I was thinking about being excited for the coming Leafs, Raptors and TFC games and came away with a few different ways of looking at it.
I can now go walking for huge periods of time, hiking perhaps, drink only wine and lose a ton of weight and feel great, when I really feel sad.
Or we can start to imagine the games that we are missing and post them like they really happened.  What a great idea! Ok just lock me up and throw away the key. I am missing sports already.

Just read this, thought I would share.. What I find interesting is we all touch our mouths and noses around 90X a day, mostly unconscious of the fact.

From Dr. Robb:

Date: February 26, 2020 at 2:35:50 PM EST
Subject: What I am doing for the upcoming COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

When I was a professor of pathology at the University of California San Diego, I was one of the first molecular virologists in the world to work on coronaviruses (the 1970s). I was the first to demonstrate the number of genes the virus contained. Since then, I have kept up with the coronavirus field and its multiple clinical transfers into the human population (e.g., SARS, MERS), from different animal sources.

The current projections for its expansion in the US are only probable, due to continued insufficient worldwide data, but it is most likely to be widespread in the US by mid to late March and April.

Here is what I have done and the precautions that I take and will take. These are the same precautions I currently use during our influenza seasons, except for the mask and gloves.:

1) NO HANDSHAKING! Use a fist bump, slight bow, elbow bump, etc.

2) Use ONLY your knuckle to touch light switches. elevator buttons, etc.. Lift the gasoline dispenser with a paper towel or use a disposable glove.

3) Open doors with your closed fist or hip – do not grasp the handle with your hand, unless there is no other way to open the door. Especially important on bathroom and post office/commercial doors.

4) Use disinfectant wipes at the stores when they are available, including wiping the handle and child seat in grocery carts.

5) Wash your hands with soap for 10-20 seconds and/or use a greater than 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer whenever you return home from ANY activity that involves locations where other people have been.

6) Keep a bottle of sanitizer available at each of your home's entrances. AND in your car for use after getting gas or touching other contaminated objects when you can't immediately wash your hands.

7) If possible, cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue and discard. Use your elbow only if you have to. The clothing on your elbow will contain infectious virus that can be passed on for up to a week or more!

What I have stocked in preparation for the pandemic spread to the US:

1) Latex or nitrile latex disposable gloves for use when going shopping, using the gasoline pump, and all other outside activity when you come in contact with contaminated areas.


Note: This virus is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing. This means that the air will not infect you! BUT all the surfaces where these droplets land are infectious for about a week on average – everything that is associated with infected people will be contaminated and potentially infectious. The virus is on surfaces and you will not be infected unless your unprotected face is directly coughed or sneezed upon. This virus only has cell receptors for lung cells (it only infects your lungs) The only way for the virus to infect you is through your nose or mouth via your hands or an infected cough or sneeze onto or into your nose or mouth.

2) Stock up now with disposable surgical masks and use them to prevent you from touching your nose and/or mouth (We touch our nose/mouth 90X/day without knowing it!). This is the only way this virus can infect you – it is lung-specific. The mask will not prevent the virus in a direct sneeze from getting into your nose or mouth – it is only to keep you from touching your nose or mouth.

3) Stock up now with hand sanitizers and latex/nitrile gloves (get the appropriate sizes for your family). The hand sanitizers must be alcohol-based and greater than 60% alcohol to be effective.

4) Stock up now with zinc lozenges. These lozenges have been proven to be effective in blocking coronavirus (and most other viruses) from multiplying in your throat and nasopharynx. Use as directed several times each day when you begin to feel ANY "cold-like" symptoms beginning. It is best to lie down and let the lozenge dissolve in the back of your throat and nasopharynx. Cold-Eeze lozenges is one brand available, but there are other brands available.

I, as many others do, hope that this pandemic will be reasonably contained, BUT I personally do not think it will be. Humans have never seen this snake-associated virus before and have no internal defense against it. Tremendous worldwide efforts are being made to understand the molecular and clinical virology of this virus. Unbelievable molecular knowledge about the genomics, structure, and virulence of this virus has already been achieved. BUT, there will be NO drugs or vaccines available this year to protect us or limit the infection within us. Only symptomatic support is available.

I hope these personal thoughts will be helpful during this potentially catastrophic pandemic. You are welcome to share this email. Good luck to all of us!

Jim

James Robb, MD FCAP

Posted this a few days back must have good lost in the data shuffle mentioned on the Forum home page.

Flames vs Lightning   4PM
Chicago vs Panthers   6PM
Carolina vs Habs        7PM
Canuks  vs Leafs.       7PM
Detroits vs Ottawa.     7PM
Jets vs Oilers.            10PM

One of my all time favorite Leafs just passed.  Glennie at the blueline throwing hipchecks.  He knew how to play D, could teach some of our young ones a think or 5.  Wingers feared coming down his side. 
R.I.P Brian

Just heard Dougie is out for 3 months with a broken fibula.  D men are going down like flies.

Flames @ Ottawa (4PM)
Devils @ Blue Jackets (7PM)
Panthers @ Detroit   (7PM)
Blackhawk @ Toronto (7PM)
Vegas @ Montreal (7PM)
Kings  @ Flyers  (7PM)

We have to find a name to stick with Engvall.   My suggestion is as follows (hope other can put in here):

Melman was the Giraffe in the Madascar Movies. Melman sounds like Mailman, and Engvall can certainly deliver, so lets call him the "Mailman" and hope he keeps posting up the points

Montreal @ Ottawa    7PM
Tampa @ Flyers        7PM
Bruins  @ Islanders    7PM
Kings    @ Carolina     7PM
Devils @  Capitals      7PM
Oilers @  Flames       10PM

Rasmus Sandin left Tuesday's game at the IIHF World Junior Championship after he was slashed on the hand.
Sandin, who is playing for Sweden in the tournament, exited the match in the third period. X-rays did not reveal a fracture, which is good news. However, it's unclear at this time if Sandin will be available to play in the medal rounds.

Tampa @ Washington 7PM
Flyers  @ Ottawa       7PM
Devils  @ Columbus   7PM
Predators @ Boston   7PM
Detroit @ Toronto      7PM
Montreal  @ Oilers.    7PM

Ottawa @ Flames 7PM
Carolina @ Tampa 7PM
Capitals @ Redwings 7PM
Sabres. @ Toronto 7PM
Canuks @ Oilers    10PM
Sharks  @ Az        8PM

It's only a handful of games but I find my self assessing our players in different ways than before Keefe's arrival.  It's really interesting to see the emergence of Barrie for example. From complete Dud in one week to complete Stud.  Wow what a transformation.  Others on the upswing;  Engvall, Nylander, Johnsson, Dermott, Soupman. Even Ceci looks a bit better in my eyes. Have to give kudos to Spezza and Petan (who has bought a little more time with me).

However other things are becoming transparent; you know I am a huge Goat fan, but perhaps its time either give him less time or trade him (to the Habs), whatever.  I am not sold on either keeping or letting go of Timashov, pretty sure he won't clear waivers.  Let go of Shore, for sure.  Muzzin not looking in place in the system, perhaps he needs a little more time to adapt.  Freddie is Fredo, this system really seems to suite his style of play.

However Mogen is my big question mark. Is he playing injured, what is going on. hopefully Keefe can help him turn it around.

Sat. October 26th

Toronto @   Montréal          7pm
Bruins   @   Blues               7pm
Blue Jackets @ Flyers          7pm
Predators     @ Lightning     7pm
Los Angeles  @ Minnesota    9pm
Ducks          @ Avalanche    10pm

Thanks Wayne, you are a Gentleman and Scholar, I don't care what they say!!

Saturday Oct. 19, 2019 - all times EST

Montreal      @   St.Louis          3pm
Boston         @   Toronto         7pm
Vegas          @   Pittsburg        7pm
Calgary        @   Los Angeles    10pm
Ottawa         @   Arizona          7pm
Buffalo         @   St.Jose        10:30pm

Well, we do have the man of the match thread, and as stacked as the Leafs are there will always one player that stands out behind the rest.

My Goat of the Match:   Kerfoot

Man this guy has got to find his place and soon. Making me miss Kadri already.

Anyone know if Borgman or Rosen made their respective rosters?

I know I am going to get roasted on this post..fire away 8)

An Open letter to Mitch Marner. (not to Paul or Mr. Ferris)

Dearest Mitch,

First off, no one blames you for wanting the very best deal you can get with the Leafs, it is only rational to do so.  That is why I am writing directly to you and not your Dad or Mr. Ferris.

I am writing to you, a Leaf fan, from a Leaf fan.  You grew up in a room decorated with Blue and White, sleeping in Maple Leaf bedsheets from the time you were a little kid. 

You were a complete Leaf fanatic; I believe you still are.  Since you put on skates it was your dream to win a Stanley Cup with your beloved Leafs.   I would bet my life on that statement.
Mitch you have a dream situation playing in Toronto, you can be near your family (noted how family comes first), play for the Maple Leafs, make more money in a few months than most of us make in a lifetime, which is great.   In Ontario, in specific and Canada in general you're a household name, the endorsement revenues you will generate over your career and beyond will make you one of the richest people on the planet.

In the great film Chinatown, Jack Nicolson's character Private Eye Gittes asks Faye Dunway's very wealthy father played by John Huston. "Why are you doing it? How much better can you eat? What could you buy that you can't already afford"?
The question Mitch is how much better can you eat at 9 Million a year than you can at 11 million a year?  What can't your purchase if you don't match Auston's money?
Is this based on Hubris?  It's looking that way.

As a fan I think I have a right to at least ask this question, for us fans do pay the way (by the way).  Would 1- 2  million make a difference to your life-long loyalties.  It's starting to look this way to your fanbase, that is all.
Is two million a year on your Leaf contract going to make up for lost endorsements by going to another market?? Maybe yes, maybe no. This is all up to you Mitch. 

To be honest Mitch, you are starting to lose your shining image with what appears to your fanbase as; for lack of a better word; "Greed".    You are appearing mercenary to your fanbase, just to let you know.
Perhaps you are living in a bubble surrounded by family or sycophants, who keep telling you to trust your Dad and Mr. Ferris who are minimizing the damage to your image that your hold out is having.   

Mitch this is your life, it's your time to shine.  But when my 26-year-old son said to me yesterday, "Trade him, I don't care what we get back", then he is one voice out of millions. 

Do you know that when the CBC, has one letter of complaint, the actually say this has the power of 10,000 voices?  This is true, Mitch, believe it.

You grew up to lead us to the Stanley Cup, you have the teammates, there has never been more talent on this team since 67.
Yes do your best negotiation wise, but you are reaching a tipping point and once you go over it, there is no turning back.  At least without a Cup.

Sincerely
A long-suffering Leaf fan who continues to suffer.

I don't get highly moved too often, but this act of kindness to a little boy made me an instant fan.  I showed my wife and she cried, poor young lad lost his mom to cancer.

https://montrealgazette.com/sports/hockey/nhl/hockey-inside-out/stu-cowan-canadiens-carey-price-helps-mend-a-boys-broken-heart

Does anyone know if Dubas is still in Europe, has he set up shop over there?  This piece came from Pension Plan Puppets.  Looks like this guy has the skills and supposedly he does hit;

Alexander Yelesin, RHD of Lokomotiv who's expected to sign in the #NHL in the offseason, won the hardest shot challenge at the #KHLAllStar with 102 mph shot

There is a clip of him shooting the puck and a good look at his face.  Hope we can pick him up.

When it comes to the $$$ crunch and we can only keep one of the two, who would you keep?
Johnsson has been a long term project with me, but Kappi is such an engine. Guess I would keep Kappi.

My prediction is 7,250,00 per on a 6 year

Just read that Eddie is now in the Whiskey biz with his family.  53 and already has had a heart attack.
Lots of hockey fans to build his client base.

After traveling through Colorado last fall and moving to BC, it strikes me that many many many people are stoned most of the day, the happy glazed look in the visages of the masses.  Not sure this is such a great idea but here it is, legalized pot.

Funny but in my community of around 40K, there is a very upscale Pot Shop which has been selling everything from Gummy Bears to Hashish to high potency pot etc. for a long time now. Seems that it was legal in BC a long time before October 17/18

Sign at the Kelowna Airport (noticed on October 4) "Pot is legal in Canada for travel in Canada, but is illegal for Travel to other countries.  This is well before Oct. 17

Guess I will wait for spring, get my trowel out and plant me my 4 plants. LOL

Just wanted to make a comment on how much I am enjoying The Athletic and the quality of writing. Truly excellent, and has become a part of my morning coffee time.

More than this, the writing has challenged me to become a better writer and to try and clarify my thoughts on what I am saying much more than a few weeks ago. It's also helping me in business and my presentations, even better.   

Never did I think a tight bast__d like me would shell out to read a sports site, but this is some of the best money I spend on a monthly basis.

Its also a great foil for this site and provides a wider concept of hockey than what seems to be our myopic version of the Leaf's than the overall NHL.

Did you see the logo and helmets for the proposed Halifax CFL team:  "The Explosions", yes in reference to the tragedy during WW1 but not really appropriate for this day and age one would think.  Who were the creative on this disaster of a name choice?