April 23, 2010

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle:

A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.

posted by huddle to general at 06:00 AM - 12 comments

Man City would like to officially claim Liverpool's membership in the Big Four by buying Fernando Torres away from them at the rate of around (fancy F)200k a week, which would make him the highest paid player in England.

posted by boredom_08 at 06:08 AM on April 23, 2010

Speaking of class acts, Colin Cowherd's need for attention led him to declare Kevin Durant "overrated".

posted by yerfatma at 08:26 AM on April 23, 2010

Who'd've thought the Flyers would be the first through (spot on DrJohnEvans, and good on ya to the others who did call this one right)

posted by kokaku at 08:35 AM on April 23, 2010

Who'd've thought the Flyers would be the first through

I didn't think they'd do it this fast. You should see my office pool picks. Got me some shutouts from the PHI netminding staff ... but injuries are keeping me from maximizing the Flyer run, dammit!

I saw them play this year in Edmonton for the first time live. I knew then that they'd have the horses to go deep this year. Oh, if only Razor Ray was healthy!!!

posted by Spitztengle at 12:41 PM on April 23, 2010

The two man bicycle kick.

posted by tselson at 12:59 PM on April 23, 2010

Even animal lovers don't like Ben. The Pittsburgh Zoo traded him for Mario Lemieux. Actually, it was a cardboard cutout in an elephant exhibit, but the thought's the same. There's nothing to indicate that there was any comparison of intellect.

posted by Howard_T at 01:49 PM on April 23, 2010

I saw them play this year in Edmonton for the first time live. I knew then that they'd have the horses to go deep this year.

Funny - I watched their last 2 games against NYR and thought this is a lousy team that'll lose quickly against a solid goalie like Brodeur.

posted by kokaku at 02:13 PM on April 23, 2010

So should Kovalchuk get added to the list of "Bad Rental Player Trades"?

posted by rumple at 04:02 PM on April 23, 2010

So should Kovalchuk get added to the list of "Bad Rental Player Trades"?

27 points in 27 games in the regular season (points on 36% of the goals, or about the same output that Parise had for NJ for the entire season), and 6 points in 5 games in the playoffs (points on 66% of the goals).

I don't think Kovalchuk should be considered a "bad rental". The outcome for the team sucked, but the individual player definitely didn't.

posted by grum@work at 05:22 PM on April 23, 2010

Philly vs. NJ was just a horrible match-up for New Jersey. They have trouble with big physical teams. Their defense is small, their best forwards are all small. I don't think Philly is actually that good, I just thought they could beat NJ.

Kovalchuk was good though. I don't see how you can hang this on him. Brodeur was just ordinary, which was the big problem.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:32 PM on April 23, 2010

Maybe "why rentals are a bad idea list" then. Or maybe a list of "reminders that gambles don't guarantee success, by definition". The fans in Vancouver howl for rentals at the trade deadline every year but I think they are a real gamble and quite destructive over the long term

posted by rumple at 05:44 PM on April 23, 2010

I don't think Philly is actually that good, I just thought they could beat NJ.

If they were at full strength (everyone healthy) right now, the Flyers would be a legit contender. Look at all of the first round troubles almost everyone of the top seeds are having. I think they've got grit, depth, and some talent ... enough to be scary or contenders even. I just like 'em, darnit. What's so wrong with that?

On another note, @grum ... you da man when it comes to stats! Well played in regards to Kovalchuk and the "rental" tag.

posted by Spitztengle at 03:11 AM on April 24, 2010

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