tom Poti and a third. I didn't accept because that doesn't seem very realistic. Winnipeg offered me a fourth in 13 and 14 for my third this year. Turned that down too.

I think Allaire was right to leave. I saw what Carlyle asked of him before he decided to leave the team, and it seemed pretty demeaning. It sounds like the Leafs coaching staff was pretty fractured last season. Maybe Carlyle is looking to retool and streamline things?

Slow down as you enter the zone - when your skating at 75% to 100% speed, the defenders easily strip the puck from you. That was my main issue, and once I did that I was able to improve my scoring chances.

Wasn't a big reason for Gustavsson signing in Toronto because he wanted to work with Allaire? Gus scares me - watch Howard get hurt, and Gus just turn into the new Hasek or something.

Allaire's contract expired and he decided to not return because of the interference of other coaches in the organization. I am not sure if Allaire's system was the best one for Reimer, but I am sure he will go somewhere else and help another goaltender become one of the best. His resume speaks for itself.

Yunel Escobar is no longer one of my favourite players in baseball.

Oh yeah. When he took over from Raycroft, their were a few nights where Toskala looked like a world beater. That's when he won me over. Too bad he settled into being terrible. The Leafs are not in a bad spot, and I'd like to see Carlyle's take on the team this season. They have plenty of defence and some good, young, mobile players back there. Up front, they have Kessel. Everyone else, even prospects like Kadri, are a step below. They need depth and they need a true top line centre. The question mark is Van Riemsdyk and where he fits into the line-up. In goal, Reimer is still a question mark. Would like to see a full, healthy season from him before I judge whether he is the solution or just another problem in goal.

This is probably the final year as Burke as GM if the team doesn't make the playoffs. However, I would expect Nonis to be next in line, so not much might change if Burke goes. Still, I like Burke, and the team is in a better spot then it was before he arrived. Going into a season with Toskala as your #1 goaltender though...that is pretty bad. And I liked Toskala, I thought he had all the tools to be an excellent goaltender in the NHL.

http://www.operationsports.com/strategyguides/997/nhl-13-how-to-win-with-true-peformance-skating/ A few tips on how to play better with the new skating in the game. For those struggling a bit, maybe this will help!

Ruki, I don't want Komisarek. Ewwww.

I think that would be ok for Boston. Obviously, they have a pretty good history with Toronto draft picks, they lose Thomas while remaining deep by adding Reimer, plus they shed salary while picking up a little bit of forward depth.

I've been playing Crusader Kings 2. This game is just awesome!