SBNation.com: All Posts by Matt Brigidihttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2016-06-10T09:54:52-04:00https://www.sbnation.com/authors/matt-brigidi/rss2016-06-10T09:54:52-04:002016-06-10T09:54:52-04:00NHL legend Gordie Howe, 'Mr. Hockey,' dies at 88
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<p>Rest in peace, "Mr. Hockey."</p> <p>Gordie Howe, the hockey and Detroit Red Wings legend known as "Mr. Hockey," has passed away at the age of 88, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/10/us/gordie-howe-dies/index.html?sr=twCNN061016gordie-howe-dies0151PMStoryLink&linkId=25415552" target="_blank">his son told CNN Sports</a>. The Red Wings <a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/story/obituaries/2016/06/10/gordie-howe/85689888/" target="_blank">also confirmed the news to the Detroit media</a>.</p>
<p>After suffering a stroke in October of 2014 that left him disoriented and unable to walk, Howe recovered by undergoing<a href="http://www.toledoblade.com/Sponsored-Content/2016/05/19/Stem-cells-led-Gordie-Howe-s-amazing-stroke-recovery.html" target="_blank"> stem cell treatment in Mexico</a>. In an interview with NHL.com in November of 2015, Howe's <a href="http://www.toledoblade.com/Sponsored-Content/2016/05/19/Stem-cells-led-Gordie-Howe-s-amazing-stroke-recovery.html" target="_blank">family members said he was healthier and comfortable following his recovery</a>. Over the last few years of his life, Howe suffered a series of ailments, including back pain stemming from an out-patient procedure in 2013 as well as mini-strokes. He also suffered from dementia.</p>
<p>Born in March of 1928, Howe established himself as "Mr. Hockey" over the course of a Hall of Fame career by emerging as one of the greatest professional ice hockey players in the history of the game. Originally signed by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wingingitinmotown.com/">Detroit Red Wings</a>, Howe debuted with the club in 1946 and played his last game with the team in 1971. Over 25 years in Detroit, Howe played in over 1,600 games, scored 786 goals and accumulated over 1,800 points.</p>
<p>Howe's playing style gave him the namesake for the "Gordie Howe Hat Trick," when a player scores a goal, makes an assist and gets in a fight all in one game.</p>
<p>In 1973, he joined the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association where he spent four years and scored 369 points (121 goals and 248 assists) in 285 games. He then joined the New England Whalers for two seasons before the club merged with the NHL and became the Hartford Whalers. During this time, Howe was able to play alongside his sons, Mark and Marty while playing in Houston and Hartford/New England.</p>
<p>In total, Howe played in well over 2,100 career regular season games, scored 975 goals and amassed over 2,300 career points. He won six Art Ross trophies for leading the league in scoring, six Hart trophies as league MVP and four Stanley Cups. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2016/6/10/11902274/detroit-red-wings-and-hockey-legend-gordie-howe-dies-at-88Matt BrigidiPatrick Iversen2016-04-25T12:00:00-04:002016-04-25T12:00:00-04:00Brady gives up DeflateGate fight
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<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Tom Brady received a four-game suspension, then it was upheld, then it was tossed out, then it was upheld again ... and now Brady has given up and will serve the suspension.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/1/20/7858113/new-england-patriots-deflated-balls-investigationAlex ReimerMolly PodlesnyAdam StitesJames BradyTim CatoLouis BienHayley ByrnesKatie SharpMark SandritterRyan NanniThomas GeorgeOddsShark2015-04-20T09:00:03-04:002015-04-20T09:00:03-04:00The Oilers better not mess up Connor McDavid
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<p>The Oilers have failed to build around young talent for several years. Now, a player being described as "generational" is coming under their care. Great. </p> <p>Connor McDavid is a champ.</p>
<p>Staring down the unenviable position of being fawned over by the NHL's worst teams, McDavid played it like a polished prospect should. He smiled, nodded politely and said the right thing when everybody was watching.</p>
<p>McDavid will be selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-draft">NHL Draft</a>. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Edmonton Oilers</a> are the team lucky enough to own that pick. "Luck" is the important word in that phrasing because it seems to be the only way the Oilers will ever accomplish anything.</p>
<p>"If it is Edmonton [who picks me], it'll be unbelievable," <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=764050">McDavid said</a>, ironically. The fact that Edmonton won another draft lottery is far beyond unbelievable. It's ridiculous. The Oilers have won three lotteries since 2010 and have had the first overall selection four times over that span, using the pick on <span>Taylor Hall</span>, <span>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</span> and Nail Yakupov. Those players began playing in the NHL in their draft year despite eligibility to continue developing with their junior teams.</p>
<p>McDavid will follow the same route.</p>
<p>"It's going to be a dream come true and it's a great situation to be in," McDavid said while displaying the media savvy necessary of a pro athlete in the digital age.</p>
<p>The truth is, Edmonton has not been a great situation to be in. Young talent has continually gone there to be wasted. The organization has repeatedly put inexperienced individuals in situations that require a great deal of experience -- like, the process of turning around a historic franchise that has failed to make serious progress toward sustained success in a decade's time.</p>
<p>Despite having Hall to build around, then Hall and Nugent-Hopkins to build around, and then Hall, Nugent-Hopkins and Yakupov to build around, the Oilers have been left spinning their wheels. This is proven by the mere fact that the team <i>still</i> finds itself performing so poorly that they managed to be in position to get a <i>fourth</i> No. 1 overall pick.</p>
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<p>The Oilers have displayed sustained incompetence when it comes to taking promising individuals and helping them realize the fullest extent of their potential. Rather than competing in the playoffs, the team is competing in the draft lottery. This is a concerning trend, especially when considering a player being described universally as "generational" is coming under their care.</p>
<p>"It would have been an absolute honor [to have any of the 14 lottery teams win the pick]," McDavid said. "If I am selected by Edmonton it will be amazing, a dream come true."</p>
<p>It will be amazing for him and his family when he is selected No. 1 overall, and it will be a dream realized. But McDavid has to be a man of many other dreams, like winning the Stanley Cup and leaving his mark on the NHL record book. The Oilers will have to play a part in making those dreams come true.</p>
<p>They better not mess it up.</p>
<p>★★★</p>
<p><i>Correction: This article originally stated that the Oilers have won four lotteries since 2010. The 2011 lottery was won by the New Jersey Devils, moving them up to the fifth overall selection. Edmonton retained the No. 1 overall pick and used it on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. </i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2015/4/20/8453189/connor-mcdavid-edmonton-oilers-nhl-draft-2015Matt Brigidi2015-02-19T14:45:47-05:002015-02-19T14:45:47-05:00Garnett traded back to Timberwolves
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<figcaption>Joe Robbins-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Kevin Garnett will seemingly finish his career where he started it, as the Minnesota Timberwolves have completed a trade with the Brooklyn Nets.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/2/19/8071541/kevin-garnett-trade-deadline-minnesota-timberwolvesMike PradaRodger ShermanPaul FlanneryTom ZillerJesus GomezJason Patt2015-02-19T14:26:02-05:002015-02-19T14:26:02-05:00Colts knew the Pats were deflating footballs
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Indianapolis Colts told the NFL days before playing the AFC Championship that they thought the New England Patriots were deflating footballs. It appears they were right in their assertion. </p> <p>The discovery of deflated footballs being used by the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a> was not totally a case of circumstance. <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indianapolis Colts</a> general manager Ryan Grigson stated that <a href="https://twitter.com/HolderStephen/status/568478212583337984">he informed the NFL several days </a>before the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/afc-championship-game" class="sbn-auto-link">AFC Championship</a> that he thought the Patriots might be doctoring their footballs.</p>
<p>It was originally reported that the Colts <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/1/20/7856401/new-england-patriots-deflated-balls-deflategate-indianapolis-colts/in/7622154">discovered a tampered football</a> after Colts linebacker <span>D'Qwell Jackson</span> intercepted <span>Tom Brady</span> in the second quarter of the game. Jackson hoped to keep the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/1/22/7875709/dqwell-jackson-deflatgate-deflated-football-patriots/in/7622154">game ball as a souvenir</a>, but it quickly became more important than that, as word systematically came to Grigson that the ball was under-inflated. Grigson then alerted the league office and set the whole scandal into motion.</p>
<p>Grigson explained that he alerted the league to his suspicions in an attempt to <a href="https://twitter.com/kguregian/status/568480725437169664">level the playing field</a>. Of course, this proved to be a fruitless endeavor, as the Patriots coasted to a dominant win, 45-7.</p>
<p>This is the first public admission from Grigson that the Colts thought the Patriots were deflating footballs. A report surfaced early in the process that indicated that Indianapolis became aware of the possibility during their regular season contest against New England in Week 11, and NFL executive <span>Troy Vincent</span> previously stated that the Colts <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/2/3/7969629/nfl-deflategate-indianapolis-colts-new-england-patriots">informed the league</a> of the issue.</p>
<p>What is now clear is that Indianapolis was aware of this issue prior to the game and thought that it gave the Patriots an unfair advantage.</p>
<p>The NFL is still investigating the situation, which has recently become more complex. ESPN reports that the Patriots also attempted to have an <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/2/17/8057693/new-england-patriots-deflategate-controversy-footballs/in/7622154">unapproved kicking ball</a> introduced into the game, while a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/2/18/8064597/deflategate-official-fired-selling-balls-patriots-colts-afc-championship/in/7622154">league employee was fired</a> for selling used game balls, including those used during the DeflateGate game.</p>
<p>Fortunately, the NFL is intent on getting it right, so they have that going for them.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/2/19/8071219/deflategate-afc-championship-footballs-patriots-coltsMatt Brigidi2015-02-13T16:16:33-05:002015-02-13T16:16:33-05:00Benn and Seguins' Valentine's Day prank needs work
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<h5>
<span>Jamie Benn</span> and <span>Tyler Seguin</span> agreed to play a HILARIOUS practical joke on their moms! For Valentine's Day! You know, the funniest day of the calendar year.</h5>
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<h5>The plan was for Benn and Seguin to call their moms and tell them that they're marrying women that their moms have never met but that they've been dating for some time! Even though they're actually single! AMAZING!</h5>
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<h5>NOPE! This is actually happening, mom! (over-exaggerated wink)</h5>
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<h5>Why would you ever think that? Considering my vibrant sense of humor and keen awareness of comedic timing!</h5>
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<h5>NOT-UH, MOM!</h5>
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<h5>JK! I'M NOT ACTUALLY GETTING MARRIED, MOM. ROFL.</h5>
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<h5>Yes, yes they are.</h5>
<p>Here's the entire thing, courtesy of TSN:</p>
<p><iframe height="360" frameborder="0" width="640" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UOaMYKDs5Nk"></iframe></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2015/2/13/8035759/this-is-not-funnyMatt Brigidi2015-02-11T11:47:24-05:002015-02-11T11:47:24-05:00Evander Kane traded to Sabres in blockbuster deal
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In an era when blockbuster moves have become scarce due to salary cap complications, this trade truly breaks the mold. </p> <p>The <span>Evander Kane</span> saga is coming to an end, <span>Tyler Myers</span> is being moved and Kevin Cheveldayoff has finally completed an NHL player-for-player trade. And it all came in one blockbuster move.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/">Buffalo Sabres</a> have acquired controversial forward Kane and defenseman <span>Zach Bogosian</span> from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arcticicehockey.com/">Winnipeg Jets</a> for a <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status/565544833897734144">treasure trove of assets</a>, including defenseman Myers, forward <span>Drew Stafford</span> and a first-round draft pick. In addition, the Jets have acquired 21-year-old forward <span>Joel Armia</span> and 18-year-old forward prospect Brendan Lemieux. The Sabres have <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status/565550764773613568">also acquired</a> unsigned goalie prospect Jason Kasdorf as part of the trade.</p>
<p>This information is all based on reports from <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger">Darren Dreger of TSN</a>. The first-round draft pick will be <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status/565548151843860480">the lowest of the Sabres' three first-round picks</a> in the 2015 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">NHL Draft</a> (Buffalo currently owns the <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Islanders</a> and <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Blues</a>' picks).</p>
<p>In an era when blockbuster moves have become scarce due to salary cap complications, this trade truly breaks the mold. Of course, a perfect compliment of circumstantial instances helped make this trade a reality.</p>
<p>Kane has long had a troubled relationship with Winnipeg and the Jets organization. From controversial photos posted on social media to reports of skipping out on restaurant bills, Kane's name was fixture in controversial discussions. This came to a head last week when a report broke that Kane <a href="http://www.arcticicehockey.com/2015/2/5/7984917/partial-truth-and-the-absurdity-of-lies-evander-kane-winnipeg-jets/in/7750462">was a healthy scratch</a>, which was one part injury and one part team rule violation.</p>
<p>Kane had reported to practice in a track suit. Jets players apparently have a dress code, which does not include track suits. Why Kane showed up in the attire he did remains somewhat unclear, but the suit in question <a href="http://www.arcticicehockey.com/2015/2/5/7988147/kanes-track-suit-situation-takes-a-bizarre-twist/in/7750462">ultimately ended up in a shower</a> after Winnipeg forward/defenseman/all-around large man <span>Dustin Byfuglien</span> threw it in there.</p>
<p>This resulted in Kane <a href="http://www.arcticicehockey.com/2015/2/5/7988163/evander-kane-refused-to-play-tuesday-night/in/7750462">skipping the team's bus</a> and effectively setting into the motion the deal that was consummated on Wednesday. Kane had been dealing with a nagging injury for some time and opted to have season-ending surgery, which was as much about getting healthy as it was about divorcing from the Jets.</p>
<iframe src="https://www.sbnation.com/videos/iframe?id=65046" frameborder="0" seamless="true" marginwidth="0" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" name="65046-chorus-video-iframe"></iframe>
<em>SB Nation presents: Why Patrick Kane will win the Hart</em>
<p>Which is where the Sabres come into play.</p>
<p>Buffalo is not playing for this season. With a deep draft class in 2015 -- including Connor McDavid, a player described as a generational talent -- the team is hoping to swiftly build through the draft. Essentially, losing this season is winning in the long-term. Acquiring Kane, a player who won't play this season, for NHL players who can play this season, helps the Sabres achieve their short-term goal of losing and their long-term goal of winning.</p>
<p>Myers and Stafford are two players who have been rumored to be on the move for quite some time. Many reports indicated that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wingingitinmotown.com/">Detroit Red Wings</a> had their sights set on acquiring Myers. Of course, they will now have to explore other options. Myers is an interesting player, because his size -- listed at 6'8, 219 -- makes him a candidate to become a prototypical top-pairing defenseman. This belief was further substantiated when he won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2009-10.</p>
<p>However, his play has regressed since. The hope, for those interested in acquiring him, is that his potential can be harnessed. That will now be a task for Paul Maurice and his coaching staff.</p>
<p>In terms of Cheveldayoff, the Winnipeg general manager, he certainly made a statement with his first NHL player-for-player trade. Cheveldayoff has held off trading a piece from the Jets' NHL roster since the franchise relocated to Winnipeg from Atlanta. Some thought he would never make a trade.</p>
<p>Given the Jets' strong showing this year, the dissent that had grown between the organization and Kane and the strategic rebuild philosophy of the Sabres, the perfect situation existed for all these streams to cross.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2015/2/11/8019087/evander-kane-trade-tyler-myers-jets-sabresMatt Brigidi2015-02-01T14:01:00-05:002015-02-01T14:01:00-05:00How to play Super Bowl squares
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Here's how to play everyone's favorite Super Bowl game (that is not the Super Bowl).</p> <p>Super Bowl squares is a game that is commonly played during the Super Bowl. It involves a chart, gambling and football, which makes it the ideal accompaniment to the most watched NFL game of the year.</p>
<p>In regards to creating the chart, several options are at your disposal: you can either make it yourself, <a href="http://www.printyourbrackets.com/superbowl100squares.html">print it out from the Internet</a> or use an online source to host your game. In the event that you are creating your own, you will need to generate an 11 x 11 chart so that the numbers 0-9 can have their own, individual space.</p>
<p>The numbers will be placed in random order along both the x- and y-axis of the chart, so that it <a target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=super+bowl+squares+poster+board&sa=X&es_sm=91&biw=1229&bih=635&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ei=sBHJVPaaItf_yQTHrYC4Ag&ved=0CCoQsAQ#tbm=isch&q=super+bowl+squares+rules&revid=1325874873">will look something like this</a>.</p>
<p>You can generate your random numbers any way of your choosing. It's often recommended that you cut out squares of paper and draw the numbers out of a hat, but really the order of the numbers is largely irrelevant until game time.</p>
<p>After making your chart, add the "New England Patriots" to one axis and the "Seattle Seahawks" to the other.</p>
<p>Now that the chart is created, you can start to assign squares. Most square games assign a per-square fee, which requires players to pay a certain price to buy a square. You can also assign an equal number of squares to all the participants and have a flat rate. Regardless, the players place their initials in the squares they want to buy.</p>
<h4>How to Play</h4>
<p>Winners are decided at the end of each quarter based upon the final digit in each team's point total. For example: If the Seahawks are leading the Patriots 10-7 at the end of the first quarter, then the owner of Box 0-7 wins the first part of the pool and receives a portion of the buy-in.</p>
<p>This system is applied to each quarter.</p>
<p>Most squares games award smaller totals for wins in the first and third quarter, while halftime and final score winners typically pay the most. This, of course, is based solely on your preference.</p>
<h4>How to Play Online</h4>
<p>In the event that you can't find a game, options are available online. There of course is some risk involved in giving your money to a third party site. Given this potential issue, we don't have a recommended site to use. But in the event that you'd like to test your luck, a Google search will quickly provide you with opportunities.</p>
<h4>Tips</h4>
<p>There's not much strategy to the squares game. If your host decides to let people pick their own squares, try to avoid the numbers 2, 5, and 9, because those numbers don't turn up much in a football game. <a target="_blank" href="https://harvardsportsanalysis.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/the-optimal-strategy-for-playing-squares/">A 2013 study from The Harvard Sports Analysis Collective</a> found that predicting a score ending in 7 for the favorite and 0 for the underdog yielded a higher average payout than other combinations.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/1/30/7923817/super-bowl-squares-printable-template-online-odds-bettingMatt Brigidi2015-01-27T11:03:06-05:002015-01-27T11:03:06-05:00Super Bowl 2015 Media Day
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Nothing is a bigger circus than media day. Follow the action as the Patriots and Seahawks meet the media on Tuesday.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/1/27/7921383/super-bowl-2015-media-day-updates-news-live-coverageKatie SharpSarah KogodJames DatorPFT CommenterZito MaduSeth RosenthalBill HanstockMichael KatzPete VolkMatt Verderame2015-01-27T10:13:25-05:002015-01-27T10:13:25-05:00The buildup to the Super Bowl is underway
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The buildup to the Super Bowl is underway, as both teams are in Arizona preparing for Sunday's game.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/1/27/7921193/super-bowl-2015-week-live-coverage-news-updatesRodger ShermanJason B. HirschhornMatt VerderameJames BradyThomas GeorgeMichael KatzBill HanstockSarah KogodBrandon Lee GowtonJason KirkPeter BerkesBud ElliottKatie SharpBrian Neudorff