Nine hours in, and Lisa's second single from the Press Play EP, a tribute to screenwriter and film director Quentin Tarantino, has already reached over 14,000,000 views:
Kids might already know Lisa (a Thai rapper not to be confused with South Korean singer Lisa or the Japanese singer LiSA) as a member of South Korean girl group Blackpink.
Her video for Tarantino was directed by James Mackel, who understood the assignment and choreographed a visually stunning hotel martial arts fight sequence reminiscent of the Kill Bill movies and Neflix/Disney+'s Daredevil TV series.
Friday, October 23, 2026
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Maple Leafs Preview: Vincent Damphousse Autographed Card
(team and product links go to sponsored Amazon products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on my personal blog (here) and my collectibles blog, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.
Caveats: At this point, despite the season just starting, several players haven't found a team yet, (at least) two star players have active trade requests, and a few clubs are tight at the top of the salary cap, which means there is much left to do.
Key exits: Joseph Woll (G), Matthew Knies (LW), Steven Lorentz (C), Dennis Hildeby (G), Nick Robertson (LW), Brandon Carlo (D), Simon Benoît (D), Matias Maccelli (LW), Henry Thrun (D), Emil Andrae (D)
Key Arrivals: Darren Raddysh (D), Kirill Marchenko (RW), Jack Roslovic (C), Sergei Bobrovsky (C), Nick Paul (LW),Zack MacEwen (RW), Brandon Duhaime (LW), Teddy Blueger (C), Colton Sissons (C),Miles Wood (LW),Elvis Merzlikins (G)
Top prospects: Gavin McKenna (RW, 18), Miroslav Holinka (C, 20), Ben Danford (D, 20),Jacob Quillan (C, 24), Noah Chadwick (D, 21), Alexander Bilecki (D, 18), Artur Aktyamov (C, 24), Ethan MacKenzie (D, 20)
I thought the Toronto Maple Leafs would make the playoffs last season despite losing Mitch Marner, but McKenna should provide some of the offense that was lost a year ago, though the leadership angle will have to wait a little bit - I don't see him taking over a locker room that already includes captain Auston Matthews and former captain John Tavares.
What makes their odds look good:
He's been away from the game for a while, but GM John Chayka still co-owned Stathletes with sister Meghan Chayka and Neil Lane, so he still kept tabs on NHL players and kept digging on the analytics front. Expect smart bets on young players coming out of their entry-level deals like he did with the Arizona Coyotes, and savvy veteran additions.
Question marks:
Is signing Bobrovsky for three years a savvy decision, though? Is Jim Hiller an NHL-caliber head coach despite what we saw him do with the Los Angeles Kings for the past two and a half years??
Outlook:
William Nylander is probably good for 90 points, Matthews should get back in the 30-to-35-goal range, Oliver Ekman-Larsson continues to defy age and Marchenko probably enjoys a year-long honeymoon in Toronto, who are very improved from last year. Enough to make the playoffs? Enough to make it interesting until the final week of the season.
Prediction:
5th in the Atlantic Division.
I tend to think of Vincent Damphousse as an important player for the San Jose Sharks and the Leafs, not as much for the Montréal Canadiens or Edmonton Oilers - but the truth is that, statistically, his highest totals have come in Montréal and his lowest were in San Jose. I'll say this though: Damphousse made the Sharks a serious team whose move to replace him as a centre after his retirement was to acquire Art Ross winner Joe Thornton in-season. To get back to the Leafs, however, they were the first team with which he broke the 30-goal and 90-point marks for the first time, going 33-61-94 in 80 games in 1989-90. Here he is wearing their classic 1980s blue (away) uniform on card #34 from In The Game's 2003-04 Original 6 - Toronto Maple Leafs set:
He signed it in-person in fading black sharpie at the Bell Centre 10-15 years ago, definitely after his ugly divorce.
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on my personal blog (here) and my collectibles blog, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.
Caveats: At this point, despite the season just starting, several players haven't found a team yet, (at least) two star players have active trade requests, and a few clubs are tight at the top of the salary cap, which means there is much left to do.
Key exits: Joseph Woll (G), Matthew Knies (LW), Steven Lorentz (C), Dennis Hildeby (G), Nick Robertson (LW), Brandon Carlo (D), Simon Benoît (D), Matias Maccelli (LW), Henry Thrun (D), Emil Andrae (D)
Key Arrivals: Darren Raddysh (D), Kirill Marchenko (RW), Jack Roslovic (C), Sergei Bobrovsky (C), Nick Paul (LW),Zack MacEwen (RW), Brandon Duhaime (LW), Teddy Blueger (C), Colton Sissons (C),Miles Wood (LW),Elvis Merzlikins (G)
Top prospects: Gavin McKenna (RW, 18), Miroslav Holinka (C, 20), Ben Danford (D, 20),Jacob Quillan (C, 24), Noah Chadwick (D, 21), Alexander Bilecki (D, 18), Artur Aktyamov (C, 24), Ethan MacKenzie (D, 20)
I thought the Toronto Maple Leafs would make the playoffs last season despite losing Mitch Marner, but McKenna should provide some of the offense that was lost a year ago, though the leadership angle will have to wait a little bit - I don't see him taking over a locker room that already includes captain Auston Matthews and former captain John Tavares.
What makes their odds look good:
He's been away from the game for a while, but GM John Chayka still co-owned Stathletes with sister Meghan Chayka and Neil Lane, so he still kept tabs on NHL players and kept digging on the analytics front. Expect smart bets on young players coming out of their entry-level deals like he did with the Arizona Coyotes, and savvy veteran additions.
Question marks:
Is signing Bobrovsky for three years a savvy decision, though? Is Jim Hiller an NHL-caliber head coach despite what we saw him do with the Los Angeles Kings for the past two and a half years??
Outlook:
William Nylander is probably good for 90 points, Matthews should get back in the 30-to-35-goal range, Oliver Ekman-Larsson continues to defy age and Marchenko probably enjoys a year-long honeymoon in Toronto, who are very improved from last year. Enough to make the playoffs? Enough to make it interesting until the final week of the season.
Prediction:
5th in the Atlantic Division.
I tend to think of Vincent Damphousse as an important player for the San Jose Sharks and the Leafs, not as much for the Montréal Canadiens or Edmonton Oilers - but the truth is that, statistically, his highest totals have come in Montréal and his lowest were in San Jose. I'll say this though: Damphousse made the Sharks a serious team whose move to replace him as a centre after his retirement was to acquire Art Ross winner Joe Thornton in-season. To get back to the Leafs, however, they were the first team with which he broke the 30-goal and 90-point marks for the first time, going 33-61-94 in 80 games in 1989-90. Here he is wearing their classic 1980s blue (away) uniform on card #34 from In The Game's 2003-04 Original 6 - Toronto Maple Leafs set:
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Senators Preview: Thomas Chabot Autographed Card
(team and product links go to sponsored Amazon products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on my personal blog (here) and my collectibles blog, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.
Caveats: At this point, despite the regular season being set to start today, several players haven't found a team yet, (at least) two star players have active trade requests, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much work left to do.
Key exits: Brady Tkachuk (RW), Lars Eller (C), James Reimer (G), Nick Jensen (D), Dennis Gilbert (D), Lassi Thomson (D), Olle Lycksell (F), Mads Sogaard (G), Arthur Kaliyev (RW), Jan Jenik (D)
Key arrivals: William Eklund (RW), Samuel Ersson (G), André Burakovsky (LW), Samuel Blais (LW), Philip Tomasino (RW)
Top prospects: Carter Yakemchuk (D, 20), Logan Hensler (D, 19), Jonas Lagerberg Hoen (RW, 18), Blake Montgomery (LW, 21), Jorian Donovan (D, 22), Leevi Meriläinen (G, 24), Jaxon Cover (LW, 18), Xavier Bourgault (RW, 23)
The Ottawa Senators did some fine house cleaning in the offseason, clearing/cleansing the air in the (neighbouring) nation's capital.
What makes their odds look good:
Tim Stützle is a legitimate #1 centre, Jake Sanderson is an all-world defenseman, Thomas Chabot has been to an All-Star Game, Linus Ullmark is a Vezina winner, Artem Zub is a world-class defensive defenseman, Drake Batherson is a true top-six sniper, Claude Giroux still has gas left in the tank, Dylan Cozens is a good secondary centerman, Warren Foegle brings the lower-tier power forward element, Ridly Greig is a terrific wish-you-were-on-my-team pest (while Nick Cousins is the league's most-despised one), and Eklund still has untapped potential to break out as a first-liner.
Question marks:
Head coach Travis Green took a giant leap forward last season - does he have another step ahead in him? Is the Tkachuk addition-by-subtraction with the actual addition of Eklund enough to remain a wild-card team while the Florida Panthers get healthy again and the Toronto Maple Leafs have improved?
Outlook:
This is a good team with plenty of youth who can improve. They'd make the playoffs in any other division, but it's going to be a dogfight in this one.
Prediction:
6th in the Atlantic Division.
The Sens did the right thing today and righted a wrong from five years ago by naming Chabot the team captain. He had previously been a long-serving alternate captain for the team; internationally, he has worn both the "A" (2017 World Juniors, where he was tournament MVP) and "C" (2022 World Championships) in leading Team Canada to gold medals, a feat he also achieved at the 2019 Worlds.
Here he is wearing Ottawa's magnificent white (away) uniform on card # 127 from Upper Deck's 2021-22 Series 1 set, which he signed in blue charpie around 2023:
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on my personal blog (here) and my collectibles blog, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.
Caveats: At this point, despite the regular season being set to start today, several players haven't found a team yet, (at least) two star players have active trade requests, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much work left to do.
Key exits: Brady Tkachuk (RW), Lars Eller (C), James Reimer (G), Nick Jensen (D), Dennis Gilbert (D), Lassi Thomson (D), Olle Lycksell (F), Mads Sogaard (G), Arthur Kaliyev (RW), Jan Jenik (D)
Key arrivals: William Eklund (RW), Samuel Ersson (G), André Burakovsky (LW), Samuel Blais (LW), Philip Tomasino (RW)
Top prospects: Carter Yakemchuk (D, 20), Logan Hensler (D, 19), Jonas Lagerberg Hoen (RW, 18), Blake Montgomery (LW, 21), Jorian Donovan (D, 22), Leevi Meriläinen (G, 24), Jaxon Cover (LW, 18), Xavier Bourgault (RW, 23)
The Ottawa Senators did some fine house cleaning in the offseason, clearing/cleansing the air in the (neighbouring) nation's capital.
What makes their odds look good:
Tim Stützle is a legitimate #1 centre, Jake Sanderson is an all-world defenseman, Thomas Chabot has been to an All-Star Game, Linus Ullmark is a Vezina winner, Artem Zub is a world-class defensive defenseman, Drake Batherson is a true top-six sniper, Claude Giroux still has gas left in the tank, Dylan Cozens is a good secondary centerman, Warren Foegle brings the lower-tier power forward element, Ridly Greig is a terrific wish-you-were-on-my-team pest (while Nick Cousins is the league's most-despised one), and Eklund still has untapped potential to break out as a first-liner.
Question marks:
Head coach Travis Green took a giant leap forward last season - does he have another step ahead in him? Is the Tkachuk addition-by-subtraction with the actual addition of Eklund enough to remain a wild-card team while the Florida Panthers get healthy again and the Toronto Maple Leafs have improved?
Outlook:
This is a good team with plenty of youth who can improve. They'd make the playoffs in any other division, but it's going to be a dogfight in this one.
Prediction:
6th in the Atlantic Division.
The Sens did the right thing today and righted a wrong from five years ago by naming Chabot the team captain. He had previously been a long-serving alternate captain for the team; internationally, he has worn both the "A" (2017 World Juniors, where he was tournament MVP) and "C" (2022 World Championships) in leading Team Canada to gold medals, a feat he also achieved at the 2019 Worlds.
Here he is wearing Ottawa's magnificent white (away) uniform on card # 127 from Upper Deck's 2021-22 Series 1 set, which he signed in blue charpie around 2023:
Monday, September 28, 2026
Blue Jackets Preview: Kirill Marchenko Jersey Card
(team and product links go to sponsored Amazon products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on my personal blog (here) and my collectibles blog, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.
Caveats: At this point, despite the regular season being set to start in a matter of days, several players haven't found a team yet, (at least) two more star players have active trade requests, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much work left to do.
Key exits: Kirill Marchenko (RW), Miles Wood (LW), Elvis Merzlikins (G), Boone Jenner (C), Mason Marchment (LW), Danton Heinen (LW), Egor Zamula (D), Brendan Smith (D), Zach Aston-Reese (LW/RW), Brendan Gaunce (C), Ivan Fedotov (G), Dysin Mayo (D), Hunter McKown (C)
Key arrivals: Matthew Knies (LW), Steven Lorentz (C), Emil Andrae (D), Valeri Nichushkin (RW), Ryan Lomberg (LW), Colton White (D), Phoenix Copley (G), Luke Tuch (RW)
Top prospects: Jackson Smith (D, 19), Cayden Lindstrom (C, 20), Pyotr Andreyanov (G, 19), Jordan Dumais (RW, 22), Sergei Ivanov (G, 22), Oscar Hemming (LW, 18)
I was waiting for the Marchenko shoe to drop before posting my Columbus Blue Jackets review and, as expected, it turned out to be a blockbuster.
What makes their odds look good:
They still have the reigning Norris Trophy winner in Zach Werenski, who nixed a trade to the Dallas Stars this summer to remain in Columbus. Knies is a 23-year-old top-6 forward with untapped offensive potential. Jet Greaves looks solid in net. Adam Fantilli extended well into his prime as training camp came to a close.
Question marks:
As the Werenski and Marchenko sagas proved, players are impatient to win, and not everyone sees the Blue Jackets as a team who can be a Stanley Cup contender in a relatively short window; they are on most no-trade lists and thus must draft, develop and nurture talent to get there.
Outlook:
General Manager Don Wadell has experience assembling and running teams that aren't exactly a destination, having previously served in the same position with the Atlanta Thrashers (1998-2010) and Carolina Hurricanes (2018-2024), the latter winning the Cup with his former assistant Eric Tulsky tweaking the lineup just a few months ago. He got enough good pieces back in the Marchenko trade that he doesn't need to pivot to (another) rebuild, he just needs to make sure he has the right coaching and development staff so that as many prospects as possible reach the NHL and have an impact. For now, they are a bubble playoff team with the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins all fighting for a wild-card spot.
Prediction:
5th in the Metropolitan Division.
Marchenko is a tall, heavy player (6'3", over 200 pounds) with great hands who can protect the puck, deke multiple opponents on the same play and shoot accurately. He led the Jackets in goals in the last three seasons, posting nearly a point per game in 2024-25; on a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs, he has a shot at 40-goal and 85-to-90-point seasons. Here he is on the "Red Jersey" variant of card #18 from Upper Deck's 2024-25 SP Game-Used Edition set:
It shows him wearing the Jackets' blue (away) uniform, and carries a matching game-worn jersey swatch.
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on my personal blog (here) and my collectibles blog, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.
Caveats: At this point, despite the regular season being set to start in a matter of days, several players haven't found a team yet, (at least) two more star players have active trade requests, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much work left to do.
Key exits: Kirill Marchenko (RW), Miles Wood (LW), Elvis Merzlikins (G), Boone Jenner (C), Mason Marchment (LW), Danton Heinen (LW), Egor Zamula (D), Brendan Smith (D), Zach Aston-Reese (LW/RW), Brendan Gaunce (C), Ivan Fedotov (G), Dysin Mayo (D), Hunter McKown (C)
Key arrivals: Matthew Knies (LW), Steven Lorentz (C), Emil Andrae (D), Valeri Nichushkin (RW), Ryan Lomberg (LW), Colton White (D), Phoenix Copley (G), Luke Tuch (RW)
Top prospects: Jackson Smith (D, 19), Cayden Lindstrom (C, 20), Pyotr Andreyanov (G, 19), Jordan Dumais (RW, 22), Sergei Ivanov (G, 22), Oscar Hemming (LW, 18)
I was waiting for the Marchenko shoe to drop before posting my Columbus Blue Jackets review and, as expected, it turned out to be a blockbuster.
What makes their odds look good:
They still have the reigning Norris Trophy winner in Zach Werenski, who nixed a trade to the Dallas Stars this summer to remain in Columbus. Knies is a 23-year-old top-6 forward with untapped offensive potential. Jet Greaves looks solid in net. Adam Fantilli extended well into his prime as training camp came to a close.
Question marks:
As the Werenski and Marchenko sagas proved, players are impatient to win, and not everyone sees the Blue Jackets as a team who can be a Stanley Cup contender in a relatively short window; they are on most no-trade lists and thus must draft, develop and nurture talent to get there.
Outlook:
General Manager Don Wadell has experience assembling and running teams that aren't exactly a destination, having previously served in the same position with the Atlanta Thrashers (1998-2010) and Carolina Hurricanes (2018-2024), the latter winning the Cup with his former assistant Eric Tulsky tweaking the lineup just a few months ago. He got enough good pieces back in the Marchenko trade that he doesn't need to pivot to (another) rebuild, he just needs to make sure he has the right coaching and development staff so that as many prospects as possible reach the NHL and have an impact. For now, they are a bubble playoff team with the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins all fighting for a wild-card spot.
Prediction:
5th in the Metropolitan Division.
Marchenko is a tall, heavy player (6'3", over 200 pounds) with great hands who can protect the puck, deke multiple opponents on the same play and shoot accurately. He led the Jackets in goals in the last three seasons, posting nearly a point per game in 2024-25; on a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs, he has a shot at 40-goal and 85-to-90-point seasons. Here he is on the "Red Jersey" variant of card #18 from Upper Deck's 2024-25 SP Game-Used Edition set:
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Islanders Preview: Ryan Pulock Jersey Card
(team and product links go to sponsored Amazon products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on my personal blog (here) and my collectibles blog, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.
Caveats: At this point, despite training camp being set to start in a few days, several players haven't found a team yet, (at least) three star players have active trade requests, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much left to do.
Key exits: Anders Lee (LW), David Rittich (G), Carson Soucy (D), Adam Boqvist (D), Maxim Shabanov (RW), Marc Gatcomb (C), Travis Mitchell (D), Cole McWard (D)
Key Arrivals: Matias Maccelli (LW), Vitek Vanacek (G), Matthew Kessel (D),Mitchell Chaffee (LW), Logan Stanley (D)
Top prospects: Malte Gustafsson (D, 20), Victor Eklund (LW/RW, 19), Kashawn Aitcheson (D, 20),Cole Eiserman (LW, 20), Dmitri Gamzin (G, 23), Danny Nelson (C, 21)
Losing captain Lee and a roster's worth of depth defensemen with none of them being replaced by new arrivals (save for Stanley earlier today) means the prospect pool (ranked 9th in the NHL by The Athletic) will be asked to jump in and play important roles. Head coach Peter DeBoer will have to balance teaching, accepting mistakes and winning enough to be in the mix for the playoffs.
What makes their odds look good:
A fine prospect pool, an elite goaltending tandem (Ilya Sorokin and a returning Semyon Varlamov from a two-year injury rehab), a smart GM in Mathieu Darche, and a superstar in the making in Matthew Schaeffer are a good starting point.
Question marks:
xxx
Outlook:
Hopefully, Bo Horvat and Brayden Schenn can combine to replace Lee's leadership, but this isn't the team that will end DeBoer's streak of not winning Stanley Cups despite being the most-hyped coach on the market.
Prediction:
6th in the Metropolitan Division.
Now in his 12th NHL season, Ryan Pulock is still dependable, although no longer among the best defensive defensemen in the league who got Norris votes in 2020-21; he remains an effective pair with Adam Pelech, but they are now a second pairing playing fewer minutes against elites, while Schaeffer gets the most ice time. Here he is from a set a decade ago:
That's card #RM-RP from Upper Deck's 2016-17 Series 2 set and Rookie Materials sub-set, and features a silver swatch of a jersey worn in a rookie photoshoot.
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on my personal blog (here) and my collectibles blog, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.
Caveats: At this point, despite training camp being set to start in a few days, several players haven't found a team yet, (at least) three star players have active trade requests, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much left to do.
Key exits: Anders Lee (LW), David Rittich (G), Carson Soucy (D), Adam Boqvist (D), Maxim Shabanov (RW), Marc Gatcomb (C), Travis Mitchell (D), Cole McWard (D)
Key Arrivals: Matias Maccelli (LW), Vitek Vanacek (G), Matthew Kessel (D),Mitchell Chaffee (LW), Logan Stanley (D)
Top prospects: Malte Gustafsson (D, 20), Victor Eklund (LW/RW, 19), Kashawn Aitcheson (D, 20),Cole Eiserman (LW, 20), Dmitri Gamzin (G, 23), Danny Nelson (C, 21)
Losing captain Lee and a roster's worth of depth defensemen with none of them being replaced by new arrivals (save for Stanley earlier today) means the prospect pool (ranked 9th in the NHL by The Athletic) will be asked to jump in and play important roles. Head coach Peter DeBoer will have to balance teaching, accepting mistakes and winning enough to be in the mix for the playoffs.
What makes their odds look good:
A fine prospect pool, an elite goaltending tandem (Ilya Sorokin and a returning Semyon Varlamov from a two-year injury rehab), a smart GM in Mathieu Darche, and a superstar in the making in Matthew Schaeffer are a good starting point.
Question marks:
xxx
Outlook:
Hopefully, Bo Horvat and Brayden Schenn can combine to replace Lee's leadership, but this isn't the team that will end DeBoer's streak of not winning Stanley Cups despite being the most-hyped coach on the market.
Prediction:
6th in the Metropolitan Division.
Now in his 12th NHL season, Ryan Pulock is still dependable, although no longer among the best defensive defensemen in the league who got Norris votes in 2020-21; he remains an effective pair with Adam Pelech, but they are now a second pairing playing fewer minutes against elites, while Schaeffer gets the most ice time. Here he is from a set a decade ago:
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Video Of The Week: Bizarre
(product links go to sponsored Amazon products, previous post links go to related pages on my blog, news and place links go to source pages)
There was a time around the turn of the millennium when Eminem was on top on the world - not just in rap, but he led the entire music industry. His albums were consistently at #1 despite boy band / girl group pop dominance, and he took it upon himself the use his tide to rise everyone in his orbit who deserved it, notably via D12 (a.k.a. The Dirty Dozen), a collective of talented artists that also included Proof (deceased in 2006), Bizarre, Denaun "Mr." Porter (a.k.a. Kon Artis) , Kuniva and Swifty McVay (the latter two keeping the mantle alive to this day); Obie Trice was a fequent collaborator.
Many of these rappers, like Eminem himself, mixed wit, sarcasm, and humour with astute observations of difficult upbringings to create a brand of hip hop that was relatively unique in the mainstream, with Bizarre being the one who would usually push the boundaries of good taste with off-kilter references and associations, such as:
Cut to today, where he doesn't seem as alert as he used to be (his speed has slowed to a Notorious B.I.G. level), is still prone to mixing the funny with the braggadocio and reality-based texts, but with more cultural references and a lot less in-your-face shock. His new song Mercy is the second single off of Don't Cross The Street and is much better than the previous one, Amityville 2: This was directed by ad agency Mic Drop Media.
There was a time around the turn of the millennium when Eminem was on top on the world - not just in rap, but he led the entire music industry. His albums were consistently at #1 despite boy band / girl group pop dominance, and he took it upon himself the use his tide to rise everyone in his orbit who deserved it, notably via D12 (a.k.a. The Dirty Dozen), a collective of talented artists that also included Proof (deceased in 2006), Bizarre, Denaun "Mr." Porter (a.k.a. Kon Artis) , Kuniva and Swifty McVay (the latter two keeping the mantle alive to this day); Obie Trice was a fequent collaborator.
Many of these rappers, like Eminem himself, mixed wit, sarcasm, and humour with astute observations of difficult upbringings to create a brand of hip hop that was relatively unique in the mainstream, with Bizarre being the one who would usually push the boundaries of good taste with off-kilter references and associations, such as:
I'm not bisexual I'm an intellectual, transsexual, with one testicleor
And I ain't saying shit just 'cause it rhymes, I got colon cancer - I'm dying
There’s no way I could be the gay rapper: I only fuck animalsShock value was his calling card.
Cut to today, where he doesn't seem as alert as he used to be (his speed has slowed to a Notorious B.I.G. level), is still prone to mixing the funny with the braggadocio and reality-based texts, but with more cultural references and a lot less in-your-face shock. His new song Mercy is the second single off of Don't Cross The Street and is much better than the previous one, Amityville 2: This was directed by ad agency Mic Drop Media.
Monday, September 21, 2026
This Week's Top 10s
(product links go to sponsored Amazon products, previous post links go to related pages on my blog, news and place links go to source pages)
Top 10 Songs:
10. MISTAKEN IDENTITY, Everlast (2026)
9. SCOTCH & POCHES, Bleu Jeans Bleu (2026)
8. MERCY, Bizarre (2026)
7. ALL THE THINGS SHE SAID, t.A.T.u. (2002)
6. GONE AWAY, The Offspring (1997)
5. DAI DAI, Shakira featuring Burna Boy (2026)
4. THE FATE OF OPHELIA, Taylor Swift (2026)
3. WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME, Olivia Rodrigo & Robert Smith (2026)
2. FABIEN K, Angine De Poitrine (2026)
1. FAUT QUE TU DISES WOW, Bleu Jeans Bleu (2026)
10. MISTAKEN IDENTITY, Everlast (2026)
9. SCOTCH & POCHES, Bleu Jeans Bleu (2026)
8. MERCY, Bizarre (2026)
7. ALL THE THINGS SHE SAID, t.A.T.u. (2002)
6. GONE AWAY, The Offspring (1997)
5. DAI DAI, Shakira featuring Burna Boy (2026)
4. THE FATE OF OPHELIA, Taylor Swift (2026)
3. WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME, Olivia Rodrigo & Robert Smith (2026)
2. FABIEN K, Angine De Poitrine (2026)
1. FAUT QUE TU DISES WOW, Bleu Jeans Bleu (2026)
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Capitals Preview: Rod Langway Autographed Card
(team and product links go to sponsored Amazon products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on my personal blog (here) and my collectibles blog, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.
Caveats: At this point, despite training camp being underway, several players haven't found a team yet, (at least) three star players have active trade requests, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much left to do.
Key Exits: Connor McMichael (C), Trevor van Riemsdyk (D), Brandon Duhaime (RW), Hendrix Lapierre (C), David Kämpf (C), Sonny Milano (LW), Brett Leason (RW/C), Milton Gastrin (C), Declan Chisholm (D)
Key Arrivals: Alex Tuch (RW), Jordan Kyrou (RW), Boone Jenner (C), Vincent Desharnais (D), Jonny Brodzinski (C), Josh Dunne (C), Justin Holl (D)
Top prospects: Cole Hutson (D, 20), Ilya Protas (C, 20), Oliver Suvanto (C, 18), Andrew Cristall (LW, 21), Lynden Lakovic (LW, 19), Terik Parascak (LW, 21)
The Washington Capitals have nearly completely overhauled their roster in the past two or three years, and most of those moves are net gains and pure positives, including and possibly starting with the addition of Pierre-Luc Dubois for the 2024-25 season, as he is thriving in this giant-sized forward lineup that includes brothers Ilya and Aliaksei Protas, Tom Wilson of course, Tuch, and long-tiem legendary captain playing his farewell season, Alexander Ovechkin.
What makes their odds look good:
This forward group can skate, bang, chase, bruise and plow through any team they come across, scoring 3 or 4 goals per game on most nights, with young guys like Ryan Leonard improving year by year and a highly-rated prospect group. Logan Thompson is the best Canadian goalie by a wide margin, and Charlie Lindgren is more than capable of handling backup duties. On defense, Hutson is looking like the real deal and worthy of sharing his older brother Cole's last name, while Jakob Chychrun has reached borderline elite status. GM Chris Patrick has the golden touch, and head coach Spencer Carbery looks like the second coming of Jon Cooper.
Question marks:
Are they satisfied with a 60-point #1 centre in Ryan Strome, or will they look to upgrade to knock the Carolina Hurricanes off the Metropolitan Division's top peg?
Outlook:
In the past 20 years, the Caps employed the best goal scorer in NHL history, a guy whose shot was so perfect that while everyone in the arena knew where it would come from, no team could nor goalie could defend; they won the Stanley Cup in 2018, then proceeded to bring youth in the team every year while always remaining good enough to either make the playoffs or come really close, without ever even thinking of going into a rebuild. As of now, they could stay put until their veterans all retire and will remain relevant for the next decade-plus. Not every expert has agreed with their moves, but the fact is that they have mostly worked out.
Prediction:
2nd in the Metropolitan Division.
The Norris Trophy gets a lot of flak for usually getting awarded to the highest-scoring defenseman instead of "to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position", which would be its official definition, but that isn't exactly true - sure, Erik Karlsson got it for a 100-point season with the San Jose Sharks in 2022-23, as did Paul Coffey with the high-flying Edmonton Oilers and lockout season Detroit Red Wings (58 points in 45 hames), but Tyson Barrie won the scoring title with the Oilers in 2020-21 and didn't get a single Norris vote (as a matter of fact, he has never received a single vote in his entire career), and Evan Bouchard had 95 points in 2025-26 and didn't end up a finalist either.
Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom won it seven times from 2001 until 2011, and one could argue he was more "perfect" than "offense-minded". Chris Pronger (1999-2000, St. Louis Blues) and Zdeno Chara (2008-09, Boston Bruins) were menaces in their own end as well as cannons from the blue line offensively, so I would consider them two-way "complete" defensemen, just like Zach Werenski (2025-26, Columbus Blue Jackets), Cale Makar (2022 and 2025, Colorado Avalanche), Victor Hedman (2017-18, Tampa Bay Lightning), Duncan Keith (2010 and 2016, Chicago Blackhawks), Scott Niedermayer (2003-04, New Jersey Devils) and Chris Chelios (1988-89, Montréal Canadiens, as well as 1993 and 1996 with the Blackhawks).
Drew Doughty (2015-16, Los Angeles Kings) is much more defensive than offensive, but not as much as Rod Langway (1983 and 1984, with the Capitals). The Secretary Of Defense was swift on his feet, despite standing at 6'3" and 218 pounds, and could end a play with a poke check, forcing an opponent against the board with steady positionning, or a clean hit. He was also one of the last players to be grandfathered in and be allowed to play without as helmet, as seen on card #197 from Pro Set's 1991-92 Parkhurst set, which he signed in blue sharpie:
On it, he's wearing the Caps' red (away) uniform, with his captain's "C" in view and the NHL's 75th Anniversary patch on the other side. In addition to his two Norrises, he was a First-Team All-Star twice, a Second-Team All-Star once, played in six consecutive All-Star Games and won the Stanley Cup with the Habs in 1978-79. He played internationally for Team USA.
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on my personal blog (here) and my collectibles blog, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.
Caveats: At this point, despite training camp being underway, several players haven't found a team yet, (at least) three star players have active trade requests, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much left to do.
Key Exits: Connor McMichael (C), Trevor van Riemsdyk (D), Brandon Duhaime (RW), Hendrix Lapierre (C), David Kämpf (C), Sonny Milano (LW), Brett Leason (RW/C), Milton Gastrin (C), Declan Chisholm (D)
Key Arrivals: Alex Tuch (RW), Jordan Kyrou (RW), Boone Jenner (C), Vincent Desharnais (D), Jonny Brodzinski (C), Josh Dunne (C), Justin Holl (D)
Top prospects: Cole Hutson (D, 20), Ilya Protas (C, 20), Oliver Suvanto (C, 18), Andrew Cristall (LW, 21), Lynden Lakovic (LW, 19), Terik Parascak (LW, 21)
The Washington Capitals have nearly completely overhauled their roster in the past two or three years, and most of those moves are net gains and pure positives, including and possibly starting with the addition of Pierre-Luc Dubois for the 2024-25 season, as he is thriving in this giant-sized forward lineup that includes brothers Ilya and Aliaksei Protas, Tom Wilson of course, Tuch, and long-tiem legendary captain playing his farewell season, Alexander Ovechkin.
What makes their odds look good:
This forward group can skate, bang, chase, bruise and plow through any team they come across, scoring 3 or 4 goals per game on most nights, with young guys like Ryan Leonard improving year by year and a highly-rated prospect group. Logan Thompson is the best Canadian goalie by a wide margin, and Charlie Lindgren is more than capable of handling backup duties. On defense, Hutson is looking like the real deal and worthy of sharing his older brother Cole's last name, while Jakob Chychrun has reached borderline elite status. GM Chris Patrick has the golden touch, and head coach Spencer Carbery looks like the second coming of Jon Cooper.
Question marks:
Are they satisfied with a 60-point #1 centre in Ryan Strome, or will they look to upgrade to knock the Carolina Hurricanes off the Metropolitan Division's top peg?
Outlook:
In the past 20 years, the Caps employed the best goal scorer in NHL history, a guy whose shot was so perfect that while everyone in the arena knew where it would come from, no team could nor goalie could defend; they won the Stanley Cup in 2018, then proceeded to bring youth in the team every year while always remaining good enough to either make the playoffs or come really close, without ever even thinking of going into a rebuild. As of now, they could stay put until their veterans all retire and will remain relevant for the next decade-plus. Not every expert has agreed with their moves, but the fact is that they have mostly worked out.
Prediction:
2nd in the Metropolitan Division.
The Norris Trophy gets a lot of flak for usually getting awarded to the highest-scoring defenseman instead of "to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position", which would be its official definition, but that isn't exactly true - sure, Erik Karlsson got it for a 100-point season with the San Jose Sharks in 2022-23, as did Paul Coffey with the high-flying Edmonton Oilers and lockout season Detroit Red Wings (58 points in 45 hames), but Tyson Barrie won the scoring title with the Oilers in 2020-21 and didn't get a single Norris vote (as a matter of fact, he has never received a single vote in his entire career), and Evan Bouchard had 95 points in 2025-26 and didn't end up a finalist either.
Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom won it seven times from 2001 until 2011, and one could argue he was more "perfect" than "offense-minded". Chris Pronger (1999-2000, St. Louis Blues) and Zdeno Chara (2008-09, Boston Bruins) were menaces in their own end as well as cannons from the blue line offensively, so I would consider them two-way "complete" defensemen, just like Zach Werenski (2025-26, Columbus Blue Jackets), Cale Makar (2022 and 2025, Colorado Avalanche), Victor Hedman (2017-18, Tampa Bay Lightning), Duncan Keith (2010 and 2016, Chicago Blackhawks), Scott Niedermayer (2003-04, New Jersey Devils) and Chris Chelios (1988-89, Montréal Canadiens, as well as 1993 and 1996 with the Blackhawks).
Drew Doughty (2015-16, Los Angeles Kings) is much more defensive than offensive, but not as much as Rod Langway (1983 and 1984, with the Capitals). The Secretary Of Defense was swift on his feet, despite standing at 6'3" and 218 pounds, and could end a play with a poke check, forcing an opponent against the board with steady positionning, or a clean hit. He was also one of the last players to be grandfathered in and be allowed to play without as helmet, as seen on card #197 from Pro Set's 1991-92 Parkhurst set, which he signed in blue sharpie:
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Devils Preview: Two Autographed Stéphanie Richer Cards
(team and product links go to sponsored Amazon products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on my personal blog (here) and my collectibles blog, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.
Caveats: At this point, despite training camp being underway, several players haven't found a team yet, (at least) three star players have active trade requests, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much left to do.
Key Exits: Simon Nemec (D), Jacob Markstrom (G), Maxim Tsyplakov (RW), Angus Crookshank (C), Zack McEwen (RW), Paul Cotter (LW), Dennis Cholowski (D), Evgenii Dadonov (LW), Colton White (D), Juho Lammikko (C), Brian Halonen (LW)
Key Arrivals: Evan Rodrigues (C), Jesper Boqvist (C), Anthony Mantha (RW), David Rittich (G), Étienne Morin (D), Declan Chisholm (C), Ben Steeves (LW), Vladislav Kolyachonok (D), Riley Tufte (LW)
Top prospects: Alexander Command (C, 18), Anton Silayev (D, 20), Mikhail Yegorov (G, 20), Seamus Casey (D, 22), Lenni Hameenaho (RW, 21), Shane Lachance (LW, 22), Daniil Orlov (D, 22)
The New Jersey Devils are always so hard to pinpoint... They went from a sports-redefining defensive machine in the 1990s until the mid-00s to a high-scoring team with Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk in the late 00s and early 2010s to an up-and-coming juggernaut on paper that seemed to dampen in water in the 2020s; hopefully analytics-driven new GM Sonny Mehta can keep what works, improve weaknesses and get rid of the optical illusions to help his team reach the heights it was always supposed to when they drafted the likes of Jack and Luke Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Dawson Mercer.
What makes their odds look good:
That offense, for sure. Hughes and Dougie Hamilton on defense, with four other serviceable NHLers. Jake Allen is a good 1B solution in net, likely to provide top-15 or top-20 goalie stats when playing 30 to 35 games a year.
Question marks:
What's Sheldon Keefe's shelf life under this new management, after coaching through the season that cost the previous GM his job and five very disappointing finishes with the Toronto Maple Leafs before that? What does it take for the Devils to be at least as good as the sum of their parts?
Outlook:
When I think they will take a step forward, they take a huge step back - usually because of injuries. When I have them missing the playoffs, they overachieve. Things seem to be looking up from where I stand, so make of that what you will.
Prediction:
3rd in the Metropolitan Division.
Only seven players in Montréal Canadiens history have scored at least 50 goals in a single season: Maurice Richard (the first in NHL history), Bernard "Boom Boom" Geoffrion, Guy Lafleur (six times), Steve Shutt, Pierre Larouche, Stéphane Richer (twice) and Cole Caufield last year.
People were wondering if Richer, as the team's last 50-goal scorer, had gotten in contact with Caufield to encourage him during his own race to 50, but Richer, remembering how difficult he found it as pressure mounted when he was chasing the mark, didn't want to break Caufield's concentration and add even more pressure. In 1987-88, Richer missed three games early in the season to an illness, and went into game #68 (of 80) with 40 goals, and scored four in that game before going goal-less for three straight, scoring one against the Winnipeg Jets, not scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks, and then missing two weeks with an injury, leaving him with 45 goals and just two games left, both against the Buffalo Sabres. A hat trick and a two-goal game got him to 50, but it wasn't easy.
That's why he waited until Caufield actually scored his 50th before reaching out in a phone call from Florida, where he currently resides.
After a 31-goal season in 1990-91 and perhaps a bit of a falling out with head coach Pat Burns, Richer was traded to the Devils with Tom Chorske for backup goalie Roland Melanson and All-Star centre Kirk Muller prior to the 1991-92 season. He would have seasons of 29, 38, 36, 23 and 20 goals in New Jersey at the dawn of the Dead Puck Era before the Canadiens brought him back in exchange for stay-at-home defenseman Lyle Odelein. The Réjean Houle years being tumultuous in Montréal, Richer was only back for a year and a half before being moved to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He would also suit up for the Detroit Vipers, and St. Louis Blues (25 points in 36 games to finish out the 1999-2000 season), took the 2000-01 season off, then came back with the Pittsburgh Penguins and a return to the Devils to finish his NHL career in 2001-02. He also suited up in the LNAH with the Sorel-Tracy Mission in 2004-05, putting up 8 points in 8 games.
He is a reserved man who has dealt with intense bouts of depression throughout his NHL career, which came at odds with knowing he had high-end skills (one of the hardest slap and snap shots of his era, to go with a power forward's size and speed, though perhaps not a willingness to battle the mid-1990s bears that populated NHL defenses in the day), wanting to be a difference-maker, and enjoying getting fans out of their seats. He knew what it meant to score 50-plus goals in a mad hockey market and wanted to be the guy who did it - not unlike the Seattle Gods of music from the late 1980s and early 1990s who made anthems for generations of fans and mostly loved playing live to them, but struggled with everything else in their daily lives. Here he is repping both of the Devils' uniforms, starting with the white (home) one on card #581 from Score's 1991-92 Score (Canadian Edition) set:
And here he is in the red (away) uniform, on card #152 from Fleer's 1993-94 Fleer Ultra set:
He signed them in flashy silver sharpie.
He won the Stanley Cup in 1986 (Canadiens) and 1995 (Devils), and reached the Final in 1989 with the Habs as well.
Caveats: At this point, despite training camp being underway, several players haven't found a team yet, (at least) three star players have active trade requests, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much left to do.
Key Exits: Simon Nemec (D), Jacob Markstrom (G), Maxim Tsyplakov (RW), Angus Crookshank (C), Zack McEwen (RW), Paul Cotter (LW), Dennis Cholowski (D), Evgenii Dadonov (LW), Colton White (D), Juho Lammikko (C), Brian Halonen (LW)
Key Arrivals: Evan Rodrigues (C), Jesper Boqvist (C), Anthony Mantha (RW), David Rittich (G), Étienne Morin (D), Declan Chisholm (C), Ben Steeves (LW), Vladislav Kolyachonok (D), Riley Tufte (LW)
Top prospects: Alexander Command (C, 18), Anton Silayev (D, 20), Mikhail Yegorov (G, 20), Seamus Casey (D, 22), Lenni Hameenaho (RW, 21), Shane Lachance (LW, 22), Daniil Orlov (D, 22)
The New Jersey Devils are always so hard to pinpoint... They went from a sports-redefining defensive machine in the 1990s until the mid-00s to a high-scoring team with Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk in the late 00s and early 2010s to an up-and-coming juggernaut on paper that seemed to dampen in water in the 2020s; hopefully analytics-driven new GM Sonny Mehta can keep what works, improve weaknesses and get rid of the optical illusions to help his team reach the heights it was always supposed to when they drafted the likes of Jack and Luke Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Dawson Mercer.
What makes their odds look good:
That offense, for sure. Hughes and Dougie Hamilton on defense, with four other serviceable NHLers. Jake Allen is a good 1B solution in net, likely to provide top-15 or top-20 goalie stats when playing 30 to 35 games a year.
Question marks:
What's Sheldon Keefe's shelf life under this new management, after coaching through the season that cost the previous GM his job and five very disappointing finishes with the Toronto Maple Leafs before that? What does it take for the Devils to be at least as good as the sum of their parts?
Outlook:
When I think they will take a step forward, they take a huge step back - usually because of injuries. When I have them missing the playoffs, they overachieve. Things seem to be looking up from where I stand, so make of that what you will.
Prediction:
3rd in the Metropolitan Division.
Only seven players in Montréal Canadiens history have scored at least 50 goals in a single season: Maurice Richard (the first in NHL history), Bernard "Boom Boom" Geoffrion, Guy Lafleur (six times), Steve Shutt, Pierre Larouche, Stéphane Richer (twice) and Cole Caufield last year.
People were wondering if Richer, as the team's last 50-goal scorer, had gotten in contact with Caufield to encourage him during his own race to 50, but Richer, remembering how difficult he found it as pressure mounted when he was chasing the mark, didn't want to break Caufield's concentration and add even more pressure. In 1987-88, Richer missed three games early in the season to an illness, and went into game #68 (of 80) with 40 goals, and scored four in that game before going goal-less for three straight, scoring one against the Winnipeg Jets, not scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks, and then missing two weeks with an injury, leaving him with 45 goals and just two games left, both against the Buffalo Sabres. A hat trick and a two-goal game got him to 50, but it wasn't easy.
That's why he waited until Caufield actually scored his 50th before reaching out in a phone call from Florida, where he currently resides.
After a 31-goal season in 1990-91 and perhaps a bit of a falling out with head coach Pat Burns, Richer was traded to the Devils with Tom Chorske for backup goalie Roland Melanson and All-Star centre Kirk Muller prior to the 1991-92 season. He would have seasons of 29, 38, 36, 23 and 20 goals in New Jersey at the dawn of the Dead Puck Era before the Canadiens brought him back in exchange for stay-at-home defenseman Lyle Odelein. The Réjean Houle years being tumultuous in Montréal, Richer was only back for a year and a half before being moved to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He would also suit up for the Detroit Vipers, and St. Louis Blues (25 points in 36 games to finish out the 1999-2000 season), took the 2000-01 season off, then came back with the Pittsburgh Penguins and a return to the Devils to finish his NHL career in 2001-02. He also suited up in the LNAH with the Sorel-Tracy Mission in 2004-05, putting up 8 points in 8 games.
He is a reserved man who has dealt with intense bouts of depression throughout his NHL career, which came at odds with knowing he had high-end skills (one of the hardest slap and snap shots of his era, to go with a power forward's size and speed, though perhaps not a willingness to battle the mid-1990s bears that populated NHL defenses in the day), wanting to be a difference-maker, and enjoying getting fans out of their seats. He knew what it meant to score 50-plus goals in a mad hockey market and wanted to be the guy who did it - not unlike the Seattle Gods of music from the late 1980s and early 1990s who made anthems for generations of fans and mostly loved playing live to them, but struggled with everything else in their daily lives. Here he is repping both of the Devils' uniforms, starting with the white (home) one on card #581 from Score's 1991-92 Score (Canadian Edition) set:
He won the Stanley Cup in 1986 (Canadiens) and 1995 (Devils), and reached the Final in 1989 with the Habs as well.
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