Next Year Will Determine if 2020 was a Fluke or Not

 I've given it some time. Almost a week in fact, I had meant to get this out sonner but had a sore arm since Thursday because of my vaccine shot. In the last few days since it was determined that General Manager Jim Benning will be back next season, the outpouring of disbelief from Canucks fans on Twitter is alarming. 

If you are a Canucks fan that believes that Jim Benning has not done a good job the last few years, I really want you to look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself what's wrong with yourself. For starters, this team was nine wins a way from winning the Stanley Cup last year. If that's not a signal of the end of the rebuild I don't Know what is. The Canucks have transitioned from rebuild to a emerging playoff contender and for me that is progress. 

This doesn't mean that there won't be easy but to group 2021's struggles with 2018's struggles is completely off course. Jim Benning could have not predicted Covid 19 and in the old divisions Vancouver would have only missed the playoffs by three points. 

The other part to remember is that Vancouver went 4-10 against Canadian teams last year and we saw more of the same this year as we finished 23-29-4 and we missed Pettersson for a good portion of the season. I have no hard feelings with Benning letting Tanev, Markstrom and Levio go, they all went to Calgary and they didn't finish much better than Vancouver. Possibly, Tyler Toffoli would have made this team better but I was ok that he left because of the amount of cap space we had or lack of it. Not to mention the conditional pick we would have lost as well. 

The bottom line is, these circumstances bought us a year to try to experiment with things we might have not been able to otherwise and again I see that as progress. Most teams have a brumby start after their rebuild. Colorado didn't get things right four years ago and had to change paths and now are even better, Calgary missed the playoffs in 2016 after looking like the 2009 Blackhawks in 2015. Edmonton missed the playoffs as well after having a good run in 2017. They are still looking for answers four years later. 

We need to trust the process and enjoy the fact that we have stability in management. Making the playoffs isn't guaranteed next year but that will make it all the more special next year if we do. This year was a very hard year to judge so I'm willing to give Benning and Green the benefit of the doubt. However, missing the playoffs next year will make 2020 feel like it was an anomaly.  

This last week has proven how unpredictable the NHL playoffs can be and because of that, there is not much point in worrying about if ands and buts. I believe we will get there by 2023 at the latest and I'm trying to do my best to enjoy how things come together. 

By no means is this a 2016 rebuild. Linden and ownership delayed the first rebuild as well and that can't be on Benning. 

My key goal if I was GM would be to keep surrounding our young stars with talent. I often compare our core with the 2002 core. I like this core better and it's younger and more diversified. As long as this time around we don't let our assets depreciate too much before they move on or retire, we should be looking at playoffs the next 8 out of 13 years. I would sign up for that right now but it's all about getting appropriate return on our superstars when the time comes. That's what the early 2000's foundation was built on and why we had a great run from 2001-2013. 

In contrast, we let our superstar players depreciate and walk for not much return in the last seven years that we have had a turbulent rebuild along with some bad drafting before Jim Benning. 

I'm not saying it is that easy but I love how our core is built and we just have to move around few pieces here and there. 

I'm just not willing to blame anyone yet. I cling to hope that this is just a market correction with a team that is headed in the right direction.  

Society Gives Backwards Advice Which Holds People Back

 My goals are simple, find a platform to be recognized and form some publicity. I will have something licensed soon and I pledge to work harder than anyone else to achieve my goals. 

The things that get people into debt is when they think something is a need and really a want. 

Challenge: Make more money than you lose. I headed penny stocks with sports betting and it was a huge success. It's not easy but at the same time have money that is being invested in stocks and Crypto will make up for any sports betting losses and vice versa. Also, create a small business that can make you look forward to Monday morning.

People say if "I would have only known about Netflix or Amazon stock before it was big". Then why don't you start following stocks now. Don't live in the past. Fix your mistakes to live in the future. 

The other step to this is to have a job that you can rely on so that you enjoy. 

It's not a get rich quick scheme but over time things can payoff because chances are one of these four things will be successful. 

Make sure there is is at least 3k that always sits in your savings that you don't touch. The object is to always be two mortgage/rent payments ahead of the game. Therefore, there is no emotion in any loses or stock market decline. 

Limit your day job to 20 hours a week. You just need something to bring in about $900-1,800. Enough to cover rent for that month. Find a hobby that makes you want to stay inside. This is crucial. Note, having kids changes the game plan quite a bit. 

Set goals that still fit if your money goes down. Something that goes along with this is you have to be flexible of where your going to live. People can afford a down-payment in states like Nebraska or Iowa but instead choose to go broke in San Fransico or Seattle. 

No point complaining about your lack of money when your living in a expensive city. Very contradicting if you ask me. 

Peoples goals often don't fit reality which get them farther behind. I really believe that financial advice is not given accurately because the advisor doesn't know the full story because the client isn't comfortable giving the full story. 

Fortunately, I am single which believe me keeps the costs down. I get PWD which gives me a the opportunity to be strategic in my investments and goals. Most people don't understand that. All you need is one 3x return on a stock to get ahead. People also think having a car is need. That's fine but understand getting financial freedom will take longer.   

1st step is to figure what it costs to live per month. 

2. Ask yourself, how much you want to save per month. If the answer is only 100. That's fine, put half in a secret account that takes risks. The other half goes into a savings and not touched until you need it. 

3. Vacations money should only be spent if you have extra. I mean, if you really want to go there make steps to live in said place or tie it in with something that can make you money in the future. Vacations are easier when your with other people as the price of a hotel is not worth it if your single. 

I see so many people struggle because their goals contradict their situation. There is nothing wrong with renting if your still increasing your net worth every year. 

Be honest with yourself though. If you want good advice you have to paint a good picture of your situation to an advisor. 

My Story of how I became a Oregon Duck

 I have to confess something, I have been really struggling to write during the last 14 months. I grew up a Seahawks, Mariners, Canucks and Grizzlies fan and in 2014 was a turning point for me. 

The Memphis Grizzlies were in the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. I was yelling at the TV during Game five with the Series deadlocked at 2 at times when it looked like the Grizzlies were going to lose. 

The Grizzlies ended up winning the game in Overtime but eventually fell to the Thunder in 7 games that year. That playoff series was rough, I am a passionate person that wants to be successful but in my early 20's I felt like my parents were spoon feeding me success and the only way to be myself was to pick four favorite teams that were my own. 

I know how to be successful in situations that work well for me. I don't need people making my life easier and then setting boundries of what my parents are comfortable with just because I have Cerebal palsy! I should have moved to any city I wanted to and been able to make my own mistakes. 

I mean, I was never mentally happy in the situation I was in from 2016-2019 even though I had 40k at 23. However, I was treated like a 17 year old and only got the money when my parents deemed it appropriate!!! 

That made me cheer against my childhood teams because I wanted my own path in life. Everyday I am getting closer and closer for feeling comfortable with who I am and that's why I changed my favorite teams. I was even bullied on Seattle sports pages and the bullies messaged my Dad and my Dad took their side. The bullies told my Dad I forwarded them a inappropriate link that I never did. This was around April 2011 and it really made me have trust issues with my Dad. Which was really painful. 

The Huskies fans also said "the world would be a better place if I killed myself". This was around December 2011. At this point, all I wanted to do was move out of Abbotsford and start fresh. 

I was so mentally down in from 2013-2018 that I felt defeated. I am trying to do my best but I was trying to make choices that made me happy. That's why I cheer for the teams I do and I'm a proud Oregon Ducks fan which makes me feel really good about myself. 

They told me I was always included and that makes me feel good. The Pro teams I like are Minnesota Vikings, New York Mets and Phoenix Suns.

European Super League Is Done

by Evan Gough 

Earlier this week, the football world was shook. 6 of the most elite teams in England, and 6 other European giants entered into a 12 team league called, The European Super League. The villainous power-hungry sharks wished to dismantle from UEFA in order to form their own league, with their own rules.

            This was not taken lightly by the football community, more specifically the fans. With hearing about the constraints that UEFA was firing back at the founders of the ESL, it cause the earth to shake, and the pyramid structure of the sport to collapse. With these counters from UEFA, players of the teams who were apart of the 12 ESL teams were told they cannot play any football in the National level. 

What that means is that players like Ronaldo cannot ever play for Portugal again, and the Messi fans of the world would never see him wear an Argentina shirt ever again. Not only on the National level were these players restricted, but also domestic leagues and UEFA competitions: the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, Spanish First Division, etc.

            There was a glimpse of panic from clubs, players and fans as to seeing the collapse of their beautiful game, football. Many people were questioning if 2015 is to be Chelsea’s last year to win the premier league, is Real Madrid’s last chance to win the CL this season, will Barcelona ever win the LaLiga again? Many of the top teams in Europe were leaving.

            It was then on 4/20, when Chelsea was to face Brighton in a Premier League match, that there were huge protests outside of Stamford Bridge. Fans not allowing the buses to enter, fans chanting against the ESL and asking the owner, Roman Abramovich to do the right thing. It was that same day, that same moment, when news came out that Chelsea were the first team to withdrawal from the ESL. This created an uproar during the protests, and thus created a domino effect for the other teams to leave the ESL.

            Within 48 hours, the ESL came and went, but it was because of the fans who came together nation-wide to take a stand against the greedy chairmen of the ESL. It was because of the fans who stood up against the threats to their beautiful game that the ESL collapsed. It was because of Chelsea, that other teams followed their initiative.

            The Premier League is back, the Champions League is back, and more importantly football is back.

Mets Poised for Strong Season With New Owner

 It's been six years since I started blogging for the New York Mets as a hobby and for a site of a friend of mine. I could have never imagined the roller coaster ride I've been on since which has included a run to the World Series that has followed by many disappointments because of the high expectations that were put on the roster. 

Now, after a horrendous 2020 season that saw Covid eat up two thirds of the season and a highly talented roster couldn't scrape into a playoff bracket that featured over half of the National League. For the first time in a few years, a glimmer of hope has been sprinkled over Queen's as a new owner is in place for the Mets to become the feared team in the NL East. 

Steve Cohen has already made it look like he means business by trading for super star Shortstop Francisco Lindor and signing him to a astronomical contract of 10 years and 341 Million. 

Two things come to mind about the contract: 1. It's a lot of money. 2. To be a winner these are the contracts that have to be signed if we want to win a World Series. Sure there will always be people that will love the 2002 Oakland Athletics but the reality is, it is not sustainable over the course of a five year period. 

We have the best pitcher in the game in Jacob DeGrom and a well balanced lineup with a bullpen that has a high ceiling. We are the co-favorites to win a Division Title for the first time since 2016. 

I would be crushed if DeGrom or Noah Syndergaard doesn't pitch in another post season game for the Mets again. We have had a revolving door in the General Manager position over the last few years and I'm hopeful we can build some stability. This isn't the NFL or NHL where things go in cycles. The same teams are good year in year out and we need to shoot for being a winning organisation. 

We have never really had a good direction out of a few memorable years. This year definitely feels like 2000 where the Braves and the Mets seem like the top dogs for 2021. 

Hoping we get full stadiums for a playoff push in September. I'm just super excited to welcome back baseball to everyones lives and hope to bring you my thoughts to this blog about my favourite baseball team through out the season. 

Canada Set for the Quest for Qatar

It has been over four years since the Canadian Men's national team played a World Cup Qualifying match. It was a 3-1 win over El Salvador, but it never felt like a win. At the same time, Honduras was able to scrape by with a 0-0 draw in Mexico.  

I remember writing on this blog almost nine years ago, the night before Canada would take on Cuba in the Brazil World Cup Qualifiers. The negative eel the media had placed on the team was startling to me. They made it seem like we were the worst team in the region. I kept telling people that we are a better team than we think and thought if we had more than a chance to get to the Hex in 2013.  

The sour taste how that campaign ended gave me a heartache. I will still believe to this day that if Dwayne De Rosario does not get hurt in Panama City or if we weren't missing a handful of players when we were at Honduras that things would have not ended the way they did.  

2018 WCQ showed promise, but again it felt too similar. A draw in Game two of the Semi Final stage again ended up being the dagger. We were in the Group of Death so that gave me hope for the future.  

Four years later we start a quest for being Canada's biggest success story of 2022. Things have changed quite a bit this time around. A different Qualifying format has given us hope that we haven't seen in nearly three decades. On the pitch, things are looking special. We have players from some of Europe's best teams.  

Final round or bust needs to be the motto. 14 extra games that might or might not go well but at the very least they will be huge building games for 2026.  

First thing is first however and that is to win Group B that will feature Suriname as Canada's toughest threat. Aruba, Bermuda and Caymon Islands also included.  

I believe Canada was the seventh best team in Concacaf the last two qualifying cycles. Even if that holds, Canada should find itself in the final stage.  

Despite it being an easy group, something does not sit well. Maybe it's the fact that the last game of the group stage my plot two 3-0-0 teams against each other. With only 90 minutes to get a goal if our goal differential is worse.  

Then there is Haiti if all goes well. Would be a dragon slayer type game with what happened in the 2019 Gold Cup and Canada's consistent exit right before the final stage. Happened five cycles in a row.  

I'm so ready to see how this plays out. Just do not blame the grass roots if things don't go well. We have a team full of talent that is fun to watch.  

The anticipation that I have makes it fun for me to write. Just know I'll have a tough time sleeping tonight. 

What Should Teams Like Belmont Do Next?

 The March Madness selection show was yesterday and the team that was tied for the most wins in Division I was not invited. That team might have not even scrapped your imagination last night as you gazed at the bracket when you went to print one off last night. 

The team that I'm referring to is Belmont. Despite this being no surprise, it should have alarm bells making noise that the whole process is inadequate. Belmont produced a record of 26-4 this year and never had a game postponed according to ESPN. 

The committee will say that they didn't play anyone decent and well that is true, they also have less opportunities to schedule a Gonzaga like Non Conference schedule. My suggestion in the past has been to increase the tournament to 80 teams and give the 11 best regular season tournament winners that

didn't win make the Field of 68 against the last 12 at large spots. Your not changing the dynamic of the filed at all and your also rewarding success to the top 9 seeds. As of now, it is almost better being a 12 seed than a 8 seed. The other play-in spot would come from the NIT Champion from the previous year which would add some meaning to a meaningless tournament. Adding teams only dilutes the playing field if your letting in 18-14 mediocre power 5 teams. 

What if the mid-majors did something bold. Something that would put the basketball landscape on edge. At least 10 top mid major programs need to come together to form some sort of Elite Mid major conference. Remember Bracket Buster Weekend? We would have a entire conference of bracket buster games! 

Here is a complete rough estimation of what it could look like. 

Northern Iowa, Vermont, Winthrop, Loyola Chicago, Iona, Belmont, Murray State, Drake, Stephan F. Austin and FGCU. 

These programs are notorious for consistently in March Madness but almost always have to win their conference tournament to get in. Most power 5 teams are scared to play these teams as it is a lose - lose proposition for the blue bloods and even legendary broadcaster Dick Vital alouded to this on Bracketology last night on ESPN. 

Logistically, this is possible with most teams close together geographically between the Midwest and New York area. I don't like the likelihood of this happening however, but I think from a NET ranking standpoint it is a slam dunk idea. 

The biggest thing that would determine this conferences success would be a TV deal. The American Athletic Conference hit the three point shot when that conference was created when they got TV rights from ESPN. 

In theory, the American Athletic did a similar variation of my idea but for bigger schools that don't quite have Power 5 status. This would be a strictly mid major conference that could have strong RPI numbers because they wouldn't have a weak team holding the conference down. 

A school like Gonzaga wouldn't need to join as they have already prefected mid-major greatness. Same goes for Wichita State in the American Athletic. 

As a conference, the biggest question these commissioners should have is will my conference be good enough to get a #1 seed. If my research is correct, only 10 of the 32 conferences in the current religment have produced a #1 seed. So that asks the question, what should other 22 conferences do to make sure that every conference has the best chance possible to excel.