Chris Kreider given an out and Anaheim gets some cap circumvention room.

I wish the League would get rid of the salary cap. It's a farce anyways.

Sad to hear the news of Barry Melrose passing away. Growing up, NHL 2night was THE show to watch nightly for Hockey highlights, and now only Bucci of the Melrose, Bucci, and John Saunders trio is still with us.

Time sure does move forward.

DPW wrote: Wed Sep 09, 2026 9:11 pm Sad to hear the news of Barry Melrose passing away. Growing up, NHL 2night was THE show to watch nightly for Hockey highlights, and now only Bucci of the Melrose, Bucci, and John Saunders trio is still with us.

Time sure does move forward.

He was a bad ass... till he died and met Jesus

DPW wrote: Wed Sep 09, 2026 9:11 pm Sad to hear the news of Barry Melrose passing away. Growing up, NHL 2night was THE show to watch nightly for Hockey highlights, and now only Bucci of the Melrose, Bucci, and John Saunders trio is still with us.

Time sure does move forward.

Agreed. Absolutely shitty news. That mullet was legendary. His cameos in Mystery, Alaska and Ahockalypse were choice as well. I wasn't watching when he was coaching, so can't comment on his efficacy there, but I loved the personality. Rest in peace, thanks for everything.

This was from a few years ago when Melrose had to retire due to deteriorating health.

I certainly rag on ESPN and it's hockey coverage, but the sport would've been in an awful place in the US if ESPN had ignored it altogether for those long years when they didn't have broadcast rights.

Red Wings haven't bothered to hire a GM over the last few months, and it's leading to an incredibly awkward scene at camp:

I don't know why they can't slap an interim label on Draper or one of the other AGMs and just let him trade Larkin and get this all over with. I'm glad they haven't though, because I still enjoy when bad things happen to the Red Wings.

Dave's a mess wrote: Fri Sep 11, 2026 9:06 am Red Wings haven't bothered to hire a GM over the last few months, and it's leading to an incredibly awkward scene at camp:

I don't know why they can't slap an interim label on Draper or one of the other AGMs and just let him trade Larkin and get this all over with. I'm glad they haven't though, because I still enjoy when bad things happen to the Red Wings.

The Red Wings were so certain that Yzerman would be guiding that team forever that his firing left a void on that team they just can't deal with on a psychological level.

BluesSK wrote: Fri Sep 11, 2026 9:23 am

Dave's a mess wrote: Fri Sep 11, 2026 9:06 am Red Wings haven't bothered to hire a GM over the last few months, and it's leading to an incredibly awkward scene at camp:

I don't know why they can't slap an interim label on Draper or one of the other AGMs and just let him trade Larkin and get this all over with. I'm glad they haven't though, because I still enjoy when bad things happen to the Red Wings.

The Red Wings were so certain that Yzerman would be guiding that team forever that his firing left a void on that team they just can't deal with on a psychological level.

It's pretty wild. Yzerman was fired/stepped down almost 2 months ago. One serious candidate was the GM of the Detroit Tigers, who are also owned by the Illich family, but according to my notes, play baseball not hockey. He's no longer in the running apparently, but it just kind of goes to show how weird this whole thing has been. Taking off my Red Wings hater hat for a second, I get that with Yzerman leaving 2 weeks after 7/1, there generally wouldn't be a huge rush to hire a GM since there's generally not a ton of change between then and training camp...but also your captain and best player has a very public trade request. Also, since it's a slow time of year, that means your pool of candidates should have plenty of free time to conduct these interviews.

It's pretty remarkable. Hater hat back on again. You love to see it.

Last day for 8 year deals. Snuggerud? Hofer? Neighbours?

Fuck, the Blues will be joining the 10M club soon. Shit's escalating fast.

BillP. wrote: Tue Sep 15, 2026 12:54 pm Fuck, the Blues will be joining the 10M club soon. Shit's escalating fast.

If Snuggerud has a good year it's going to be a biiiiiig ticket.

(Eyebrows emoji and/or gif of old kung fu master stroking long beard goes here)

Reavo out.

So close to 1000 games too. Definitely an accomplishment as an enforcer.

With the retirement of Ryan Reaves. The mantle of new longest professionally active Blues draft pick now belongs to Reto Berra.

Between this, a handful of big RFAs not reporting since they don’t have contracts, and the tire fire in Detroit, it’s shaping up to be one of the more memorable training camps across the league in ages.

Dave's a mess wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2026 8:23 pm

Between this, a handful of big RFAs not reporting since they don’t have contracts, and the tire fire in Detroit, it’s shaping up to be one of the more memorable training camps across the league in ages.

Classless move by Hellebuyck. Nobody forced him to sign a 7 year contract.

All of these people shooting on Ovechkin would suck Putin's dick if he flinched at them

One of the biggest remaining storylines league-wide resolves itself.

HELL YEAH HOCKEY IS BACK

Can someone explain to me why it's now a penalty to tuck your jersey in???

DPW wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2026 8:21 pm Can someone explain to me why it's now a penalty to tuck your jersey in???

That technically started a few seasons ago but was never regularly called. If your sweater ends up "behind" your pants, it's a penalty. Most believed the reason is because that's future advertising space and they need to get the players used to not hiding that billboard.

stlblues1226 wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2026 8:44 pm

DPW wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2026 8:21 pm Can someone explain to me why it's now a penalty to tuck your jersey in???

That technically started a few seasons ago but was never regularly called. If your sweater ends up "behind" your pants, it's a penalty. Most believed the reason is because that's future advertising space and they need to get the players used to not hiding that billboard.

Would be an insane reason to potentially change outcomes of games. Especially because the back of the jersey can just get tucked into the pants simply from playing the game, battling in the corners and you wouldn't know it unless you check every time you come to the bench. They've made Wayne Gretzky illegal

Haven't seen it up here yet, but there was a New Season Eve Blockbuster while we were fantasy drafting:


I don't watch enough of the Leafs to exactly know why they seemed to be dangling Knies for the last 10 months or so, but they use him to make a big move. Marchenko has had a very good start to his career in Columbus, but I feel like Leaf fans will turn on him quickly if he struggles out of the gate.

Any time you have the chance to add a top Russian to your team, you have to take it.

Another season is upon us and I know this board only has a handful of us left at this point but it's still fun to shoot the shit and talk puck with a good group of guys and Dave.

Here's to another year of BNF!