#the other Foligno

[alshaverpressbox]

if you give a moose some grapes 🫎🍇 minnesota wild instagram story, 10 november 2024

[babygirlspurgeon]

byoh - bring your own hat

[swayistheway]

devastated that we’re gonna be deprived of fliggy on fliggy violence today

[tootalltech]

to be so clear

ALSO ANOTHER WIN FOR FANS OF BRAYDEN SCHENN INTRICATE RITUALS

[asunsetgrace16]

✧ 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗞𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦⎥𝗖𝗕98

Pairing: Connor Bedard x fem!reader

Summary: After a long, hard practice, Connor comes home to his girlfriend and a classic makeout on the couch

Warnings: Swearing, kissing, Connor giving reader hickeys, technically underage drinking since it’s set in Chicago

Notes: This is my first fic ever, so please go easy on me. I am really proud of this, since so often I write something and think it is horrible, so this is a big step for me.

masterlist⎥ navigation

Word Count: 1.1k

Connor unlocks the door with a sigh. Practice was rough and the weather has turned to shit. He toes off his shoes as the scent of onions and garlic meet his nose. A smile creeps onto his cloudy face when he thinks about the person behind the mouth-watering food. The one who sees Connor in a way nobody else can. The one who knows him. 

He grins –fully this time– when he hears the music playing softly in the background. You can take a girl out of the country, but not the country out of the girl.

“Y/N, baby, I’m home”, he calls out, hanging his coat up and grabbing his phone.

“In the kitchen” she replies just as he walks in, “How was practice?”

“Rough. Harder than normal. Defense was put through the wringer, after that last game, and Richardson made us do sprints. We have got to get our shit together. A few guys were a little green by the end. Is there anything you need help with?”

“Just grab the wine out of the fridge. I had Janelle pick it up for me.Oh, grab the salad too. Greek tonight”

Connor heads around the island to the fridge, first stopping at the stove and wrapping his arms around his girlfriend. She relaxes into him, leaning her head back on his shoulder as his temple meets hers. They stand like that, eyes closed and relishing in the feeling of each other, finally. They sway gently to the beat of the music, a classic country love ballad that is one of Y/N's favourites. Y/N’s fingertips danced along his forearms before linking their fingers. 

“I fucking hate long distance. Maybe I should try and transfer to school here”, Y/N says quietly, feeling tears well in her eyes.​​

Connor chokes up at her words, inhaling a shaky breath before he speaks. This topic is one that was discussed hundreds of times while Y/N was applying to school. They both knew it would be hard, but as they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder. 

Hearing the tears in her voice, Connor swallows the lump in his throat and replies, “I know, baby, I know it sucks. I hate it too. I wish you were here more, and that I had more time to come up to you. But we can do this, let’s not take a moment we have together for granted.”

She turns in his arms, giving him a proper hug, holding each other close. He kisses her head, then kisses her lips tenderly. Y/N rests her head on his chest and feels the low thud of his heart. Connor drops a kiss to her shoulder and moves to get the wine and salad and the pasta is dished up. They discuss the happenings of the day over dinner, the momentary sadness over being apart evaporates. Connor shares animated stories of the Foligno kids and the better parts of practice. Both Connor and Y/N are wearing equally large smiles with love in their eyes. Their combined efforts have the dishes done, leftovers put away, and kitchen cleaned in record time. 

Y/N pours a second glass of wine for the two of them and she settles on the couch, tucked into Connor’s side with his arm around her shoulders. He turns on the TV, Modern Family playing quietly as they sit in comfortable silence. Connor’s hand runs down her arm, landing low on her hip. Her hand sits in his thigh, thumb slowly rubbing back and forth. Y/N breathes deeply, inhaling the fresh scent of the soap from Connor’s after practice shower and his spicy cologne that lingers on his shirt, feeling drowsy and safe and warm. She tips her head up at him, meeting his eyes. He has a gentle smile on his face, bringing his hand to cup her cheek. Connor strokes her cheek with his thumb before tracing the line of her jaw, his eyes taking in her face, committing every detail to memory. The colour of her eyes, freckles on her cheeks, her full bottom lip. 

His thumb catches on her lip, gently tugging it open before letting it go. He dips his head to hers, their lips meeting in a chaste kiss. Connor pulls back, but Y/N slides her hand around the back of his neck and brings their lips together again. This time deeper, more intense. She pushes up into a sitting position, her other hand finding Connor’s shoulder.

He grips her hip, holding her close and steady, other hand still on her cheek. He lets his tongue press against her lips, and she opens willingly. As they sink into the kiss, Connor grabs her behind her knee and pulls her to straddle his lap. The moment is all overlapping breaths and rushed inhales, searching hands and pure love. Both of Connor’s hands are on her hips now, slipping lower to grab her ass through her jeans. Y/N’s hand threads through his hair before tangling in his grown-out curls at the nape of his neck. Heavy breaths and light moans filter through the room when Connor kisses down Y/N’s neck, dragging his tongue over her jaw. His hands slide under her shirt, wandering over her bare back. He pulls her closer by a belt loop.

He peels her shirt off, and she returns the favour. Y/N tips her head back as Connor moves down her neck and along her collarbone, sliding her bra straps down. She lets out a breathy moan and moves to clutch his shoulders, she feels the firm muscles move and ripple under his warm skin. He pauses, nipping and sucking at her skin. The air is warm in the apartment, thick with tension. His hands sit firmly on her hips. Once Connor is satisfied with the mark he left, he moves a little lower, repeating the process again, and again. 

It's a good thing it is winter, once Connor is done and moves to kiss her lips again. Y/N winces a little when his fingers brush the new bruises.

"I'm sorry baby." he whispers against her mouth.

She simply smiles and says back to him, "No, you're not, and neither am I. I love it just as much as you do."

This closeness, the intimacy of the moment is something the two cherish when they are apart. Connor pulls Y/N into his chest, holding her close. He draws shapes lightly along the bare expanse of her back, goosebumps rising in their wake. Her hands find hair, playing with the ends. Their foreheads rest against each other, eyes closed and arms wrapped around each other. Contentment and drowsiness replace hurried desire.

Connor stands, setting Y/N on her feet. Offering her his hand, he says, "Come on love, let's get to bed."

[buttacake80]

Mat Barzal pops up multiple times as one of the friendliest NHL players which tracks with what I know about him.

Others are Braaaaaaaad Marchand, Nick Foligno, Zip, and BBC are also mentioned multiple times as nice people. So was Brady (but not his dad or his brother).

To no surprise, Gretzky was mentioned as one of the worst multiple times, along with Messier. Evander Kane, Chris Drury, and Taylor Hall were also mentioned a few times.

Split opinion on Corey Perry.

[equallyshaw]

star crossed loves au | connor bedard x kailey hughes au ↳ fractured jaw. ↳ au masterlist.

warnings: none! word count: 910

it was all a blur for kailey. it was if she lost her voice, and her ability to move. the moment brendan smith make contact with connor, she knew it was bad. she'd seen that hit and play, plenty of times before. she was sitting on the couch with her best friend and roommate, becca and the two were watching the game together. as soon as connor clutched his jaw, becca looked over toward her best friend and saw the thoughts running a mile a minute. becca went to go grab her friend, but kailey was already off the couch sending a text towards connor. she began to pace the living room with anticipation and the fear that his jaw was broken. she was not naive, and the tweets that had flashed on her twitter were.

she was hoping a concussion, but was prepared for the worst.

it was about 10 minutes into the second period when she saw the tweet that connor was not coming back for the evening, and then a minute later connor responded it. it was in fact a broken jaw, and he was undoubtedly pissed at the situation and pissed that he allowed himself to look down. she appreciated the response though by the Blackhawks. especially (uncle/dad) nick foligno, who had taken him under his wing since the gecko and his wife, had welcomed kailey with open arms. even though the two had been just talking, and now- freshly together. she just did not like that it was over connor, and that it was his injury creating all of this. connor texted her throughout the rest of the game, more so venting and releasing his frustration with it all. and then once nick joined the injury list, he was filled with guilt. though kailey told him very quickly. then the third period came around, and sat with her mouth agape and somewhat pissed off at jack, who had injured himself. nobody touched him, nobody did a thing but his little clumsy ass. unfortunately, now would not be the time for her to say in the group chat 'you guys should get some extra lessons from mom again'. she texted her mom, to see how he was. he was obviously, very pissed at himself.

and then the game was over, and was somewhat sad over the fact that the hawks had lost - despite their grit and comeback. she was pissed off and angry for them at the devils- but it is what it is she said as she laid down for the evening. becca came to wake kailey around 3:45 am, when somebody came to the door for her. the front desk called becca's phone after nobody had answered the buzzer near the front door. apparently their was a guy that was under 5'10, dirty blonde, stocky and had something on his face. kailey quickly threw on her robe, and becca went back to bed. she opened the front door to their apartment, and there was a sad and exhausted-looking connor. "come here." she said barely above a whisper and pulled him in for a big hug. she could visibly feel the tension, stress, and anxiety leave his body as he adjusted to her warmth and smaller frame.

"hi con.." she whispered, pulling back a bit to look at him. her hands were soft and inviting as they gravitated towards his now longer locks, and her eyes pierced his blue ones. she took in his temporary jaw cast/brace. she saw the scary and somewhat gnarly bruising that had already formed on his cheeks, jaw and around his nose. she pulled him down a bit as she stood on her tippy toes and kissed his forehead softly. she did a second one for good measure, before settling her feet back on the ground. "come on, let's get to bed." she said taking ahold of his hand and leading him towards her bedroom. "what do you need?" she questioned as she turned on her bed side lamp, and he shrugged. she saw the carry on bag he had and she grabbed it from him. she opened it, to quickly retrieve his pajamas and handed them to him.

he headed into the connected bathroom, as she fluffed up her two pillows on the other side of her spot. she moved the comforter down a bit so now it was all ready for him. she also turned her string lights and opted to turn off her side bed, the bright light she concluded might be too much for him. she settled back into bed, and curled into her side, facing his side. he put his alarm on for the morning, not far from then, and then sat down before pulling his legs into bed. "what do you need from me?" she questioned softly, as she got into a somewhat comfortable position, sitting up. he pulled his phone from the bedside table and began typing before showing her his phone.

"you being with me is enough kails." she smiled at him softly and then he began to type my hand, "just hold my hand." and she nodded before grabbing ahold of it.

connor was scared, rightfully so about monday when he was going to be checked out. kailey rested her head on his shoulder as softly as she could, and connor met hers with his.

the two of them fell asleep rather quickly, savoring eachother's warmth and presence.

hope you all enjoyed (:

[toasttt11]

suprise

December 20, 2023

Clementine had just had a game last night against the Flyers, the Devils losing in overtime. She got on a separate flight then her team this morning having got permission to leave and meet the team tomorrow in Edmonton.

She walked through the airport holding her duffle bag in her hand, she walked out into the cold Chicago air and smiled when she saw Janelle Foligno in the car waiting for Clementine.

Clementine quickly hurried to the passenger side getting into the warm car, she smiled leaning over the console hugging Janelle, “Thank you for doing this!”

“Of course!” Janelle fondly smiled at her.

Clementine turned in her seat hearing the kids in the back, “Hi Kiddos!”

“Clemy!” The three kids all cheered at the same time having seen her a lot more since Connor had signed with the blackhawks.

“Are you guys excited!” Clementine smiled at the three kids while Janelle started driving through the airport chaos.

“Yeah!!” Hudson cheered the youngest son of Nick and Janelle.

“Me too!” Landon their middle child smiled excitedly.

“Yeah.” Miliana quickly nodded with a big smile always enjoying skating with her dad.

Clementine smiled, and for the remainder of the drive she listened to the three kids tell her everything that’s happen since she has seen them last.

Clementine brushed her long blonde hair out of its messy bun from the flight, she was wearing a pair of jeans and black sweater with a black trench coat, she played with her silver sea star necklace seeing the Blackhawks Arena as they drove into the parking garage.

“Ready?” Janelle asked the four with a big smile exicted for the surprise, she got four nods in return.

Clementine opened the back door helping Landon out as the other two got out on the other side, Landon shyly grabbed Clementine’s hand holding, She looked down with a smile letting him hold her hand.

They walked into the Arena towards the rink where they saw lots of different family and friends getting together for the Chicago Blackhawks family skate.

Clementine saw Connor’s back as he was talking to Nick she gently let go of Landon’s hand and snuck up behind her baby brother, she stood up on her toes wrapping her arms over his shoulders resting her chin on his shoulder.

Connor tensed just slightly before smelling the perfume his sister has always worn and relaxed smiling as he spun around seeing his big sister here, he pulled her into a hug burying his head in her neck, “Faye?” Connor was confused as he thought none of his family could make the family skate.

“Hi connie.” Clementine pressed a kiss to the side of his head, holding her baby brother tightly.

“What are you doing? i thought you couldn’t come?” Connor smiled at his big sister when they pulled away from the hug.

“I couldn’t but i got coach to agree to let me come.” Clementine smiled shrugging knowing she did everything to make sure Connor wouldn’t be alone his first family skate.

“Thank you.” Connor squeezed her hand, before he held her hand and started bringing her to all his teammates who he has already introduced her too but she let him drag her around always confused how he’s always so proud of her.

Connor dragged her to the booth that had skates for the family and friends to use and grabbed a pair for Clementine to wear, they headed to a bench around the rink sitting down putting their skates on.

Clementine was done first and watched her baby brother fondly feeling like it was yesterday their parents handed Connor to her and helped her hold him, Clementine ran a hand through his hair that was messy after he slipped his beanie off, “I’ve missed you.”

Connor looked up from finishing her skates relishing in the comfort from his sister and felt alot of the anxiety and worries go away with her near, “I missed you too Faye.” Connor smiled softly truthfully hating being away in Chicago and none of his family near by, he’s love playing hockey but some days hockey isn’t always enough.

Clementine slipped his black beanie on before standing up putting a hand down to her brother who quickly took it, “Come on it’s been awhile since we’ve skated for fun together.” Connor smiled.

Clementine threw an arm over his shoulder as they got onto the ice and started skating around, “Last time i was on this ice i scored a goal.” Clementine smirked remembering the winning goal she got against the Blackhawks last season.

Connor chuckled at his sister, “We play each other soon.” Connor was so excited to be on the same ice as his sister during a game never having done that before, truthfully he would always rather be on her team and hopefully one day he will be.

“I know I’m very excited.” Clementine grinned shaking his shoulder slightly making Connor laugh, “Mom, Dad and Mads are coming the 22nd right?” Clementine double checked with Connie, knowing they decided to do Christmas at Connor’s apartment this year as it’s easier to meet in Chicago this year than Vancouver.

“Mhm.” Connor nodded still skating together, “Your coming the 23rd right?”

“Yeah i’m taking a late flight after my game.” Clementine nodded having planned to leave right after her game so she had the most time with her family.

Connor nodded happily at the thought of just a few days with his family.

Landon had skated over to them and asked to play with Connor, Connor looked at Clementine not wanting to leave her but she just smiled and nodded.

Clementine watched as Connor skated after Landon just like she use to when he was a super young, she felt a bump to her leg and looked down seeing Hudson smiling up at her, she smiled back at him.

She saw Janelle, Nick and Miliana right behind him, “I think they are entertaining each other.” Clementine smiled watching Connor and Landon chase each other on the ice.

“He’s gonna sleep good tonight.” Nick fondly laughed, knowing how much his three kids love Connor and Clementine.

Clementine stayed skating with them for a good while before Connor and Landon joined them finally worn out, “Had fun?” Nick asked with an amused look.

“Did i have that much energy?” Connor looked at Clementine for an answer.

“Connor, you still do.” Clementine deadpan with a smile, Connor just shrugged knowing she wasn’t wrong.

A media person was skating around taking pictures and asked for a picture of Clementine and Connor, Clementine threw her arm around Connors shoulder pulling him to her as they smiled their identical smiles at the camera, the media perosn skated off saying a thank you.

Connor looked at Clementine with puppy eyes, Clementine fondly rolled her eyes knowing what he wants but nodded agreeing, Connor cheered always loving racing Clementine on the ice.

“Around the net and back?” Connor proposed, Clementine nodded, “3,2,1 Go.” The two started skating really fast to the other side of the rink, skating around all the people on the ice. Connor has always had to work really hard to be a fast skater and Clementine has always just had naturally ability of being very fast on the ice, she quickly got around the net first and skated back to other side of the rink easily beating Connor, she skidded to a stop turning around watching Connor reach the net.

“I’ll beat you one day.” Connor pouted slighty have never been able to beat his sister on the ice.

“Oh i have no doubts little brother.” Clementine fondly smiled throwing her arm over his shoulder again.

They skated around for a another hour before the Family skate was finally over and it was about 3:00 PM so Clementine and Connor had a good few hours to spend together before they had to go to sleep and Clementine was leaving early in the morning.

Clementine sat on the bench taking off her skates, Connor sat next to her taking hsi off as well, “Faye..”

Clementine looked at Connor who was looking at her with puppy eyes, “What do you want?” Clementine raised an eyebrow knowing Connor always uses his puppy dog eyes.

“Will you make mac and cheese?” Connor hopefully grinned, knowing Clementine doesn���t love cooking but she is really good at it.

“Do you have all the ingredients?” Clementine questioned sliding her black boots back on.

Connor rapidly nodded. Clementine fondly rolled her eyes, “Alright fine.” Connor smiled cheering looking very happy.

Clementine stood up with Connor walking out to the parking garage with the Foligno’s to get her bag from the car.

Clementine grabbed her bag from the car and turned around as the three kids all hugged her at the same time, “I’ll miss you guys.” Clementine smiled hugging all three of them at the same.

“We’ll miss you too Clemy!” Miliana sadly smiled, sad they can’t spend more time with her.

“I’ll see you guys soon don’t worry.” Clementine smiled at the three as she bent down to their height, she booped all their noses before getting up accepting the hug from Nick.

“Thank you for watching him.” Clementine muttered to Nick, having actually met Nick and his wife during her rookie year and had asked if they could keep an eye on her brother.

“Of course.” Nick fondly smiled knowing how much Clementine cares for her siblings and anyone can tell how much Connor looks up to his big sister and Nick had no doubt that sooner or later the two would be playing together on one team.

“Thank you.” Clementine whispered to Janelle, having been thankful how Janelle helped make this trip really easy for Clementine.

“Of course.” Janelle smiled before letting her go from the hug.

Clementine and Connor waved to the family before walking to Connor’s car, Clementine got into the passenger seat and Connor in the driver seat and Connor started driving the quick drive to his apartment.

Connor pulled into the parking garage of his apartment turning the car off, They walked into the apartment and headed into the elevator to Connor’s floor. Connor unlocked the door and let Clementine and him in.

“If you wanna take a shower first and then we can make dinner?” Connor suggested knowing Clementine always like showering after being on a airplane and she just loves taking warm showers.

Clementine nodded and headed to the guest room that she has stayed in many times already, She slipped off her clothes getting into the steaming hot shower feeling her body relax from the warmth.

Clementine finished her showered changing into a pair of devils sweatshirt and vancouver hoodie, she slipped on a pair of fuzzy socks and brushed out her long soaking wet hair before grabbing her phone and heading out of the room seeing Connor on his phone in comfy clothes as well.

Clementine plopped onto the couch next to Connor taking the blanket on the back of the couch she picked out for his apartment and layed it over her beginning to scroll on her phone for awhile.

Connor and Clementine were so focused on their phones for at least an hour until Connor’s stomach loudly rumbled, Clementine laughed, “Alright let’s get you some food.” She pulled him off the couch and heading to the kitchen.

Clementine was pleasantly surprised there was actually a few food ingredients in his fridge and started to pull out everything for mac and cheese, Connor pulled out a french bread loaf and started pulling things out for garlic bread.

Clementine and Connor both did their part of the meal and within thirty minutes they had both finished. They plated up their food and sat back down on the couch together turning the TV onto a hockey game that was playing right now.

They finished eating and Connor brought the plates into the kitchen and came back tot he living room and sat on the couch laying his head onto her lap, Clementine looked down smiling at her brother and started playing with his hair.

They watched the entire hockey game and Clementine could feel Connor fast asleep in her lap, she grabbed the other blanket covering him and set her alarm before she rested her head on the couch and slowly began to fall asleep as well.

December 21, 2023

Clementine woke up to the sound of her alarm, she rubbed her eyes shutting the alarm off seeing Connor slowly waking up as well.

Clementine yawned stretching her arms above her head before reluctantly getting off the couch, she headed to the guest room and did all of her toiletries and everything before putting all her stuff back in her duffle bag and closing it up, she grabbed her bag heading out of the room setting it by the front door.

Connor walked out of his room looking more awake, “Ready to go?” Connor asked Clementine while slipping on his slides.

Clementine nodded and picked her bag back up heading out of his apartment and down to the parking garage, they both got in the car and started the drive to airport.

After a little while they got to the crazy busy Chicago airport, getting to the terminal she’s needs to go to. Connor pulled into the parking spot by the terminal.

Clementine sadly smiled and leaned over the console pulling Connor into a tight hug, “I’ll see you in a few days, have a good game tonight, I love you.” Clementine pressed a soft kiss to the side of his head.

Connor held onto his sister tightly always hating saying bye to her, “Have a good game too, I love you too Faye.” He reluctantly pulled away sending her a sad smile, one she easily returned.

Clementine hopped out of the car with her bag and started heading to the door, she turned around sending one last wave to her brother before heading into the airport.

[babygirlspurgeon]

“Me and Middsy looked at each other on the plane and we’re like how many penalty minutes do you have? I’m like ‘I think I got four’ and he’s like ‘I think I got four too’ and I’m like wow we gotta start doing something to get our rep up here what’s going on?” - Marcus Foligno on Brock Faber having more penalty minutes than him

[loneberry]

some notes on sufism

The other day I went to the Harvard Divinity School Muslims iftar (the meal that breaks the fast during Ramadan), which was followed by a concert of Turkish music that is traditionally performed in Sufi lodges in Istambul. Before the music began, the professor I’ve been auditing Islamic literature classes with read some verses from Rumi’s Masnavi and offered a meditation on fasting through an interpretation of the lines: “If you have closed this mouth, another mouth is opened, which becomes an eater of the morsels of mysteries.” That is the nature of mystical knowledge—gnosis (or maʿrifa) is not understood intellectually, but tasted (dhawq). The closing of the bodily mouth is an opening of the spiritual mouth. He asked us to listen to the music with the inner heart.

I went with my friend S, who has been nudging me toward conversion. I’ve been allergic to religion most of my life because I’m not really much of a joiner. I distinctly remember being in (Catholic) Sunday School as a child and thinking to myself: This sounds fake to me. As in, made-up, irrational. The people who treated the fanciful stories like fact seemed like crackpots to me, even to my child-mind. I don’t think I ever believed in Santa either—I guess my disposition was innately skeptical; perhaps that contributed to my identification with anarchism from when I was 13 or 14. Yet at the same time, my feeling for the invisible, for the world of the dead, was always quite strong, even when it was unstitched from a belief system. As a kid I would wander the house alone at night, thinking I could hear my dead parakeet chirping from a shoebox in the garage.  

I hated Sunday School. While I was always good at school-school (at least when I was a child, before I became an incorrigible truant), I was terrible at Sunday School. Because it seemed like hocus-pocus to me, none of it stuck. My classmates had internalized all the stories I thought were outlandish. During mass I would think exclusively about donuts, the ones we would buy from the ladies who would sell them as a fundraiser. I’ve thought about returning to Catholicism, but sadly, after the post-1970s political realignment in the US, all the leftist Catholics (the Marxists who loathed the Vietnam War and exposed the FBI’s COINTELPRO) are gone. As much as I love reading Catholic mystics (St Teresa of Avila, St John of the Cross, Angela of Foligno, Hildegard of Bingen, Meister Eckhart, Marguerite Porete, and others), Christian mysticism is more individualist than Islamic mysticism—asceticism and separation from the group is the way to commune with God, while Islamic mysticism is rooted in communal practices like sama (singing, dancing, reciting poetry, playing/listening to music) and dhikr (communal prayer for the remembrance of God). While Christian mysticism bears the imprint of the Neoplatonist trajectory of ascent, for Sufism, the trajectory is shaped like a paisley. After fana (annihilation of the ego/union with God/dying before you die), there is baqaa or subsistence, a return of sorts. 

I also much prefer the Islamic orientation to the created world than the Christian one, for in Islam, everything in creation can be understood as the breath or speech of God. The Hadith on which Sufi cosmology is based reads, “I was a hidden Treasure and Loved to be known, so I created the world that I might be known.” All of creation is a mirror to reflect God (this is why you must polish the rust from your heart, for the human heart can manifest all the names and qualities of God). In the Islamic mystical tradition there is an affirmation of the created world even though God and creation are not the same (as is the case in Pantheism). Everything has ontology. Nothing has ontology. The Sufi metaphysicians ask us to see with two eyes. The drop is not the ocean at the same time it cannot be separated from the ocean.

7 years ago I read Reza Aslan’s God: A Human History. After sampling the platter of world religions I joked to myself, Hmmm, if I had to pick the one I vibe with most, I guess it would be Sufism (Islamic mysticism). I didn’t know anything about Sufism other than the Rumi and Hafez poetry I read as a teenager, but the way Aslan described Ibn ‘Arabi’s concept of 'wahadat al-wujud' (or Unity of Being) reminded me of Spinozism. I guess what I’m trying to say is...I just think Sufi metaphysics is...right. Or, it speaks to how I tend to think about reality. It’s not something I can prove (that I don’t exist, while at the same time I am part of the ALL that is God), but it makes the most sense to me.

In the Sufi literature class, S jokes to me: “You’re the only non-Muslim in this class.” The same was probably true at the iftar + concert. S points to someone from the class: “The Maoist is a recent convert. This is their first time fasting for Ramadan.” “Is [our professor] fasting?” “Of course. I saw him at the iftar last night and talked to him about translation. I told him it’s ghastly to try to fit Persian verse into an English rhyme scheme. He agreed with me.” (We are clearly partisans of blank verse translations… yet so much of what’s out there has been poorly translated or not translated at all.) 

Much of the lyrics sung with the gorgeous music were verses written by the great Turkish-language Sufi poet and mystic Yunus Emre ("the Dante of Turkey," I whispered to S). S was ecstatic listening to the haunting ney (a kind of flute). We just so happened to be sitting in the same row as the professor. I tapped S and whispered that it looked like he was really enjoying the music. He was smiling with his eyes closed and swaying his head from side to side. He looked like he was having...a profound experience. This prof usually has what I guess you’d call ‘resting bitch face’ (which I always found funny because it runs counter to his sweet and gentle personality). But not at the concert. Pure bliss was painted on his face. It was then that it dawned on me that Sufism, for him, was probably something more than a scholarly interest. I thought about what it must have been like to discover something so beautiful and profound, and to know, in that moment, that your life will be changed forever—you might go off to Iran and devote your entire life to studying medieval texts. 

Of course this Ramadan I am thinking continuously about the genocide in Gaza, how an entire population is being starved to death by the sadistic leaders of Israel, how terrible it must be to be bombed and shot at during the holy month, or to break your fast with boiled grass and animal feed. I feel truly ashamed to come from a country that is complicit in this violence. I hope everyone continues to apply pressure to end this war—it feels hopeless now, but it is making a difference.

[stereax]

is it too soon to ask for some mock trades and analyses for Marner, Mo Rielly, and/or Tavares?

Not too soon, anon! Sorry I didn't get to you earlier, I've been working on this ask for about a week now, sorry it's taken so long! Let's take a look under the cut, shall we?

We're going to go backwards in this request - from Tavares to Rielly and last Marner. Bring up the drama and suspense, discuss what's easiest and move to harder topics later. Without further ado:

JOHN TAVARES: UNMOVABLE

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Tavares's contract is way too much money for his current production. He plays as a 2C and sometimes even 3C in Toronto's system. That's not a player you can pay 11 million dollars. Even if the "real price" is lower once his signing bonus is paid, it's still a terrible contract cap-wise. Additionally, Tavares's NMC makes moving him tough. It's been speculated that, even if him moving would benefit the team by allowing them to hold onto Marner, that he would not accept that proposition and would exercise his NMC to stay in Toronto with his family. It must also be considered that not many teams have room to add an $11m player who isn't playing to that potential.

This is probably one of the only trades I see making sense. Chicago is one of the only teams with the room to take on all $11m of that contract and not get an elite player out of it. We know they've been in the market for old men (see: the Foligno contract, the Hall contract, the Mrazek contract, the Perry contract...) and want players to play with Bedard in the short term. As such, you pay to dump Tavares's contract with Liljegren and a first. I don't think that's enough, but Toronto has no other good draft picks unless they add their 2026 1st. In both cases, you're hamstringing a potential retool at its knees.

Likelihood: 2/10. It makes sense but for Tavares's NMC. You'd have to strong-arm him to waive it. Additionally, the first(s) you give up are vital to a retool and could be used to trade for better players, not just the lack of players.

MORGAN RIELLY: UNFATHOMABLE

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Toronto needs good, puck-moving defensemen. Morgan Rielly is a good, puck-moving defenseman. Why are we trading him? What do I not see here? He has a full NMC for four more years, plus an M-NTC for the next two. Why?

Well. Um. Lemme think here.

Rielly is a left shot defenseman making $7.5m against the cap for the next six years. He's the only defenseman the Leafs currently have making more than $2m against the cap. That being said, there are questions about whether he's a true #1 defenseman or an above average #2.

To explain, let me pull up some JFresh cards of three #1 defensemen -

So we notice that Rielly is middling in EV offense WAR, bad at EV defense WAR, and very good at PP WAR. Karlsson is very good at EVO WAR, bad at EVD WAR, very good at PP WAR. Makar is middling in EVO WAR, good at EVD WAR, and good at PP WAR.

Past that, take a look at the microstats. Karlsson is only below average in entry denial rate, prevention of entry with possession, and hits; most of the rest of his stat sheet is bright blue, very good. Makar is only below average in d-zone retrievals (by one percentage point) and hits; past that, just about all of his stats are bright blue, very good. Rielly, however, is low on many microstat metrics, including primary shot assists, passes (yikes), and in-zone offense. This has led many to underline that he's not a "true" #1 defenseman in the way Karlsson and Makar are. Additionally, see the scouting report: he "plays too much" at 24:00 TOI, which is not #1 defenseman caliber.

All this being said, it still makes no sense to trade Rielly. He's your best defenseman by a country mile, you're in a contention window, and the rest of your defense isn't going to be able to replace that. The only way I see them moving off Rielly is if they pursue a top free agent #1 defenseman (Skjei, Montour) or someone who they believe can be a #1 defenseman (Ekman-Larsson comes to mind here). Unless they're going to try to trade for a top defenseman? No idea who would take that, though. Chychrun? But I doubt Ottawa would want to trade him to the Leafs.

Alright. Let's see a trade or three.

This is an idea where you're going Mittelstadt-for-Byram, Hall-for-Larsson, 1-for-1 trade. The difference between Rielly and Power is a little more significant, however; hence, I threw in some prospects on both sides to make it a little more palatable. Robertson is an NHL caliber player who's forced down the depth chart with the Leafs and could benefit from a team with fewer expectations and more chances for him to crack the top six; Kozak is a decent two-way player who could act as a third-line center; Hirvonen could probably will himself onto the Sabres' roster if his life so far has been any indication. Power gets a chance to be a true #1 without Dahlin in the way; Rielly acts as both a good "role model" and can play top-line minutes if needed.

Another 1-for-1, but one that's "easier", so to speak. Winnipeg has made it clear that Ehlers is on the trade block and that they're intending to contend for the near future. Rielly helps Winnipeg's defense, plus the term on his contract is enticing for a team that only has Morrissey signed past next season. Ehlers gives the core another top six winger to play with, one that's chronically underrated as well, and reduces the need to re-sign Bertuzzi and/or Domi. Here, however, you'd need to pursue a Montour or Skjei or other top defenseman in free agency.

This is a Gauthier-style trade that lets Toronto do what it really wants to - escape the cap hit of Rielly to be able to land a top defenseman in free agency. Attard is big, he's "offensive minded", and also he's very large. He seems to be a tweener at best from his career so far, but he may be able to thrive in the right system (and we know old-style hockey people like Treliving and Berube love their big defensemen). The picks get flipped later on for things like, you know, a goalie. Philly, for its part, picks up a player who is instantly their best defenseman.

Likelihood: 1/10. I don't think Treliving and company seriously want to move off Rielly. If the opportunity to upgrade presents itself, maybe, but I don't think Rielly is as "on the table" as they're saying.

MITCH MARNER: UNPALATABLE

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This is the big one. Marner's great. Nobody's doubting that. The problem is, Marner is expensive and projected to be expensive for the significant future. Additionally, Marner is, unlike Tavares, a player you can sell without having to pay for it. However, moving Marner means you either play Nylander with Matthews or play people like Bertuzzi and Knies with Matthews. Neither is optimal - Nylander has to drive his own line, especially without Marner, and Matthews needs a set-up man like Marner to unlock his full potential. Remember that one Quiz where they flat-out called Marner Matthews's superpower?

Let's take a look at trades before I go on too much about Marner's playstyle though. All of these will be assumed to happen after July 1, so that Marner's signing bonus can hit and the monetary payment for Marner drops significantly.

THE 1-for-1 trade. You thought the Rielly 1-for-1s were good, take a look at this. Nashville can afford the cap hit in full, would be able to give Marner top player time on a playoff team, and can move on from Saros by finally releasing Askarov from the Admirals. Toronto gets A Goaltender, specifically a top goaltender, which they are in desperate need of, with the possibility of extending him if they don't like what they're seeing from Woll or maybe Hildeby. It seems like Nashville is the foregone destination conclusion for Marner, but let's see some other ideas.

Toronto gets Binnington, who, despite being a... feisty player, is still a very good goalie, plus Faulk, who's a competent RHD to pair with Rielly, thus hitting their two biggest concerns. St Louis can clear a bit of cap here and picks up Marner, thus opening up Buchnevich even further for a trade to pick up assets. However, St Louis would have to grab a goalie as well if they intend on competing - Hofer is good, but not good enough to play 82 games a season. Maybe they can pick up Gibson at 50% retained, or maybe Martin Jones?

This is a fun one - Marner becoming the face of Utah Hockey. Toronto picks up a good offensive defenseman in Durzi and a solid, cost-controlled winger in Crouse, as well as what may be a near-first-round caliber 2nd and their own 2nd back. Utah is closer to contention - or at least wildcard playoff losses - than many of the non-playoff teams in the league. If not for that 14 loss streak (you know the one) they could have ended within striking distance of a wildcard. Marner might be what they need to get them there and is a clear upgrade on Crouse. Durzi's loss is compensated by the ability of Lamoureux to crack the lineup in a significant role.

Likelihood: 5/10. This seems to be what Treliving would want - to trade Marner off - but I'm not sure how feasible it really is. If I had to guess, I'm betting it's to Nashville, but the Utah idea is growing on me. It all depends if and how Marner waives his NMC.

Well! There ya have it, anon! Mock trades and ideas for all of Tavares, Rielly, and Marner. Sorry it took so long, again, and I really hope this answers your question!

If you enjoyed, drop a like, maybe reblog? It's up to you, though. Thanks for the ask, I really enjoyed working on it!

[asunsetgrace16]

Karaoke ⎥ Chicago Blackhawks

I have no idea what their music preferences are, this is purely based off vibes. This what I think the Chicago Blackhawk's go-to karaoke songs are.

masterlist

Connor Bedard - he knows every word to 'We Didn't Start the Fire' by Billy Joel for some reason that he never tells anybody. He is dared to sing it one day because it's an older song, so he does it perfectly and surprises every person in the room

Colin Blackwell - 'Love Story' by Taylor Swift. 100%

Jason Dickinson - a stunning rendition of 'Vienna' by Billy Joel

Ryan Donato - keeps it classic with 'Don't Stop Believin'' by Journey. It's very mid, but not bad

MacKenzie Entwistle - a horribly off-key version of 'Livin' on a Prayer' by Bon Jovi

Nick Foligno - claims he is too old for karaoke but sticks with the classics too and goes with either 'Hotel California' by Eagles or 'Under Pressure' by Queen

Taylor Hall - there's about a 55% chance he sings something Nickleback and the other 45% is 'Love Like This' by BlackHawk for some sentimental reason

Seth Jones - something Katy Perry, I feel like. No reason, just a feeling. More than likely it's 'Firework'

Kevin Korchinski - either something by Zach Bryan or a 'The Last Saskatchewan Pirate' by Captain Tractor duet with Reese Johnson (please tell me somebody will get it)

Philipp Kurashev - adorably accented version of 'Call Me Maybe' by Carly Rae Jepsen. Everybody loves it

Petr Mrazek - first an enthusiastic attempt at 'Dream On' by Aerosmith, then plays it safe with 'Sweet Caroline' by Neil Diamond, met with applause and sing-along

Connor Murphy - also claims he's too old for karaoke, then proceeds to whip the most excellent cover of 'It's My Life' by Bon Jovi out of his back pocket and absolutely floors everybody

Alex Vlasic - 'Shut Up and Dance' by Walk the Moon or 'Stacy's Mom' by Fountains of Wayne. Or some other 2000's hit

[sarcasmchandlerbing]

Below the cut there are other team polls if you want to vote in them too!

Anaheim Ducks

Boston Bruins

Buffalo Sabres

Calgary Flames

Carolina Hurricanes

Colorado Avalanche

Columbus Blue Jackets

[sergeifyodorov]

of the teams w the old captains who do u think are going to be their successors/if u could replace all the captains who would you replace them with

not entirely sure but: for every team with no captain OR a pending UFA captain, here's my thots:

ducks: this team does not appear to have a leadership group at all? is that normal? like no one with any letters??? anyway i predict mason mctavish will get the captaincy. it was probably flirted with to give it to trevor zegras at some point while the getzlaf era was fading and then they quickly realized it's like. trevor zegras. terry/vatrano/maybe gudas? will probably get some kind of A situation

kraken: i don't traverse kraken fandom spaces a lot but it is my understanding that yanni gourde is the sort of spiritual captain already? i also am going to assume that shane wright will get a full call-up next year, considering he's no longer slide eligible. i imagine the plan might be to sort of. ease him into Second Official Captain Of The Seattle Kraken type deal

blackhawks: jesus that jones contract is bad. like Bad bad. i can only imagine out of some misguided hope (because i am not Entirely sure hawks management knows what they're doing) they want to give the captaincy to The Sacred Child but again, he's like 3 and doesn't really seem attuned to that so it would be a bad idea imho. maybe seth jones then? i do feel the need to state though that There Is No One On This Team. it's nick foligno connor bedard seth jones and a dream.

avalanche: now i know i said in cases of no captain or UFA captain only but. i'm saying it now, i don't think landeskog is coming back. maybe he will pull a carey price -- hack out a couple games at the end of this season or next, to raucous applause and the game is good when he's in it, but for all intents and purposes we have witnessed the end. that being said they're no doubt going to give it to cale makar, which will be a mistake

utah hc: it should be clayton keller as i've been saying

sabres: exciting exciting !! the sabres have a history of trading their captains which means sabres captaincy is solidly a Cursed Thing To Bear which i enjoy. anyways mostly because he appears to be being set up for it (youngish player, touted prospect, wearing the A already) and also in the interests of torturing the blonde man i think it should be rasmus dahlin

lightning: not that there isn't a pretty significant chance of him returning to tampa but should stevie stamkos leave in free agency i think they'll probably pull a marchy-in-boston and name victor hedman captain. mostly because they don't really have any notable Youths to Pass The Torch too, other than, like, mikhail sergachev, and as cunty as he is he's not really like. captain material <- as far as i'm aware (plus he doesn't even have an A)

[crossbackpoke-check]

find a blorbo (nhl tag game)

RULES: Go through the roster of each NHL team and find at least one player that you can root for.

tagged by @bondedpairs!! when i say too many teams to count and here for the narrative um. i may not have lied. this is not an extensive list of my blorbos but in order to make it not ten thousand years long i made up the rule that i had to do it straight from memory :)

anaheim ducks: as evidenced by recent events i DO like mason mctavish and trevor zegras but i have to honor laura and mention troy terry and beloved goalie gibbie*

boston bruins: oh for sure brad marchand… can i say patrice? one of the charlies got traded but i think mcavoy is still there because gryz is gone, brandon carlo is there still i think

buffalo sabres: cozens & thompson, owen power, rasmus dahlin, ukko pekka luukkonen

calgary flames: is chris tanev still here? is markstrom still here?? noah hanifin?? as a last resort i’ll say blasty

carolina hurricanes: aho & jarvy & teuvo teravainen & brent burns is still playing maybe? i know sepe got traded

chicago hockey: the bedsy narrative is compelling but ANDREAS ATHANASIOU MY BELOVED reunited with tyler bertuzzi… that’s the real story. also i like foligno

colorado avalanche: gabe landeskog, whatever ross colton & miles wood have going on, natemac + jo, mikko

columbus blue jackets: have long been on the merzlikins train, have been swayed to the darkside of umich boys (brindley, kent johnson, fantilli, blankenburg who is now on nsh)

dallas stars: seggy! mush! roope + miro and otter and robo and wyjo (rip ty dellandrea) and harls! etc.

detroit red wings: MOST players. dilly larks, moritz seider, jv, raymond, rasmussen, kitty, lyon, etc except for k*ne

edmonton oilers: mcdrai, ofc. nugent-hopkins, nursey, rip vinny & skinny

florida panthers: tkachuk, reinhardt, sasha barkov, verhaeghe (is there still?)

los angeles kings: adrian kempe… kevin fiala… danault… quinton byfield & alex turcotte

minnesota wild: kirill, marat, fleury, brodes, fabes, boldy, moose, middsy, spurge… god’s perfect idiots

montreal canadiens: going out on a limb here to say martin st. louis but also xhekaj (both), slafkovský, suzuki, my austrian reinbacher, yes fine cole caufield

nashville predators: MOST BEAUTIFUL D PAIR IN THE WORLD GRADY SKJEI AND ROMAN JOSI!! juuse, evangelista, isn’t stamkos there and also someone else who absolutely should not be

new jersey devils: nico… tuna (tatar), dawson mercer, siegenthaler, dougie hamilton, yes the hugheses whatever

new york islanders: barzy, zeeker & marty, anders lee, noah dobson lol

new york rangers: mika & chris, lafrenière & k’andre, shesterkin

philadelphia flyers: frosty & beezer and tk and sanny and the new baby michkov and coots and scooty loots and foerster etc etc. you know the Guys

pittsburgh penguins: the two headed monster but also compelled by rutger mcgroarty, and kevin hayes was there!!!

ottawa senators: timmy stü & brady! josh norris! the evolution of shane pinto! ullmark now and brännström and claude giroux and chabot

san jose sharks: ekky, thrun, mario, borde, logan couture, shakir, that other vaguely blond rookie

seattle kraken: brandon tanev, andre burakovsky! grubauer & d’accord also

st. louis blues: jordan kyrou, nathan walker (is still there?), rob thomas? is parayako still there?

tampa bay lightning: hedman, point, they dumped so many guys after the cup run… is kucherov still there or is he in nashville?? anthony cirelli (notable for being made out with by pat maroon)

toronto maple leafs: mitch, jt, willy, alex nylander, kniesy, dewar, et

utah hockey: crouse, keller, tuba

vancouver canucks: quinn, brock, petey, jt, garly, höggy, i want to say dakota johnson, elias lindholm?

vegas golden knights: brandon montour is here now… alex pietrangelo, so sorry to one i can’t remember who loves the lions it will come back to me

washington capitals: full of love and stupidity. oshie, nicke/ovi, pierre-luc dubois, dowd, vrána, milano

winnipeg jets: adam lowry!! josh morissey and kc and morgan barron, also vladdy my beloved

tagging @stillfertile + @colap1nto + @songsandswords + @moregraceful if they haven’t done it yet, i know they follow at least a couple teams. if anybody else wants to play i love adopting blorbos!!