Bik's Week 17 Picks: Resolutions

This has been my first season doing picks for the NFL and I have to say I’m pleased with how things have gone. The picks will continue into the playoffs but with the regular season closing, it’s a pertinent time to review how the season went.

114-120-3... oof – ok not that great. But this has been thoroughly enjoyable and thanks to those that have been reading through 17 weeks. In fact, thank you if you read any of the weeks. I’m looking forward to doing this for the 2013 NFL season, and I resolve to do better. Such is my determination to improve that I’m writing it into my New Year’s Resolutions. So in the spirit of making New Year’s Resolutions, I’m conjuring up 32 Should-Be Resolutions for the NFL along with the Week 17 Picks.

Onto the picks, home team in CAPS

UFC 155 Predictions and Preview

This Saturday UFC 155 will go down in Las Vegas, featuring a headlining bout to determine the "Badest Man on the Planet". Velasquez v Dos Santos II is set to headline a rather intriguing fight card. We could see a few contenders for titles emerge or see them fade away into the middle of their respected weight divisions. I'll take some time here to break down and give predictions on all 5 main card fights.

Bik's Week 16 Picks: Home Alone Edition

First and foremost a cheerful Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Kwnaza, Happy Hanukkah or any holiday that you are celebrating, we wish you the best from everyone at The Extra Period.

It’s never really Christmas for me until I can do accomplish 2 things. Have to watch The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and Home Alone back to back... if time allows me, I’ll squeeze in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. But definitely the first 2 have to be knocked off before it feels like Christmas to me. And I just did both yesterday... which has inspired me to use each of this weekend’s games and finding a relevant quote from Home Alone to best describe that game.

Onto the picks, home team in CAPS 

Bik's Week 15 Picks: Conspiring for Drama

Considering how truly bizarre this NFL season has been, there’s a number of potentially bizarre scenarios unfolding in front of our eyes that with the right amount of breaks, the right amount of league insistence and the perfect splash of “conspiracy theory” mixed in.... could work out.

There’s going to be a lot of “ifs” in this piece but when trying to lay out what might occur in the upcoming 3 weeks, that’s bound to happen since I neither own a crystal ball nor am I Biff from “Back to the Future II.”

Before I delve into some of the potential situations that could happen in the season and before you roll your eyes at the league conspiring to make it unfold, just remember what’s already transpired this season by Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Bik's Thursday Night Week 15 Pick: Preparing For The Future

I’m going to get into more for tomorrows pieces but this is what the final 3 weeks has in store for us in the NFL Season, along with some unavoidable facts:

-          The Dallas Cowboys are 1 game out of the Wild-Card race and the NFC East divisional race.

-          The Washington Redskins are also 1 game out of a Wild-Card race and the NFC East divisional race.

-          The Redskins beat the Cowboys on Thanksgiving in quite spectacular fashion.

-          Tony Romo is known for his rather hilarious chokes and doesn’t have the best of times on NATIONALLY TELEVISED GAMES

-          If both teams continue their winning ways, Week 17 will more than likely be a NATIONALLY TELEVISED GAME

-          The Redskins play the Cowboys in Week 17

-          Despite the day-day soap opera that has played out for the J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS! They find themselves 1 game behind Pittsburgh and Cincinnati for a Wild-Card spot in the AFC with a 6-7 record.

-          The Jets play @ Tennessee, vs. San Diego, and @ Buffalo.

-          The Steelers play @ Dallas, vs. Cincinnati, vs. Cleveland

-          The Bengals play @ Philadelphia, @Pittsburgh, vs. Baltimore

-          If the Steelers or Bengals lose any games against AFC opponents and have the Jets go 3-0, the Jets would make the playoffs.

-          Mark Sanchez is still the Jets starting QB... Tim Tebow was healthy last week.

-          Tim Tebow took the Denver Broncos to the playoffs when there was no hope last year.

-          The Seattle Seahawks are 1.5 games back of the San Francisco 49ers for the NFC West crown.

-          The 49ers play @ New England this weekend

-          Eminems “Lose Yourself” was the #1 song when the Patriots last lost in December at home. Meaning for those who were graduating the year “8 Mile” came out in theatres, this year will be your 10 year reunion.

-          The Seahawks are 6-0 at home this season

-          The Seahawks host the 49ers in Week 16

-          If Green Bay loses 1 game, The “Fail Mary” from earlier in the year might actually come back to haunt the Green Packers again as they would lose out on the 2^nd seed and a bye week to Seattle.

That’s just a sniff of what’s happening in the NFL....  now for a look at what’s happening in the NHL:

-          People in suits are talking...

Thursday’s Week 15 Pick below – Rest of picks for Week 15 on Friday. Home team in CAPS.

EAGLES (+5) over Bengals

I’m not too sure why the Bengals are over a field goal favourites on the road in what is essentially a must-win game for them. The Bengals do have a penchant for beating teams they’re “supposed” to beat but they’ve also quivered and shook in games that they absolutely need to win. The Eagles have really their nothing to play for and are just out there looking at their future. Not even really a case of veterans playing for their jobs because Mike Vick is healthy and a scratch for this game. They got nothing out of their run game last week on the road in Tampa and still pulled out a win. That will improve as the Bengals middle linebackers are making their tackles on running backs 4.8 yards past the line of scrimmage (highest in the league), and Bryce Brown is 2^nd in the league in yards after contact (small sample size but still). Plus it’s a short week and I’ll take the home-underdog.... Again. *gulp*

Last Week: 7-9

Season: 100-103-2

Bik's Week 14 Picks

RAIDERS (+10.5) over Broncos

Broncos won 26-13 on Thursday Night. 

Bik's Week 14 Thursday Night Pick

RAIDERS (+10.5) over Broncos
This is going to be difficult to defend but here goes. The Broncos can win this game by playing just under 2 quarters of this game. They really have no reason to show up. The fact it’s a divisional game means nil to them. They’ve walked away with the division, and are really just playing for a 1^st round bye. All they need to do is not screw up and they probably win this game. So why the Raiders? Mainly because it’s TOUGH for double-digit favourites to win on the road, going 0-5 last year, and the only time it’s been on the cards this year was for the Broncos against Kansas City... sure enough KC covered. 10.5 is too open for a shady backdoor cover and even in garbage time the Raiders can be mildly effective when defences are just giving away yards like it’s a Boxing Day Sale. Not to mention that the Broncos can just scheme a vanilla game-plan this week without showing the rest of the league what’s in their playbook. The next 4 weeks are just a dress rehearsal for Denver. So I’m going with the Raiders and have no plans on watching this game. Oh, and it’s a short week.

Last Week: 7-9

Season: 93-96-2 

Bik's Week 13 Picks: Drunk With Power

The commissioners are officially out of control.

It’s gotten to the point now where you can put the names of the commissioners of the big 4 North American sports in a hat, pull 1 out and complain about them for 30 minutes. So somehow I’m going to bypass the commissioner who has brought on his 4^th work stoppage in 20 years during his tenure. Somehow I’m going to avoid talking about the commissioner who is lobbying for 18 game seasons while player safety is becoming an increasingly dangerous predicament for the league. Somehow I’m going to ignore the commissioner who is about to see 3 stars go onto their first Hal of Fame ballots, but all 3 have a cloud of steroid mystery around them. Yep – David Stern, this one is ode to you.

Bik's Week 13 Thursday Night Pick: A Lockout Pool

This is for those who see the glass as half full.

One of the biggest losses throughout this NHL lockout has been losing all fantasy leagues and hockey pools. It’s a strong source of camaraderie that allows us to replicate, even on a miniscule level, managing and creating your own hockey team. No more can we trash talk in the office or amongst friends when Ryan Smyth had an unexpected 3 point night ruining another owner’s week.

So I present to you a new pool for your office or your friends. We need to salvage this aspect of this dreaded lockout. It’s a calendar pool as to when the NHL Lockout will end. Just make a calendar from today’s date until June 28^th 2013. The 28^th is the date for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, so if the NHL hasn’t figured out this CBA nonsense by then, we might as well become basketball fans.

Charge $5 per date, you can choose as many dates as you want. And it works like TPIR (The Price is Right), whoever is closest to the date without going over. Multiple people can pick the same date and split the winnings if it lands on that date, but you have to pick a day that is more than a week in advance. This’ll create some anxiousness in the office and allow you to trash talk people for their optimism. “YOU THOUGHT FEHR AND BETTMAN WOULD SOLVE THIS BY DECEMBER 9^TH?!? PFFFFT!” Doesn’t this kind of talk excite anyone else? Is this me grasping at straws?

Mind you this entire pool is contingent on the NHL and NHLPA actually solving their issues, which at this stage seems like we need a prophecy from an Oracle and both sides to negotiate with a ‘Neo’ like belief.

“There is no spoon”

Rest of Week 13 Picks on Friday. Home team in CAPS.

Saints (+3.5) over FALCONS

Last Week: 7-7-1

Season: 86-87-2

Bik's Week 12 Picks: Thankful

I’m thankful for technology.

I take you back to last Wednesday. I was in a mad rush to get things sorted before I boarded my plane to Las Vegas. Then I touched down in Vegas on Thursday, the city lights and general euphoria about being in Vegas completely distracted me. You know that feeling when you go for a trip and you keep thinking if you forgot to pack something? Well I had that feeling from when I left my house and to this specific moment in Vegas. But I doubled n’ tripled n' even QUADRUPLED checked my bags. Wallet, keys, cell-phone, passport, cash... Check, check, check, check, check... What was I forgetting?

Bik's Week 11 Picks: TJ's Takeover

To start, this isn't Bik. He is off in Vegas this weekend. And I can only imagine he is salivating at the idea of a Sunday of football in the gambling capital of the world. Since he works so hard with his Bik's Picks I figured it was only fair to give him a weekend off. Time for me to take my hand at this picking against the spread thing. Because he can't get away from it I will have Bik's Picks in this post as well.

I am going to provide insight into each matchup but don't look too deep into it. I am still new to the NFL and am really just flying off the cuff.

Here we go. Week 11. Rookie v Veteran. Pride on the line (As a note I am not looking at Bik's selections until after I make mine)

Bik's Week 10 Picks: A Moment of Silence

If you’re not the type of person that will stop and pause for a moment of silence NO MATTER WHAT YOU’RE DOING this Sunday for Remembrance Day – then this piece is not for you. Just skip ahead to the picks below.

But if you will take a moment to remember those who sacrificed so much and have allowed us to live with the freedoms we have today, then join me and take a moment, or a few, to also remember the following:

Bik's Thursday Night Week 10 Pick: Letdown

Rest of the week 10 picks on Friday. Home team in CAPS.

JAGUARS (+3.5) over Colts

You know when you get back from a nice vacation that was just absolutely exhilarating, and that first day back to work is just THE WORST? You’re sitting at your desk, completely unmotivated thinking about the trip you just took. It’s just an emotional hangover and you gotta wait it out. This is that game for the Colts.

If you didn't already know but the Colts have used the story with their head coach Chuck Pagano and his battle with leukaemia as their rallying point. Last week Pagano spoke to his team pre and post-game and at home versus the Dolphins, Miami never stood a chance. It was an emotional high that was going to have the Colts on another level. They had a moment like this earlier this year when news of Pagano’s illness first broke. They played the Packers at home that week, surprise surprise the Colts won in an incredible game. This game is very much either a Pro-Colts or Anti-Colts pick because let’s face it – in no scenario are you going to be able to conjure up a Pro-Jaguars pick. Now there are several schools of thought in play for tonight’s game and how using Pagano will work or won’t work for the Colts.

1)      After that Green Bay win, everybody was set to jump on board with the Colts and ride this #ChuckStrong emotional wave the Colts were having. They followed up with a 35-9 loss to the New York Jets. They came up with a big win vs. the Dolphins, especially for the AFC playoff picture, and now play a major downer game vs. the Jaguars.

2)      Because it’s a Thursday game and they don’t have the full week to come down, they’ll still be on that emotional high and be able to ride it out in a win over the Jaguars.

3)      They’re a young but smart team so having already been through this roller-coaster once they’ll be better prepared for it now.

4)      The Colts are a young team and it takes more than 4 weeks to figure out how to manage these emotional swings during a long season.

The Colts are coming off a vacation and are set to go back to the real world. The regular rat race. You need those inspirational moments during a season, but you can't draw to that well every week. I think we see a repeat of that Jets game instead of a continuum of last week. It’s tough to come from that high, then hit the road into a crummy place like Jacksonville and keep that same level of focus on a short week.

Last Week: 5-9

Season: 64-67-1

TEP Drinking Game Series - Curling

If there is one thing Canadians love it's beer and ice sports. With hockey still on the shelf us

"ice" sports fans need our fix. With that in mind I present to you TEP's Curling drinking game. I want to preface this by saying it is still in it's Beta testing phase, but it will be amended as necessary.

Bik's Week 9 Picks: June 20th 1994

I may have only been a mere 9 years old but it’s stuck with me since then. And really its something that I will always look back to. I think about why can’t we get back to that point? But also about how we got to this point. And how potentially different it could have been.

As the NHL has finally done the inevitable and cancelled its show-piece regular season game, The Winter Classic, I think back to when I was 9 years old. June 20^th 1994 to be exact.

Bik's Thursday Night Week 9 Pick: Natural Disaster

Ok look – It’s Thursday and we’ve had a hurricane and 2 earthquakes in North America in the past week alone. I am freaking out. I’ve barely picked above .500 the past 3 weeks, but am still 1 game over .500 for the season. I’m hunkering down in a bunker until the world rights itself and until I’m well over .500. So today’s pick’s post is going to be a short one, but let’s get to it.

Thursday Night Week 9 pick. Home team in CAPS.

Chiefs (+7.5) over CHARGERS

When Norv Turner’s back is against the wall on a 3^rd n’ 5 in the 4^th quarter of a meaningful game – he unequivocally folds and things blow up in his face. The Chargers season hangs in the balance and his job security is as secure my nephews Halloween Candy haul. This game features 2 bad teams on a short-week. I’ll take the points especially since it’s over a touchdown. And Brady Quinn is no longer starting for the Chiefs, so this’ll be Matt Cassel’s first game starting after he was booed for being knocked out. The Chiefs really have no pressure on them because they just aren’t expected to compete in any games. I mean, when your coach is asked why Jamaal Charles got only 5 carries and his response is “Now, that I’m not exactly sure either.” The level of expectations are just lowered for you to do anything competently. So you’re a complete wildcard – and on a short week, the last thing a team that DESPERATELY needs a win and is ill-equiped to pull out clutch wins, is to face a team that has nothing to lose and will impress by doing fundamentals correctly. This is an end of an era game for the Chargers if they lose this... bye to Norv, bye to GM AJ Smith, potentially the ultimate demise of Phillip Rivers. No pressure or anything.

Last Week: 7-7

Season: 59-58-1

Bik's Week 8 Picks: 32 Costumes for 32 Teams

Its Halloween weekend, so why wouldn’t I assign costumes to each NFL team:

Bik's Week 8 Thursday Pick: Draft Day Drinking Game

When a team lifts its championship trophy that closes the final chapter of another great season in any sport, and one team’s fan base rejoices and celebrates – countless others are left to wonder “What If?”

You’re left with a deep void that can’t be filled until a certain day. You’ve lost hope – and there’s a certain day in a leagues calendar that is able to fill that void. Draft Day.

Draft Day is set up so you can irrationally begin to fall in love with players when they first enter the league and give you hope for the upcoming season. Or of course if your team drafts a player you don’t like, make you wait for impending doom. If you’re like me, you love draft day. LOVE draft day.

L-O-V-E DRAFT DAY!

The limitless potential that comes with the event is what’s exciting about it. Anything is possible. Trades can happen to move up or down in the draft, trades can happen to acquire current players, or a team can just stand pat and usher in a new face to the franchise. Teams look at their depth charts and the depth charts of every team and figure out a way to manage their roster best for the upcoming season. It springs hope annually onto fans hoping that THIS IS THE YEAR their team wins. Draft Day also presents a great chance to have some drinks. So we continue with The Extra Period’s Sports Drinking Games: Draft Day.

TEP Drinking Game Series - MMA

Bik kicked off our drinking game series with a way to make the National Spelling Bee....well tolerable. I have decided to go a little more mainstream with my first drinking game. An event that typically involves drinks so makes it pretty easy to incorporate. The Extra Period's MMA Drinking Game.

Negotiating - A New Term to the NHL

Negotiate [ni-goh-shee-eyt] verb:

1. To work or talk (with others) to achieve (a transaction, anagreement, etc)
2. To communicate in search of mutual agreement

It seems like neither the NHLPA or the NHL knows the correct meaning of the term. It seems they have forgot that to negotiate you need to communicate.

Bik's Week 7 Picks: TEP Sports Drinking Games Part 1

The Scripps National Spelling Bee doesn’t seem like it would be an overly entertaining affair to watch. But insert a few friends, good natured ribbing, alcohol, and a competitive streak – you can make pretty much anything entertaining. So the first event in the The Extra Period: Drinking Game Series is in fact The Scripps National Spelling Bee held annually in Late May – Early June. I know what you’re thinking and let me just stop you there. “But this isn’t a sporting event!” Sure technically the competitors aren’t ATHLETES but would you really call some of the Golfers on the PGA Tour athletes? I figure if ESPN wants to air it – that makes it a sporting event.

Bik's Week 7 Thursday Night Pick: Prelude to Games

October 13^th 2012 - Technically on the calendar is was a mid-October Saturday, but it was far from a typical Mid-October Saturday.

Technically I sat at home, had a beer, and watched NCAA Football games for most of the day, but it watching sports wasn’t the same on this particular Mid-October Saturday.

Technically the TV was on sports and I was enjoying the game with a beer – but it just wasn’t the same. My mid-October Saturdays generally consist of the TV being on CBC and tuning into the latest installment of “Hockey Night In Canada” and enjoying the games with some friends and drinks. Now the drinking would never be of major consumption, more casual in nature, however who among us hasn’t taken part in a good drinking game? So with my Saturday tradition inexplicably altered,  thankfully The Extra Period was determined not to have the NHL lockout rob us of our customs and traditions. Ergo the spawning of... The Extra Period: Sports Drinking Games.

Yes – you read that correctly. Drinking games for sports.  Upcoming on The Extra Period will be a series of drinking games that you and your friends can play while watching a variety of sporting events. The first in the series will be unveiled tomorrow in the rest of my Week 7 Picks. In the mean-time, Thursday Night’s game.

Home team in CAPS.

Seahawks (+8) over 49ERS

Both teams got knocked out of their comfort zone last week. Except only 1 of them adapted, made adjustments and showed more flexibility. The 49’ers are going to be angry after the way they got embarrassed on national TV vs. the Giants. But they showed a major flaw in themselves: A failure to adapt to an unfolding game when it doesn’t go the way you had hoped. They flourish when up 10 and can clamp down on a team. Instead last week they were down 13 and were left flailing hopelessly in high tide (or a Giant tide). Seattle showcased that they might have more wrinkles to them than we thought.

Last Week: 6-8

Season: 45-45-1

Hockey deprivation? NFL Season in Review.

So officially regular season NHL games are being cancelled and the season seems to be hanging in the balance. What are you watching? Do you miss hockey? I have transferred all my hockey lust to football. Speaking of football six weeks into the season there have been some very interesting stories developing so far this season. Lets reflect on what has transpired so far.

Bik's Week 6 Picks: Delayed

Clearly by know you know that the Mayans have predicted the world to end in December 2012. Just for a second, let’s assume that what the Mayans predicted is true. Then shouldn’t this be the perfect time to savour and bask in the glory of some of the best events life can offer? Except what’s happened in the past little while:

Felix Baumgartner has delayed his Stratosphere jump. NBC delayed the season premiere of “Community”. And finally, and probably most depressing, the NHL has delayed the start of the regular season.

In the spirit of that – this feature is a day late and delayed as well. So maybe the Mayans were right. I mean – why else would Arizona be 4-1. Or the Packers 2-3? Or the Eagles 3-2 with a -19 point differential? OR ALL OF THE NFC WEST ABOVE .500! OH NO END OF DAYS END OF DAYS!!!!

Home team in CAPS.

Fantasy Football Running Diary Part 3

After getting all cocky and being put in my place in week 3 I felt I needed to bring my A-game for week 4. No more fooling around, it's business time now. Being top dog in one pool meant I had a responsibility to maintain my dominance. And a 1-2 record in the other league meant I had some work to do. With some favourable match-ups, playing someone in each pool who was sitting in the bottom half of the standings, and my ego in check, I proceeded to throw down some of the biggest point totals either league has seen. Alright! Back on top of the world.

Bik's Thursday Night Week 6 Pick: Rewinding

Let’s rewind and go back to this point last year. The completion of week 5. All of the following are true:

• The Bills are 4-1.
• The Giants just lost at home to the Seahawks.
• The Raiders are 3-2.
• The Buccaneers are 3-2.
• The Eagles are 1-4.
• The Broncos are 1-4.
• The Falcons are 2-3.

If I said 3 of these teams would go on to make the playoffs – Wouldn’t you choose Bills, Raiders, Buccaneers? To answer that – all of the following are true:

• The Bills finished 6-10.
• The Giants made the playoffs at 9-7 and won the Super Bowl.
• The Raiders missed the playoffs at 8-8.
• The Buccaneers finished 4-12 and on a 10 game losing streak.
• The Eagles finished 8-8 and on a 4 game winning streak.
• The Broncos discovered Tebow Time and won their division at 8-8.
• And the Falcons made the playoffs at 10-6.

The first 5 weeks are nice to some teams. The rest of the season might not treat them so well. It’s week 6, time to pull back the curtain and unveil the team behind the record. I’m looking at you Arizona, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Seattle, Green Bay. But first we get the Thursday game.

Home team in CAPS.

Steelers (-6) over TITANS

Here’s a snippet of life recently for the Tennessee Titans:

• Chris Johnson was quoted as saying “We need somebody in this locker room to make plays and give us a spark. I feel like I've made some plays, but the situation of a spark has got to come from somewhere and getting a spark that can be big for this team." Ummm... Just FYI Chris – your whole contract and team value is based on you being that spark. And you’re averaging 2.9 yards a carry. And you have zero runs of over 20 yards.
• That followed from last week when CJ-K said: “I wouldn't sit here and say I'm to blame, I wouldn't think so, but I'm not the guy to sit here and be the guy that points fingers and things like that. It's just a situation where I'm going to be only as good as my [offensive] line's going to be.” Ummm... Just FYI Chris – when you say you’re not the guy to point fingers, and then immediately point a finger at the offensive line... That’s pointing fingers. You get that right? Ok cool just wanted to make sure.
• The fans are also confused as to why Head Coach Mike Munchak hasn’t shaken up the strategy for the team or even shaken up the staff with some firings. There's nothing worrying when a fan base is calling for peoples jobs right?
• They rank 26^th in Points For. 28^th in Rushing Yards (which for a team that relies on Play Action is kind of a big deal).32^nd in Points Against. 29^th in Yards Allowed. 

So you know what’s not the perfect remedy for all of this: A nationally televised game on Thursday night at home when all eyes are on you and if you make a mistake, the crowd is ready and willing to turn on you in a heartbeat. Good luck.

Rest of Week 6 picks on Friday

Last Week: 7-7

Season: 39-37-1

Flesh and Bone

With no NHL hockey in the near future I have been sitting around wondering what to write about. As a writer you bounce ideas around all the time and hope that it translates well to a blog, a book, any means of getting it out. I have troubles all the time with ideas about pieces I want to write. So I sit there....stuck. And that's where I was until I saw this video today:

Bik's Week 5 Picks: Name Game

In yesterday’s piece I wrote about Greg Zuerlin’s early season success as the Rams kicker spawning a few nick-names for him that are both apt, and terrific. LegaTron and Young G.Z. the 2 leading candidates. It made me wonder where those nicknames would rank on a list of active players and their nick names. So naturally the only way to figure that out is to develop a system to determine the best sports nick-names, and then rank them.

Bik's Thursday Week 5 Pick: Don't Call It A Comeback!

Last weekend’s games were mildly upstaged by golf’s Ryder Cup in what is known as the “Miracle at Medinah”. The European team came storming back to knock off the American team to capture victory, on a day that would otherwise be reserved for Week 4. The drama that unfolded in the comeback really sent social media into hyper-drive as I started to see more n’ more tweets talking about golf than the NFL.

So in honour of Europe’s historic comeback... Here are a few other things that need to make a comeback:

1. Organ Music at Hockey Games – Enough of hearing glorified club music while waiting for a defensive zone faceoff.
2. Seinfeld – No explanation necessary.
3. Cheap Gas
4. Board Games – I’ll take Monopoly over “Words with Friends” any day.
5. Big Cell Phones – Forget the new look sleek designs, Give me Zach Morris old phone.
6. Mullets – Party all the time.
7. Light Up Shoes – I was jealous of every kid that had these.
8. The time when people didn’t take annoying pictures of themselves and post them online.
9. Conversation – Next time I see someone text a friend that is sitting at the table with them, I’m going to dunk both their phones into water.... Unless it’s me of course.
10. The NHL – Duh.

Home team in CAPS.

RAMS (+2) over Cardinals

The Cardinals are just toying with me now. I’ve gone 0-4 in their games this year. So why am I going against them this week even though they’re favoured by less than a FG and undefeated on the year. Have you heard about this Rams Kicker Greg Zuerlein? More importantly, his nicknames..... Young G.Z, Legatron, Greg the Leg... When you have nicknames and momentum like that + at home + a Primetime game – you’re gonna win.

Zuerlein’s names fit into the top 15, maybe even top 10 of all nicknames in sports. I’ll have more on nicknames tomorrow when the rest of the picks get revealed.

Last Week: 8-7

Season: 32-29-2

Bik's Week 4 Picks: Replaced?

Following the debacle that was Monday Night Football, you probably heard 2 *thuds*. It was near impossible to not hear it because both were so loud and so evident.

The first was every fan’s palm meeting their face.... the second was Roger Goodell’s heart sinking to the ground. After ticking for 47 games, the bomb that was his gamble for replacement refs finally blew up in his face on Game 48 of the NFL Regular Season with the entire continent watching on Monday Night Football no less. Twitter erupted, his office number was posted, and his e-mail was released by a Wisconsin radio station. Pandemonium. The world had witnessed enough.

You Were Terrible, But Thank-You

The life of an Official, in ANY sport, is not easy. You are never right, never fast enough, and you become a punching bag for any and all sports fans. It comes with the territory. When you choose a life of officiating it's just part of the job description. You will be hated and you will be heckled. When you hold the outcome of the game in your hands though, you need to be ready for it. That's why we need regular officials.

Bik's Week 4 Thursday Pick: Replacing Life

HUZZAH! THE ORIGINAL REFS ARE BACK (more on this tomorrow in Friday’s feature). But after the debacle that was Monday Night Football and the rapid resolution of the situation, here’s a What If list of other Replacement Scenarios, along with an estimated timeline:

• Replacement Reindeer (Dec 26^th): Imagine trying to explain to kids that Santa was too cheap to front some cash for Rudolph and the crew so in the meantime we have replacement reindeer that don’t have the power and precision that the original reindeer have. No guarantees they get to your house in time for a kid to wake up.

• Replacement Pilots (About 15 flights worldwide): It’s almost immeasurable how much of a catastrophe this would be. Remember that scene in “Snakes On A Plane” when Russ Tyler (the actors name is actually Kenan Thompson and he’s great on SNL but he’s forever Russ Tyler to me from his D2: Mighty Ducks days)  takes over the plane when its careening towards the ground. Now imagine every flight being like that – but without Samuel L. Jackson

• Replacement Cops (2 weeks): Those first few days would be hilarious because the public wouldn’t know how far they could push the limits, and the cops with really no fear of reprimands could really push the limits their own way. But after a while the public would realize, much like we did with the replacement officials, that they don’t know all the laws and it would be chaos.

• Replacement Players (A Month): Wait – DON’T GIVE GARY BETTMAN IDEAS! DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!

Onto the Week 4 Picks.

Home Team is in CAPS.

Browns (+12) over RAVENS

I want to rate this game as a loss for everybody. The Browns are maybe the worst team in the league. If you don’t have anything nice to say about a team you shouldn’t say anything about them.

So why am I taking the Browns? This is the Ravens 4^th game in 17 days. Take a second to read that again. 4^th National Football League Game in 17 days. What an immense toll that puts on your body. To compare that to let’s say Arizona who will finish their 4^th game this Sunday in a span of 28 days. The physical toll that is going to have on the beleaguered Ravens could result in some sloppy play allowing the Browns to flirt with that 13 points long enough to keep them in it. Not to mention the potential let down game after a Sunday Night Game versus New England that was controversial in its own right. So with the regular officials back, we might not see the home teams be the beneficiary of scared replacement refs (Seriously – what if the Official on Monday Night was just scared to say it was an interception?) What better way to welcome them back with some favourable calls to the away team leading to another spirited chant by the Ravens Fans.

Last week: 7-8-1

Season: 24-22-2

Fantasy Football Running Diary Pt 2

The roller-coaster of emotions I experienced in my first week of fantasy football was only preparation for even higher highs and lower lows over weeks 2 and 3. It has been like a movie script where just when you think it is a happy go lucky movie BOOM, surprise serial killer out of nowhere. Let me explain.

Bik's Picks Week 3: Simulating Madden 13

If you read yesterday’s piece (click here if you didn’t.... just try not to pay attention to the pick *gulp*) you saw that I demanded that NFL Coaches play EA SPORTS Madden to better understand clock management skills. So I’m going to back up my talk and use Madden 13 as a comparison for my picks this week. ESPN does Madden 13 Simulations every week and so far this season the simulator is 17-15 in picking winners this year. As it happens I’m 17-14-1 after 2 weeks. Let’s see how this goes:

Home Team is in CAPS 

Bik's Picks: Thursday Week 3 Game

Go back in your memory and search that moment when you handed your parents your report card. Ever have that moment where you thought you crushed 5 subjects but your folks focus on the 1 you stumbled in. Now no matter how good you feel about the others, you’re just insanely infuriated about that 1. Well that was me last week... Despite going 10-5-1 in the Week 2 Picks, the 1 tie was the Bengals - Browns game, which robbed me of 11-5 and which has led me to the following rant:

PAT SHURMUR (Cleveland Browns Coach) – WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?! I understand that NFL coaches have infinitely more experience than I ever might hope to achieve, but how is it that coaches still make strategic game management blunders routinely. I’m now campaigning that coaches should have to play EA SPORTS MADDEN and accrue 1000 hours in the off-season to know how to work timeouts and late-game strategies. Down 10, with 20 seconds left, 4^th down and on the oppositions 7 yard line.... Shurmur calls on his field goal unit in some sort of misguided hope that kicking the FG, then recovering the onside kick, and SCORING ON A HAIL MARY was the best course of action to tie the game at 34. Instead of you know, going for the TD from 7 yards out, recovering the onside kick, and trying to get 20 yards to kick a game tying field goal.

Naturally the field goal decision destroyed the spread and left me with a tie. Moving onto Week 3 #CoachesNeedToPlayMadden

Home Team is in CAPS

PANTHERS (-3) over Giants

There’s nothing quite like getting a lay-up game to break out of an offensive slump. That’s what the Panthers had last week with the Saints as they just trounced that team. The Giants waited till the 4^th quarter vs. Tampa Bay to finally explode as Hakeem Nicks and Eli Manning put on a freaking clinic. This game has high scoring written all over it, and considering that the Giants can’t seem to stop anyone (58 points through 2 games), plus let Josh Freeman torch them AAAAAAAAAAAAND have a ridiculous amount of injuries - taking the Panthers. If you have Steve Smith on your fantasy roster, enjoy the party.

Rest of Week 3 Picks on Friday

Last week 10-5-1

Season 17-14-1

CBA Hat-Trick from The Extra Period

Now that you've had 24 hours to deal with whichever emotions have been evoked from the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement expiring, we present to you: The Extra Period CBA Hat-Trick

Lockout Imminent. What else is there?

So the NHL and the NHLPA are still apparently 8% apart on revenue sharing. For the players a lockout seems all but imminent. The current collective bargaining agreement has expired and another NHL season seems to be in jeopardy. The preseason is most likely going to be the first casualty of these ongoing negotiations between the two sides. Really any hockey fan isn't going to care all that much until the regular season which is supposed to start in October when we start losing a portion of those 82 games that we love to watch. Whether you sit in front of your television with specific food and beverage that goes with that game of the night. Or maybe you're unable to be seated in front of your tv and you are constantly checking your phone or computer for updates on all of your favorite teams that might be playing that night. You are still going to need to find other sports or hobbies to fill the void these unfortunate events have caused.

Bik's Week 2 Picks: Wedding Version

The Week 2 Picks are a day late thanks to a wedding I was at on Friday. I was initially skeptical about a Friday wedding having usually only been to Saturday affairs, but gotta admit, not having a hangover on Sunday in the fall-winter during football season has turned me into a proponent into Friday Weddings. Not to mention there isn’t the overlying dread of those who don’t want to face the Two-Day Hangover from a Saturday Night binge-fest in celebration of a wedding. Factor in the day off work you can take, I’m not seeing much downside to a Friday wedding. So with that in mind, your Week 2 Picks will have a wedding theme to it.

Friends Off

Imagine that you are friends with me.

We've been friends since you found me. We’ve had our highs, we've had our lows. We see each other at least 82 times a year. Usually I come visit you in the comfort of your own home but on some rare occasions, roughly once or twice a year, you visit me. In fact, you pay good money to see me. It doesn’t bother you, you're glad to do it especially since it helps me and you're thrilled to see me do well. The 3 hours we visit are great. Sometimes it’s a winning visit, sometimes a losing one, but you're happy to see me because I entertain you.

Bik's Week 2 Picks

So let me get this straight. The NHLPA and NHL are squabbling over money. There might not be a hockey season – and the longest I have to wait for a football game is 3 days? Why should I care about anything the NHL is doing right now? A Wednesday game, then an epic Sunday of football watching, then 2 Monday Nighters...... all with football back on Thursday to start Week 2. I think the NFL just knows how to do things. How great is this: Monday-Thursday-Sunday. You won’t ever be that far away from football. I can’t stop smiling. Then again, I went 7-9 last week.... *frown*

Let’s get back on track in Week 2

C'mon Guys Let's Sort This Out

It's the same old song and dance. Once again the NHL and the NHLPA are on the verge of locking out the start of a season because the two sides can't seem to find a middle ground for the next Collective Bargaining Agreement. Once again fans sit by, anxiously waiting for any good news to reassure them that hockey is coming this fall. Once again...it doesn't look promising.

With only days until the previous CBA expires and the players are locked out, neither side seems confident in a season happening. Which isn't good news. Not just for the fans but the league and it's players as well. Simply put, they can't afford a lockout. They just CAN'T.

I was hoping I wouldn't have to write this piece but I am at a point where I just don't have faith in either side to come to an agreement beforehand. After a little inspiration from this video I felt I needed to outline a few reasons why the NHL can't afford to lock it's players out again.

My First Year Fantasy Football Running Diary

After 4 or 5 years of fantasy hockey I decided it was time I branched out. Despite never winning a fantasy hockey league (three 2nd place finishes last year still hurts) I felt I needed to take the step to the next avenue of Fantasy sports. FANTASY FOOTBALL! So over the next couple months of the football season I will be taking you along for the journey with me, in my Fantasy Football Running Diary.

Bik's Week 1 Picks: UPDATED

The first full weekend of NFL Football is finally here after that Wednesday Night game. A Thursday night game is always great because once it’s done you only have to get through a mild Friday workday before the weekend is upon you and football is back on the TV. Friday is full of water-cooler talk of how great the game was. We play “Armchair Quarter-Back” and break down the game to see how we would have done it differently. And it makes Friday go by even faster. Yet here we are, nearly 48 hours removed from the kick-off to Week 1 and it’s still only Friday. Well thanks a lot Barrack Obama. Thank you very much. Thanks to the Democratic National Convention and that big show-piece, we’re left to go 88 hours without seeing 22 men on a gridiron. I’m not necessarily rooting against you (especially considering I have no vote) but if you do lose the election, you can point to this moment as to why the voting public turned against you. It’s a big gamble and a big risk to pull a stunt like this and it could be damaging beyond repair. If only I had an empty chair nearby to ask you personally...

Now onto the rest of the Week 1 Picks

NFL 2012 Season Preview

It's almost time for the 2012 NFL season to get under way and what a better way to get yourself in the loop than having Bik Nizzar explain how the season will break down. He gives us his opinion on how each division will shape up in our two part podcast.

But You Are Still An Employee

We sometimes forget that, like most of us, athletes are employees to a business. Like us they have salaries, bosses, and a work schedule. I'm sure this gets away from a few athletes as they tend to hold their own fate in their own hands....despite having a boss.

Not many of us get to haggle over how much we earn and how we earn it, and when we do it's not very often we can get what we demand. Maybe we get a dollar or two raise and we feel accomplished. Maybe it's some more vacation time so we can work less. Or maybe it's as simple as more accommodating working conditions. But it's not likely you will walk into your bosses office and say "You know what, I don't want to do that job. It looks a little tough and I just don't think it's worth the extra money I am being paid". For most of us that would be the last thing we would say to our boss.

There is an exception though. You get to make these demands if you are a UFC Champion.

What If?

                Following a game, the last thing you want to do as a player or coach is ask yourself the question, What If? What if I tried a bit harder? What if I made this pass instead of that pass? What if I made a substitution earlier or later in the match? Through 76 minutes of the Soccer Semi-Final match between Canadian players were able to hold their head up proudly and say they gave EVERYTHING they had to pull off an iconic upset and buck a trend of losing versus Team USA.

A Night at the Fights: UFC on FOX 4 edition

UFC on FOX 4 was a smash success on nearly all levels.

It dazzled the casual fan with a thoroughly enjoyable card from start-to-finish; it thrust several fighters back into contender status; it may even have restored consumer confidence following a dreary spectacle in Calgary in the UFC's last major pay-per-view. (Check out TJ Molland's rundown on UFC 149, if you need a refresher.)

It did miss the mark in one regard, though.

Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua and Lyoto Machida took very different paths to victory on Saturday night, and only one would leave with what they truly sought-- another shot at the light-heavyweight championship.

The problem is UFC boss Dana White gave it to the wrong man.

Olympic Running Diary - Fencing

So with Bik giving his take on olympic handball, I though I would step things up a notch by taking a stab (making easy puns first) at fencing. I did cheat a bit by watching one match before I did this, but that was so I at least had some clue about what I was talking about.

Bik's Olympic Handball Running Diary

One of the coolest things about the Olympics is watching a random sport for about an hour and becoming a self-proclaimed expert on it, and then trying to break down matches with your friends. So having never watched a handball game in my life before, I’m now gonna watch the Womens Montenegro vs. Great Britain match and provide a running diary. Here’s how it transpired from this novice handball watcher.

The (not-so) Throw-Down in Cowtown

The UFC made it's debut in Calgary last night and it was....well....forgettable to say the least. The main card was lack-lustre, had no excitement, and really was a disappointment. One of the worst cards I have watched in a long time.

I want to preface this by saying the card was decimated by injuries. How bad? Of the 10 original fighters slated to appear on the main card....3 of them actually fought. The fights that were lost (Jose Aldo v Erik Koch [featherweight championship], Thiago Silva v Shogun Rua, Yoshihiro Akiyama v Thiago Alves) tended to have a little more "wow" factor and star power to them. So the UFC had to make due with what they could scrounge together. After watching the pre fight press conferences, and all the hype surrounding the card, it still looked like some exciting fights that may actually deliver.

The Hero We Deserve

If 26 years of being a Canucks fan has taught me anything, it’s that at the completion of an NHL season I have 2 things to look forward to during the summer: Off-season planning of how to get the Canucks their 1st Stanley Cup, and summer blockbuster movies. So 2012 is no different. After a disappointing playoff run and with the release of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ hours away, why not merge the two events. And I gotta look back before I can look ahead.

Sport vs. Story

At the end of June, NCAA football fans finally got what they've been clamouring to see for so many years. An end to the question, “Is this the best team in the nation this season?” as the NCAA has adapted to a 4 team playoff system and a move away from the BCS ranking system that aroused more questions than answers. Less politics and second guessing – more football. The season also sees the return of The USC Trojans back into Bowl Contention following a prolonged suspension. It’s another season for Alabama Coach Nick Saban to add to his already full trophy case as we begin to ask if he’s in the running for the greatest college football coach of all time. And of course another year to debate which player will rise to the top for the coveted Heisman Trophy. Yet in the lead-up to kickoff for the season, discussion about the aforementioned stories is muted. Hype and hope going into the season is on a back-burner, as we’re left to talk about the villainous actions of a university protecting their image and protecting a predator.

A Forgotten Canadian Treasure

I had the opportunity to take in some X-Games action today. I try every year to at least catch little bits and pieces of both the Summer and Winter X-Games. Today on the menu I was treated to the Skateboard Vert finals, one of the more historic and traditioned events, dating back to the very first event in 1995.

Now for those who don't know what the X-games are....it's essentially the Olympics for extreme athletes. This is THE yearly event they look forward too. There are other competitions and yearly standings but the be-all-end-all competition is the X-Games.

Winners & Losers from Week 1 of NHL Free-Agency

So it's been a week (alright 6 days but I got anxious) since NHL free-agency opened up, so I thought I would take a quick glance at who some of the winners and losers were. Without further adieu lets get into it....

The Prince of Power-Plays

Justin Schultz will be playing this season -- and for the foreseeable future -- under a mammoth magnifying glass.

And he has nobody to blame but himself.

The 22-year native of West Kelowna certainly got the attention he seemed to be craving this off-season. Coming off an impressive -- but hardly unprecedented (Free-Agent Matt Carle, for example, put up similar collegiate numbers at that age) -- three years at the University of Wisconsin, Schultz had his pick of the litter among NHL franchises.

A 2008 second-round pick of Anaheim, the defenseman took advantage of a Collective Bargaining Agreement loophole that permitted him to explore unrestricted free-agency after refusing to come to terms with the Ducks.

This year's free-agent market is lacking in blueliners with offensive upside, so as many as 26 NHL teams punched Schultz’s digits into their speed dials. And who is he to say no to his adoring public?

30 for 30 in 30 - LA Kings

**AS OF TIME OF WRITING**

TJ Molland: Wow this has been tiring and exhausting but we made it. The Stanley Cup Champion LA Kings are the final team up in our 30 previews for 30 teams in 30 days. 9 months ago I would have said "Yeah, the LA Kings are probably a legitimate contender". 5 months ago "Well they are playing well but could easily slip out of a playoff spot if they aren't careful". Day one of playoffs "CANUCKS BABY!! GONNA BLOW THROUGH LA!!". Two weeks after that "Yeah LA will probably run the table".

Pretty much the story of the LA Kings season. A team many considered a legitimate contender in the Western Conference hovered on the verge of winning the division one week, and missing the playoffs the next. That form of mediocrity made many question whether or not they were the team people thought they were. Well when the games actually mattered LA was unstoppable. 16-4 in the playoffs with all of their losses coming while up 3-0 in their respective series'. It was one of the more impressive runs we have seen in a while.

Oh and with only 3 players up for free agency this summer, you have to think the Kings are the favourites heading into the 2012/2013 season. Oh, and $11 million in cap space if they feel they need to upgrade on any of their players or re-sign the few that are leaving. So do we really need to say anything or can we just say heavy favourites for next year? I don't want to talk about ways the Stanley Cup champions can get better without losing any pieces.

Bik Nizzar: This has been as tiring as getting to that summit of winning a Stanley Cup. I’m going to parade around my living room with my laptop over my head.... gimme a second...

*epic music playing in the background*

Ok I’m back, and no, I didn’t try drinking off of the keyboard.

Remember in the Nashville post I mentioned that I have irrational, blind love for certain players. Well the leader of that list is none other than *dramatic pause* DREW DOUGHTY!!!!!!!!! So I’m excited to congratulate him on his Stanley Cup win. This team is set up so well for the future too, that multiple championships aren’t out of the question. Have you seen their cap?!?!? It’s remarkably set up. Basically Jeff Carter, Mike Richards Jonathan Quick and Drew Doughty are the only INSANELY long contracts they have. And really, I woulda signed Doughty to a lifetime deal #irrational. They've got that albatross contract for Dustin Penner coming off the books this season (how weird is it that during the season when Penner is actually getting a pay-cheque, he plays worthless... and in the playoffs when it’s just for pride he’s a world-beater... you can’t even call him a pay-cheque player, it’s so frustrating), and then you have Simon Gagne's contract expiring next year. Their ENTIRE core is locked up. Quick, Anze Kopitar, Richards, Carter, Doughty, Dustin Brown (his contract of 3.25 for 3 more years used to be about market value and now is such a bargain).

It’s all staggered beautifully, so my hat is off to GM Dean Lombardi for his Sistine Chapel of capology.

They are going to need to look at the age of some key members of their defensive depth though. Willie Mitchell is 35, Rob Scuderi is 30 and Matt Greene is 29, all solid stay-at-home defensemen that play that no-nonsense role. Now they’ll still get a few more years out of some of those players but of their youthful prospects they have coming up, nobody really strikes me as players who can fill that similar role.

Also – are you worried about the long term future on the wings for this team? It still doesn’t pop out to me, and they weren’t exactly great at getting goals during the regular season

TJ Molland: I don't see those issues as being a problem though. The defense is old but they have a few prospects that are waiting to fill the voids. Slava Voynov was a pleasant surprise this year, Davis Drewiske has filled in part time when needed and can probably be promoted to full time soon, and they have a prospect I think will be a big time player, Thomas Hickey. The former Team Canada Junior captain and 4th overall pick in 2007 has had a lot of time to mature in the minors and should be given a good look at camp this year pending he gets a contract (RFA). So once again, the Kings are looking well.

Up front I think the wing situation isn't the best, but they have a ton of prospects that are set to make the jump. 2010 2nd round pick Tyler Toffoli and 3rd round pick Jordan Weal each broke 100 pts in junior this year. Toffoli had his second 50 goal season in a row for the Ottawa 67's while Weal has had back-to-back 40+ goal seasons for the Regina Pats. Maybe not immediate help but you don't have an immediate need yet.

There are no real chinks in the LA Kings armour. Really, go ahead and try and point something out. Oh they couldn't score goals during the regular season? Highest scoring team outside Pittsburgh and Philly (and really can we even count that series as fair) in the playoffs. Mediocre power-play? 17th during the regular season, and will benefit from a full year of Jeff Carter. There just isn't a hole that screams "this is the weakness".

Bik Nizzar: Voynov, and Alec Martinez are good players but I don’t see them shaping into the same roles that Mitchell, Greene, Scuderi have. Thomas Hickey I don’t know what to make of anymore. I used to be excited for this guy to make it to the NHL, now I don’t know if he ever will. He was drafted in 2007 at 4th overall (Karl Alzner was on the board and Dean Lombardi reached for Hickey) and the potential has never made it to reality. 5’11-185 lbs, a smooth skater, good decision maker, good vision on the ice, all the makings for a power-play QB....... with a total of 50 points in 153 games over the last 2 seasons in the AHL.

Drew Doughty has locked up the top unit PP QB responsibilities for the next 8 years. I just don’t see where he fits into this team at all. If we’re using comparables for players that size, who have similar attributes, Ryan Ellis (yeah I know I’m going all irrational player love on you but its backed up) IN HIS ROOKIE YEAR MIND YOU, not his 3rd season in the AHL.... put up 18 points in 29 games for the Milwaukee Admirals and the Predators said “hang on – why don’t we see if that offensive output will translate to the big team” and he put up 11 points in 32 games... RYAN ELLIS F-T-W!!!!.... If Ellis and Doughty ever end up on the same blue-line, I’m gonna lose my mind.

Jordan Weal just has ‘Darryl Sutter grinder project” written all over him to me. I think he’ll get stuck under his thumb and be morphed into a 2004-2008 Matthew Lombardi. Toffoli is the one with the most upside, but he’s yet to do anything in the AHL level so it remains to be seen if his junior dominance will translate.

The reason I’m concerned about their wing scoring for the long term is just how long can you rely on Jonathan Quick to be super-human. He basically played 89 playoff games last year. Cause if he wasn’t on his game during the season, they were done. They COULDN’T SCORE! He had a 1.95 goals against average, and they scored 2.29 goals a game. I know I know that improved in the playoffs, but their style of play is set up for the playoffs. It’s not set up for a marathon of 82 games, where your body just won’t last in that relentless pressure system.

If they try that steamroll mentality for the season, they’ll be pooped out by March. It’s just unsustainable, which is why we love playoff hockey and why their performance was so unreal. Because for 20 games they just bowled over every team that stepped in their path and played at such an insane intensity level that it couldn’t be matched. I’m not gonna go so far as to say that this team will miss the playoffs next year, but it’s not inconceivable either. They play in a pretty good division, and in a DIFFICULT conference. Pending how free agency works out, you could make cases for about 11-12 teams in the West that they could make the playoffs next year.

How’s this for ya..... Why not target Zach Parise? Just because you acquired Carter doesn’t mean you can’t go and snag another gem. In the Western Conference you don’t have time to rest on your laurels. Send a message to the league that you’re not messing about and you want championship banner after banner after banner. They have $11 million in cap space this season, and they have a full roster already. They’ll bring back Dwight King but that won’t chew up too much of that $11 mill. Voynov, Martinez and Kyle Clifford are their only MUST sign RFA’s next season when they have $21 million in cap space, plus Rob Scuderi as a UFA who shouldn’t see a BIG BIG raise from his $3.4 million now. Then the only players that you HAAAAAAAAAVE to sign are Dustin Brown in 2015 and Kopitar in 2016. THIS CAP IS SET UP SO INCREDIBLY!!!

TJ Molland: I still think if Hickey isn't signed by the Kings he will end up on another team. He still has potential to be a NHL defender, especially with today's game allowing smaller guys to make it. Sure the depth on D isn't phenomenal but what you lose in Scuderi and Mitchell you can replace in free agency over the years. Again it isn't an immediate need, just something to be wary of.

I heard Parise's name thrown around LA before the deadline but nothing ever came of it. Still a good possibility he ends up there. The only issue is LA will definitely not have the biggest offer on the table. It will be Parises choice whether he wants to take a discount for a legit shot at the cup, or sign elsewhere for a little more money and maybe not as good a chance. If they do get him though, I might just have to start cheering for the Kings because seriously that team would be stacked. Richards, Carter, Brown, Kopitar, Gagne and Parise as your top six?!? Each of those guys has scored 30 goals at least once post lockout, and three of them would have had 40 goal seasons at some point since then as well. Noone would be saying they lack offense at that point.

I just wanted to give a shout out to the Kings Official Twitter account (@LAKings) for being the most original team twitter account in the NHL. They aren't afraid to joke around and say what they actually feel. It's awesome. When people get pissed off at them, it's even more hilarious because that is what they are trying to do.

Point in case, after it was found out Patrik Elias had some how ended up with the Stanley Cup winning puck, they tweeted this:

"If you see Patrik Elias at the Hockey Hall of Fame wearing a baggy jacket with lots of pocket space, keep an eye on him."

Or when they signed Jon Quick:

"To clarify, that's 10 years after next year -- so 11 years in total of our goaltender being better than yours."

Pure gold. Finally nice to see some character added to a team media outlet

30 for 30 in 30 - New Jersey Devils

**AS OF TIME OF WRITING**

TJ Molland: The team that caught me completely off guard. I mean I knew they were good, I just didn't think they were Stanley Cup Final good. It was a remarkable run, but unfortunately could be a while before we see it happen again. There is a lot of uncertainty with the New Jersey Devils. Mainly with two of their superstars, Zach Parise and Martin Brodeur. Both are set to become unrestricted free agents and there are doubts either will return.

Brodeur is teetering on the edge of retirement. The man has had an outstanding career and after watching him this past playoffs, many think he has a few more seasons in the tank. His numbers haven't diminished much over the past few season so he could very well return. What we hear from his father and his camp are that they are waiting on the new collective bargaining agreement to be sorted out first. I really don't know if he will come back or not, but if he doesn't he will still retire the best goalie of all time.

On to the man spending much more time in the spot-light, Parise. The man has scored 30+ goals in 5 of his 7 seasons. The two he didn't? His rookie campaign (14) and the injury plagued 2010/2011 season (13 games 3 goals). The man is a threat offensively, something the Devils always seem to be missing (Although Kovalchuk fills that spot now). If the Devils are serious about contending they have to, HAVE TO make him a contract offer that is worth his time. Here is a kid that is supposed to be the face of your franchise and the Devils have not treated him accordingly. Can they let a man like that walk away for nothing? I mean for a team that is 24th in attendance you think you would want players that put people in the seats? Right?

Bik Nizzar: I’ll agree it’s going to be tough for this team to replicate the post-season success they had this past season if they don’t bring back the talent they have. A great assumption (because the great thing about sports is we never know) is that Pittsburgh will rebound, New York will emerge, and Philly’s young team will continue to grow..... Why can’t New Jersey maintain this level?

Oh right – IF... IF... IIIIIIIIIIF they can bring back Parise... man what a precarious spot this team is in right now.

They have 7 – SEVEN – 7 UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT FORWARDS!!!! Tack on Bryce Salvador on the blue line, and then BOTH goalies. MAAAAAAN ALIVE. This is awkward. Ok time to stop being so cynical (but we’re talking about devils after all). The experience guys like Adam Henrique and Adam Larsson got from this run is going to prove invaluable. Now it’s about capitalizing on that along with maximizing Ilya Kovalchuk’s elite window. But it begins and ends with Parise. They have $27 million in cap space, but it’s whether or not they’re willing to use it. For a guy like Parise, I think you HAAAAVE to. He means so much to that team. They just got a new building, and you need to continue to put people in those seats. Their top 6 just doesn’t look the same with him missing. I don’t even see how you remedy his departure in the short-term.

What they could use is 2010 2nd round defenseman John Merrill getting back on track. He was suspended for the 1st 12 games of the NCAA season by Michigan University for violating team rules. He’s a 6’3 210lb smooth skating d-man that knows how to use his body effectively. My worry for the Devils is that now he’s entering Justin Schultz territory. I believe this is a similar scenario to the Ducks 2008 2nd round pick, Schultz, where if in 2 years Merrill isn’t signed, he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Now I know its 2 years away, but REALLY its 1 year away. Because as soon as you give a young player with talent a sniff at being a UFA, if he’s 9 months away from it, why wouldn’t he take it. So I think after Parise, this has to be high on their priority list.

TJ Molland: Well I think their first move of action will probably be cleaning out Steve Berniers locker for him and telling him his services are not needed anymore.....

But really if they can't find some way to get Parise I don't know how they replace his goal scoring. Henrique was an excellent surprise but there is no way he is going to fill the shoes Parise will leave behind. Elias isn't getting any younger so you can't keep relying on him for 25+ goals. And as much as I like the guy, I don't think Clarkson will repeat his 30 goal performance. With not a lot in the cupboard you are going to have to dip to free agency, and like we have said in every post we have made, this free agent class is rather weak.

I think it will be a step backwards this year for the Devils. They will likely be devastated by the loss of Parise and I am going to assume Brodeur as well. You just don't recover from those types of losses. What they SHOULD do in the next couple days is ship Parise somewhere for a quick draft pick. If he is not going to sign why let him go for nothing? Once that happens start targeting the few guys you like in free agency and hope a few prospects surprise at camp.

Bik Nizzar: Man alive are you going to be disappointed by this news....Looks like talks are progressing between the Devils and Bernier for bringing him back hahaha.... #notawkward

I actually think Clarkson is pretty underrated, but having to step into a premier role might hurt him and what his contribution level should be. This is what makes bringing back Parise so important (sounding like a broken record now). This team doesn’t have a plethora (really stretched for that word... pulled a muscle) of young elite wingers that are just ready to take that kind of role. Matias Tedenby has featured in and out of their lineup for 2 years now, spending the rest of that time in the AHL, and for a 2008 1st rounder he has to make the jump soon for this team to see a return on that investment. If they decide that Parise’s price is too much and opt to go the free agent route, PA Parenteau could help soften the blow. He could be a nice fit with Kovalchuk who is a natural sniper and would enjoy a natural set-up man in Parenteau.

As for Brodeur, how weird would it be to see him in a different jersey? I just don’t see how they don’t bring him back if he wants to come back. He’s shown he can go 1 more year and with Canadian World Junior goalie Scott Wedewood in their system, ushering him along with some tutelage from Brodeur would be incredibly beneficial.

TJ Molland: Wouldn't be a bad idea to have a Broderur/prospect combo. Wedgewood is still a little young I think. You have to imagine former 2nd rounder Jeff Frazee is ahead of him in terms of NHL readiness. The 25 year old has average AHL numbers but maybe a year of tutalige from the best there is would be the stepping stone he needs.

We just talked (off this post) about Dustin Penner and he could be a good signing for this team if they DON'T (please, just don't) sign Steve Bernier. He would be a nice big body to play with Kovalchuk and create some havoc in front. Maybe not the best of options but he is still a reliable top 6 forward. The price might be a little much but if you don't have Parise, and Brodeur takes a nice pay-cut, you will have some dollars to throw around.

This next year will be a strage time for the Devils. They could be considered contenders again, or they could be struggling just to make the playoffs. BUT.... YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE DEVILS. THE DEVILS!!!