chippa13

11 PM Sunday games should never happen.

As I always say in situations like that, "If the t-shirt is that important to you then you can have it."

Just like anything, as long as you can put in the time and effort, it is never too late.

The worst part about a layoff and trying to get back is that the only thing that gets you in skating shape is skating. I still remember in my first game back after my episode when I got knocked down in front of the net, the guy who runs our team yelled out, "Chip's down, call 911." Ahhhh, good times.

Drink better wine.

Late in a game last night I had a kid bury me in front of the net with a crosscheck to the back. He was shocked that I would go back at him saying, "You were setting up camp in front". Dude, this isn't the waning seconds of game 7.

16 years ago people told me the sky was falling, it didn't. 8 years ago other people told me the sky was falling, it didn't. This is the USA and we'll survive just like we always have.

Too bad the bottom one was November 2014, if it were a month earlier then you would've had a nice start on a Frankenstein's monster costume.

Maybe he agrees with Al Iafrate.

Looking forward to seeing a "Sweet Spot" ending to this story. Hang in there.

Ok, when a google search doesn't bring up the person, well, ahhhh......never mind.

He'll get points by accident playing with Tarasenko.

Curious roster decisions coupled with a curious coaching decision was a recipe for failure. I think it is guaranteed that the next Team USA will have a different coach and guys like Abdelkader and Dubinsky will not be on the roster.

It is amazing how well your skates will hold up when you treat them properly.

The overwhelming consensus on this board by folks who know will tell you that Graf quality over the last 15 years has been extremely suspect.

On occasion had QC issues? That is like saying back in the day Nikki Sixx used heroin "on occasion".

I think players getting pulled for "any little thing" is more a function of their organizations' trying to protect their asset and not the tournament not being important. to the players.

I have enough of the undergarments (shirts, pants, socks) to wash after each skate.

To steal a Herbieism, Graf didn't have enough skate to win by skate alone. Had they put some effort in, in the form or LHS signage and store demo days, then they might have received two very important things, exposure and consumer feedback.

Older guys loved them because Graf stuck with a traditional feeling skate. The problem was that they maintained that with traditional construction for too long and fell behind in the weight game. If I could find a skate that felt like the 703s I wore 20 years ago that even came close in today's weight department then I would be all in. The closest I think I ever came was a pair of pro return Vector Pros made for Michal Grosek that I swapped the holders to Custom +.

I would have had to include the unethical management.

If by a solid name you mean known for slipshod workmanship and sketchy customer service, then sure, the Graf name is pretty solid and well regarded.

Lots of folks loved the brand, 20-30 years ago when there was quality product to be had.

The Cup win was during Seguin's rookie season. He was dealt after being a complete non-factor in the 2013 run to the Cup finals.