The Unknown Poster

Or at least the Moose should be

TSN Bankrupt NHL star defenceman Jack Johnson is accused of being in cahoots with his parents in taking out a string of high-interest loans. RFF Family Partnerships, a California-based marketing company which is among Johnson’s largest creditors in his bankruptcy case, accuses the Columbus Blue Jacket of committing “false representation and/or actual fraud” during the year-old case. Johnson shocked the hockey world nearly a year ago when he filed for bankruptcy, disclosing that he had amassed more than $10 million worth of debt. In an even more startling twist, Johnson said his parents were to blame for his financial distress. In a Columbus Dispatch story on Nov. 20, 2014, Johnson said he “picked the wrong people” to give him financial advice and in court documents, Johnson charged that his parents John and Kristina took out millions of dollars worth of high-interest-rate loans in his name, without his knowledge. His parents, Johnson alleged, pledged his future NHL earnings as collateral for the loans. While Johnson’s case has largely disappeared from the headlines over the past year, his venomous legal battle with his creditors continues. It’s been so contentious that lawyers for his creditors have asked the court for permission to question Johnson’s lawyers themselves over his decision to file for bankruptcy, an extraordinary measure. Johnson has been forced to disclose minute details about his monthly expenses over the past year, filing his credit card and bank statements with the court each month, sharing details on everything from his purchases of food and gas to gifts. He’s also required to provide information about his NHL income and NHLPA retirement savings plans. But in what sources close to Johnson say has been among the most difficult developments over the past year, the Blue Jackets defenceman has been accused of working alongside his parents to secure high-interest loans – allegations that are directly counter to his statements with the court. Johnson’s agent, Pat Brisson, who has started working for the player again after a seven-year split, declined to comment. Johnson’s lawyer Marc Kessler also declined to comment. In 2011, three years after he fired Brisson and weeks before he signed a seven-year, $30.5-million contract with the Los Angeles Kings, Johnson signed a power of attorney that granted his mother full control of his finances. The Columbus Dispatch reported it wasn’t long before his parents began to spend wildly. Johnson’s parents allegedly each bought a car, and spent $800,000 on upgrades to a Manhattan Beach property, the Dispatch reported. In a Dec. 24, 2014, court filing, Johnson said lenders took advantage of his mother’s “financial inexperience and naiveté.” RFF Family Partnerships, the creditor, accuses Johnson of making “false representation and/or actual fraud” in the case and says Johnson owes the company $1.7 million on a loan that calls for him to pay 36 per cent annual interest. RFF says Johnson and his father agreed to terms on a $1.9-million promissory note on Jan. 21, 2014, using his NHL contract as collateral. According to documents filed in court by RFF, an Ohio notary public named Alonzo Longshore has sworn Johnson “personally appeared” before him in person in Franklin County, Ohio, on Jan. 23, 2014, and signed the Jan. 21, 2014, promissory note. Longshore said Johnson also appeared before him the following day, on Jan. 24, 2014, to sign a document pledging his NHL contract as collateral for the loan. “The documents were not ‘allegedly signed by Johnson’ (or by his parents without his knowledge) as Johnson asserted in his initial filings,” RFF lawyer Jeffrey Levinson wrote in an email to TSN. “Johnson admitted in his testimony (at trial and in depositions) that he personally signed both (the loan document and the document pledging his NHL contract as security) and he initialed every page of each document, met with representatives of RFF in Los Angeles, and received the money. “The loan was a bridge loan to be paid back in 30 days,” Levinson wrote. “Johnson promised to but never paid it.” Levinson said the dates were different on the Jan. 21 loan document and the notary public statement because Johnson forgot to sign a page. “The documents were prepared on the 21st,” Levinson wrote in an email. “He signed the promissory note and the other documents on the 23rd. My client received them by FedEx on the 24th and noticed he forgot or failed to sign one of the documents. He went back to the notary and signed and Fedexed that document to us.” RFF says that when Johnson signed the loan documents, he purposely avoided including any details about the prior loans he and his parents had allegedly taken out. “This omission was done by (Johnson) for the purpose of improperly insulating his parents from litigation claims,” RFF said in a court document. Johnson has not asked the court to demand his parents be forced to testify about the loans and has not demanded any documents from them related to the loans. “There is nothing in the record (showing) any attempt whatsoever by (Johnson) to investigate the significant claims and causes of action against his advisors and parents,” RFF alleged. A source close to Johnson confirmed that he did, indeed, sign the Jan. 21, 2014, promissory note. “Of all the promissory notes, Johnson signed about half of them,” the source said. “His mother would send him just the signature page to sign. But he didn’t read what he was signing. He didn’t understand it. And he didn’t have any reason to mistrust his mother.” Levinson wrote in an email that creditors are still investigating where the money lent to Johnson has gone. “The real issue in this case is what Johnson and his parents did with the over $12 plus million they borrowed from all the creditors in this case (over and above the salary he was receiving and not using to pay the money back),” Levinson wrote. “Despite a year to investigate and report to the court Johnson as the debtor in possession offers no explanation,” he wrote. “That is the real story and everyone has been looking for an answer since the beginning of this case. We do know they spent millions of dollars on luxury items, including two California homes, hundreds of thousands of dollars in improvements to his Ann Arbor home, jewelry, travel, two Ferraris, three BMWs, a Hummer, a $50,000 wedding while in bankruptcy etc. “ “Now, rather than doing the ‘right thing,’ as Johnson has said over and over again that he wants to do, he has spent more than a million dollars more on his attorneys trying to avoid paying the very debts he has admitted are his obligations,” Levinson wrote. Johnson has spent months trying to convert his case from a Chapter 11 bankruptcy to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and he spent about a day and a half testifying about his case during a three-day hearing in early September. His parents were questioned by lawyers for creditors in August. If his bid to convert his bankruptcy to Chapter 7 is successful, Johnson, who is scheduled to be paid a combined $15 million over the next three NHL seasons, would be able to keep those future earnings for himself, instead of being forced to commit some of his salary to repaying his former lenders, Buffalo bankruptcy lawyer Thomas Denny told TSN in an interview. “If he goes through Chapter 7, he’ll probably have to liquidate most of what he has, but at the end of it, he gets a fresh start, his debt will be gone,” Denny said. Chapter 11 proceedings can typically last three to six years, Denny said, compared to about six months for Chapter 7. Johnson listed real estate in California ($1.65 million) and Michigan ($550,000), two 2007 BMW X5s, a 2012 BMW and a 2011 Ferrari as assets in a Dec. 31, 2014, financial balance sheet. It’s unclear how much longer Johnson’s bankruptcy proceedings might last. He probably won’t find out whether he can convert his bankruptcy to Chapter 7 until the end of October.

Black is always cool. But they sure are plain.

http://www.tsn.ca/the-future-could-be-now-for-the-jets-1.360480 The Winnipeg Jets reached the playoffs last season for the first time since returning to the NHL, only to be swept away by the Anaheim Ducks. Then, the Jets didn't do much of anything in the offseason. They brought Alexander Burmistrov back from the KHL, but their relative inactivity leaves the impression that if the Jets are going to improve in 2015-2016, it's going to be a result of prospects making the jump and performing well. The riskiest spot on the Jets roster is goaltending. For years, Ondrej Pavelec has performed at a below-average level and was a big part of the reason that the Jets weren't making the playoffs, but after his career-best season in 2014-2015, there has to be hope that he can do it again. If not, Michael Hutchinson or prospect Connor Hellebuyck should be ready for a shot. Winnipeg's blueline is overstocked with NHL defencemen, especially now that Dustin Byfuglien has moved back (where he's much more effective), so there is room to make a deal, if need be. Up front, Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler are the underrated mainstays while Mathieu Perreault and Mark Scheifele are solid contributors, so there are some pieces in place, but there are jobs to be taken. Nikolaj Ehlers is the most highly-touted Jets prospect and should be a regular from the start, but Andrew Copp, Nicolas Petan, Joel Armia and Brendan Lemieux could all be in consideration for roster spots. That's exciting, but leaves the Jets with an element of uncertainty heading into the season. 2015-16 WINNIPEG JETS* Off-season Addition TSN's Projected LinesLadd-Little-Stafford Perreault-Scheif-Wheeler Burmi-Lowery-Ehlers Thorburn-Copp-Peluso Hallischuk Fighting For Jobs: RW Joel Armia, C Patrice Cormier, LW Matt Fraser, C Nic Petan TSN's Projected Pairs Enstrom-Myers Stuart-Trouba Chiarot-Buff Harrison Fighting For Jobs: LD Adam Pardy, LD Paul Postma TSN's Projected GoaliesPavs - Hutch - Helle Off-season Departures: RW Michael Frolik, LW T.J. Galiardi, D Keaton Ellerby, C Eric O'Dell KEY QUESTIONS1. Will Nik Ehlers and/or other prospects make the team or will the Jets open the season with some fringe veterans in the lineup? 2. Can Alex Burmistrov replace the solid two-way game of Michael Frolik which was lost in free agency? 3. Ondrej Pavelec and Michael Hutchinson helped lead the Jets to a Top 10 finish in goals-against last season. Does this trend continue or does the club regress? CRAIG'S LISTSWinnipeg's Top 2015-16 Prospects 1. Nikolaj Ehlers (Halifax, QMJHL): High end skill and creativity who can both excite and dazzle. 2. Josh Morrissey (Kelowna, WHL): Excellent skater who passes well. Best D prospect in the organization. Top 5 Long-Term Prospects 1. Connor Hellybuyck (St. John's, AHL): All the capabilities of a No. 1 goalie. Smart, poised and competitive. 2. Kyle Connor (Youngstown, USHL): Excellent offensive skills with an ease to his play both physically and mentally. 3. Brendan Lemieux (Barrie, OHL): Hard winger who can score. Always challenging opponents in some way. 4. Andrew Copp (Michigan, NCAA): Complete player who can contribute in multiple ways and play in various spots in the lineup. 5. Nic Petan (Portland, WHL): Diminutive centre is highly skilled, smart, can make plays and is extremely competitive. ESTIMATED PAYROLL vs. CAP - $58.2M/$71.4MThe Jets are putting together a team on a budget, and with a deep crop of prospects, inexpensive help will continue to work its way through the system. How the club deals with Ladd and Byfuglien could go a long way to determining their future financial flexibility.

Thought id slip this one in here as I saw Clinton tweeted about it too and it could get some play as an Islamaphobe issue @CBCAlerts: More @CBCNews: #Texas boy makes clock, gets arrested at school. Teacher thought it was bomb. http://t.co/u7UymV92YMhttp://t.co/0rS0riDg1i What stupidity by the school and police.

Ahhhh well there ya go. He and Armia would be in for that last spot I think. My guess: Halischuk gets it. With Armia/Petan the first call ups though I dont think the Jets want Petan playing 4th line with the Jets if he can play 1st line with the Moose.

Will definitely see some movement with the D. Hedging for Clitsome and Buff's status I think. And Morrissey's development. But its possible they make a couple of early season trades for picks or even waive a couple of players. Is Clitsome still mending? I believe so. I saw a tweet saying his status was "up in the air". I'd honestly not be surprised if he retires. Good guy and Im glad he got the contract when he did. And if he came back at 100%, then he's a contributor. But I think he's done.

I wont discount the fact that most media is biased. But there's a responsibility to report the bare minimum of news. This isnt like Russia where they shoot down a jet and then pretend it didnt happen. The CBC is the worst offender because they are public, not private, and have such an obvious agenda. Even if you're a left wing person, Im not sure anyone could argue the CBC serves a useful purpose. I used to love re-runs of Kate & Ally as much as the next guy and Degrassi was awesome. But really.... I think my point was that everyone is biased but the majority of mainstream news is left-slanted biased. If they were all right biased, I'd be okay admitting that with a thumbs up.

Will definitely see some movement with the D. Hedging for Clitsome and Buff's status I think. And Morrissey's development. But its possible they make a couple of early season trades for picks or even waive a couple of players.

What Im reading online, NHL16 is vastly improved. What do you do with it? Im almost strictly a Be A GM player. I like to keep things realistic...ie. I dont select the Jets and then trade for Crosby. So by about year 3 I start getting bored if the team isnt looking like it should or the picks are just made up randoms. I know none of the NCAA guys can be in the game until they play one pro game so that impacts the Jets. Always a long wait for that first October roster update.

Fraser had 5 goals in 36 games. Thats pretty good for a possible 4th liner. Yeah...thats true. Thing is if its the last spot, it's Halischuk's because I believe he's on a one-way deal. Fraser and Armia are on two-way deals. And they like Halischuk so he'll get the benefit of the doubt. If he doesnt play, they'd probably rather pay him to be the 13th forward than waive him to the Moose and risk losing him. I think Fraser was signed for depth on the Moose. Even without Fraser, they dont mind Cormier as am emergency call up. Knowing they'd have to have a couple of scratches per game, I think they'd decided its Peluso and Halis...and I think Halis starts on the 4th line in Game One (with the caveat they might give Armia or Petan that spot on a trial basis to start).

I replied to this earlier. We are all biased. And I am absolutely not trying to make everyone else out to be evil. If I come across the poll results or a news story, I post it. The key things recently were the refugee issue and the manifesto. I didnt make those things "anti-opposition" but they are important. Especially because the latest poll saw the Cons on top, which really means little considering all three parties are in a statistical tie. But I used to be an NDP supporter way back. I voted Liberal several times. I actually voted for the Cretien liberals and the Filmon PC's. I turned away from the Liberals near the end of Cretien's time. I voted for the Cons every since, federally. And Im likely to again. So yeah, we're all biased. So is every person here who defends the NDP and posts anti-conservative posts. The point is, the people trying to deflect the idea there is media bias when the national network went out of their way to avoid the manifesto story and then tried to spin it as a pretty sensible thing.

Do you have a next gen platform? I bought NHL 15 for XboxOne but it was basically NHL 14. Perusing the HF Boards there are serious gamers that will create every prospect not in the game and future prospects for the next several years for drafting purposes. I dont have that time or skill so I like EA to do it for me. So generally, I buy the game every year.

I think Armia competes for the final spot on the 4th line. The good thing about him is he has upside so if he makes the team, he's potentially able to move up or slot in somewhere else due to injury. I'd bet he starts on the Moose though. I think they see him as being a future mid 6. He has to start reaching that potential soon though.

They should be a non-biased mainstream news service. They are taxpayer funded and supposed to serve Canadians, not their own best interests by presenting bias coverage in favour of a national election.

Whats this about Gordon being released. Werent we pretty excited about his potential?

Thats pretty remarkable.

So really..no one here is a hardcore NHL gamer?

@Kelowna @17 In agree. I know some people have tried to say oh it's just some private people who wrote a goofy position paper. But the anti-Harper crowd made the rules that associated individuals paint the party. And this isnt like a bunch of completely unrelated folks. Now, being a realist, I always say to people on ether side of the right/left spectrum that realistically, I dont think any party would "destroy the country" which is an accusation thrown at both sides. A majority NDP government isnt going to bring Communism to Canada. I remember when Harper was running...even before Harper was leader actually, and I'd have conversations with friends who'd say they cant vote for the Cons because they will abolish abortion, bring back the death penalty, get rid of social safety net, put soldiers in the streets etc etc. And no, they werent going to do that. But this manifesto speaks to the NDP mind-set. And its absolutely relevant. And I chuckle at how the CBC wanted no part of mentioning it and if you peruse their website, they actually have an interview with someone (it was pretty far down the news stories) discussing it in really positive terms. That *is* a media bias.

^^^^ Now that's dedication!

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/leap-manifesto-plan-to-overthrow-capitalism-puts-spanner-in-ndp-plans-to-convince-centrist-voters Some snippets: Stephen Lewis put his signature to a plan to overthrow capitalism on Tuesday, and then told the media that it doesn’t necessarily mean that the centrist policies of Tom Mulcair aren’t good, too. Lewis, former leader of the Ontario NDP and eulogist at the 2011 funeral of former NDP leader Jack Layton, is one of the backers of the Leap Manifesto, a proposal to upend Canada’s economy, society and government radically. The document defines austerity as “a threat to life on earth.” It recommends abandoning the vast wheat fields of the Prairies in favour of “localized” organic farms. Canada must implement a “universal basic annual income.” Any and all fossil fuel production must be forced out of business within a generation. “All trade deals” must be ended. The manifesto is essentially a shortlist of everything NDP leader Tom Mulcair has been carefully avoiding in his bid to convince voters that social democrats aren’t nearly as scary as the Conservatives say they are. But nobody appears to have told that to the dozens of prominent NDP supporters who signed the thing. Or Lewis, who publicly said that the document is essentially NDP policy. “For the New Democrats, it’s an extension of the kinds of things they’ve been talking about,” he said.

Your depth doesn't have to be rookies though. Halischuk and Fraser are two examples of veteran guys who might get pushed to the AHL by rookies. I think the general feeling is, a rookie cant play top level for 82 games. So you need veteran depth to spell those guys off from time to time. And I think the Jets have that to a degree. I like Halischuk. He's not getting tapped to replace Ehlers in a top six role when he struggles. But if Copp and/or Lemieux were struggling there are options on the 4th line. If Ehlers has some down time, you have the option of shuffling guys up. Burmi for example. Or Petan gets called up for 6 games. During the season, it can be managed. If the Jets make the playoffs with 3+ rookies in the line up, thats where you worry about the lack of experience. Then again, maybe Ehlers will be the second coming of rookie Teemu (except he was way older).

I agree. Ehlers and Copp. Halischuk as the 13th who will get some playing time. The thing is, if Lemieux did make the team on the 4th line, you'd have a line with 2 rookies...but the 4th can be managed in such a way to lessen the impact if they get running around (or a 3rd line guy can take an extra shift etc). So there are ways to manage it. But it seems unlikely to start 3 rookies.

Lemieux would be my sleeper to make the Jets. But all things being equal it makes sense to send him back. Chevy will have some decisions to make early. Trades or waives. Carrying a lot of players especially if a couple of rookies make the team.

I agree Ducky. I think Ehlers will have to play himself out of a Spot. Petan would hve to be lights out to make the jets. Start with the moose. Good for the moose. Good for marketing. Morrissey starts with moose. Copp makes jets.