Daily Cupcakes- February 16th, 2012

by Sandie Gauthier on Feb 16, 2012 4:00 AM MST in Sandie's Daily Cupcakes

ST. LOUIS, MO - FEBRUARY 11: Semyon Varlamov #1 of the Colorado Avalanche reacts to giving up the game-winning goal against the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center on February 11, 2012 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Blues beat the Avalanche 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

A story about Tyson Barrie,the game against the Canucks was an expensive one for Barrie.

Tonight's trip into Rogers Arena will be as close as it gets to being home for Victoria's Tyson Barrie.

Slated to make his fourth National Hockey League start since joining the Colorado Avalanche, the 20-year-old will have upwards of 20 friends and family members in attendance in Vancouver as the Avs take on the Canucks.

An interesting article by 24/7 wall st about some of the highest earning players (across a lot of sports- not just the NHL).

In the 90’s, sky high salaries hit the NBA and NHL, sports with limited or no salary cap at the time. From 1990 to 1998, the average NHL salary more than quadrupled. Wayne Gretzky, the undisputed best hockey player of all-time, was paid $3 million in 1990 by the Los Angeles Kings. Less than a decade later, Joe Sakic, a future Hall-of-Famer, was paid more than five times Gretzky’s salary by the Colorado Avalanche. Similarly, average salaries tripled from 1990 to 2001 in the NBA, topped by Michael Jordan’s 1998 salary of $33.1 million with the Chicago Bulls.

Both of these sports have had multiple labor disputes in the past 20 years, leading to the implementation of a hard salary cap in hockey and a highly-structured soft cap in basketball. Unlike baseball which has no maximum, the changes have limited explosive salary growth in both sports in recent years.

If you were hoping for the Rick Nash saga to be done at the end of the month - CBC.ca doesn't think you should hold your breath. Will Nash be moved:

Survey says," Yes." I took a small poll of GMs and execs, asking if there is any chance Nash and the Blue Jackets could patch things up in true Valentine's Day spirit. One brought up Steve Yzerman and Detroit, which is a great argument. But others pointed out that Yzerman never wanted to leave, while Nash clearly is ready to go.

"You can't go back now," one GM said. But he and others believe the deal won't get done until the draft.

While it'll be painful to have this drag, it's probably for the best. Only one team is going to get Zach Parise, which will make Nash an even hotter commodity. Maybe another team makes a run and appeals to him. The trade contenders will have time to work their budgets/cap space.

Nash must understand he is guaranteed to be a winner in all of this. His no-move means he has ultimate control. Nothing happens that he doesn't like.

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Comments

Why is the “Recent Posts” box showing posts from February 2nd?

A man who stole my whisky used the defense that no one could resist a bottle of Scotch. I had no choice but to testify on his behalf.

by c6hor8 on Feb 16, 2012 7:24 AM MST reply actions

because those are the recent posts?

DDC is deeply embedded throughout this blog. For better or worse, his taint taints us all.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Feb 16, 2012 7:48 AM MST up reply actions

Oh, I see. SBNation is playing fast and loose with the term “recent”.

A man who stole my whisky used the defense that no one could resist a bottle of Scotch. I had no choice but to testify on his behalf.

by c6hor8 on Feb 16, 2012 7:49 AM MST up reply actions

Kinda like how the Wild play fast and loose with the term “regression”?

The reason I'm in town, in case you're wondering, is because of a Kansas City Shuffle.

by Randy Time on Feb 16, 2012 8:02 AM MST up reply actions

Shit…I think the Avs do that too.

The reason I'm in town, in case you're wondering, is because of a Kansas City Shuffle.

by Randy Time on Feb 16, 2012 8:07 AM MST up reply actions

It’s called the 2nd half of the season

2011-12 Colorado Avalanche: Ruling the East, but bending over for the Northwest

by chiavsfan on Feb 16, 2012 8:11 AM MST up reply actions

That’s the first time fast and loose has ever been used in reference to the Wild.

4th biggest pessimist of MHH.
"There's always next season." -- Jimmy Howard on not winning the Calder Trophy.

by Dixomatic on Feb 16, 2012 10:34 AM MST up reply actions

what is the legal definition?

DDC is deeply embedded throughout this blog. For better or worse, his taint taints us all.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Feb 16, 2012 8:23 AM MST up reply actions

If I was arguing legally? I would say:

The box of recent posts have predominantly been the 10 most recent front-paged posts. I would say that the purpose of the box is to present the most recent posts, even though it only says recent, and that the average MHH-goer is used to that box presenting them with the newest posts as well as posts just prior to the one they may be reading. I would argue that even if the current posts are “recent” according to the OED’s definition, the box is still failing at its purpose as understood, accepted, and used by the common visitor here. The visitors to the blog are the fuel to its existence and what they resonably understand as normal should be deferred to in this cirucmstances. Thus, the recent post box is failing it commonly understood purpose by showing threads from two weeks ago that have very little relevence to the past week and the past few games.

A man who stole my whisky used the defense that no one could resist a bottle of Scotch. I had no choice but to testify on his behalf.

by c6hor8 on Feb 16, 2012 9:34 AM MST up reply actions

good lord, do they pay you by the word?

DDC is deeply embedded throughout this blog. For better or worse, his taint taints us all.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Feb 16, 2012 9:46 AM MST up reply actions

and I thought you meant fan posts. I see what you mean now (and not because of that lengthy comment that I didn’t read)

DDC is deeply embedded throughout this blog. For better or worse, his taint taints us all.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Feb 16, 2012 9:53 AM MST up reply actions

So,

practice > statute?

2011-2012 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl: Vyechnaya Pamyat!
2011-2012 Colorado Avalanche: Chances are rapidly diminishing that this will not suck.

by Hopfenkopf on Feb 16, 2012 10:27 PM MST up reply actions

z

The reason I'm in town, in case you're wondering, is because of a Kansas City Shuffle.

by Randy Time on Feb 17, 2012 2:59 AM MST up reply actions

Wanted to relax before going to bed last night by watching a few Avalanche clips……Ended up staying up till 2 watching Foote videos, the entire Sakic jersey retirement (for maybe the 10th time) and the entire Forsberg jersey retirement (again…)

Meow-valanche. Prrr-valanche.

by Sean Harsha on Feb 16, 2012 9:42 AM MST reply actions

Not a bad night of video viewing, if I do say so myself.

When hell freezes over, I'll play hockey there, too.
Mile High Hockey - Asst. Editor
The Hockey Writers - Avalanche Correspondent

by Cheryl Bradley on Feb 16, 2012 10:10 AM MST up reply actions

How about EJ, he’s progressing towards the mean.

Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.

by An Unmitigated Disaster on Feb 16, 2012 11:45 AM MST reply actions

He was absolutely perfect last night.. my god, Winnik or Quincey fumble the puck, Johnson calmy strips the puck, out muscles the guy, and skates it out…

The guy is an absolute dream when he decides to use his body and speed…. he can carry that puck out of any zone… he was “in the zone” last night.

If that’s the defenseman he turns into, he’s legit, and could be among the best in the league.

Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.

by amit916 on Feb 16, 2012 11:59 AM MST up reply actions

per the Monsters’ twitter: Avs have recalled Cedrick Desjardins and Mark Olver.

Mile High Hockey: Best Avs blog on the internet..... maybe.

by stpn47 on Feb 16, 2012 11:53 AM MST reply actions

we also sent Barrie back down.

Mile High Hockey: Best Avs blog on the internet..... maybe.

by stpn47 on Feb 16, 2012 11:53 AM MST up reply actions

Sadly, I think it’s for the best. Let him develop some more in the A, and come back stronger to the big club later.

by quietstorm560 on Feb 16, 2012 4:25 PM MST via iPhone app up reply actions

Also, better to not keep making Wilson sit. The rest of the guys are playing too well to hit the nacho bar.

When hell freezes over, I'll play hockey there, too.
Mile High Hockey - Asst. Editor
The Hockey Writers - Avalanche Correspondent

by Cheryl Bradley on Feb 16, 2012 5:02 PM MST up reply actions

sorry… i didn’t see that this was posted in the Recap.

Mile High Hockey: Best Avs blog on the internet..... maybe.

by stpn47 on Feb 16, 2012 11:59 AM MST up reply actions

Olver called up… is this because Galiardi is down…. or this Mueller injury more serious? or is Duchene that much farther back?

Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.

by amit916 on Feb 16, 2012 11:59 AM MST reply actions

Gali was put on IR.

Mile High Hockey: Best Avs blog on the internet..... maybe.

by stpn47 on Feb 16, 2012 12:00 PM MST up reply actions

although I’m not going to lie… I’m pretty concerned about Mueller.

Mile High Hockey: Best Avs blog on the internet..... maybe.

by stpn47 on Feb 16, 2012 12:08 PM MST up reply actions

Wow that was fast, it rare that guys get IR’d a few hours after the game even when they know it’s bad.

Datsyuk may have done it first, but he learned it from Peter Forsberg.

Thanks for everything Foppa!
Footer: We'll miss seeing you clear the riff raff off your lawn.

by Americanario on Feb 16, 2012 12:10 PM MST up reply actions

Yeah, I was surprised too… I think they just want the roster space so that they can get Olver here on time for the game tomorrow. That way they don’t have to play Porter… or even worse (if Mueller misses another game), Hunwick as a forward.

Mile High Hockey: Best Avs blog on the internet..... maybe.

by stpn47 on Feb 16, 2012 12:23 PM MST up reply actions

Well, that may be because they wanted to make sure they could gte Olver up in time for the game in case Duchene can’t go.

A man who stole my whisky used the defense that no one could resist a bottle of Scotch. I had no choice but to testify on his behalf.

by c6hor8 on Feb 16, 2012 12:42 PM MST up reply actions

O’Reilly on 104.3 The Fan in a couple minutes.

4th biggest pessimist of MHH.
"There's always next season." -- Jimmy Howard on not winning the Calder Trophy.

by Dixomatic on Feb 16, 2012 12:13 PM MST reply actions

Radar’s doing a lot of interviews lately. I like it. It’s not exactly a requirement to be the Avs’ captain, but it’s probably a good thing for the next wearer of the C to get used to.

Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.

by andidee15 on Feb 16, 2012 4:47 PM MST via iPhone app up reply actions

Ducks are 14-2-3 in their last 17… holy hell.

Paul Stastny did, what Paul Stastny does. Score big goals.

by amit916 on Feb 16, 2012 12:33 PM MST reply actions

Boudreau not happy with all that Adams award talk coming out of St. Louis.

4th biggest pessimist of MHH.
"There's always next season." -- Jimmy Howard on not winning the Calder Trophy.

by Dixomatic on Feb 16, 2012 2:31 PM MST up reply actions

Atgreat! I will still have a team to cheer for in the olayoffs!

by Pinchy The Lobster on Feb 16, 2012 2:57 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Atgreat isnt even a real word

by Pinchy The Lobster on Feb 16, 2012 2:58 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

It is now!

Hawks fan #1: you're terrible landeskog
Hawks fan #2 He's not that bad
Hawks fan #1: he scores goals against us and makes me feel like a pedo. that’s two things

by DiD on Feb 16, 2012 3:45 PM MST up reply actions

Olayoff….is this some kind of beauty contest?

Datsyuk may have done it first, but he learned it from Peter Forsberg.

Thanks for everything Foppa!
Footer: We'll miss seeing you clear the riff raff off your lawn.

by Americanario on Feb 16, 2012 5:30 PM MST up reply actions

Justin Bourne’s Whiteboard is great if you haven’t seen it. Each entry runs through positional responsibilities in a given situation, i.e. “From losing a face off at center ice”.

Mile High Hockey - Lucy is a b*tch

by MalachiConstant on Feb 16, 2012 2:04 PM MST reply actions

I was wondering, is there a post/tutorial/fan shot that explains the unique niche-like aspects of the NHL season? My interest in this has come from attempting to explain a 3 point game to some of my fringe hockey following friends & family. If anyone could help (explanation, directions to said explanation), that’s be cool.

by quietstorm560 on Feb 16, 2012 4:30 PM MST via iPhone app reply actions

We should write one. And by we, I mean not me because I’m sure mine would get too many tl;dr at the bottom.

Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.

by andidee15 on Feb 16, 2012 4:49 PM MST via iPhone app up reply actions

An open thread or suggestion post could be ideal…I think they were looking for more articles, maybe something like Ask the Staff or some other catchy title, where questions like that could be asked, addressed, and archived?

by quietstorm560 on Feb 16, 2012 4:58 PM MST via iPhone app up reply actions

Ask the Staff is a great idea. Emailing questions would prob be the best option, I think; otherwise answers will get strewn across threads and that will be hard to catalogue for future use.

When hell freezes over, I'll play hockey there, too.
Mile High Hockey - Asst. Editor
The Hockey Writers - Avalanche Correspondent

by Cheryl Bradley on Feb 16, 2012 5:04 PM MST up reply actions

I think this is a great idea.

It's all about Winnik

by Sandie Gauthier on Feb 16, 2012 5:53 PM MST up reply actions

I hope so, occasionally I stumble across them.

by quietstorm560 on Feb 16, 2012 9:09 PM MST via iPhone app up reply actions

hell ya

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day.

Mile High Hockey : Where B- is different than C+

by A.J. Haefele on Feb 16, 2012 10:18 PM MST up reply actions

First Question..

Does A.J. wear X-Men underwear?

The reason I'm in town, in case you're wondering, is because of a Kansas City Shuffle.

by Randy Time on Feb 17, 2012 3:02 AM MST up reply actions

Only when his Godzilla Underoos are at the cleaners.

Datsyuk may have done it first, but he learned it from Peter Forsberg.

Thanks for everything Foppa!
Footer: We'll miss seeing you clear the riff raff off your lawn.

by Americanario on Feb 17, 2012 7:38 AM MST up reply actions

Nintendo actually ;)

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day.

Mile High Hockey : Where B- is different than C+

by A.J. Haefele on Feb 17, 2012 7:43 AM MST up reply actions

Totally not surprised.

The reason I'm in town, in case you're wondering, is because of a Kansas City Shuffle.

by Randy Time on Feb 17, 2012 2:09 PM MST up reply actions

What exactly are you asking about the three point game though? How it affects standings?

It's all about Winnik

by Sandie Gauthier on Feb 16, 2012 6:48 PM MST up reply actions

The discussion I had went over 4 point games and then the standard 2 point game. But when I tried to explain how a 3 point game occurs, I had trouble conveying it. How it affects standings would be a further great discussion as well.

by quietstorm560 on Feb 16, 2012 9:13 PM MST via iPhone app up reply actions

Anyone think the NHL

is suddenly going overboard with the “Goalie-interference calls”?

4 call last night in the Montreal-Bruins game alone (didn’t see the game so can’t comment to the legitimacy). Goalie-interference was called during the Edmonton-Toronto game and then the call on Landy where Loungo had a dive better then Louganis.
Tonight a bad call against Stalberg in the Hawks-Rangers game, as well as one in the San Jose – Tampa game (again didn’t see this one).

Datsyuk may have done it first, but he learned it from Peter Forsberg.

Thanks for everything Foppa!
Footer: We'll miss seeing you clear the riff raff off your lawn.

by Americanario on Feb 16, 2012 6:28 PM MST reply actions