Neal Livingston - Latest Comments

Re: So Long Motin, Hello Confusion

neallivingston — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:55:01 -0000

Thanks for commenting. You bring up some great points. We've yet to hear the specific details of how the move went down. I can't seem to get a clear cut image of how a contract, even an entry level one, can be voided. So the loan scenario seems more likely. And since it's a loan I have a tendency to think his contract still hits the 50 until it runs the full duration following this season. Hopefully we'll get a full explanation some day soon.

Re: So Long Motin, Hello Confusion

ContractuOil — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:18:05 -0000

Confusion indeed. As far as my understanding of the CBA goes, there's no way for Tambo to "nullify" any part of his contract. He can "loan" Motin to Timra (and have Timra pick up part or all of the tab), but I don't think there is any way of ripping up an SPC.

If there was, I would think that we'd have seen a ticker tape parade for Souray two years ago.

My big question - does tha contract still count against the 50?

Re: The Barons Best – Through Six

neallivingston — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:25:04 -0000

Josh Green indeed has been very strong. Poor man's Giroux - I can live with that. And you pointed out his strengths which are also defensively. That's a nice bonus.

Re: The Barons Best – Through Six

neallivingston — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:24:08 -0000

Thank you for the kind words. I'm motivated purely by insanity. Because what sane person would cover minor league hockey in Oklahoma? LOL

Re: The Barons Best – Through Six

Proxy — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:49:30 -0000

Thanks for posting this Mr. Livingston, it's greatly appreciated. Selfishly glad that your sabbatical was so brief.

Confounds me how people can hold down jobs as sports journalist with trite at best, inane at worst drivel; while here you are cranking out pure quality for whatever it is that motivates you to do this for free.

Re: The Barons Best – Through Six

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:08:28 -0000

Josh Green has been pretty dynamic, imo. He's given OKC exactly what they needed as a C on the 1st line. I think of him as a poor man's Giroux with more drive and consistency. He's not going to score 100 points like Giroux has done in his career, but I definitely see a 70 point season for the big, strong, wing who is playing C. He kills penalties, PP, wins draws, battles, and has leadership qualities.

I hope Tyrvainen's days as the HS is over. He provides something up front that none of the others really can. He's a pest, much like Greg Stewart was last season. I would rather have Tyrvainen on the ice, than House. I like Tanner, but he and Tremblay seem awfully alike, whereas Tyrvainen brings a uniqueness to his game.

Cornet reminds me of RNH in the NHL. Not comparing them really, but Cornet isn't flashy just a quiet player who does everything right. Cornet can't take over the game really like RNH has the skillset to do, but RNH is the kind you think he played a pretty mediocre game and was quiet yet still has a 2 point night. Cornet might be the beneficiary of watching Colin McDonald last season. Scoring many goals in the dirty areas, and will probably be up for a cy young type season like McDonald was (lopsided goal/assist ratio). Cornet is doubtful to pot 40, but if he can keep the pace I think 30 might not be out of the picture.

Re: The Barons Best – Through Six

neallivingston — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:08:08 -0000

Thanks! Appreciate the readership.

Re: The Barons Best – Through Six

dohfOs — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:48:00 -0000

Great stuff Neal

Re: 4 Days Until Barons Hockey – “Anthems”

neallivingston — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:59:03 -0000

It really is a treat to hear O Canada and The Star Spangled Banner on the same night.

Re: 4 Days Until Barons Hockey – “Anthems”

Artful_Puck — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:57:10 -0000

How true!

Re: 8 Days Until Barons Hockey – “The Kids”

Artful_Puck — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 12:29:15 -0000

Absolutely loved seeing the tiny little goalie last night!

Re: 13 Days Until Barons Hockey – “Camp Begins”

neallivingston — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:41:42 -0000

Absolutely agree. Hoping the sample size wasn't too small to be fooled, but both in OKC might be an incredible thing.

Re: 13 Days Until Barons Hockey – “Camp Begins”

dohfOs — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:38:11 -0000

You realize you could get one helluva D-pairing in Potter and Fedun, should they fail to make the Oilers roster. They were outstanding yesterday, can't wait to see more of them.

Re: 24 Days Until Barons Hockey – “Petry”

neallivingston — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 09:21:52 -0000

And to that you might be right. In the moment, Petry is the guy, Teubert is still outside looking in. I'll really have to be impressed with his play at least the first month in Oklahoma City to be proved otherwise.

Re: 24 Days Until Barons Hockey – “Petry”

Anonymous — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:39:02 -0000

Petry will see plenty of games in the NHL this season (whether he starts there or not). I didn't mean that Teubert will be in the NHL before Petry, I meant that by the time Teubert is 23 he will have seen more games in the show than Petry has, imo.

Enjoy reading these tidbits, gets me excited for the upcoming season, keep it up.

Re: 24 Days Until Barons Hockey – “Petry”

neallivingston — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 19:08:14 -0000

As always, thanks for the comments! Appreciate you taking the time to read. In my mind, and what I've seen on the ice, Petry is ready NOW for the NHL. He does have a nice offensive bend to his game, but his speed, and smarts have me convinced he's the next Oilers defender to emerge permanently from the minors.

Teubert, by comparison, seems to have too many question marks. Mainly, "What type of defender is he going to be?". Even after the tourney in Penticton I feel a tad underwhelmed by him.

He may shock us all during training camp, and I wish the best for both defenders.

Thanks again for commenting.

Re: 24 Days Until Barons Hockey – “Petry”

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:57:58 -0000

Petry is not as young as most would think, so I think he'll need to start making strides. His game from an offensive stand point is nice, but he's pretty brutal on D. Him being a -6 on a good Barons team is pretty eye opening (not in a good way). He needs to become a much better two zone player. I don't get how you can call out Teubert saying he needs to make some real strides when he is THREE years younger than Petry. Teubert will never have the offensive flare that Petry has, but is much more sound in the D zone and tougher than Petry is. I'd be willing to bet that Teubert will break in to the NHL at a much earlier age than Petry, and it's not just because Petry went the college route.

Re: Albums Of My Youth: Third Eye Blind 1997

neallivingston — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:21:15 -0000

Lol! An ETW post is forthcoming. :)

Re: Albums Of My Youth: Third Eye Blind 1997

Debbieglivingston — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:54:29 -0000

You forgot to mention you were listening to this in your MC Hammer parachute pants- or was that your ETW phase?

Re: The City Responds To Barons Year One

neallivingston — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:47:24 -0000

Thanks for commenting. The city and Prodigal both were fine financially solid in season one. As Mr. Anderson elluded to, the cities contract for the arena lease was inexpensive enough that things would have to be really bad for financial concerns to arise. But long term the numbers will need to increase for both the league and the Oilers to see value in the off–ice relationship. Once again, that will start to rear its ugly head in the next two seasons.

Re: The City Responds To Barons Year One

Guest — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 16:28:02 -0000

Yea I agree that this is premature, but can't help but ask the question. However, avg. 4,000/game there is no way that they lost much money, if any at all. If 4,150 doesn't cut you even then you have problems. Playoffs last season was rough. AHL playoffs vs. NBA playoffs, hands down we know who's going to win. We were basically competing with the Thunder as we were the only team with an NBA team in the playoffs at same time, which rightfully so we lost. I found it interesting that we did have the lowest avg, but we didn't have the lowest attendance night. That came from Manchester, so atleast we're consistent. :) Look at past playoffs and you'll see that it's not uncommon for few teams only to be in the 2,000s so as you can see I'm still optimistic.

Re: The City Responds To Barons Year One

neallivingston — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 09:05:30 -0000

I hope we see Danish become a great vet leader that every AHL team needs. We loved Martin Gerber last season, and Danis will have big shoes to fill. Thanks for commenting. Come again.

Re: The City Responds To Barons Year One

Chasingthecheckers — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:44:30 -0000

Yann Danis was a favorite of mine during his early years in the AHL, specifically the year he played for Hamilton and won the Calder Cup. He carried the team all season, and was stellar between the pipes, but had the starting position robbed from him the day Carey Price's Jr. hockey career was over in the WHL. I can't wait to see him this season when my team meets yours!

Re: Little Big Town & The Best Cover of 2011

neallivingston — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 08:41:11 -0000

thanks for commenting. the best part about little big town is their refusal to be anything but a talented, country foursome. no pop crossover, just great music.

Re: Little Big Town & The Best Cover of 2011

minnie swirl — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 02:24:26 -0000

Everything I thought about this cover is exactly what you said above. It is flawless. I love Little Big Town and it kills me when I see lesser acts play arenas while LBT is opening for some artists who are not nearly as good as them. They have a large repertoire of stellar songs and their live performances are amazing, yet I have to watch Lady A win Grammys. Embarrassingly underrated, indeed.