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Cross Checks: Ray Whitney
Nieuwendyk back in NHL, others maybe not
But Nieuwendyk needed a year away to recalibrate after being fired as general manager of the Dallas Stars following the 2012-13 season, spending some time with his family, before taking on his next challenge.
His next gig will allow him to stay in Dallas with his family while at the same time reconnecting with the NHL.
"I enjoyed my year with helping my son's hockey team, and now I can continue to do that," Nieuwendyk told ESPN.com this week after being named pro scout/adviser to Carolina Hurricanes GM Ron Francis.
"I had breakfast with Ronnie in the spring and we continued to talk during the summer. I have a lot of respect for Ron,'' Nieuwendyk said. "I played with him on the Leafs in '04, and we have mutual friends who work for him in Carolina. It just feels like something I wanted to do and hopefully I can help him any which way I can.''
When Jay Feaster was fired as GM in Calgary last season, rumors -- well-founded ones -- spread that Flames president of hockey operations Brian Burke had great interest in bringing former Flames star Nieuwendyk in as Feaser's replacement.
While Nieuwendyk has never talked publicly about that specific possibility, it is clear he's not ready yet to jump back into that demanding lifestyle of running an NHL team.
His new job with the Hurricanes will provide the best of both worlds: a link to NHL management and the chance to continue to help coach his 12-year-old's hockey team and spend time with his three kids in Dallas.
"This gives me an opportunity to stay involved in the game, being part of upper management conversations with Ronnie,'' Nieuwendyk said. "I think that's a good role for me at this point. I love helping my son's team out; that's been a lot of fun.
"I'll be based in Dallas, I'll see games here and keep an eye on the Western Conference a little bit for Ronnie,'' Nieuwendyk added. ``A big part of this, though, will be just to have to some real good conversations with Ron. I know he doesn't have a deep staff. So any time I can be a sounding board for him, he's probably going to go through a lot of the same things I went through as a (rookie) GM. We just have a good relationship. He's a sharp guy and a classy guy, I think he's going to be fine.''
The Bruins' cap challenges
The Bruins remain cap-challenged on the eve of training camp and it's likely they'll move a body or two over the next month or so to give themselves some breathing room.
That's a must when you consider that restricted free agents Reilly Smith and Torey Krug remain unsigned. Plus there's the fact Boston's getting dinged $4.7 million in cap carryover bonus overages from last season.
It's a good bet a trade happens here at some point sooner rather than later. From chatting to sources around the league this week, the names we keep hearing that the Bruins are listening on are defensemen Johnny Boychuk ($3.36 million cap hit), Adam McQuaid ($1.56 million) and Matt Bartkowski ($1.25 million). All three are unrestricted free agents a year from now.
The Bruins likely have a pretty good idea from chatting to teams all summer long what deals they can make for either of those players. The question now is which one or two they can live without, leaving them with the best possible group intact.
The end for Whitney?
Is the Wizard nearing retirement? Tough to tell at this point but it's possible Ray Whitney has played his last NHL game.
"I'm not sure yet, and I'm not really tipping my hand one way or the other,'' Whitney told ESPN.com on Thursday. "I'm in shape, I'm skating, but I'm not too worried. There's obviously limitations to where I would go, but I'm not out there searching for anything, either.''
The sense at this point is that if a team calls, he'll listen, but he's not ordering his agent J.P. Barry to drop everything, either.
"I won't continue to skate for much longer," Whitney said quite candidly. "My interest in playing drops with each week that I don't get something, so I won't be pressing too much.''
The 42-year-old had 32 points (9-23) in 69 games with the Dallas Stars last season, although it was clear he wasn't a fit there anymore. He did put up nearly a point a game in the lockout season just the year before and had 77 points (24-53) in 82 games with the Arizona Coyotes in 2011-12. He can surely help somebody's power play.
Just a guess here, but given that Whitney and his wife and kids live in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Coyotes are probably one of the teams he'd be open to signing with. However, a source told ESPN.com that Arizona does not have any interest.
Hopefully Whitney catches on with another club, but if this is the end, what a career it's been. He won a Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006 and totaled 1,064 points (385-679) in 1,330 career regular-season games with San Jose, Edmonton, Florida, Columbus, Detroit, Carolina, Arizona and Dallas.
Bertuzzi's focus back on ice
Now that Todd Bertuzzi's settlement with Steve Moore is signed, sealed and delivered, his camp can focus on hockey matters.
With the possibility of a trial this fall keeping Bertuzzi occupied in recent months, there really wasn't any point in trying to talk to NHL teams about the UFA winger this summer.
But now that a trial has been avoided, Bertuzzi's agent, Pat Morris of Newport Sports, told ESPN.com Friday that his client hopes to catch on with an NHL team.
"Todd wants to continue playing," Morris said. "He's skating and is in great shape. A lawsuit is no longer an issue. We'll see what transpires in the coming weeks."
Easier said than done, of course. The 39-year-old was limited to 16 points (9-7) in 59 games last season in Detroit and that comes after the lockout year in which he played only seven games because of injury.
But Morris says Bertuzzi is skating and is ready to go. It won't be back in Detroit, though, where the Wings have a plethora of forwards and are still waiting to hear on whether Daniel Alfredsson.
Rumblings: Callahan, Kadri coming up in trade talk; Pens have extra D-men
The chatter has picked up this week as NHL teams prepare more and more for not only the March 5 trade deadline, but also the Feb. 7 Olympic trade freeze.
"There's definitely more talking going on," one team executive told ESPN.com Monday night.
"Some of the bubble/lower teams have begun to share their lists of players they might move if they fall out of it."
The question is how much will actually happen before next Friday's (Feb. 7) 3 p.m. ET Olympic trade freeze.
There are so many teams right up against the salary cap, which handcuffs some trades.
"Because of that, I still think most of the action, like 90 percent of it, happens after the Olympics, closer to March," said one player agent who has a player or two who likely will be on the move.
One player whose name I would have never predicted to even possibly be in the mix before the season is that of New York Rangers captain Ryan Callahan.
But he's a pending UFA July 1 and so far contract talks have not gone well at all, a source told ESPN.com Tuesday.
All of which led to some rumblings that the Rangers are exploring the trade market in case talks don't produce a contract extension before the March 5 trade deadline. My colleague Darren Dreger also reported on Callahan's trade possibility during our Insider Trading segment Tuesday evening on TSN in Canada.
You can imagine the reaction when Rangers GM Glen Sather called some teams over the past week to inform them that Callahan might be available.
"That's a pretty big name," one Western Conference source said.
Still, it seems hard to fathom Callahan moving, but it appears the Rangers are intent to not lose such a prized asset for nothing July 1 if they can't get him signed. So the clock is ticking.
Stay tuned ...
Boyle's futureThe Sharks and Dan Boyle's camp chatted over the weekend in the wake of the Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton signings, but I would certainly not say a deal is close as of now, although talks are ongoing.
Boyle remains the one veteran name who's unsigned in San Jose, as my colleague Craig Custance detailed in his Monday blog.
What I can gather at this point is the Sharks point to the 35-and-over rule (where deals count against the cap even if a player can't complete it) and have suggested that a one-year deal makes the most sense. It's what players in their late 30s have done in the past (such as Nicklas Lidstrom and Daniel Alfredsson).
But Boyle, I believe, wants a two-year deal at this point and feels he can probably play another three or four years of good hockey. And when you watch him play right now, you certainly can't disagree with that. He remains a high-end force.
In the end, I can see both viewpoints.
We'll see how it plays out ...
Kadri trade rumorsHard to believe that Nazem Kadri can ignore the trade rumors that have circulated for the past two months, but that's exactly what the Toronto Maple Leafs center has tried to do.
It may very well be that he never goes anywhere, but it's a fact that other teams have called to inquire about him, which has led to the speculation in the NHL's biggest hockey media market.
"I kind of just forget about it, I've been around long enough to not listen to speculation," Kadri told ESPN.com after Tuesday's morning skate. "The amount of guys that have been on the trading block the last few years and nothing ended up happening, that's just crazy to me. So I just ignore it and go about my business."
No question he simply does not want to leave.
"Absolutely not. I've grown a lot of friendships and relationships here on this team, I'm close to a lot of guys. It would suck to leave. That's why I'm trying to contribute as much I can to make them want me here," Kadri said.
Pens' blue lineThe Penguins organization is loaded with depth on defense, which also means Pittsburgh has decisions to make.
Whether the Pens make some of those decisions before the March 5 trade deadline or wait until the offseason depends probably on how hard other teams make them think with potential offers for one or two of their blueliners.
They've got free-agent decisions to make, too, on defense with Team USA Olympian Brooks Orpik as well as Matt Niskanen -- both UFA eligible July 1. Niskanen is having a terrific year.
There are youngsters in the AHL such as Simon Despres, Brian Dumoulin and Philip Samuelsson, as well as junior star prospect Derrick Pouliot, among others.
At least one if not two youngsters need NHL jobs next season, but there isn't room for everyone.
So it certainly would not be surprising to see the Pens deal a kid away before March 5 to get a winger with Pascal Dupuis out for the season.
But the blue line will need shaking out past this season heading into next year.
I am curious about one thing: I wonder if there won't be a few teams calling on Kris Letang. It just so happens that Letang's new extension kicks in next season and his salary will more than double from $3.5 million this season to $7.25 million next year, the first in an eight-year, $58 million deal he signed last summer.
Now, I am not saying the Pens are thinking of shopping him, in fact I have heard zero evidence of that being the case. But what I can see happening is another team making an offer thinking the Pens are so loaded on defense organizationally and need to find money to re-sign Niskanen and/or Orpik, plus make room for the likes of Despres next season. ...
You can see how another team might be thinking it might be worth making an offer to Pittsburgh on Letang ahead of the June NHL draft. Food for thought.
Stars' Whitney on rental listAnother rental name to remember before the March 5 trade deadline is pending UFA Ray Whitney of the Dallas Stars.
The 41-year-old winger has a modified no-trade clause, but I think he'd welcome a change to a contender if the Stars fall out of it.
Right now, Dallas intends to see how things go before the Olympic break and then decide based on where the Stars are in the standings what the organization will do with some of their its, including Whitney.
Imagine that: Jackets, Stars still in mix
Johnson was taking time before the Blue Jackets boarded their flight to Dallas, where they will play one of the most important games in the 13-year history of the franchise.
Did the defenseman stay up late the previous night to watch the Stars and Sharks play in San Jose?
Nope, Johnson said, explaining that because of the time change, he was in bed and waited until the morning to find out that the Stars had allowed two goals in a 30-second span in the third period en route to a 3-2 loss.
Surely the Blue Jackets were planning to gather en masse to root for the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night when they visited the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena?
Well, Johnson said, he supposed if the game was on in the restaurant where they went for dinner, they'd keep an eye on the score. And of course guys would be keeping up to date on the game with their smartphones.
But as for gathering in one giant circle of nail-biting hockey players sticking pins in their Red Wings voodoo dolls ... uh, no.
That game, won impressively by the Red Wings 3-1, was beyond the control of the Blue Jackets.
Thursday's game in Dallas? That's something they can control.
"We're all very aware of what needs to happen for us and what's going on," Johnson said.
But, he added, "we have to win our last two games. At the end of the day, that's all we can control."
Detroit's win moved the Red Wings ahead of Columbus into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with 52 points, one more than the Blue Jackets. The Minnesota Wild are still in the mix, one point ahead of Detroit, while Dallas (48 points) has the biggest challenge of those still in the hunt for a postseason berth.
All four teams have two games remaining, including Thursday's now-monster clash between Columbus and Dallas in Big D. The fact that both the Stars and Blue Jackets can still discuss the postseason at this late date is something of a minor miracle and adds an upbeat backdrop to the game.
The Stars have missed the playoffs in four straight seasons, and when general manager Joe Nieuwendyk dealt veterans Derek Roy, Jaromir Jagr and Brenden Morrow during the trade deadline period -- all of whom were set to become unrestricted free agents this summer -- it appeared the team was conceding that this would mark five in a row without a postseason game.
But role players such as Vernon Fiddler and Cody Eakin, who came to Dallas in the Mike Ribeiro trade last summer, have provided key production, while veteran Ray Whitney, back from injury, has rewarded the Stars' faith (they signed the soon-to-be 41-year-old to a two-year deal last summer) with much-needed leadership. Goalie Kari Lehtonen, also just back from an injury, has been solid as the Stars have kept a playoff drive alive far longer than expected.
Going 0-2-1 on their current road trip means the Stars' margin for error is zero, but they play at home Saturday night against the Red Wings, and if they can beat Columbus and get some help from the Nashville Predators, who play both Detroit and Columbus, perhaps it will mean something -- indeed, everything.
Columbus, on the other hand, was again trending toward a top draft pick in another desultory season that included the introduction of new team president John Davidson and the midseason firing of GM Scott Howson, who was replaced by Jarmo Kekalainen.
Suddenly the culture around the team shifted and coach Todd Richards began to receive consistent, hardworking performances from a hard-skating, forechecking team that might be short on flash but is long on grit. That, coupled with all-world goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky, now a front-runner for the Vezina Trophy and a dark horse to win the Hart Trophy as league MVP, has seen the Blue Jackets go 17-5-4 since the beginning of March.
"We've got a lot of new faces here, and we really wanted to make sure the mindset and the goals of the team changed," said Johnson, who became a Blue Jacket at last year's trade deadline, when he was acquired from Los Angeles in a deal that saw Jeff Carter go to the Kings.
In the past, the goal seemed to be about getting into the playoffs, but that seemed shortsighted, Johnson said.
"Your goal should be to win the Stanley Cup because, truthfully, if you don't win the Cup, you haven't won anything," he said.
So the Blue Jackets, who have qualified for the playoffs just once in franchise history and were swept in that appearance, started thinking big, not letting a big deficit in the standings affect their level of play.
"I'm sure some teams didn't take us seriously that should have," Johnson said. "I wouldn't trade this group of guys in our room for anything."
After Thursday's game, the Blue Jackets close out their season Saturday at home against Nashville. If they don't beat Dallas, that game may become meaningless vis à vis the playoffs, but that's something to think about after Thursday.
For a team used to slinking out of regular seasons and trying to sell fans on the promise of something better down the road, there is a new excitement surrounding this late-season push.
"There's a buzz around the city," Johnson said. "It's been a long time since they've had these kinds of meaningful games."
Need to know: Wings aren't finished just yet
This season has seen the Wings in as difficult a situation as we can recall in terms of keeping that playoff streak alive, what with the departure of future Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom to retirement and veteran Brad Stuart to free agency and a host of injuries to the remaining blue-liners. But as the final week of the regular season began Monday, the Red Wings served notice that, hello, they're still the Red Wings, so hold off on the eulogies at least for a bit.
The Wings scored three power-play goals en route to a must-have 4-0 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes at Joe Louis Arena. The win didn't guarantee a postseason berth for Detroit; in fact, it didn't even push the Wings back into the top eight in the Western Conference. But it did put the Wings back in control of their destiny. They are one point behind the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild, who are in 8th and 7th, respectively. The Wings have three games remaining, as do the Wild, while Columbus has just two. Win out and the Wings are guaranteed an invite to the playoff dance once again.
Now, one big win does not blot out the issues that have plagued the Wings for most of the season. First, they have been unable to get into a real groove when it's mattered, failing to win back-to-back games in nearly a month. The offense has been spotty at best, and Monday's outpouring of goals was the first time Detroit scored more than three times since March 22. On Monday, the Wings relied heavily on the heroics of netminder Jimmy Howard, who recently signed a six-year contract extension. Howard stopped all 34 Phoenix shots, including 12 in the first when the Coyotes outshot Detroit 12-4 but closed out the period down 2-0.
Howard will need to be stellar down the stretch, as the Wings' final three games don't represent any kind of walk in the park. Detroit will host the Los Angeles Kings, who are still battling for home-ice advantage in the first round, and the lowly Nashville Predators on Wednesday and Thursday before visiting the Dallas Stars in their regular-season finale Saturday. The Stars have three games remaining, as well, and were just two points behind Detroit, setting up a potential winner-take-all dynamic for Game 48.
As for the Coyotes, Monday's loss virtually erases any shot at making the playoffs for a fourth straight season. It seems inevitable that last year's Western Conference finalists will join last year's Eastern Conference finalists, the New Jersey Devils, on the sideline as this wacky, shortened season winds its way to a conclusion. Just as the Devils were unable to overcome the loss of Zach Parise to free agency, the Coyotes likewise sorely missed the veteran presence and timely scoring of Ray Whitney, who -- not coincidentally -- has been a catalyst for Dallas as the Stars have stayed in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Need to know: Stars showing signs of life
Funny how the expected can suddenly get turned on its ear in the push for a playoff berth.
A week ago, after the trade deadline had passed and the Dallas Stars had sold off three key pieces of today for a bunch of tomorrows, they were whipped 5-2 by the Anaheim Ducks. Fair enough. The Ducks are a good team, running away with the Pacific Division and gearing up for the postseason, while the Stars had apparently turned their attention to looking at some kids and starting to think about next fall.
But since that loss a funny thing has happened to the Stars. Instead of simply playing out the string after GM Joe Nieuwendyk moved captain Brenden Morrow, Derek Roy and Jaromir Jagr in the days leading up to the April 3 deadline, the Stars have won three straight. Tuesday night, Dallas overcame the loss of netminder Kari Lehtonen early in the game to a "lower body" injury and scored four times in the third period en route to a 5-1 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings.
Ray Whitney, one of several pieces brought in last offseason to help catapult the Stars into the playoffs after four straight seasons out of the postseason mix, scored twice. So did journeyman Vernon Fiddler as the Stars look to the collective to keep their playoff dreams alive. The win moved Dallas into ninth place in the Western Conference, two points behind the Detroit Red Wings with nine games left for each team.
The loss of Lehtonen would be a backbreaker, at least in theory, although coach Glen Gulutzan described the injury as mild. Richard Bachman came on in relief, and while the youngster has struggled in a limited role this season with Lehtonen playing the bulk of the games, he was impressive, stopping 22 shots in 45:42 of play.
The road doesn't get any easier for the Stars. Of their nine remaining games, seven are against teams that are currently above them in the standings.
But maybe the schedule-maker knew something we didn't, because Dallas closes out the regular season April 27 at home against the Red Wings. After the trade deadline, many folks figured that would simply be another in a line of meaningless contests for a Dallas team that already was imagining next season. Might still turn out to be that way, but credit the Stars for giving us pause and for not playing to type.
Whitney: NHL behaving like 'bullies'
A veteran of four NHL work stoppages -- three owners' lockouts and one players' strike -- the 40-year-old winger has seen this same old movie too many times.
"We have to stop the cycle of work stoppages," Whitney told ESPN.com on Friday. "It kills the game. And I'm not saying this to kiss up to them, but it's not fair to the fans."
As popular a teammate you'll find in the game, Whitney has spent most of his career in nontraditional hockey markets, places such as San Jose, Florida, Columbus, Carolina, Phoenix, and now, Dallas.
The damage that the lockout causes in places like that just makes his head spin.
And for what, he wonders.
"To be out this long, for a game that was thriving, to be doing this kind of damage to the league makes no sense to us as players," said Whitney. "To me, it just shows a lack of respect for the game by the people in charge. They're not really hockey people, they didn't grow up loving the game of hockey."
Fired up and yet measured in his comments, Whitney is indeed frustrated.
"They're like schoolyard bullies right now; they want everything. That's not negotiating," he said. "With us coming down to 50-50 [split of revenues], I don't see the need for this to go as long as this has."
Like me, however, Whitney sees a deal that can be made.
"I don't think it's far apart at all, in fact I think it can be done in one afternoon," said Whitney, before building up to a laugh. "I'd stuff them all in a room and tell them they can't come out until it's done. And we're not sending any food, either."
It's been a whirlwind week. The NHLPA's latest offer was for the most part rejected by the league, which caused anger among the players. Then veteran blueliner Roman Hamrlik made headlines by calling out NHLPA executive director Don Fehr.
"Obviously he's frustrated, but I don't think it's fair for him to be making those comments from the other side of the ocean," Whitney said of Hamrlik. "He should be over here in the meetings if he wants to know what's really happening.
"But I also know you'd hear comments like that from the other side too, from owners, if it wasn't for the gag order. They're equally frustrated. It's frustrating for everybody."
Fact is, Whitney said, there's no reason for any player not to have a firm grasp of the facts right now.
"Over my three lockouts, this is by far the most informed we've been as players and a union."
In the meantime, there's been increased chatter among players about the merits of union decertification, something NBA players did last year to put pressure on owners.
"It's going to have to be somewhat of a reality at some point," Whitney said of the possibility of decertification. "We have to look at all our options to increase our leverage. We'll talk about that and decide what's best for us. ...
"What has the league given us in this deal so far other than a kick in the shorts? And they want us to keep giving? At some point we'll have to do something to put a bit more pressure on them."
Whitney understands that going down from 57 percent of the revenue pie to 50 percent was a reality players would have to likely accept after what happened in the NFL and NBA labor deals last season. But like many players, he's frustrated by the league's insistence on a number of changes to player contracting rights.
"It's not fair, to be honest," said Whitney.
Agreeing with Fehr, Whitney said the league's demands on contracting rights would lead to too restrictive a system, especially with demands such as a five-year limit on contracts and a 5 percent salary variation ceiling.
"There are some incredibly smart GMs out there, guys like Ken Holland and Lou Lamoriello," said Whitney. "They're not allowed to say anything but what the league is trying to do now is say, 'We don't trust you GMs, we want to put in a system that tells you how to run your teams now. We're going to cut your legs out. Kenny, I know you've got a genius mind when it comes to contracts and maneuvering things, but we're not going to allow that anymore. We're going to make it so the worst GM in the league can compete with you because your hands are tied.'"
To be fair, the league is looking to tighten up the system because costs got out of control in the last CBA, especially on the players' second contracts, which is why the league wants to push UFA to eight years service or 28 years old and why the league is seeking changes to salary arbitration.
Whitney understands the owners need some fixes, but he just wants a fair deal, not an agreement that will crush his side.
"Otherwise, we'll just be in another work stoppage in five years, which makes no sense," said Whitney. "All of this makes no sense. We could have been playing a long time ago."
You make the call: The results
Best player over 40?I understand why write-in candidate Nicklas Lidstrom got so many votes. It is hard to imagine the Red Wings taking the ice without him, and, if he plays, he must be a front-runner for MVP of the Wings-Leafs alumni games.
But I didn't include him in the final results for which player over 40 will have the best 2012-13 season.
The results: 1. Teemu Selanne. 2. Martin Brodeur. 3. Jaromir Jagr. 4. Ray Whitney.
It was a tight race between Selanne and Brodeur, but Jagr and Whitney weren't even close.
The Finnish Flash gets my vote mostly because I thought the video announcing his return was funny. But he also played all 82 games last season -- registering 26 goals and 66 points -- and has scored at least 25 goals in six of his past seven seasons. If the Ducks start next season like they finished this past season, Selanne should have a good year.
Brodeur's 2012-13 season may end up looking like a down year just because of the success the Devils had this past postseason. It is hard to follow up a run to the Stanley Cup finals unless you go on to win the Cup, and I don't expect the Devils to be playing in June now that Zach Parise has left for Minnesota. A short offseason also can't help the 40-year-old goaltender.
Poor Ray Whitney came in last, but it is tough when you are put in a group with guys named Selanne, Brodeur and Jagr. He had a good regular season, but a not-so-great postseason with the Coyotes last season. He'll likely help the Stars this season, but that team is about the future, so Whitney's and Jagr's greatest contributions will be in the locker room.
Best unrestricted free agent still available?Most of you didn't disagree with Craig Custance's rankings and put Alexander Semin and Shane Doan at the top of your list of available free agents.
The general consensus was that you wanted Semin's talent and Doan's leadership.
"Doan for leadership, experience, and as a complete player. Semin for scoring."
-- Stephen Penko
"I'd have to say Semin, [Andrei] Kostitsyn, and Doan are the best still out there, in my opinion. Any team that is able to pick one of these guys up is going to do well, given that they don't pay through the nose for them. If Semin gets his issues hammered out and a team can get him for a good price, he could be a steal this offseason."
-- LonghornChamps1021
"Shane Doan should either stay in Phoenix or sign with Winnipeg. Playing in any other city would just be wrong."
-- Claven5577
Caption This!We asked you to write the best caption for this photo of Dustin Brown at the premiere of The Amazing Spider-Man, and here are a few of our favorites:
-- Conrad_McLovin
"Spider-Man jumped on the Kings bandwagon."
-- Dan Moore
"Did the Kings sign Spider-Man as a free agent?"
-- Daniel Clarke
"The Cup goes Hollywood!"
-- Brian Gayfield
"I always feel like somebody's watching me."
-- TheBigPavelski
"Spidey is an angry Devils fan too."
-- Nathan Anderson
"Dustin off the cob webs."
-- Kurt J. Draper
"My spidey sense tells me I'm about to have a serious dustin' with the great Lord Stanley."
-- Matthew Morgan
This post is all about you, so let us know what you think and what you want to talk about. Share your thoughts on Facebook or on Twitter @ESPN_NHL or @sarahgold8.
You make the call: Best player over 40?
Selanne, who just turned 42 on July 3, signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Ducks.
Apparently that is the going rate for the 40-and-up club. Martin Brodeur (Devils) and Ray Whitney (Stars) both signed two-year, $9 million contracts, and Dallas also gave Jaromir Jagr $4.5 million for one season.
Daniel Alfredsson hasn't made a decision about next season and Tomas Holmstrom hasn't signed yet, but both guys would turn 40 in the middle of the season if they return -- and assuming the season isn't washed out by CBA negotiations.
So the question remains, which guy will have the best season in 2012-13?
Martin Brodeur: 1191 GP, 656 wins, 371 loses, 36 OTL, 2.23 GAA, .913 save percentage
Jaromir Jagr: 1346 GP, 665 goals, 988 assists, 1653 points
Teemu Selanne: 1341 GP, 663 goals, 743 assists, 1406 points
Ray Whitney: 1229 GP, 365 goals, 638 assists, 1003 points
Make your pick for the best guy over 40 in the comments field, on Facebook or on Twitter @ESPN_NHL or @sarahgold8.
(I know there are a few guys I didn't name, so feel free to nominate players not listed here.)
Stars make first splash with Ray Whitney
While the big fish continued to swim free in the free-agency waters Sunday afternoon, it was Joe Nieuwendyk and the Dallas Stars that made the first significant splash of free agency by inking ageless winger Ray Whitney to a two-year deal worth a total of $9 million.
Whitney turned 40 during the playoffs and his productivity declined precipitously as he registered only two goals and five assists in 17 postseason games as his Phoenix Coyotes made a surprise run to the Western Conference finals.
But Whitney was almost a point-a-game guy during the regular season for the Yotes, with 24 goals and 77 points, tied for 12th overall in the NHL.
Eight of those goals and 20 points came while the Coyotes were on the power play, and that is no doubt an attractive quality to Nieuwendyk, who traded scoring center Mike Ribeiro to the Washington Capitals during draft weekend and will be looking to replace some of Ribeiro's power-play production. Ribeiro had 63 points last season, with 15 on the power play.
While Whitney's age will be a factor in whether this deal works out in favor for the Stars, there is no doubt the Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, native represents the kind of change in culture that Nieuwendyk is hoping to achieve in the Dallas locker room.
Whitney, who won a Stanley Cup in Carolina in 2006, will be counted on to act as a kind of mentor to young offensive stars such as Jamie Benn, Eric Nystrom and Cody Eakin (who came over from Washington in the Ribeiro deal). He also has the puck-moving skills to continue to help the young Dallas forwards maximize their potential.
As for the Coyotes, they moved quickly to fill the hole created by Whitney's absence by signing former Calgary Flames winger David Moss to a two-year deal.
The 30-year-old has 20-goal potential -- he scored 17 goals two years ago and 20 in 2008-09 -- and everyone who plays under former coach of the year Dave Tippett has a way of producing at the top end of their skill set.
Coach happy to get new starDallas head coach Glen Gulutzan was sitting in his vehicle in Saskatchewan hoping the rain would clear so he and his family could get back to a fast-pitch tournament in which they were entered. But he took time out to describe how happy he was to learn that Whitney would be on his bench and not wreaking havoc on the Stars in a Phoenix jersey.
"He was a thorn in our side last year," Gulutzan told ESPN.com late Sunday afternoon.
Entering his second season as a head coach, Gulutzan will sit down and talk with Whitney and new assistant coach Curt Fraser, who was hired away from the Detroit Red Wings' organization this offseason, about the best role for Whitney to play.
"He's such a cerebral player and a real professional from what I've been told," Gulutzan said.
"I think it's a good step forward for what we're trying to do in Dallas."
The fact Whitney is a right-handed shot should provide a new wrinkle to a Stars power play that ranked dead last in the league last season, the coach said.
As for hitting to the opposite field with power, Gulutzan said there wasn't much chance of that happening even if the skies did clear in Saskatchewan.
Rumblings: Sellers starting to emerge
An unrestricted free agent July 1, he could be on the move if the Coyotes fall out of the playoff race over the next two weeks.
Sources have told ESPN.com that Boston, San Jose and the New York Rangers covet the slick playmaker.
The tricky part is that Whitney has a no-move clause that calls for him to list eight teams to which he'd be willing to be traded. A source told ESPN.com on Thursday that that conversation had yet to happen, which makes sense since the Coyotes remain very much in the playoff race at this point.
Still, a name worth keeping an eye on.
The New York Islanders are on a roll, and the last thing on their mind right now is the thought of being sellers come trade deadline day. They believe they've got a shot at a playoff spot in the East and that's their only focus at this point.
"Yeah, we have a lot of belief in that locker room," Isles GM Garth Snow told ESPN.com Wednesday. "Within the last few weeks, we've really turned it up a notch as a team. Our specialty teams have improved. We're just looking forward to the next game."
Veteran netminder Evgeni Nabokov has been lights-out of late. He's slated for unrestricted free agency July 1, which is why his name is often floated in trade rumors, but that's not what Snow has in mind at this point.
"We have no intention of moving Evgeni," Snow said. "He's been great for us. His performance speaks for itself."
There haven't been any contract talks between the Islanders and Nabokov's camp, but it's not out of the question down the road.
"Yeah, we'd consider all options, we're just not at that point yet," said Snow. "We just finished [signing] Frans [Nielsen] and we obviously have a few other players who are unrestricted free agents in July, so we'll just chip away at them."
Among those other UFAs-to-be is forward P.A. Parenteau. Talks have begun there but still no deal.
"We've been having a dialogue with his agent and we'll see where it goes," Snow said.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will play in Detroit for the Winter Classic next Jan. 1, the first step in what they hope is hosting one.
"We would definitely want to, the league knows we want to host it one day," Tom Anselmi, the COO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, told ESPN.com Thursday. "We'd like to host it either in conjunction or in the lead-up to our 100-year anniversary. But obviously we need to figure out the building issue."
The 20,000-seat BMO Field, where MLS team Toronto FC plays, is the most likely site for an outdoor NHL game in Toronto. But 20,000 seats won't cut it. The Leafs would need to expand the stadium, perhaps only temporarily, to have any chance at hosting a game.
Anselmi also reiterated the Leafs' desire to host the NHL Entry Draft and the NHL All-Star Game somewhere around or leading up to the club's centennial anniversary, which is in 2017.
Ottawa's slide down the standings has certainly tied the hands of GM Bryan Murray. He can't commit to being a buyer or seller at this point with his team on the playoff bubble.
"The one thing we have is a plan going forward, we think we know that we have some young kids coming that are valuable and we're not going to trade them," Murray told ESPN.com earlier this week. "We'll see if there's anything that makes sense, but in all likelihood it's status quo at the moment, anyway."
In a perfect world, if the Senators can climb back up the standings over the next two weeks and gain more comfort from the danger zone, they'll look to add a forward.
"We'll see, we'll let it play out here," Murray said. "If we bounce back, we may have to make a different decision. But at the moment, we're just going to hold and see if we can get our better players to play better."
Murray hasn't sat on his hands over the past month, though.
"I did make a couple of calls," Murray said. "I found out an approximate price. It's not cheap. I don't know how many trades there are going to be this year, but the people selling are going to have high demands. It sounds like that anyway."
Based on what I'm hearing from other teams, it would appear more and more that if the Ducks were going to move one of their big guys, it would likely happpen in the offseason.
You never say never, because the Ducks could get an offer for Bobby Ryan they just can't refuse before Feb. 27, but the prevailing thought around the league is that if the Ducks decide to move a big chip like Ryan or Ryan Getzlaf -- and that remains an if -- the offseason presents a better opportunity to involve more teams in the mix.
Just like the Flyers did with Mike Richards and Jeff Carter last June.
Besides, the Ducks are on a roll right now, so they haven't given up on the season.
Top offensive blueliner Lubomir Visnovsky could still move before Feb. 27, however, although the Ducks aren't giving him away. He's not a rental player, he's got another year on his deal, so Anaheim will move Visnovsky only in a traditional hockey deal, not a rental deal where it gets a bucket of pucks.
The interesting part about Visnovsky is that while his cap hit for next year remains at $5.6 million, pretty hefty, his actual salary drops to $3 million, so that might interest some teams.
Niklas Hagman (UFA July 1) is getting some nibbles as well. He's a versatile player and your typical depth forward, rental addition.
The Leafs would have preferred to have made their deal by now. GM Brian Burke doesn't like adding players right at the deadline. He prefers to make his deals at least a month out so that the player or players have more time to get acclimated to the new surroundings.
But it didn't happen for the Leafs, just like it didn't happen for most other contenders who were shopping in January but found the prices too exorbitant given the lack of sellers.
The Leafs' desire is to add a top-six forward with size. They're not easy to find.
The other factor Toronto's front office must weigh is that the team has gone gangbusters since the calendar flipped to 2012, and one must consider that when contemplating making a roster move to a dressing room that's in sync right now.
"Yes, momentum and chemistry both factor in whether you shuffle the deck," Burke told ESPN.com Wednesday.
The key, at least in my opinion, is to make sure if you make a big addition that the reaction in the room is players feeling euphoric that the team has a better chance to win now. As opposed to wondering why a teammate they're fond of has been dealt.
Speaking of the Leafs, second-line center Mikhail Grabovski -- slated to be UFA July 1 -- remains unsigned, although his agent Gary Greenstin did recently chat with Toronto.
"I spoke with Maple Leafs management a couple days ago and I believe they understand our position and we understand their position," Greenstin told ESPN.com via email Wednesday. "Like I said before, Mikhail loves the city, organization and the fans, and we know the fans like him too. He would like to stay in Toronto and win the Stanley Cup with them, but he is in his prime years in his hockey career and this has to be right for Mikhail and it has to be right for the Maple Leafs."
Veteran defenseman Pavel Kubina will be an unrestricted free agent July 1, so naturally if and when the Lightning become sellers, he'd be a man of interest to contending teams.
One wrinkle to note, however. Kubina has a limited no-trade clause, which states the Lightning must ask him for the five teams he'd be willing to move to. That conversation has not yet happened.
Whitney likely to hit market; Plekanec news
When Ray Whitney wasn't moved at the March 3 trade deadline, it was implied there was mutual interest in him staying in Carolina.
But as both sides got to brass tacks early in the offseason, it was clear there wasn't a fit where it mattered most: $$$.
"We would like to bring him back and I think he would like to stay here, but at the end of the day, I think it'll be a financial decision," Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford told ESPN.com on Tuesday. "It's probably going to be his last contract ... ideally there's a way to work it out for him to finish his career here, but as of today, that doesn't look like that's going to happen."
So, it's almost 100 percent Whitney is going to hit the free-agent market on July 1. No hard feelings, though.
"It's exciting," Whitney told us Tuesday. "I wish I had finished my career in Carolina, but I understand the direction they're going in. They're getting younger and I totally get it. I have a lot of respect for Jimmy and have nothing but good things to say about the five years I spent in Carolina."
"I like Ray a lot as a person, I really do like him," Rutherford said. "Whatever happens, I wish him the best."
As has always been the case during Whitney's underrated career, the forward will enter free agency somewhat under the radar. But there isn't a deep forward free-agent class this year, especially if Patrick Marleau and Tomas Plekanec stay put, something which has yet to be determined. Even if they don't, once Ilya Kovalchuk goes, and potentially Marleau and Plekanec, some team will be looking at Whitney in a hurry.
"Ray has been an incredibly consistent and durable offensive threat for his entire career," his agent, J.P. Barry, told ESPN.com. "Wherever he plays, he produces. When you actually analyze his production, you get a better perspective of how elite his accomplishments are in this league. 'Underrated' is truly an understatement when you actually see where he ranks offensively. While his peers' production have declined in their 30s, his production has actually increased the past five years."
Agents are always enthused about their clients, that's their job; so we'll take that statement for what it's worth. But Barry is right about Whitney's late-career production. He's averaged 24 goals and 67 points over the past five seasons, better numbers than his 10-year average of 20 goals and 60 points. Like a fine wine?
"Since the lockout, the game seems to have suited my game, and I think that's reflected in my numbers," Whitney said.
More interesting: Whitney's point production over the five seasons since the lockout (334 points) is better than the likes of Shane Doan, Rick Nash, Mike Ribeiro, Mike Cammalleri, Thomas Vanek, Teemu Selanne, Jason Arnott, Danny Briere and Patrik Elias, among others. But one would rarely lump Whitney with those players.
On the down side, Whitney turned 38 last month. You can't ignore that, especially given the 35-and-over rule in the CBA, which calls for the entirety of contracts signed by those players to count against the cap regardless of whether a player retires before the end of the deal.
That reality will make it difficult for Whitney and Barry to get more than a one-year deal on the open market. But given the scarcity among elite UFA forwards this year, Whitney's consistency and the fact he played 80 or more games the past two seasons, he may be able to squeeze out two years from a team.
And which will that be? Pittsburgh would be a decent fit; Whitney could play with either Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby. What about Los Angeles? The Kings inquired about Whitney before the trade deadline. If the Kings strike out on either Kovalchuk or Marleau, Whitney could be a nice consolation prize.
Bottom line: Any contending team that wants to improve its power play should take a good look at Whitney.
More to ponder
• There's been speculation here and there about the Columbus Blue Jackets shopping their fourth overall pick, the theory being they want to get back into the playoffs picture ASAP and acquire a player to help them now. But Jackets GM Scott Howson squashed the theory Tuesday.
"That's not a goal of mine. I want to keep the pick," Howson told ESPN.com. "I'm not actively calling teams about the pick. But obviously, like anything, we're always open to discussion."
The Jackets are hoping to beef up at center this offseason, so if they were offered a decent player for the pick, I would think they might look at it. But I believe Howson when he says he's not shopping the pick just for the sake of it.
• On the Plekanec front, his agent, Rick Curran, has talked to Habs GM Pierre Gauthier a few times since Montreal's season ended, picking up where the two sides left off during the season.
"We've had a couple of discussions and they've been very productive," Curran told ESPN.com on Tuesday. "I'm always optimistic that we can get a deal, but we'll see."
Plekanec led the Canadiens with 70 points (24-45) in 82 games this past regular season. His production dropped off a little in the postseason with 11 points (4-7) in 19 games. How does Montreal replace that production next season if it can't sign him?
With Kovy traded, teams turn to Plan B
Editor's note: There's the March 3 trade deadline, and then there's the Olympic roster freeze that runs from Feb. 12-28. Between now and Feb. 12, ESPN.com's Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun will look at 10 potential trade baits and which teams have a chance to land some much-needed help.
Turning to Plan B
Scott Burnside: Well, Pierre, Thursday was a pretty exciting day, no? Ilya Kovalchuk was traded to New Jersey, but some teams that lost out on the star forward have to turn to Plan B. The focus also shifts to the rest of the rental players who are available before the deadline.
I'll start with Columbus' Raffi Torres. The gritty winger has struggled through injuries the past couple of seasons but is back on track this season, just in time to sign a new contract, as he'll become an unrestricted free agent in July. Remember how good he was for the Oilers back in 2006 as they cruised to a surprise berth in the Cup finals? Torres was a key part of that team. He has 16 goals this season, including three game winners, and will be on the move before March 3. I think he'd be a nice addition for a team looking for a little sand and offense. Thoughts?
Pierre LeBrun: You're right, the focus now shifts to those rental players available, and I can tell you the phone lines were burning back up at the Maple Leafs' offices in Toronto, where 19-goal man Alexei Ponikarovsky is available. But let's start with Torres, as you suggested. I checked in with a Blue Jackets source this morning, and there's nothing really new on that front other than that it's a near certainty the UFA-to-be will move. With his ruggedness and offensive talent, Torres would be a real nice playoff pickup. I can't help but think the Pittsburgh Penguins are keeping an eye on him; then again, I think the Penguins may end up with one of three wingers: Ponikarovsky, Torres or Ray Whitney.
Burnside: I wonder whether teams like Los Angeles or maybe even Colorado will be looking at Torres, given his playoff experience. I spoke with Colorado GM Greg Sherman this week, and the Avs will be pretty cautious about moving their young assets. Still, Torres might be a nice fit with a gritty, young Avs team that remains in the hunt for the Northwest Division title and home-ice advantage through the first round of the playoffs. (Both would be huge for a team trying to reconnect with its fan base.) Likewise, the Kings will want to add more playoff experience, as they also are in a position to have home-ice advantage in the first round. If they can't agree to a contract extension with Whitney, maybe Torres would be a nice Plan B for GM Dean Lombardi.
LeBrun: I think ownership will put some level of pressure on Lombardi to do something because it will have known he was on the final short list to land Kovalchuk. Whitney, at age 37, can't expect a three-year extension, not with the 35-and-older rule that says a player's average salary counts against a team's cap each year of the contract, even if he retires. The Kings would be willing to do a one-year extension; I have to think cooler heads will prevail there. But we'll see. The Penguins, I'm sure, are hoping the Kings miss out on him. From what I was told Thursday, the Penguins haven't called Carolina yet because they simply can't afford him right now. It's not so much that Whitney's $3.55 million salary is that big a deal, but it's the fact that Carolina won't take any salary in return in any Whitney swap. The Hurricanes want picks or prospects. So, if you're Pittsburgh with its tight cap room, it appears you have to wait until March 2 or March 3 to enter the fray.
Burnside: It will be interesting to see how Ponikarovsky fits into the picture. He is a big body, has 19 goals and has played in 23 playoff games for the Leafs. Obviously, his playoff experience isn't recent, but it's something. And if the asking price for Whitney is too high, both in terms of what goes back to Carolina and what Whitney might want in terms of a contract extension to waive his no-trade clause, the Toronto forward, like Torres, will be an interesting alternative for teams such as Los Angeles and Pittsburgh.
And what about Atlanta? Thrashers GM Don Waddell said Thursday night he'll be a buyer assuming his team stays in the hunt, and Ponikarovsky has played with Thrashers forward Nik Antropov. Hmm. Given the flurry of trades we've seen in the past week, do you think there will be pressure on GMs like Lombardi to try to get something done ahead of the Feb. 12 Olympic roster freeze, especially knowing a team like Pittsburgh likely will have to wait because of its cap issues?
LeBrun: I wouldn't be surprised if Ponikarovsky is the guy who ends up in Pittsburgh, but that's just a hunch. While we're talking about contenders, I should update a situation with the San Jose Sharks. It does appear a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes, from what I've been told, could go through as early as today. (The Sharks would acquire Niclas Wallin.) San Jose was hot to trot for a blueliner, and it appears it has one now. The trade was first reported by TSN in Canada on Wednesday night, but it has taken a while to complete the deal because of Wallin's no-trade clause. Good pickup for Sharks GM Doug Wilson if the deal is indeed completed. OK, my friend, enjoy your weekend!
• You also can get up-to-the-minute trade discussion in Rumor Central.
Ray Whitney: Are Pens, Sens, Preds interested?
Editor's note: There's the March 3 trade deadline, and then there's the Olympic roster freeze that goes into effect on Feb. 12. Between now and Feb. 12, ESPN.com's Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun will look at 10 potential trade baits and which teams have a chance at landing some much-needed help.
Ray Whitney, Carolina HurricanesScott Burnside: Hello, Pierre. Welcome to our daily look at the trade landscape as we barrel along toward the start of the Olympic roster freeze on Feb. 12. The Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs have already rocked the NHL world with a couple of big deals this past weekend, and the New York Rangers may get into the act, as well. But let's talk today about a guy I know you have likened to this season's Bill Guerin: Ray Whitney, a savvy veteran who has a Cup ring and is a point-a-game player. He wouldn't be too big a hit in the wallet for the many teams that will be looking to acquire him from Carolina.
LeBrun: Yes, I think he's a terrific consolation prize for the suitors who lose out on Ilya Kovalchuk. But Whitney won't come cheap. Sure, his $3.55 million salary is not exorbitant, but Carolina is likely looking for a pick and/or prospect in return, which means inquiring clubs would be taking a sizeable cap hit without sending any salary the other way. For the Hurricanes, saving money isn't a bad thing since the medium-market club is not in the playoff hunt. So, for example, I think a team like the red-hot Ottawa Senators covets Whitney, but they can't fit his contract under the cap right now. Perhaps Whitney is a guy who doesn't move until closer to the March 3 trade deadline for that reason alone. We'll see.
Burnside: Agreed, the asking price for Whitney will likely be significantly higher than the third-round pick the Penguins sent to the Islanders on trade deadline day a year ago. Boston is in dire need of offense and has some high picks to move; you know Carolina GM Jim Rutherford would love to grab the Leafs' first-round pick that is now the property of the Bruins thanks to the Phil Kessel trade. That may seem like a lot for a rental player, but Whitney's value is going to be pretty high with teams like Los Angeles, the New York Rangers, Vancouver and others looking for offensive help and leadership.
LeBrun: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli told me unequivocally the Leafs' pick is not in play. So you can forget that. But Whitney would be a nice addition to a Bruins offense that ranks dead last in the NHL. The Kings would be interested only as a Plan B if they don't get Kovalchuk. Whitney is a power-play stud and can play either the point or the forward position on the unit, so he's versatile. The Penguins and Senators are among the worst-ranked power-play units in the league, so for that reason alone I believe both teams will inquire. The Devils have slipped to 20th in goals per game, and while it's impossible to ever predict what silence-is-golden GM Lou Lamoriello will do, I can't see him not at least kicking the tires on a Cup champion and offensive wizard like Whitney.
Burnside: Pierre, given how Calgary GM Darryl Sutter went from "I'm not trading Dion Phaneuf" to dealing him to Toronto, I guess you have to take everything a GM says with a grain of salt at this time of year. But the pressure is definitely on Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli to do something to get his team back on track; the Bruins are poised to go from the top Eastern Conference team during the regular season in 2008-09 to missing the playoffs entirely this season. Would I trade a lottery pick for Ray Whitney? Probably not. But then again, I don't have the worst offensive team in the conference.
The Senators are certainly among the hottest teams in the league, but they aren't a particularly deep team when it comes to young assets. I would expect GM Bryan Murray will be pretty cautious about giving away what little he has, even for a player with Whitney's pedigree. Any other dark horses that might jump in on the Whitney action? How about Nashville?
LeBrun: Two dark horses could be Phoenix and, yes, Nashville. I'm told both clubs want to add some offense, but with money being a prime consideration, as you might suspect. In the case of the Coyotes, which suffered a brutal injury loss (Scottie Upshall), I'm told they can only really do a "dollar-for-dollar" deal, so I'm not sure how that would work with Whitney. The Preds are actually a respectable 13th in the NHL in offense, but rank a dismal 29th on the power play. That's why I think Whitney would be a good fit there. But remember, Scotty, Whitney has a no-trade clause; he controls his fate. He may get picky when the time comes for Rutherford to show him what's out there.
We should mention before we go that you and I both believe the Hurricanes may want to try to bring Whitney back July 1 as an unrestricted free agent. That's something to keep in mind for contending teams in case they had designs of trying to keep him around. Well, my friend, we'll talk again Tuesday!
• You can also get up-to-the-minute discussion in Rumor Central.


text:
The bad reviews said that this gun won't feed bulk pack .22lr ammo and the accuracy lacks because of the short barrel and light weight. I have found the opposite. I had zero problems with bulk pack ammo and the accuracy was great.
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Its great you got a quality .22. Theyre not always easy to come by. But not every gun is the same, even if they came off the same line in the same day.
"You know what happens to men who go looking for blood? They find it." - Kind Old Man
We shot one extensively yesterday, proved accurate at 20-30 yards, enough to hit a can repeatedly. Fed federal match ammo, 325 bulk box with no issue, had some issue with another brand of bulk, 3 fail to feed out of 10-15 mags, not to bad for a .22.
Oh dern....
Revelation 19:11
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Had mine for 5 years. Enjoyed it but I have to say it is more finicky than I like my guns to be. Accuracy is very good. Still if I had it to do over again would prolly buy a mark III.
I've never shot one, but I've been selling the heck out of them. I sell probably twice as many Walters as I do the Ruger SR22.
"For every problem there is always a solution that is simple, obvious, and wrong." - Mark Twain
I have had my P22 for about 8 years I guess now. I have had some bulk ammo that when the components got dirty I would get a few FTF's, but I bet mine has had over 10k rounds without a single replacement part and still doesn't miss a beat. I did notice that even when dirty, if I use 40gr it never fails. Anything less and the chance is roughly 5% on a ftf. I can see the wear on all the parts, yet it still performs above expectations.
Also, I had the Ruger Mark II 22/45 I believe it was. Absolutely hated it. In 7 years I put 30 rounds through it. Sold it for the worthless hunk of stainless steel "I" found it to be. I just didn't like anything about it. And it seemed to be no more accurate than the Walther when I use the 5 inch barrel.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Dr. Osman Malik, MD
Critical Care Medicine, Cotton O Neil Clinic
- 823 SW Mulvane St FL 4
Topeka, KS 66606
- 1 Office Location
- Email a Friend
- (785) 354-9591
Dr. Osman Malik has been practicing medicine for 18 years. Dr. Malik graduated from the Aga Khan Med Coll, Aga Khan Univ, Karachi, Pakistan in 1996. He practices medicine in Topeka, KS and specializes in Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Disease. Dr. Malik is affiliated with St Francis Health Center and Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center. He speaks English and Spanish.
Gender: Male
Years in Practice: 18 Years
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Medical School: Aga Khan Med Coll, Aga Khan Univ, Karachi, Pakistan
Graduation Date: 1996
Hospital Affiliations: St Francis Health Center, Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center
Specialties: Critical Care Medicine, Pulmonary Disease
©2005-2014 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.


text:
Coquette http://coquette.blogs.com/coquette/ beauty, style and pretty things by natalie zee drieu en-US 2014-10-20T20:28:54-07:00 Avene Micellar Lotion Cleansing and Make Up Remover: Clean Your Face Like the French Do http://coquette.blogs.com/coquette/2014/10/avene-micellar-lotion-cleansing-and-make-up-remover-clean-your-face-like-the-french-do.html Ask any French woman if she uses a micellar cleanser and almost every gal aged 13-93 will say, "Mais Oui!" I learned this secret many years ago upon visiting my in laws in France and seeing a bottle of micellar...

Ask any French woman if she uses a micellar cleanser and almost every gal aged 13-93 will say, "Mais Oui!" I learned this secret many years ago upon visiting my in laws in France and seeing a bottle of micellar cleanser on my mother-in-law's bathroom table. Needless to say, years later I have been hooked ever since. I usually stock up each time I go to France, but now thanks to Avene you can now buy a micellar cleanser in the U.S. and you won't have to pay hefty prices, shipping or custom fees in the process.

The Avene Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Make Up Remover ($20 for 6.76 fl oz at drugstore.com) is the first step I do to clean my face. It gets rid of all my makeup and eye makeup and doesn't leave my skin dry. If I am not wearing a lot of makeup that day, I won't have to cleanse my skin again. The magic of a micellar lotion is that it's a no-rinse formula. (In France, the water can be hard so most women there don't rinse their skin with water often.) If I am wearing full makeup with foundation, I'll do a cream cleanser after to get rid of all my makeup traces. I have found over the last few years, that I'm not stripping my skin by washing and scrubbing it too much. I love the soft scent of Avene's micellar lotion too! It contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin, keeping it soft and moisturized. It is soap-free, oil-free, alcohol-free and presservative-free. Can't beat that!

Micellar lotion will always be a part of my routine. Now that Avene has brought it to the U.S., give it a try to see the difference in your skin! It's really great for those with sensitive skin.

You can find out more about the Avene Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Makeup Remover on aveneusa.com.

 Review product was provided by Avene.
 Beauty & Fragrance Skin Care Coquette 2014-10-20T20:28:54-07:00 Clarins Extra-Comfort Anti-Aging Foundation SPF 15 http://coquette.blogs.com/coquette/2014/10/clarins-extra-comfort-anti-aging-foundation.html Clarins' new Extra-Comfort Anti-Aging Foundation with SPF 15 ($62 at clarinsusa.com) offers skin care benefits in this rich, creamy non-oily foundation. The foundation contains argan oil (one of my favorites) to nourish skin as well as Clarins' patented "Global Age-Defying"...

Clarins' new Extra-Comfort Anti-Aging Foundation with SPF 15 ($62 at clarinsusa.com) offers skin care benefits in this rich, creamy non-oily foundation. The foundation contains argan oil (one of my favorites) to nourish skin as well as Clarins' patented "Global Age-Defying" Complex that contains proprietary plant extracts as well as a "Light-Optimizing" Complex that uses corrective pigments to optically blur small imperfections in your skin. This foundation gives you medium to full coverage and is perfect for the fall and winter months when your skin needs more hydration. I love how it makes my skin feel more plump and hydrated, yet doesn't feel heavy on my skin at all.

There are 9 different shades in this foundation line. I have two shades 108 Sand which matches perfectly with my end of summer tan and 103 Ivory for the middle of winter when my summer tan will have faded. The foundation also contains broad spectrum SPF 15 featuring titanium dioxide sunscreen which is one of the best sunscreens to have as it is the most effective at shielding your skin from the harmful UV rays. I also have sensitive skin and this foundation feels great on me with no break outs. It's the perfect foundation for you if you are looking for a more hydrating cream foundation with fantastic skin care as well!

Purchase the Clarins Extra-Comfort Anti-Aging Foundation SPF 15 at clarinsusa.com.

Review products were provided by Clarins.
 Beauty & Fragrance Skin Care Coquette 2014-10-15T14:36:23-07:00 September Favorites: Chanel Eyeshadow, Acure Argan Oil + Outlander http://coquette.blogs.com/coquette/2014/10/september-favorites.html I'm a little late this month with my favorites from September but I am happy to post them now and get myself going on this monthly routine. I skipped August because I was mostly in Europe so my favorites from...

I'm a little late this month with my favorites from September but I am happy to post them now and get myself going on this monthly routine. I skipped August because I was mostly in Europe so my favorites from last month will also include a couple of things I really loved from my trip (Chanel palette and Maybeline concealer). Enjoy!

1. Chanel Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow ($61 at Nordstrom)
 On my summer trip, I only brought this eye shadow palette and a few eyeliners to take me through three countries and multiple evenings of dinner in Paris. I even some times apply it with the applicators it comes with because according to makeup genius Lisa Eldrige, these new velvety applicators can give you a different look. I love how buildable the shadows are and I don't get a lot of powder fallout under my eyes. The palette I bought was 204 Tisse Vendome which looks darker in this image here so check it out in person. I love the soft coral color on my lids that works well with the onset of fall. Major love!

2. Acure Argan Oil ($12.99 at Drugstore.com)
 I picked this wonderful argan oil at Whole Foods and it's a much cheaper than Josie Maran's. (I could swear the price there was around $11.99 there.) Filled with rich Vitamin E, this is super food for your skin! With essential fatty acids and proteins, argan oil is said to be "liquid gold". It can repair skin, minimize scars and stretch marks, while restoring skin tone and elasticity. I use it at night on top of my whole routine to "set" it all in. It's left the usually dry skin on my forehead incredibly soft!

3. Radical Skincare Instant Revitalizing Mask ($65 at Sephora) Anything that bubbles like champagne is a good thing, no? Especially when it bubbles on your face so you can see where it's working to clean your skin. My face feels refreshed and hydrated after. I love doing this a couple times a week now!

4. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Spot Treatment Concealer ($7.39-$7.99 at Target)
 I love this drugstore find for its spongy tip that lets me dab concealer under my eyes like a 5 year old art project. j/k! Seriously, the wide sponge is great to just take away those dark circles and eliminates me from having to have an extra step with a brush. I simply pat it through lightly with my fingers to blend it in after. I picked a lighter shade 215 Fair/Light to have a brightening effect on my face.

5. Outlander on STARZ
 If you need a good TV show to get addicted to look no further than Outlander on the STARZ cable network. It's sci-fi meets period romance, if that even makes sense. Ok then how about hot men in kilts? The story centers around Claire Randall a former WWII combat nurse who travels back in time to 1743 Scotland thanks to touching an ancient stone circle. Yes it makes no sense but the story somehow does and you will get sucked in. Plus, you'll love her chunky knits she wears on the show. See if you can catch the first eight episodes via On Demand since the rest of Season 1 resumes on April 4, 2014. Of course the TV show is based on author Diana Gabaldon's series of books in the 90's so you can pick up the Outlander novel to tide you over to April.

 Beauty & Fragrance Books Monthly Favorites Skin Care TV & Film Coquette 2014-10-12T12:01:03-07:00 Meeting Mr. Lauder + New Fall Beauty with Estee Lauder & Aerin http://coquette.blogs.com/coquette/2014/10/meeting-mr-lauder-new-fall-beauty-with-estee-lauder-aerin.html I had the honor last Wednesday of meeting Mr. Leonard Lauder, son of Estee Lauder and Chairman Emeritus of The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. while he was visiting Bloomingdales in San Francisco. Mr. Lauder and the team were in town...

I had the honor last Wednesday of meeting Mr. Leonard Lauder, son of Estee Lauder and Chairman Emeritus of The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. while he was visiting Bloomingdales in San Francisco. Mr. Lauder and the team were in town to check in with their "shops" within the various department stores around Union Square. I couldn't have met a nicer or humbler man who has taken his mother's legacy and family business to the next level. The buzz inside Bloomingdales was amazing when he arrived as he visited all the company counters – Estee Lauder, Jo Malone, Mac Cosmetics, Bobbi Brown (all these brands are Estee Lauder entities.) as well as their many fragrances. Over the last five years I have been blessed to have worked with some amazing people through Estee Lauder that I am happy to now call my friends. This experience meeting Mr. Lauder is going to be one of my favorite Estee Lauder memories ever!

So let's talk beauty! There are a so many beautiful things coming out from Estee Lauder this fall that i have to share with you. I got to try them first hand at the counter and let me tell you -- I had to take a couple home with me. To start, let's talk foundation. The new Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup ($45 at Nordstrom) is one of the lightest foundations I have ever used. I love that it has skincare in it with their Pefectionist serum to help brighten your complexion. There is also SPF 25 sun protection in it to protect your skin.

I took my sample vile on my trip to Europe and it lasted me my whole trip. Since it was so light, it was perfect to wear in warm weather. I also bought the Estee Lauder Sculpting Foundation Brush ($45 at Nordstrom). This brush is shaped like no other and it feels AMAZING when you use it. It literally fits your cheekbones, around your chin and helps smooth out the foundation around hard to get spots around your nose. I am going to do a full review on this foundation and brush in a future post because I have a lot to say about it! In the meantime, visit your local Estee Lauder counter or Sephora and try this for yourself!

The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Synchronized Complex II ($65 at Nordstrom) helps hydrate around my eyes. I just did a review of this eye serum last week so you can read the full review here. One tip I learned was to keep the eye serum and your concealer in your handbag so you can give your eyes a brightening touch without having to redo your makeup when you are having a long day at work. I got to try the new Perfectionist concealer which isn't online yet so definitely go to your nearest Estee Lauder counter.

New to Estee Lauder's skincare line is their Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion ($95 at Nordstrom). This is not a toner but more like a liquid lotion that helps hydrate and promotes smooth supple skin. It is similar to products like the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence but I found the Estee Lauder one to be immediately hydrating. I could feel the plumpness in my cheeks after I put it on. Trust me, this is what your skin will need when the weather gets colder this fall and winter! It is something that's on my list to buy.

My makeup was the new Aerin collection. It was the first time I tried her makeup and I am in LOVE! This AERIN Beauty Weekday Palette ($70 at Nordstrom) has everything you need for a natural look with blush, lipsticks and eyeshadows all in one. The lipsticks are so moisturizing with Aerin's rose balm formula. My complete look came from this one palette!

 Another favorite of mine was the AERIN Cool Gel Eyeliner ($28 at Nordstrom) which glides on effortlessly. I also love that the eyeliner has a built in sharpener in it too because 90% of the time I am way to lazy to find my sharpener when doing my eye makeup!

 Beauty & Fragrance Coquette 2014-10-08T10:37:12-07:00 Book Review: Famous Frocks The Little Black Dress http://coquette.blogs.com/coquette/2014/10/book-review-famous-frocks-the-little-black-dress.html Famous Frocks: The Little Black Dress: Patterns for 20 Garments Inspired by Fashion Icons by Dolin O'Shea ISBN: 9781452123653 8 x 11 in, 176 pages $22.64 on Amazon My good friend and fellow crafter Dolin O'Shea of Lulu Bliss has...

Famous Frocks: The Little Black Dress: Patterns for 20 Garments Inspired by Fashion Icons
 by Dolin O'Shea
 ISBN: 9781452123653
 8 x 11 in, 176 pages
 $22.64 on Amazon

My good friend and fellow crafter Dolin O'Shea of Lulu Bliss has her first book out, Famous Frocks: The Little Black Dress published by Chronicle Books. I recently wrote up a book review and had an interview with Dolin on the site, Racked SF. Dolin's been one of those friends who has impeccable fashion sense and can make just about anything in the world. If I saw her wearing a cute dress or top, more often than not it was something she had just sewn up. She spent over a decade as a patternmaker for the Gap companies and has worked previously at all three entities: Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic. Now Dolin brings her sewing and fashion know-how to a new kind of sewing book. Famous Frocks features famous little black dresses over the decades. Learn how to sew up Audrey Hepburn's Sabrina Dress or Kate Moss' sexy lace dress of the millennium. The book comes with step-by-step instructions and 10 full dress patterns with sewing variations to make 20 garments in all. All of her LBD dress patterns are modernized for the gal of today and would look oh so perfect for holiday parties. l also love the colorful dress variations where she includes separates from tops to skirts that are perfect for a novice sewer. The patterns in this book can take you through the work week to weekend cocktail parties!

If you are in the Bay Area, come to Alameda on October 11 for a book signing party for Famous Frocks!

The Sewing Room
 2434 Webb Avenue
 Alameda, CA 94501

Saturday, October 11th
 6pm-9pm
 more info on Facebook

 Check out the book trailer to see what Famous Frocks has inside!

 Read my interview with Dolin O'Shea:

How would you describe your style?

Streamline classic with a bit of vintage flair and I love color. Which is why it is kind of funny that my first book is about the LBD, but is also the reason why I wanted to offer colorful variations of all the LBD projects.

Who is your style icon?

The 1920's actress Louise (Lulu) Brooks. Growing up in the 1980's when it was all about big permed hair, I tried to transform my stick straight and baby fine hair into what was popular. Total fail! Then one day, while I was in high school, I saw a black and white postcard of Louise Brooks and her famous bob, it was hair love at first sight. So from then on I have almost always had some form of a bob hair cut.

If you could live in any decade, which one would it be and what would you be wearing?

his is a really tough question for me, there are things about each decade that I love. If I had a different body type, I would have totally loved to have lived in the 1920's and worn some of those beautiful flapper dresses. The styles of the 1950's suit my body type better, so I tend to stick with those.

 What tips do you have for someone who is interested in learning how to sew?

Take a class to learn the basics and get used to using a sewing machine. Then start with some simple projects. Home decor items like pillows, napkins and aprons, are good places to start. Once you feel comfortable with the basics, I think that the simplest go-to garment to make would be an A-line skirt. When I taught sewing, the A-line skirt class was always a popular one. Also remember to be easy on yourself. Sewing in general takes quite a bit of practice to master and your first projects may not be perfect. I am still learning new techniques all the time.

How long have you been sewing? What made you interested in working in fashion?

I have been sewing for about 23 years. I started when I went off to study fashion design right out of high school. I grew up with a mother who sewed a lot, but whenever I would want her to show me how to sew it would end up in a mother/daughter spat (me being a teenager who knew it all). So I knew the very basics when I off to college. I have always had an interest in clothes. As a little girl I would never really "play" with my Barbie's, but was always changing their clothes and trying to create my own fashions for them. I also remember loving to draw dresses and designing dorm rooms, as a little girl. (I had a silly fantasy of going to a boarding school.) So, it was either study fashion design or architecture. While in fashion design school I discovered that you could have a career as a pattern maker and fell in love with that. Basically, I sort of got to be an architect for clothing. I always would explain to people what a pattern maker does is create the "blue print" for a garment.

To find out more about Dolin O'Shea, read my recent Racked SF article and visit her at Lulu Bliss.

 Books Crafts Fashion Coquette 2014-10-03T14:25:45-07:00 Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum http://coquette.blogs.com/coquette/2014/09/estee-lauder-advanced-night-repair-eye-serum.html Estee Lauder's new Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Synchronized Complex II ($65 at Nordstrom) is one of the best eye serums I have used in a long time. I purchased it at the Estee Lauder counter at Bloomingdales in early...

Estee Lauder's new Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Synchronized Complex II ($65 at Nordstrom) is one of the best eye serums I have used in a long time. I purchased it at the Estee Lauder counter at Bloomingdales in early August and haven't stopped using it since. The serum comes in a handy pump bottle which makes it easy to dispense. I usually use one pump on my 4th finger, rub my two 4th fingers together and then gently tap under my eye. I use my regular eye cream over it (currently Clarins Extra-Firming Eye Cream). I'm in love with serums overall for my face so I knew an eye serum would only bring out the best in the skin around my eyes. I really love how this serum absorbs into my skin and hydrates it immediately as well as helps combat the puffiness and occasional dark circles.

 Buy the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Synchronized Complex II at Nordstrom.

 Beauty & Fragrance Coquette 2014-09-30T11:19:19-07:00 NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF24 http://coquette.blogs.com/coquette/2014/09/nars-all-day-luminous-powder-foundation-broad-spectrum-spf24.html NARS Cosmetics has just launched their All Day Luminous Powder Foundation ($48 at narscosmetics.com). The silky and ultra fine formula is in a sleek black compact that comes with it's own sponge underneath the foundation. If you want a bigger...

NARS Cosmetics has just launched their All Day Luminous Powder Foundation ($48 at narscosmetics.com). The silky and ultra fine formula is in a sleek black compact that comes with it's own sponge underneath the foundation. If you want a bigger powder puff for use at home, you can get the All Day Luminous Powder Foundation Sponge ($6) which is one of the softest puffs I have ever used!

The powder foundation comes in a variety of 13 shades. My shade is Deauville, a light with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones which has matched perfectly with my skin! The foundation is medium buildable and the coverage lasts me all day. I like to just use the sponge dry which has given me a beautiful even skin tone, perfect for the day.

NARS exclusive Light Reflecting Complex™ optimizes light reflection to enhance skin's translucency while Luminosity Enhancing Technology –a blend of 17 amino acids, Vitamin C derivative and Marine Fennel – promotes cell renewal and helps reduce the look of hyper-pigmentation and wrinkles. There's also great sun protection with SPF 24 that lasts up to 12-hours.

To Apply:  Use a dry sponge for a natural luminous finish or a dampened sponge for a soft-matte finish.

Available now at NARS boutiques and narscosmetics.com. Find it at your favorite beauty or department store on October 1st.

Buy the NARS All Day Luminous Powder Foundation $48 at narscosmetics.com.

Review products were provided by NARS.
 Beauty & Fragrance Coquette 2014-09-25T14:43:38-07:00 Travel to Paris: Shopping at Galeries Lafayette http://coquette.blogs.com/coquette/2014/09/travel-to-paris-shopping-at-galeries-lafayette.html Galeries Lafayette 40, Bd Haussmann 75009 Paris haussmann.galerieslafayette.com wwww.galerieslafayette.com Personal Shopping Service My favorite department store in the world is the Galeries Lafayette in Paris. I first stepped inside the grand department store back in 1997, my first trip to...

Galeries Lafayette
 40, Bd Haussmann
 75009 Paris
 haussmann.galerieslafayette.com
 wwww.galerieslafayette.com
 Personal Shopping Service

My favorite department store in the world is the Galeries Lafayette in Paris. I first stepped inside the grand department store back in 1997, my first trip to Paris and I've been shopping there every since. In fact, many of the things I have bought at the store over the years are still in my wardrobe today. This August, I was lucky enough to have a private tour and given access to take photos inside. I was also lucky to be able to experience Galerie Lafayette's personal shopping service.

What I love the best about Galerie Lafayette is that there are so many different brands under one roof (a very big roof!). Not only can you shop expensive luxury goods from Chanel to Louis Vuitton, you can also shop for midrange to inexpensive brands such as Topshop. I love walking through the beauty department that sits oh so dazzlingly under the neo-byzantine dome built in 1912. All the lipsticks and perfumes, smell all the more sweeter here of course. And unlike most stores, shopping abroad is best because it's tax free and you can choose to get your tax refund (12%) via cash back or credit. Learn more about the tax free details.

My fantastic tour guide was Indré (pictured right) who gave me such an amazing detail about the history of Galeries Lafayette. While we were under the dome, Indré showed me the art installation by Phillippe Ramette that was up from July to the end of August, titled "Eloge de la contemplation (le temps suspendu)" which means place of contemplation (suspended time). Galeries Lafayette holds art dear to its heart so it's no surprise that they showcase different artists and exhibits throughout the year in the store.

Galeries Lafayette's art gallery is on the main floor and is called the Galiere des Galieres. This year the Galerie des Galeries invites the photographer Philippe Jarrigeon to exhibit his work. With "Grand Magasin" (means department store) he has created a series of images inspired by this place and people's experiences of it. (From September 23 to November 14, 2014.)

Every August, there is some sort of installation exhibit on the 4th floor. This summer it was the L'Excellence a la Française which showcased all the famous French brands and what region of France they came from.

If you spend most of the day shopping in here (which we pretty much did), you can dine at many of the great restaurants inside. We chose Angelina, of course.

After all these years of going to Paris, I had no idea that there was a rooftop with the most amazing view of the city! You could turn around 365 degrees and see everything from the Eiffel Tower to the Sacré Cœur. You definitely won't want to miss this gorgeous view where you can also sit and take a break. I loved that it wasn't crowded up on the rooftop at all so you could really enjoy the breathtaking view.

Now let's talk fashion at Galeries Lafayette. One of my best memories was shopping in here for hours with one of my best friends Susan when we came to Paris back in 2003. My Jean-Paul Gaultier motorcycle leather clutch is still one of my prized possessions that I still use to this day. There were also countless French brands that I was introduced to from this department store. This time, Indré my guide told me about Labo Luxe, a special section featuring new or eclectic designers on the 1st floor. If the designers do well in this section, they eventually will be given their own prized space within the department store. This summer Labo Luxe features Anne Valerie Hash, Correges, Dice Kayek, Jean-Paul Lespagnard, Maiyet, Mary Katrantzou, N021, Olympia Le Tan, Osman, Pascal Millet, Rochas, Ungaro. One of the prized designers from this section this season has been Dice Kayek who has already moved up to another floor.

I was dying over the beauty of Olympia Le Tan's book bags. I wanted that pink Mary Poppins for myself!

My personal shopper was Elodie and she took me around the store to help me pick new outfits and find the right sizes. I wanted to be introduced to new to me brands and french brands that weren't as readily available in the U.S. If I liked something, a couple sizes were picked for me and whisked away to an upstairs dressing room where I would try everything on hours later. (She also helped me find clothes for my 5 year old Chloe which be posted up on Coquette Maman soon. )

Elodie introduced me to Sandro and Claudie Pierlot, two French brands that most Parisians love. I of course fell in love with them too. The clothes were both stylish and easy to wear.

I picked up this tweed jacket at Sandro but am still dreaming about the navy blue zipper blazer I tried on as well. I couldn't get both so I decided on the tweed jacket which had a casual vibe to them featuring gold zippers at the arms. It was also really warm and cozy - perfect for SF. I also was happy to pick up a few sweaters at Claudie Pierlot that I know I will live in this winter.

Cos is a Sweedish brand that stands for Collection of Style. The prices are affordable like Zara but the style is 100 notches above. I found the best long sleeve tops here that I've been living in lately as we transition into fall.

Iro is one of those brands that oozes hip style. From their skinny jeans with leather panels to their cozy sweaters, I really loved the cool vibe the brand gave. Alas, they only had sample sizes for fall and the rest of the fall clothes weren't due in for a few weeks.

Kenzo is another popular brand that I saw all around Paris. They are phasing out the tiger for the new "eye" design that was featured on sweatshirts, jackets and tote bags. For me, I loved their more put together looks like the navy and yellow printed pants above.

Once all the outfits were picked, Elodie took me upstairs to the VIP personal shopping dressing area. It was such a beautiful room and Elodie hung up on a rack all the clothes I was going to try on. It was a great experience for me to have a stylist on hand to help me find things I normally wouldn't see. Also she was invaluable at being able to direct me to brands that fit my lifestyle as well as budget. In the end, I came home with outfits that I'll be able to wear beyond for this season. I always find that at Galerie Lafayette, you're able to pick up fashion that will extend your style and this time around, I was able to even more so with the stylist help from Elodie.

The personal shopping service is free at Galerie Lafayette, although I don't know if there's a minimum you have to purchase for. It's also great for when you are short on time. You can call ahead and talk with a stylist about your likes/dislikes and they can pull your size and have a dressing room ready for you when you arrive for your appointment. They can also deliver your purchases to your hotel or ship them back home for you for a fee.

If you are visiting Galerie Lafayette this fall, don't miss the Karl Lagerfeld corner on the 3rd floor. Pick up the essential white shirt, the perfecto jacket the leather trousers and the Kuilted bags.

There is also new Lafayette Maison and Lafayette Gourmet space with a new building spanning 5 floors for all your home and food desires.

I hope to continue to update you more on Galerie Lafayette happenings on Coquette! Read my post about Kids Clothing at Galeries Lafayette on Coquette Maman.

 Shopping/Sales Travel Coquette 2014-09-22T00:33:20-07:00


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Sun City West House Rental Photos and Description
House, 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, (Sleeps 4) (DEC 2012 SPECIAL)
Located in the prestigious and private, 720-acre gated community of Corte Bella, adjacent to Sun City West. Del Webb's first active adult Country Club and the first club of its kind in the Phoenix area. This home is elegantly furnished and fully equipped throughout and features a spacious 1631 square-foot interior with nine-foot ceilings. Many upgrades found throughout such as 18-inch porcelain floor tiles, granite countertops and custom shutters. Large extended covered patio with gas barbeque, patio table and lounge chairs. You will thoroughly enjoy entertaining, or just relaxing outside taking in the wonderful weather and beautiful views.
The large great room features a fireplace with recessed lighing and is furnished with a matching sofa, love seat and chair. Entertainment center holds large 42'LCD HDTV TV.
The den is adjacent to the great room and is equipped with desk, computer and printer. Cable internet access is available.
The kitchen is fully furnished with new quality brand appliances and also features under the cabinet lighting, pull-out shelves and granite countertops.
The luxurious and spacious master suite overlooks the backyard and has direct outside access to patio, a huge walk-in closet and a master bath with dual sinks/vanities and a large enclosed shower with built-in seat. The master bedroom is furnished with a king-size sleigh bed, 6 drawer dresser & chest, night stand, 32 Lcd TV, telephone, alarm clock and a ceiling fan.
The guest bedroom is furnished with queen-size bed with a night stand in between, six-drawer dresser, chest, Lcd TV, alarm clock and a ceiling fan.
Please note that Corte Bella is an age-restricted community. At least one rental occupant must be 55 years of age or older.
Sorry, no smoking in home.
- Suitability:
- Senior Adults Only Community
- non smoking only


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52 Short Hills Ave,
Short Hills, NJ, 07078-0707
Short Hills, NJ, 07078-0707
Tel: (973)379-3973
Grades: K - 9 | 190 students
St. Rose of Lima School, established in 1869, is a Roman Catholic parish elementary school with 260 students, PreK-3 to grade 8.
We provide a heterogeneous academic environment in a nurturing Catholic faith community where Catholic moral values, service to others, and a positive self-image are developed.
The primary grades are self-contained, leading to increased levels of independent thinking in the departmental program in the middle school.
We achieve our academic, religious, and social goals through a cooperative effort among the church, home and school.
The purpose of St. Rose of Lima School is to develop the whole person through a community experience of faith and life.
Within a Catholic Christian community all students learn to respect all forms of life.
Our aim is to imbue each student with an awareness of the value of responsibility to oneself and others.
Each is challenged to use his or her special gifts in the service of all God's people.
The threefold aim of Catholic Christian education is to teach doctrine, build a faith community, and serve others.
In accordance with this aim we treat each student as an individual to be challenged to the maximum of his or her potential.
School Overview
|School Membership(s)School Assoc.
|National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)
|Religious Affiliation
|Roman Catholic
|Grades Offered
|Grades Kindergarten - 9
|Blue Ribbon School - Selected in 2013
Student Body
|Total Students
|190 students
|Student Body Type
|% Students of Color
State avg.: 28%
|Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
|Total Classroom Teachers
|17 teachers
|Student : Teacher Ratio
National avg.: 13:1
Nearby Schools:
All Schools |High Schools High Schools |Elementary Schools Elementary Schools |Preschools Preschools |Public Schools Public Schools
Show me:
- School Location Miles Students Grades
Millburn St Stephen''s Preschool
Millburn , NJ , 07041
(973)376-3534Early Childhood / Day Cares (Episcopal)0.6 mi | 12 students | Gr. PK-K
Springfield Early Childhood Program at Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael
60 Temple Dr
Springfield , NJ , 07081
(973)376-0539Early Childhood / Day Cares (Jewish)0.6 mi | 60 students | Gr. NS-PK
Millburn Alpine Montessori of Millburn
5 Bleeker Street
Millburn , NJ , 07041
(973)379-4710Montessori School0.7 mi | 71 students | Gr. NS-K
Summit Superkids
2 Broad St
Summit , NJ , 07901
(908)598-8383Early Childhood / Day Cares0.7 mi | 8 students | Gr. PK-KG
Springfield The Children's Academy
37 Church Mall
Springfield , NJ , 07081
(973)379-3524Montessori School0.8 mi | 60 students | Gr. NS-K
School Reviews
Area Statistics
Recent Articles
Updated October 14, 2014
Add things up and you'll quickly find the answer- math is crucial both in academics and the real world. By following these strategies and following personal training programs, students can uncover their weaknesses and conquer math.
"Because I heard it is a good school." That may well be, but there are some other factors in the private school selection process we need to consider.
Running a small to medium sized private school? Can't afford marketing staff and expensive marketing programs? Read on.


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The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2014
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Improved detection with DiaSorin molecular technology
publication date: Nov 7, 2013
author/source: Mackintosh Lloyd Ltd
Improve detection of 'Winter Bugs' with DiaSorin nucleic acid extraction kits
DiaSorin LIAISON® Ixt / Arrow BUGS'n BEADS™ extraction kits provide high yield, high purity nucleic acid preparations for sensitive and accurate molecular identification of norovirus and Mycoplasma pneumonia.
As winter approaches, clinical laboratories are preparing for an increase in test requests for certain seasonal pathogens, such as norovirus and Mycoplasma pneumonia. The DiaSorin BUGS'n BEADS™ nucleic acid extraction kits, for use with the automated DiaSorin LIAISON® Ixt / Arrow™ instruments, provide a highly purified nucleic acid preparation from patient samples for sensitive and accurate molecular confirmation of these microorganisms1.
Outbreaks of norovirus, also known as winter vomiting disease, can spread quickly in certain semi-closed environments and frequently causes ward closures in hospitals during the winter months. Human noroviruses cannot be grown in cell culture and so diagnostic methods focus on the detection of viral RNA or antigen2.
Mycoplasma pneumonia is a common cause of atypical pneumonia. Since other, less common etiological agents exist, which require a different course of treatment, identification of bacterial DNA in clinical samples has become increasingly important in establishing the cause of atypical pneumonia3 so that the optimal directed therapy can be provided for patients.
The sensitivity and accuracy of nucleic acid detection and amplification techniques can be reduced by interferences caused by the complexity of the sample matrix. The unique magnetic bead technology harnessed by the DiaSorin extraction kits overcomes this problem by concentrating the target microorganisms from a variety of sample matrices, including urine, sputum, culture and swabs, and then providing a highly purified nucleic acid extraction for downstream molecular analysis. No enzymatic pre-treatment or prior heat treatment is required1.
The DiaSorin extraction kit solutions automate the purification and nucleic acid extraction process, reducing technician hands-on time and increasing sample throughput, making it ideal for the increasing workloads experienced during the winter months. The BUGS'n BEADS™ cartridges are simply loaded onto the LIAISON® Ixt / Arrow™ instrument for up to 12 patient samples and, in less than 45 minutes, a high yield, high purity nucleic acid preparation is then ready for use in a number of downstream applications1.
DiaSorin BUGS'n BEADS™ can be used for the extraction of nucleic acid from a variety of pathogens, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, enterovirus, MRSA, norovirus, Escherichia coli, Legionella, Mycoplasma pneumonia, Chlamydia pneumonia and Helicobacter pylori.
In addition to BUGS'n BEADS™, DiaSorin nucleic acid extraction kits are available for: the extraction of RNA or DNA; the extraction of DNA from stool and blood samples; and cell separation.
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EKF Molecular and Massachusetts General Hospital Announce Circulating Tumour Cell Clinical Research Collaboration
3D Triculture Model for Evaluating Breast Cancer Progression
Life-Saving Stem Cell Technology Receives Funding
Malvern Explores Rheology for Protein Formulation at 2nd Protein-Protein Interaction Conference
Conference Highlights Advances in the Research of Virus Diseases of Livestock and Viruses that Spread from Animals to Humans
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2014
"Tandem Mass Tag" Team Wins HUPO Science & Technology Award
Horizon Discovery Group plc Acquires Sage Labs Inc
Sinensis Life Sciences Acquires Spinnovation
Abcam Licenses Novel Ceefourin Inhibitors of Multidrug Resistance Protein 4 from Australia's Children's Cancer Institute
Carbolite expands its range to include Gero high-temperature furnaces
Ocean Optics Names World Cup of Applications Contest Winners