Gabriel

Being that he's known in the industry as Kevin Condron, and it isn't like most people who would use him don't already know that, I'd go with that as his main name.

Roster Sharing has been added, along with a new IIHF partnership that sees the inclusion of more accurate national jerseys and the upcoming teams for the World Juniors and World Hockey Championships, as well as the Women's World Championships. I've been really wanting to pick the game up, but I'm so leery of buying new games right now because I'm still rocking the PS4. I'd probably get good use out of NHL 22 though, between the roster sharing, franchise and international stuff, I feel like it would be well worth it at half price.

As a huge Chucky fanboy... the second half of the season is so much better, and I loved the first half. Season 2 is gonna be a banger.

The lack of hype around it had it sitting on my list for years. We needed a new show and I happened upon an article talking about how season five was the last and that the quality never seemed to dip through the years... so we gave it a shot. WHY DID NO ONE SAY HOW GOOD THIS IS?

The SoA comparison is something I felt right away, too. I think everybody did a great job with it. Ratings aren't great, but it's on STARZ... and like, who even has that as a cable channel? We watched it through the CraveTV app. I am looking forward to seeing what they can do with continuing it. Stephen Amell has a clear passion for the business, and while there are some things in there that are a little over the top or whatever, it's done for dramatic effect because it's a tv series, not a documentary. They treat the business with respect, but still show that even in modern times, it's still cool for the masses to spit on what we love.

Grichuk is the guy you want to try and move in that situation, but it's more likely Gurriel. I believe Gurriel has more team control, and definitely more upside. Grichuk is a masher though, albeit a streaky one. He'll definitely have interest from teams, it's just a matter of whether or not he's enough to get the conversation going on a Jose Ramirez or Matt Chapman trade... or a deal for a starter from a team in need of outfield help and wanting to move pitching money. IF the Jays sign Taylor or anyone else who can play the outfield, I believe fully that Grichuk or Gurriel will be moved very quickly afterward. More likely to be Gurriel, but I don't see Atkins getting fleeced in a deal here either. If the ask from a partner is Gurriel, the return to the Jays is going to be a controllable player who fits a clear need.

With Gausman signed, I feel like the Jays are going to pivot to their infield need and bullpen arms for the time being. The free agent market for starters isn't great considering that they're going to be looking at recent deals to help gauge where they think they should be. Better to wait it out and buy low on a couple potential bounce back arms. But if there's a trade to be had, that makes sense for our needs, I think Atkins will pull the trigger there on a starter or infielder. If they can land Chris Taylor as a free agent, that makes one of their outfielders available to be used to try and pry another starter through trade.

Gausman had interest in Toronto last off-season, but didn't like the uncertainty of leaving San Francisco during the pandemic. I don't think he has those same reservations this year, but I'd still be surprised to see him land in Toronto. Not because he doesn't have interest, as he's frequently stated how much he loves playing there... but we're still in a world where it's entirely possible shit gets worse and the Jays wind up back in the States for a bit. Especially with those pesky aliens from Omicron Persei 8 having just sent us a new variant of the virus.

I am a little bummed to see Matz not returning to the Jays, but there are upgrades to be had, so it is what it is. I don't think he delivers for the Cardinals. I think Matz' success with the Jays was heavily reliant on the coaching staff, much like Robbie Ray. That's one of those things that really makes me proud as a Jays fan... is that the team not only has a great eye at finding reclamation projects with high ceilings... but they've also got the staff there to nurture those guys and give them the opportunity to show that they are better. Pitchers who come through Toronto, who aren't bonafide superstars, and experience success only to leave... they tend to not perform so well outside the confines of the Jays. I think that's a huge testament to the coaching, and I feel like a lot of guys are going to see that as a desirable reason to play in Toronto in the coming years. So, let the market overpay guys.... be aggressive on superstar pursuits... and then use those tools I talked about to find those value deals that Toronto is so very good at finding.

I am into Season 6 of my full-relocation fantasy draft franchise from MLB 20. The World Series winners have come from the west coast all five seasons thus far. The Richmond Impact, Seattle Thunder and Portland Pioneers have all won the trophy so far. The Los Angeles Buccaneers are the first two-time champs, having won the league in year 1 and 5. This is a 30-team control franchise, and I'm playing games at random to ensure no bias toward any one team. I've got rules I use for contract extensions, free agency and who each team may feel is expendable for trades... and it's been pretty solid. It's playing out like I hoped it would, with the great teams tending to stay at the top and the struggling franchises having a hard time getting out of the cellar. I also have a rule that award winners become unmovable. So they won't be traded and they will always be offered a new contract by their team. The only time I let that slide is if a team finishes dead last in the league and has guys with these "no movement clauses". I will allow that team to deal their superstars in exchange for future assets in the off-season only. Because of that rule, the Erie Otters were powerhouses in the first two years of my franchise. Now they're trying desperately to hang in the playoff picture past the all-star break because there are only 3 regular lineup spots that aren't spoken for by the Unmovable's. Of course, they aren't bad enough to tank, but it's been a challenge to supplement their lineup with quality players when the majority of their payroll is eaten up by guys who are delivering severely diminishing returns. Once those guys start retiring, or the Otters stink it up and finish last, they'll probably see a quick turn-around... because they'll have money to be aggressive in free agency, and there are a lot of young prospects in their pipeline who are being blocked by the Unmovable's.

The Rays are gambling here, but it's a smart gamble. Maybe Franco fizzles and they've got $20 million on the books per year... but if he stays consistent and is one of their top players, that $20 million per is going to look like a steal. Should they run into financial issues later on, guaranteed years of Franco at that rate will fetch a huge return. This is smart, aggressive and exciting management.

They should recast him with Ben Schwartz and just never mention anything about it. We finished both seasons, and quite enjoyed them. I'm hoping for more, even if Middleditch returns. I'd prefer that he doesn't, but it won't totally ruin my ability to watch the show. The story of the Wall was brilliant. I loved it, but it wouldn't work on a one episode per week viewing for me. Binging it, I loved those episodes, but if I had to wait a week and got one of those, I'd probably have been disappointed.

If they deliver a game that gives me what I have been hoping for from the series, I'll probably pick it up when it goes half price (because WWE doesn't deserve my money, but I'd like a newer wrestling game to play)... unless the AEW game release is announced and close enough for me to wait.

I waited on Solar Opposites for awhile because Thomas Middleditch is a piece of shit... and it's basically just Rick and Morty anyways... but we are quite enjoying the show. It's been a nice little thing to throw on at the end of the night.

Replying to the discussion point...

Jacob Markstrom has four shutouts in nine games played this season. I am in awe of this Flames team and how they've managed to both improve defensively AND offensively under Sutter. They aren't just winning close shut-down games. They're scoring in bunches. 6-0 over the Rangers last night. Tree and Sutter have definitely put any concerns that I had in the off-season to rest.

The Jays stand to lose Robbie Ray, Steven Matz and Marcus Semien all this off-season. That scares me a little. I know that there will be other guys from other teams who can be had... but Ray and Matz held this team together at times. It's too bad that the value of the dollar will out-weigh the career corrections that these guys have made with Pete Walker and the Jays. As for Semien... dude's gonna get paid. He probably wants to play short again, and he's coming off an absolutely ridiculous season. I know the Jays have money, but they've also gotta start planning for extensions for the young core and filling holes in the roster. Pitching won't be cheap this off-season, but there may be some value to be had in landing one big fish and then filling things out with bargain and/or bounce-back deals. I believe that one of Ray or Matz can be replaced for cheaper, but one of them should absolutely be re-signed to give some insurance to the rotation. My pick: Robbie Ray. I absolutely back the truck up for Semien though. Maybe you front-load the deal so that A- he's easier to move later on, and B- the total dollars committed lessen as the new deals for the core need to be made. He's a true leader though, and by all accounts, just a downright good dude. Priority 1A: Marcus Semien Priority 1B: Robbie Ray

Has anyone played The Walking Dead VR, and is it any good?

Last I heard was that it was actually just an alternate cut of the original trailer.

We aren't quite ten games into the season yet, but the Flames sure are making me eat my words. I didn't think this off-season was good enough, but they're sitting just one point back of Edmonton and they've been playing Darryl Sutter hockey like their lives depend on it. Who knew that putting an emphasis on defense would lead to chasing games a lot less? It's also insane to me that Mangiapane and Lindholm are sitting tied with Ovechkin with seven goals on the year.

I am waiting until I can get my hands on a decent N64 style controller, and then I'll upgrade. 64 games for me, Animal Crossing DLC for the lady.

It has allegedly already filmed. Barker's involvement has me excited, because he's easily one of my favorite authors and I adore his work. In the Hellbound Heart, Pinhead is described as sexless, but feminine... so I am intrigued to see this. It sounds like the people involved have great reverence for the source material.

I still stand by the idea that the Child's Play remake could have been absolutely fine if they got rid of all the references to the franchise and ran with it more as a horror-comedy. It was fine for what it was, but it was completely missing the heart of the franchise. Night Breed is a good shout out. Make sure you get the Director's Cut if you watch it though. So much of Barker's vision was left on the cutting room floor to streamline the film, and it does a real disservice to the narrative. If you like Barker's work, the Hellraiser series is worth a watch. The first four films are kind of their own story, then each sequel after is B-Movie magic. Movies that were written for something else, turned into Hellraiser films. Some of them (like Inferno and Hellworld) work specifically because of how different they are. Inferno, in particular, is one of my favorite entries in the franchise.

For a more empowering female experience, I highly recommend the Soska Sisters' awesome American Mary. Katherine Isabelle, from Ginger Snaps, plays the lead character. Three of my favorite women in horror put together a fantastic flick about a medical student who ends up deep in the underworld of body modification in an effort to exact revenge on shitty fucking men. Also, for a bit of fun, watch Snatchers. That shit was hilarious.

The original Candyman trilogy is on Amazon Prime, at least in Canada. I'm not sure if it's still on Shudder in other countries, but You Might Be the Killer is one of my favorite modern horror flicks. If you liked Cabin in the Woods, it's similar in tone. If you're into cinema verite, the Hell House trilogy is pretty cool. That should be on Shudder. The first two movies are on Amazon Prime. Oh, and Psycho Goreman. It's on Shudder. Balls to the wall hilarious and gross. Good shit.