I read something recently quoting somebody else who said your favorite World Cup (the soccer version) is the one that happens when you’re about 8-13 years old or so, because it’s when things still feel magical but before you grasp how cynical and corrupt FIFA is and how the world is in general.
All that aside, if you appreciate soccer at all, then the World Cup — even this bloated, peace-prize-for-toddler-favors version — is still fun as hell, for the coming together of cultures sharing party moments
in celebration of a stupid game. Scots taking over Fenway Park, Uzbeks bouncing in a small group surrounded by tens of thousands of Colombians. A DR Congo fan standing still for the entirety of each match. Tourney favorite Spain running into Cabo Verde having its 2010 Jaro Halak moment. Jerry Jones keeling over somewhere, hopefully. (No?)
It will for sure pacify me until the NHL draft and free agency begins, at least.
There’s not a whole lot of news on that front just yet, but it’s coming, surely.
(P.S. Thanks to all for the encouraging words on Bear and the fun nerding out on handedness in Wednesday’s thread.)
Islanders News
Hockey’s just around the corner! Sort of not really but kind of. The prospect camp Blue-White scrimmage is on July 1, and maybe Gavin McKenna will be there after we trade Bailey, Donovan and a 5th to get him. [Isles]
Elsewhere
- The Knights have hired their latest coach, promoting their AHL guy. [NHL]
- And in their benevolence, they actually allowed fired coach Bruce Cassidy to talk to one team. [Sportsnet]
- However, that team was the Maple Leafs, who just hired former Kings coach (and Isles assistant) Jim Hiller. Son of Bourne talks himself into thinking that’s a fine hire. [Sportsnet]
- Hiller vows to make the Leafs fun again. [Sportsnet]
- TRADE: Buffalo moved up from 27 to 20 in the draft by sending Michael Kesselring to San Jose. [NHL]
- Jamie Langenbrunner joins the Predators’ new front office. [TSN]
