I would like to thank y’all for making “Looking Camp Right In The Eye: WAGs Playoff Jackets 2022” our most-read issue of the newsletter. Thank you for embracing our chaos and making this project so much fun for the past six months.
Now, let’s get into the highlights of the first week of round two
It’s Brady’s world and we’re just living in it
For the past couple of weeks, Brady Tkachuk became the main character of his older brothers’ playoff run by supporting full-on the Flames.
Some people who clearly hate fun were bitter to see Brady enjoying himself. However, he got the last laugh on the way to the bank since his amazing antics got him a new bag with Budweiser.
The beer sucks, but a check is a check, so I respect the hustle.
Also, this isn’t out of character for Brady. He did the same thing for his BFF Robert Thomas, his dad and the Blues in 2019. He was even hanging out in a Blues jersey at the Championship Parade. He clearly supports his friends and family.
We love when players make the older people in the media go crazy because they aren’t behaving like the typical “hockey player” they have in mind. However, it’s a little ironic how people are so up in arms about this since this sport is nepotistic and built on family connection, as we saw at last year’s draft. Where is Dylan Strome in his Rangers’ jersey or Mark Stone or even Evgeny Svechnikov?
Binnington being Binnington
Jordan Binnington once again threw a tantrum and acted like a big baby. After an accidental collision with Nazem Kadri and Callen Rosen which will leave him out for the rest of the series, Binnington went out of his way to throw a water bottle at Kadri during his televised post-game interview.
Gaby is going to write more about this for Thursday, but I would just like to say the length some of y’all go through to bring up Kadri’s “reputation” is fascinating. I would say that it screams racist dog whistles, but the truth is y’all are just straight-up racist. Now, Kadri has to deal with attacks, threats and the police, and for what?
The Panthers are on their way to get swept by The Lightning
I honestly don’t even know how I’m currently writing this subheading. The funniest part is that it’s not even Boborosky’s fault as one would assume. He’s been the most consistent player for a team that is barely showing up. Barkov, Huberdeau, Giroux, Bennett - where y’all at?
What we were currently witnessing would make sense if I was a stats girlie because they did look shaky during their series against the Caps. However, since we’re vibes only over here, I glossed over it and took the win.
It’s truly catastrophic to think that not only the Lightning would make it to the Conference Finals for the third time in a row, but they would have a WHOLE week to rest before their next matchup.
I’m currently questioning if I should do a full-on Vodou ceremony to call the lwa and help my fellow Haitien-Canadian, Anthony Duclair, before tonight’s game. The Panthers can’t go down like this! It would be a tragic end to their Cinderella year.
Tony Deangelo getting put back in his place (again)
I have nothing relevant to say except, “I’m Just Going To Scoot Over & Let You Wack Him. Get Him Again. Get Him For Me.”
Tony Deangelo getting clowned is just my favorite part of the week. He deserves every single drag he gets.
You would think that someone who got an undeserved fifth chance to play in the big leagues would just stay quiet and do his job instead of arguing with everybody and their mama. But hey, maybe it’s just me!
Pride over body, because “IT’S PLAYOFFS, BABY.”
Every year, when a round ends, the losing team does their end-of-the-season press conference and tells the media about all the injuries they play through during the playoffs. Broken bones, concussions, ACL… you name it!
This year’s new cohort of players making bad decisions are…
Matt Dumba
Sidney Crosby
TJ Oshie
Leon Draisaitl currently playing for the Oilers on one good ankle
The league has an image of being the “toughest players” in the world. Since playing through injuries dates back to the beginning of the NHL, the motto “play until you physically can’t” has become ingrained in its culture.
We saw it with Andrew Shaw and Brent Seabrook with their early retirement. They gave their all to the Blackhawks during their deep playoff run in the 2010s just to retire with chronic health issues in their late 20s/mid-30s.
Personally, being able to play catch with your kids when you turn 40 years old should be worth more than going through a deep playoff run injured for a team that won’t even check for you the minute you become a burden to them.
Seriously, you're telling the media and the fans about all the health issues you had in the past months, just for them to respond to how you’re still overpaid, overrated and should be traded immediately. Eventually, these people will need to learn that those fifteen seconds of glory should not be prioritized over the 60 years you still have left to live.
Finally, I will leave y’all with two tweets that got me cackling for the past 72 hours.
This should definitely become next season's NHL anthem for the players - “Legs & hips & body body bodyyy”
No comment, but a lot to think about!
Enjoy your Victoria’s Day or your National Patriots' Day for our anti-monarchic friends.
With Love,
Perrye