#gravitybeard

August 30, 2016

 This is my friend Cory. I’ve known him for a long time. We work in the same industry. There have been several people I’ve worked with that have also become a close friend. He’s one of them. We don't get together often enough. But we always have conversations that are either thought provoking or cause my ribs to hurt from laughing. Trey gets some of the credit for that.

 I’m grateful that Cory was an early adopter of my blog. He was also the February 2016 Beard of the Month. If you are a “high-C” on the DISC profile, then you are yelling out “that’s not a beard!” I understand. I’m a high C too. But let me offer this response. First, this is Beard of the Month on a blog. There are few things in life that are less consequential than this. Second, and most important, how great are these mustaches?! They are glorious and more than worthy to be exceptions to the rule (that doesn’t actually exist).

 Congratulations, Cory, for being the first two-time Beard of the Month. You deserve it for your unmatched commitment and courage in the area of facial hair growth. I should post the picture of you with the goatee that makes you look like Teddy KGB from the terrific 1998 film Rounders starring Matt Damon, Edward Norton, and John Malkovich. But that would just be sand bagging. You’re a true hero.

 Godspeed my friend.

 “Nyet! Nyet! No More! No! Not tonight!” – Teddy KGB

The Mario

Handlebar with hangers

August 2, 2016

 This is my friend David. I met David this past spring when we both attended Dave Ramsey’s Financial Coach Master Training. David lives in Oklahoma with his wife and adorable daughter. I wish he and I lived in the same place. He’s definitely I guy I’d like to have in my regular orbit.

 David is hilarious. He’s also kind, caring and loves to serve others. That’s at least part of the reason he wanted to be a financial coach. I can get you in touch with him if you live in Oklahoma and need help sorting out your financial challenges. He can also show you how to accumulate wealth without a huge income. Sounds pretty compelling doesn’t it?

June 28, 2016

This is my friend Ty. He’s cooler than me. This picture reveals the obvious reasons. He can grow a ridiculous beard. I’m more like the hairless cat from the Austin Powers movies. His clothes are also compelling evidence in the argument.  His wife is a photographer. She’s also cool. Their stories are different but they are a great match.

 Ty is from Oklahoma. Seriously. You expect him to be from Austin, San Francisco, Portland, or Brooklyn. I like learning that interesting people are from unexpected and ordinary places.  He’s artistic and has a background in music production. He’s currently teaching as he tries to integrate himself into the Dallas music scene. I hope it happens soon. Dallas needs him.

 There is too much ordinary in the world. So, I’m grateful there are people like Ty to add some color to the horizon. On top of that, he’s just a great guy. And now he’s the July 2016 Beard of the Month. Add that to your resume and you can get in almost any door.

This one is my favorite. It has a Papa Smurf or Travelocity Gnome vibe to it.

And then there is this...

June 23, 2016 

Sam Morales

Admin, Dallas Stars Fan Club and Hockey Talk (Facebook)

Contributing Sports Writer to GravityBeard

READING TIME: 7.00 MINUTES

The only thing better than one mock draft is TWO mock drafts. We, at GravityBeard are also out to prove that predicting the draft is a competitive sport. So with that in mind, Sam Morales, has offered up his mock draft in response to the one submitted  by his colleague and fellow contributor, Arun Morace. Good luck to you both.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs - Auston Matthews

The only thing better than one mock draft is TWO mock drafts. We, at GravityBeard are also out to prove that predicting the draft is a competitive sport. So with that in mind, Sam Morales, has offered up his mock draft in response to his colleague and fellow contributor, Arun Morace. 

Not my first pick, but if you want a franchise center, you will  be hard pressed to find one better in this draft. Does everything well. Not a  Connor McDavid, but would have been in the same conversation as Eichel. He  can play any wing position, and with Matthews, Nylander, and Mitch Marner,  Toronto sudden looks EXTREMELY deep at the center position.

2. Winnipeg Jets - Patrik Laine

My favorite player in the draft. Winnipeg needs scoring, meet  the best scoring prospect this year. He has an NHL shot, great hands, speed,  and fill in the blank for any top sniper in the league. Unlike most snipers,  he also possesses the vision to realize when his teammates have a better  scoring opportunity than he does. He should be an offensive force for years  to come.

3. Columbus Blue Jackets - Jesse Puljujarvi

Kind of the forgotten man out of the top 3. However, Puljujarvi  is a force to be reckoned with in his own right. Powerful shot, great skater,  physical play; Puljujarvi can step into an NHL roster and play a wide variety  of roles immediately.

4. Edmonton Oilers - Matthew Tkachuk

I think something happens here. Edmonton needs defensive help,  far more than forward firepower. However, Tkachuk is by far the best player  on the board. He goes #4 overall to Edmonton, Arizona who would trade up to  get him cause he's from Arizona, or a team trades up to get him and gives  Edmonton a defenseman. He's an elite scoring talent, and goes first before  some of the higher touted centers.

5. Vancouver Canuck - Pierre-Luc Dubois

First reach of the draft in my opinion, but Dubois has been a  rocket in most of the scouting services online, rapidly rising to the top  North American skater. It’s hard to find fault in his game, he's a solid  center, good size, speed, two-way play, ect. He's got a high hockey IQ and a  play style that’s been compared to Jamie Benn (style, not skill).

6. Calgary Flames - Alexander Nylander

Nylander is in the running to have the best stick handling and  hands in the class.  Pair those pillow  soft hands with his silky smooth skating and shot, and you have probably the  most finesse player in the draft, and that’s not a bad thing at all. A couple  of sources are saying that Calgary is not looking at defensemen for the first  round pick, so Nylander fits the bill as the best available forward.

7. Arizona Coyotes - Olli Juolevi

Arizona has developed plenty of young prospects and quickly  created a solid core of players. With the signing of Goligoski, Arizona  doesn't NEED to focus defense, but Juolevi has been shooting up lists, and  you can never have too many top tier defensemen. He's a capable defenseman,  and a safe pick, but needs more time to fill out his frame. With OEL, and  Goligoski in the locker room, they have that time for him to develop.

8. Buffalo Sabres - Mikhail Sergachev

Buffalo has been focusing on rebuilding their offense, and with  2 of the 3 elite defensemen prospects left, they begin to do the same with  the defense and take the big Russian Sergachev. Has a massive shot that is  likely to be a staple of the PP, and big frame. He's not as fluid as Juolevi  and the final elite defensive prospect, but he's a great 2-way guy.  

9. Montreal Canadiens - Logan Brown

Logan Brown is that on big forward every draft who has tons of  potential, but you're worried may never become a dominant force in the  league. Think of Dan Boyle. He skates extremely well for his 6'6 height, and  has a good shot, he just chooses not to use it as much. With the Canadiens  looking to get bigger, Brown is an easy choice.

10. Colorado Avalanche - Jakob Chychrun

Colorado probably skips all the way to the podium on draft day  if Chychrun is still available with their pick. He was given exceptional  status and allowed to play underage in the Junior Canadian leagues. However,  stagnation in comparison to Juolevi and Sergachev has him as the 3rd  defensemen off the board. If his potential is reached, he should be the best  defenseman in this draft. But that’s a rather large if at this point.

11. New Jersey Devils - Clayton Keller

New Jersey catches the falling Clayton Keller and get the second  best finesse player in the draft other than Nylander. Extremely high hockey  IQ, and is an excellent skater. He may be a Keebler elf at 5'9-5'10, but he  can dish it with the best of them.

12. Ottawa Senators - Jake Bean

Ottawa takes the next best defenseman off the board. Bean has  been shooting up like a beanstalk in recent mock drafts and rankings, and at  12 is a solid pick for an Ottawa team that has a solid all around prospect  pool. When in doubt, take the best defenseman.

13. Carolina Hurricanes - Tyson Jost

Intelligent player with slick hands, Jost played at a lower  level of competition in the BCHL, but still showed his value at the U-18  tournament. You know who else played in the BCHL? Jamie Benn. While he has to  adapt to greater competition, it’s not like it hasn't been done before.

14. Boston Bruins - Charles McAvoy

Boston's GM is the worst GM in the league. He should be skipping  up to the podium to take Charles McAvoy, who is a close to NHL ready 2-way  defender. Instead, he'll probably acquire 3 first rounders again by trading  away elite prospects, then take second round prospects again, just like last  year. If McAvoy is on the board, and the GM pulls crap like that again, I  think he's gone by next season.

15. Minnesota Wild - Michael McLeod

One of the fastest players in the draft, and I've decided to  nickname him Sonic. Cause that's what he looked like in his blue junior's  jersey. He's a two-way forward prospect who could develop offensively into a  massive threat like Dylan Larkin.

16. Detroit Red Wings - Kieffer Bellows

Versatile power forward prospect who can play both wings. Good  shot, physical player. Stereotypical power forward build. Think Brett Ritchie  with a better shot.

17. Nashville Predators - Julien Gauthier

Nashville has plenty of center depth in their prospect pool, but  need some help with winger depth and quality.  They take one of the best scoring wingers available. Nashville is a  big team, so they skip over players like DeBrincat, and instead take Gauthier  who is a one man scoring machine.

18. Philadelphia Flyers - Max Jones

I have Max as my 29th ranked played, but I've had this match for  a while. Philly wants big, skilled, and physical players. Max fits all three.  If he's available, it’s a great pairing. Goon player to a goon team. Goon.  Good player, but goon.

19. New York Islanders - Luke Kunin

Solid player who was a star on the rebuilding Wisconsin Badgers  team. He's going to be able to step up and be a second line, two-way center  soon. Most likely will need a year or two, but should be effective.

20. Arizona Coyotes (From NY Rangers) - Dante Fabbro

Dante falls simply because of being from the BCHL and concerns  about adapting to the highest level of competition. Was given the role of  assigning neutral zone assignments. He's got the brains, and if he can adapt,  he'll be a great pickup this late in the first round.

21. Carolina Hurricanes (From Los Angeles) - Riley Tufte

Hurricanes reach and take the 6'5 winger. Tufte played both high  school and USHL hockey, and showed off his skating ability, and physical  nature. Could become a great power forward type player.

22. Winnipeg Jets (From Chicago) - Brett Howden

Not the most explosive player, has a very good set of offensive  tools. If he develops his skating more, could become a similar playstyle to  Jamie Benn, where his tools don't match his skating. His floor his high, as  well as his ceiling. At worst he can become a physical two-way player. At  best, he becomes a capable top 6 scoring liner instead.

23. Florida Panthers - Vitali Abramov

Florida is a team that has taken the analytic approach in  stride, and this bodes well for their selection of Vitali Abramov. He's a  short sniper, whose put up monster numbers in the QMJHL. Alex DeBrincat is  also an option here, but with 3 extra inches on DeBrincat, Abramov is  probably more desirable.

24. Anaheim Ducks - Wade Allison

Started the year off slowly, but picked it up at the end of the  year and in playoffs. He's a strong skater, who is not worried about taking  any open shot available to him. He has a physical edge, and could potentially  play center as well.

25. Dallas Stars - Alex DeBrincat

The Miracle happens. Alex DeBrincat's height concerns brings him  down to the Dallas Stars, and Jim Nill, needing a RW prospect, takes him.  Josh and I collectively shit ourselves, I pass out due to fireball poisoning.  DeBrincat is a decade caliber player in the OHL, and if he was a few inches  taller, would likely be a top 5 pick. His game will have to change in the  NHL, as he will likely be forced to be less of a physical player, but his  talent is undeniable.

26. Washington Capitals - German Rubstov

The Washington Capitals take Russians more than most teams, and  German Rubstov has fallen for similar reasons as other Russians, fear that  they could get enticed into playing in the KHL. However, Rubstov is a steal  at this point in the draft. He's young at 17, a high motor player with a  solid 2-way game. If he is set on playing in the NHL, in this scenario the  Cap's get a hell of a player.

27. Tampa Bay Lightning - William Bitten

A great two-way player who sticks like glue on opposing forwards  and defenders. He's played on a team in Flint, Michigan that couldn't even  get clean water. However, Bitten is one of my favorite under the radar  prospects, and the lightning pick him up.

28. St. Louis Blues - Jonathan Dahlen

Dahlen is an under the radar player with plus vision, hands, and  a nice wrister. He's played against men, and thus should be more capable of  adapting to the highest level of competition. Great pick for the late first  round.

29. Boston Bruins (From San Jose) - Logan Stanley

Boston's GM is an idiot, and takes a big defenseman in the first  round because he is big. Can't skate, doesn't shoot much, and his main asset  is hitting when he can actually catch someone. Seems like a pick that Boston  would make.

30. Anaheim Ducks (From Toronto) - Tyler Benson

June 22, 2016

Arun Morace

Admin, Dallas Stars Fan Club and Hockey Talk (Facebook)

Contributing Sports Writer to GravityBeard

READING TIME: 8.75 MINUTES

In his first contribution to GravityBeard, Arun Morace offers his mock draft for the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft that will be held tomorrow at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. I think we are all very curious to see how accurate he is. We will know soon enough.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs - Auston Matthews, C, USA (Zurich Lions, NLA) >6'2", 216 lbs. - Toronto gets the big, true top-line center they’ve lacked since the days of Mats Sundin. Matthews is everything you want in a No. 1 pivot, thanks to his size, speed, shooting, playmaking and willingness to play a 200-foot game. He’ll form an excellent 1-2 punch with William Nylander at center for the Maple Leafs

2. Winnipeg Jets - Patrik Laine, RW, Finland (Tampere Tappara, Liiga) > 6'4", 201 lbs. - A big winger with incredible goal-scoring talent thanks to his lethal shot, Laine has been compared to Washington Capitals captain and perennial league-leader in goal scoring Alex Ovechkin. While that’s a rather lofty comparison, Laine has the potential to make good on it.

3. Columbus Blue Jackets - Jesse Puljujarvi, RW (Karpat Oulun, Liiga) > 6'3", 196 lbs. - A top-line winger who’s been playing in Finland’s highest-level men’s league since he was 16, Puljujarvi has the size, speed and shot to become a dominant forward at the NHL level in the very near future.  

4. Edmonton Oilers - Matthew Tkachuk, LW, USA (London Knights, OHL) > 6'2", 188 lbs. - The son of long-time NHLer Keith Tkachuk, Matthew has the size and impressive all-around game to complement Edmonton’s slew of smaller forwards. That’s not to say he’s a grinder who lacks offensive ability - he put up 107 points this past season in 57 games with London to lead them to a Memorial Cup championship.

5. Vancouver Canucks - Alexander Nylander, LW (AIK, Allsvenskan) > 6'1", 178 lbs. - After snagging a couple power forwards in the first rounds of recent drafts (Jake Virtanan, Bo Horvat), the Canucks snag a skilled offensive playmaker in Alex Nylander - brother of Maple Leafs prospect William Nylander, and son of former NHLer Michael Nylander. He’ll complement the bigger forwards in the Vancouver system well thanks to his elusiveness and high-end scoring abilities.

6. Calgary Flames - Pierre-Luc Dubois, C/LW, Canada (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, QMJHL) > 6'2", 205 lbs. - Dubois is a big, versatile power forward who racked up 42 goals and 99 total points in 62 games with Cape Breton this past year. Depending on whether or not the Flames want to inject him into their lineup as an 18-year-old, he’ll provide complementary size and scoring ability to some of Calgary’s smaller wingers (think 5'6", 165-pound Johnny Gaudreau or 6'1", 185-pound. Sam Bennett).  

7. Arizona Coyotes - Olli Juolevi, D, Finland (London Knights, OHL) > 6'2", 182 lbs. - Arizona is practically overflowing with excellent young forward talent at both the NHL and the developmental level, thanks to the likes of Max Domi, Anthony Duclair, Dylan Strome, Christian Dvorak, Nick Merkley, Brendan Perlini, etc. However, it’s a bit light on top-end blueline talent. Thankfully, there are three defensive prospects with top-10 potential in the 2016 draft, and at least one should be available to them when they pick at No. 7. Here, they take the smooth-skating Juolevi, who has garnered comparisons to Arizona’s own All-Star defenseman, Oliver Ekmann-Larson.

8. Buffalo Sabres - Jacob Chychrun, D, Canada (Sarnia Sting, OHL) > 6'2", 195 - Seems almost criminal that Chychrun, the player who was granted exceptional status and allowed into the OHL at a 15-year-old, would slip to the No. 8 pick in the draft, but that’s just how things play out here. He’s got the size, physicality and offensive sense to be a top-pairing blueliner in the NHL, and the Sabres will happily add the defender to help balance out the almost ridiculous amount of promising young forward prospects they’ve acquired in recent years (Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, Hudson Fasching, etc.). Mikhail Sergachev is also a possibility here, but Buffalo’s seeming distaste for Russian prospects (trading away former first-rounders Mikhail Grigorenko and Nikita Zadarov, letting Andrei Makarov bolt to the KHL after reducing his playing time in the AHL) makes Chychrun the more likely pick.

9. Montreal Canadiens - Tyson Jost, C, Canada (Penticton Vees, BCHL) > 5'11", 190 lbs. - Arguably not the top talent remaining on the board, but he’s arguably the most likely to fill Montreal’s long-time void at their top-line center position. After a season where he “only” averaged a point per game with Penicton in 2014-15, Jost exploded as an all-around offensive threat, racking up 42 goals and 62 assists (104 total points) in a mere 48 games. He’s committed to the University of North Dakota, but it’s quite likely he makes the jump to the pros after only a year or two in the college ranks.  

10. Colorado Avalanche - Mikhail Sergachev, D, Russia (Windsor Spitfires, OHL) > 6'2", 225 lbs. - Easily the top remaining defensive talent on the board, the Avs can take Sergachev to restock a cupboard of blueline prospects that runs pretty thin after 2013 second-round choice Chris Bigras. He doesn’t have Chychrun or Juolevi’s innate offensive abilities, but he’s not incompetent with the puck on his stick, and he has far more physicality and willingness to hit than either of the other top defensive prospects.    

11. New Jersey Devils - Clayton Keller, C, USA (US-NDTP) > 5'10", 165 lbs. - The Devils are starving for high-end offensive prospects outside of Pavel Zacha and John Quenneville. Keller’s not the biggest prospect available, but he’s got the kind of speed and playmaking ability to add some serious talent to the New Jersey forward pipeline. If he can tack on some weight, he looks like a future top-six forward in the NHL. Keller notched 37 goals and 107 total points during 62 games in the US developmental program last season, and he’ll continue his progression at Boston University next year.  

12. Ottawa Senators - Logan Brown, C, USA (Windsor Spitfires, OHL) > 6'6", 220 lbs. - Yet another 2016 prospect who’s the son of a former NHLer (Logan is the son of Jeff Brown, who played over 700 games in the NHL, mostly with the Quebec Nordiques and St. Louis Blues), Brown is a towering player with more agility and playmaking than is typical of forwards his size. However, much like exceedingly tall players his age, Brown needs to round out his skating, and if he adds more physicality to his game, he could end up with a longer NHL career than his father.

13. Carolina Hurricanes - Julien Gauthier, RW, Canada (Val-d'or Foreurs, QMJHL) > 6'3", 220 lbs. The Hurricanes have loaded up on defensive prospects (Noah Hanifin, Haydn Fleury, Brett Pesce) and smaller forwards (Elias Lindholm, Sebastian Aho) early in the draft, leaving them sorely in need of a bigger scoring/finishing forward like Gauthier.  

14. Boston Bruins - Charles McAvoy, D, USA (US-NDTP) > 6'0", 205 lbs. - Brown is the thickly built, two-way defenseman Boston’s prospect pool is lacking, and he’ll be playing in the Bruins’ backyard thanks to his committment to Boston University. Seems like a good match all around.

15. Minnesota Wild - Keiffer Bellows, C, USA (Sioux Falls Stampede, USHL) > 6'0", 185 lbs. - Son of former Minnesota North Star Brian Bellows (sensing a theme with this draft?), Keiffer has the kind of offensive upside the Wild are lacking at both the professional and developmental level. He racked up 50 goals in 62 games last season in the U.S. junior ranks.  

16. Detroit Red Wings - Jake Bean, D, Canada (Calgary Hitmen, WHL) > 6'0", 170 lbs.  - It would feel more natural to project the Red Wings to select a European, but Bean is too talented for them to pass up, and he’s the kind of slick-skating, puck-moving blueliner they don’t seem to possess in their prospect pool Bean is undoubtedly undersized at only 6'0", 170 lbs., but if there’s one thing the Red Wings are good at, it’s letting their prospects develop for a long time until their almost overripe, which should allow Bean more than enough time to bulk up to an NHL weight.  

17. Nashville Predators - Dante Fabbro, D, Canada (Penticton Vees, BCHL) > 6'0", 172 lbs. The Predators’ once overflowing pool of blueline talent now feels a bit thin outside of Jack Dougherty and Alex Carrier (though it’s exceptional at forward and goaltender). So, why not have them grab Fabbro, a smaller but talented defender with a two-way game that is better than his frame would indicate.

18. Philadelphia Flyers - Michael McLeod, C, Canada (Mississauga Steelheads, OHL) > 6'2", 185 lbs. - The opposite of the team drafting ahead of them, the Flyers have a strong collection of defensive prospects (Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Samuel Morin, Robert Hagg, etc.), but is rather lacking at forward outside of Travis Konecny. McLeod would add size and top-six potential to the Flyers pipeline. Right now McLeod’s skill-set and upside outweigh his junior production, but in another year or so he could be an 80, 90 or 100-point player in the OHL, and by then should be ready for an NHL call-up.

19. New York Islanders - Luke Kunin, C, USA (US-NDTP) > 6'0", 192 lbs. - With the expected loss of Kyle Okposo to free agency and the disappointing development thus far of former top-five pick Ryan Strome, the Islanders may opt to grab another young forward to offset their losses. Not to mention, outside of 2016 first-rounder Mathew Barzal, they don’t have an overly promising prospect at center. Kunin is an agile player with offensive skills that could start to yield serious dividends as he continues his development at the University of Wisconsin next season.

20. Arizona Coyotes (via N.Y. Rangers) - Logan Stanley, D, Canada (Windsor Spitfires, OHL) > 6'7", 225 lbs. - The ‘Yotes double up on defensemen in the first round. After selecting the more mobile Juolevi at No. 7, they opt for the massive, more aggressive Stanley with their second selection. He’s got a long reach, and has a bit of an edge - 103 penalty minutes last OHL season.  

21. Carolina Hurricanes (via L.A. Kings) - Max Jones, LW, USA (London Knights, OHL) > 6'3", 201 lbs. - Yet another prospect with an NHL dad (father Brad played for the original Winnipeg Jets, as well as the Flyers and Kings), Jones is a power forward with the kind of skill set that gives him a low-risk, high-reward developmental track. At the very least, he’ll be a third-liner thanks to his energy, physicality and ability to finish both passes and checks; if he can grow his offensive game, he could end up as a top-six winger.

22. Winnipeg Jets (via Chicago Blackhawks) - Boris Katchouk, LW, Canada (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL) > 6'1", 190 - Solid all-around forward who complements the heavy amount of skill players the Jets have in their prospect pool of forwards.

23. Florida Panthers - Alexander DeBrincat, RW, USA (Erie Otters, OHL) > 5'7", 160 lbs. - The Panthers have had no problem drafting smaller forwards in the past (i.e. Rocco Grimaldi, Kyle Rau, Denis Malgin, etc. - all of whom check in at 5'8" or below) and should have no qualms about adding the diminuitive DeBrincat to their pipeline. What he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in skill and pure offensive ability, having racked up a ridiculous 102 goals and 205 total points over the course of the last two OHL seasons.  

24. Anaheim Ducks - Riley Tufte, LW, USA (Fargo Force, USHL) >6'5", 215 lbs. - Tufte has the size the Ducks prefer in their forwards (there’s only one on the roster under six feet tall), and he’s got the potential to bloom into a good goal-scoring power forward as he develops. Tufte racked up 47 goals in 25 games his final high school season, and picked up another 10 in limited USHL action after that. He’ll continue his development at the University of Minnnesota-Duluth next fall.

25. Dallas Stars - German Rubtsov, C, Russia (Vityaz Podolsk, MHL) > 6'1", 190 lbs. - In each of the past three drafts, Stars GM Jim Nill has used his first pick on a European with a lot of skill (Val Nichushkin in 2013, Julius Honka in 2014, and Denis Gurianov in 2015). Two of those picks were Russians, so it doesn’t strain credulity to think that if Rubtsov is still on the board at No. 25, Nill will snag him. He’s proven to be a willing back-checker, but Rubtsov still offers the classic Russian package of slick hands, scoring ability and smooth skating.

26. Washington Capitals - Carl Grundstrom, LW (Modo Hockey, SHL) > 6'0", 187 lbs. - In the last seven drafts, the Capitals have used their first pick on a European - including three Swedes - so it’d be no surprise to see them snag the talented Grundstrom here.  He’s a good two-way forward has spent parts of the last two years as a teenager playing in Sweden’s highest-level men’s league, and could be ready for NHL action sooner than many of the players drafted ahead of him.

27. Tampa Bay Lightning - Vitali Abramov, RW, Russia (Gatineau Olympiques, QMJHL) > 5'9", 170 lbs. - An undersized Russian with excellent offensive skills who tore up the QMJHL? After the success of Nikita Kucherov, the Lightning front office will likely jump at the chance to snag another player with a similar track record. Abramov notched 38 goals and 93 points in 63 games in the “Q” this past year.  

28. St. Louis Blues - Tage Thompson, C/RW, USA (University of Connecticut, NCAA) > 6'4", 195 lbs. - A big forward whose development is trending up, Thompson has improved his offensive totals nearly every year and at every level of play, highlighted by a 14-goal, 32-point showing as a freshman at Connecticut in 2015-16. He’ll instantly be the largest forward in the Blues prospect pool.

29. Boston Bruins (via San Jose Sharks) - Pascal Laberge, C, Canada (Victoriaville Tigres, QMJHL) > 6'0", 160 lbs. - Undersized, but a centerman with two-way ability the Bruins prefer in their forwards, and who has earned comparison’s to Boston’s own Patrice Bergeron thanks to his 200-foot game and toughness.  

June 14, 2016

If you’re a Seinfeld fan then you remember when Kramer lucked into a brief speaking role in a Woody Allen movie. Elaine, Jerry, and George each took a turn telling Kramer how to issue the his one line. That was the 11th episode of season 3, the 28th overall. It aired on December 4, 1991, I was a senior in high school. This year is the 25th anniversary. To commemorate it I decided to have my 3 1/2 year old make an attempt at the famous line. It took four tries. Let me know which one is your favorite. I certainly have mine. 

Here is the original if you don’t remember it

Now for the re-enactment

Attempt #1 - a little bit rushed

Attempt #2 - He’s already losing interest

Attempt #3 - with “angry” voice

Attempt #4 - nails it, drops the mike, walks off stage