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Representative Kevin McCarthy’s threat to harm Pelosi is no laughing matteron August 1, 2021 at 7:04 pm

The Quark In The Road

Representative Kevin McCarthy’s threat to harm Pelosi is no laughing matter

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Representative Kevin McCarthy’s threat to harm Pelosi is no laughing matteron August 1, 2021 at 7:04 pm Read More »

Chicago Blackhawks have amazing news on Marc-Andre FleuryVincent Pariseon August 1, 2021 at 5:14 pm

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 18: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights warms up prior to Game Three of the Stanley Cup Semifinals of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre on June 18, 2021 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JUNE 18: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights warms up prior to Game Three of the Stanley Cup Semifinals of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre on June 18, 2021 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

The Chicago Blackhawks made a big splash when they acquired Marc-Andre Fleury from the Vegas Golden Knights earlier in the offseason. It was one of many big moves that they made with hopes of improving their roster ahead of 2021-22. There was one catch, however. Fleury was rumored to be retiring if he wasn’t a Vegas Golden Knight goalie. Luckily for the Blackhawks, they received some great news in regards to that on Sunday morning.

It is now official that Fleury will play next season. He has one year left on his contract and should be good to go with it. He is 36 years old and will be 37 about a month into the season. He is certainly good enough to play in the NHL still so it is good to hear that he plans to keep playing.

Saying he is good enough to play in the NHL still is actually an insult to him. He is more than good enough to play still. He won the Vezina trophy for the league’s best goalie in 2020-21 because he was so good. He was 26-10-0 which helped Vegas be one of the best teams in the NHL. He had a 1.98 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage. It was a marvelous year for the man known as “The Flower”.

Fleury is also wildly experienced when it comes to the playoffs. He joins Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane as teammates with three Stanley Cups. He has played in some of the highest pressured situations a goalie can play in.

Marc-Andre Fleury will fit right in on the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021-22.

He is also a perfect fit for the Blackhawks team in more ways than one. He is one of the best goalies in the NHL against high-danger chances. The Blackhawks, as everyone knows, are very bad at limiting high danger chances. They are hoping that all of their new additions will help with that but Fleury will need to be good.

There is also a good goalie tandem now set. He will play with Kevin Lankinen who had a breakout year in 2020-21. If each of them is able to perform at the highest level that they can, this team might be able to be competitive. We know that they have some players that can score so now it is about defending. Fleury and Lankinen will help with that.

This was a great move for the Blackhawks. It is something that will spark the group and could lead to them being a good team. A lot of things need to go right in that very good Central Division but they will certainly have a better chance than last year. Fleury is a good player who will help that cause.

Related Story: The Blackhawks made some great free-agent signings

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Chicago Blackhawks have amazing news on Marc-Andre FleuryVincent Pariseon August 1, 2021 at 5:14 pm Read More »

Justin Steele ‘getting close’ to making his return with the CubsRussell Dorseyon August 1, 2021 at 4:35 pm

WASHINGTON – The Cubs have gone to a youth movement and with many of the team’s veteran players now on other teams, there will be several opportunities for some lesser-known names to make an impact at the major-league level.

Left-hander Justin Steele is going to be one of the young players who will get the first crack at some of those chances. Steele has been getting stretched out to be a starter again at Triple-A Iowa after pitching in the Cubs’ bullpen earlier this season and has pitched well.

The young southpaw had a 0.89 ERA in six games (four starts) in July and was up to five innings and 75 pitches in his last start on Thursday. It sounds like Steele’s time is right around the corner.

“I would say he’s really close. I think [we’re] gonna see just where he slots in. But yeah, I’ve had those conversations and I would say he’s close,” manager David Ross said. “I can’t tell you whether he’s gonna start with us or [Iowa] next, but he’s definitely getting close. … He’s definitely on track to get here sooner rather than later.”

Heuer sees opportunity with Cubs

Right-hander Codi Heuer’s world has changed dramatically over the last 48 hours. Heuer went from a roster that is viewed as a World Series contender with the White Sox and is now part of a rebuild with the Cubs.

Heuer was part of the deal that sent Craig Kimbrel to the White Sox and wants to take advantage of his new opportunities on the North Side. The young right-hander made his Cubs debut in Saturday’s 6-3 win over the Nationals, getting out of a bases-loaded, no outs jam.

“I wouldn’t want it any other way going into the fire with bases loaded,” Heuer said on Sunday. “Anytime I can help a guy get out of a jam and help the team win a game, it’s a good day.”

“There’s gonna be a lot of high leverage situations just like I’ve been doing in the past,” Heuer said. “I think the bullpen is gonna find a lot of their roles. So I think we’re gonna see how that goes here in the upcoming games.”

Heuer has elite stuff and with the Cubs sorting out their bullpen, he’s a natural fit for the team’s high-leverage situations, including some save opportunities.

“I feel like he’s probably our most dominant right-handed pitcher down there versus righties,” Ross said. “If we can slot him into the right spot at the back end, I don’t see why it’s not the ninth. But I’m not going to save him for just the closer role.”

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Justin Steele ‘getting close’ to making his return with the CubsRussell Dorseyon August 1, 2021 at 4:35 pm Read More »

If he plays, Marc-Andre Fleury would transform Blackhawks’ goaltendingBen Popeon August 1, 2021 at 11:30 am

As the Blackhawks’ 2021 goaltending duo, Kevin Lankinen and Malcolm Subban held their own far better than expected.

But if Marc-Andre Fleury joins Lankinen as half of the 2021-22 duo, the Hawks wouldn’t just enjoy surprisingly competent goaltending. They’d boast one of the best goaltending units in the NHL.

Whether or not the 36-year-old reigning Vezina Trophy winner will do that remains to be seen. The Hawks acquired Fleury and his $7 million cap hit last week for essentially nothing, aware of the possibility Fleury could choose to retire (and forgo his cap hit) rather than uproot or leave his Las Vegas-based family for a year in Chicago.

The Hawks have yet to receive a definitive answer, although the odds of Fleury playing for them do seem more promising than they initially did. Fleury’s agent, Allan Walsh, said Saturday there “should be some clarity soon.”

Update: Per multiple reports Sunday, Fleury has informed the Hawks he will play for them in 2021-22.

Despite the cap casualties it probably would cause, including trading at least one of Calvin de Haan or Dylan Strome, the Hawks would love to hear a “yes” from Fleury. One quick look at the data shows why.

After declining somewhat in 2018-19 and 2019-20 — albeit understandably, given his age — the three-time Stanley Cup champion delivered one of the best performances of his career in 2021. His 26-10-0 record, alongside ex-Hawks goalie Robin Lehner’s 13-4-2 mark, helped an already-stacked Golden Knights team win the William Jennings Trophy (fewest goals allowed) and nearly claim the Presidents’ Trophy.

Detailed statistics further demonstrate Fleury’s dominance. At even strength, he ranked eighth (among 67 goalies) in overall save percentage and 10th in save percentage against high-danger shots. Lankinen ranked 17th and 24th, respectively, and Subban 57th and 63rd.

For a more holistic analysis, consider goals saved above average (GSAA), which compares a goalie’s performance with how an average goalie would have performed against the same quantity and quality of shots.

At even strength, Fleury ranked fifth in GSAA at plus-13.0, part of an elite group of six goalies — including the Predators’ Juuse Saros, Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy, Islanders’ Semyon Varlamov, Hurricanes’ Alex Nedeljkovic, Panthers’ Chris Driedger and himself — to finish in double digits. Lankinen finished 11th at plus-7.3 and Subban 53rd at minus-5.8.

Goaltender ranks (at even strength) in 2020 season

Statistic Fleury Lankinen Subban
Statistic Fleury Lankinen Subban
Save Percentage 8th 17th 57th
High-Danger SV% 10th 24th 63rd
GSAA 5th 11th 53rd

Fleury was just as dominant on the penalty kill, ranking ninth in save percentage and sixth in GSAA. By comparison, Lankinen struggled mightily on the penalty kill (ranking 56th and 58th, respectively), while Subban finished near the middle (19th and 22nd).

The Hawks’ previously porous, now reconstructed defense probably won’t give Fleury quite the same protection he enjoyed with Vegas, which — combined with his advancing age — probably will equate to some regression toward the mean. Even factoring that in, though, the Hawks still could expect Fleury to deliver top-10 overall results.

He also would be able to mentor Lankinen, sharing the lessons of 17 NHL seasons while keeping Lankinen’s workload — which tired out the young Finn in the final month of last season — manageable over an 82-game schedule.

But it all depends on Fleury’s willingness to come. As tantalizing as it is to imagine Fleury’s tremendous impact on the Hawks, it’s equally easy to picture a situation unfolding like Corey Crawford’s ill-fated Devils stint, which didn’t survive one week of training camp.

For now, Fleury’s mindset remains a mystery.

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If he plays, Marc-Andre Fleury would transform Blackhawks’ goaltendingBen Popeon August 1, 2021 at 11:30 am Read More »

Chicago Bulls Rumors: Lauri Markkanen has a few confirmed suitorsRyan Heckmanon August 1, 2021 at 4:12 pm

Chicago Bulls (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Chicago Bulls (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

When NBA free agency opens up in what amounts to just a few hours now, the Chicago Bulls will look a whole lot different. The Bulls are going to make some moves, and make them right away.

Aside from establishing a point guard of the future, the Bulls will have decisions to make on some of their own. One guy they have to figure out, in particular, is forward Lauri Markkanen.

The Bulls extended a qualifying offer to Markkanen, but they will likely attempt to sign-and-trade him. If they can get something in return for a guy who is bound to leave them, the Bulls should do so.

Recently, HoopsHype has learned of three confirmed suitors for Markkanen. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs will all be in the market to try and lure Markkanen from Chicago.

The inevitable is clear: Lauri Markkanen will move on from the Chicago Bulls once free agency begins.

Now that the Bulls know of three teams which desire to sign Markkanen, they may be able to work out a possible sign-and-trade.

After four years in Chicago, Markkanen will be finding a new home very shortly. The former Arizona standout shot a career-best from long distance last year (40.2 percent) but also saw his production dip elsewhere.

In his second year with the Bulls, Markkanen averaged almost 19 points and 9.0 rebounds. The Bulls saw a much more aggressive Markkanen in his sophomore year, but then-head coach Jim Boylen toned down the approach for his young forward in the coming season.

Markkanen became less aggressive and was essentially told to just shoot outside shots and jumpers, while attacking the hoop became a thing of the past. No longer did Markkanen produce in the paint or see his rebounding numbers towards double digits.

Last year, Markkanen still didn’t revert to his aggressive former self, as he posted only 5.3 rebounds per game — a career low.

The Bulls probably want to move forward with someone like Patrick Williams as their primary power forward, or potentially shifting between the three and four. Markkanen has not been a fit, and will hopefully find success elsewhere in a fresh start.

The last time the Bulls had a bigger decision in regards to a qualifying offer was back when Zach LaVine was a restricted free agent, and they almost saw the Sacramento Kings sign him away.

With Markkanen’s situation, the Bulls could end up coming out on top if they receive the green light on a sign-and-trade. The only question becomes, what is Markkanen worth in that type of deal? It’s very possible the Bulls get an asset like a late first-rounder or even a protected first. If that’s the case, Chicago should pull the trigger.

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Chicago Bulls Rumors: Lauri Markkanen has a few confirmed suitorsRyan Heckmanon August 1, 2021 at 4:12 pm Read More »

Marc-Andre Fleury will play for Blackhawks in 2021-22: reportsBen Popeon August 1, 2021 at 3:38 pm

There’s nothing flowery anymore about the Blackhawks’ ambitions for 2021-22.

Reigning Vezina Trophy-winning goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has told the Hawks he will play for them this coming season, per multiple reports Sunday.

Fleury’s decision comes after four days of “taking time to discuss his situation with his family and seriously evaluate his hockey future,” in the words of his agent, Allan Walsh. He was blindsided Wednesday when the Golden Knights, his team for the past four seasons, traded him to the Hawks after he’d settled down in Vegas with his wife and three young kids.

But Fleury will honor, after all, the final year of his contract rather than retiring or forcing a trade to the Penguins, his team for his first 13 years.

Hawks general manager Stan Bowman will need to be creative — and potentially active again in the trade market — to fit Fleury’s $7 million cap hit, but it should be worth it for a goalie of his caliber.

Fleury went 26-10-0 for the Knights in 2020, ranking third in the NHL with a .928 save percentage and fourth with 20.2 goals-saved-above-average, and will instantly form one of the league’s best goalie duos alongside Kevin Lankinen in Chicago.

The Hawks’ once-cautious rebuilding plans have been thrown out the window this summer by the acquisitions of Fleury, Seth Jones, Jake McCabe and others, indicating the team intends to contend immediately.

This story will be updated.

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Marc-Andre Fleury will play for Blackhawks in 2021-22: reportsBen Popeon August 1, 2021 at 3:38 pm Read More »

Lollapalooza cancels DaBaby’s performance amid backlash over homophobic commentsTom Schubaon August 1, 2021 at 3:17 pm

Rapper DaBaby was pulled from Sunday’s Lollapalooza amid a brewing controversy over homophobic comments he made during another festival performance last week in Florida.

“Lollapalooza was founded on diversity, inclusivity, respect, and love,” the festival said in a statement Sunday on Twitter. “With that in mind, DaBaby will no longer be performing at Grant Park tonight.”

DaBaby, real name Jonathan Kirk, has come under heavy fire after he went on a controversial rant last Sunday at the Rolling Loud music festival in Miami Gardens, Florida, that targeted gay people and those living with sexually transmitted diseases. During the tirade he falsely referred to HIV and AIDS as “them deadly sexually transmitted diseases that’ll make you die in two to three weeks.”

The North Carolina rapper’s comments have since prompted backlash from some of music’s biggest names, including Madonna and Elton John.

John, who is gay and lives with HIV, said his team was “shocked to read about the HIV misinformation and homophobic statements made at a recent DaBaby show. This fuels stigma and discrimination and is the opposite of what our world needs to fight the AIDS epidemic,” John tweeted July 28th.

Young Thug will now perform in DaBaby’s place Sunday at 9 p.m. on the Bud Light Seltzer stage. And G Herbo will perform at the 4 p.m. slot on the T-Mobile stage.

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Lollapalooza cancels DaBaby’s performance amid backlash over homophobic commentsTom Schubaon August 1, 2021 at 3:17 pm Read More »

Chicago Bulls Rumors: Bulls linked to free agent guard Bryn ForbesRyan Heckmanon August 1, 2021 at 3:00 pm

Chicago Bulls (Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports)
Chicago Bulls (Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports)

Monday afternoon, things are going to get crazy in the NBA. When the 2021 free agency period opens up, the movement will be chaotic, as always. For the Chicago Bulls, it’s going to be all about the point guard position.

Bulls fans will be watching names like Derrick Rose, Lonzo Ball and Spencer Dinwiddie closely, among others. Chicago’s main focus is going to be improving that key position, however they will have other decisions and moves to make.

Depending on what the Bulls decide to do with Coby White and Tomas Satoransky, their guard room could be totally overhauled. When they find their starting point guard, the Bulls will then look to ensure their depth in the back court.

One of the names the Bulls could end up going after to add that depth is a 2021 NBA Champion, guard Bryn Forbes, who spent last season with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Bryn Forbes is suddenly a name to watch when it comes to the Chicago Bulls during free agency.

Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer writes that the Brooklyn Nets are the current favorite to land Forbes. However, he also says to keep an eye on the Bulls.

More from Chicago Bulls

The former Michigan State standout spent his first four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs before signing with the Bucks last year. As we know, Forbes and the Bucks went on to win it all.

Forbes has been mostly a scorer off the bench for his career, and shot a sizzling 45.2 percent from three-point distance last season. In total, he averaged 10.0 points and 1.6 rebounds in about 19 minutes per game for Milwaukee.

Although he had a strong season in a reserve role for the Bucks, Forbes did not play in the last three games of the NBA Finals. Because of that fact, Forbes and the Bucks parted ways.

If he signed with Chicago, Forbes would be the primary backup for Zach LaVine. With Coby White recovering from a shoulder injury and his status up in the air, along with Tomas Satoransky being a potential trade/cut candidate, adding Forbes would be a strong move for Chicago.

One thing is clear, from all of the rumors regarding Chicago at the moment: the Bulls are going to be a different team next season. With Billy Donovan coaching, players are more apt to join Chicago than they were in several years past. Not to mention, Arturas Karnisovas has shown a willingness to be bold in his quest to build a winning team.

Next: Bulls: Top 5 realistic point guards in free agency

The 28-year-old Forbes would be a great addition to a back court that may look very different next season, bringing the energy off the bench and a surefire scorer from long distance. Keep an eye on him over the next 24 hours as the free agency madness begins.

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Chicago Bulls Rumors: Bulls linked to free agent guard Bryn ForbesRyan Heckmanon August 1, 2021 at 3:00 pm Read More »

What you need an ID for in Texas? Plenty.on August 1, 2021 at 3:13 pm

The Barbershop: Dennis Byrne, Proprietor

What you need an ID for in Texas? Plenty.

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What you need an ID for in Texas? Plenty.on August 1, 2021 at 3:13 pm Read More »

Taylor Street Little Italy festival canceled again; organizer vows to return in 2022Manny Ramoson August 1, 2021 at 2:00 pm

The Taylor Street Little Italy Festa has been canceled for the second year, with organizers saying holding the event would put an additional strain on already struggling businesses.

The announcement was made jointly by the Little Italy Chicago Neighborhood Association and Onesti Entertainment — the organization that puts the event, which typically draws tens of thousands of people to the neighborhood.

“This setback is a function of the times,” Mary Howard, secretary of Little Italy Chicago Neighborhood Association’s board, said in a statement.

Ron Onesti, president of Onesti Entertainment, said it was a difficult decision to cancel the festival again, but he couldn’t host the event in good conscience.

“The main reason is our vendors, especially Taylor Street restaurants, are still struggling and are having a hard time finding help and workers,” Onesti said. “It is no secret that labor is a problem for everyone and on Taylor Street it is really prominent. Some businesses already have to close on Sundays or reduce their hours to get by.”

Onesti said the festival, normally held on the second or third weekend of August, would bring attention and much needed business to neighborhood restaurants and businesses, but that would come at a cost.

“I would be asking people to put their home-base restaurant at risk by moving their limited staff for hours at an outdoor stand,” Onesti said. “They can’t possibly manage both locations on a skeleton staff.”

There’s also a gamble with participating in the festival, Onesti said, given variables such as the weather.

“These people have already been shut down for months and I can’t in good faith ask them to risk any money, and if it were to rain, they are losing out on a lot of money,” Onesti said.

Then there is the adverse effect the festival might have on businesses along Taylor Street, Onesti said. Streets would be blocked off from traffic and other businesses, like a hardware store or a dry cleaner, could lose customers.

“With all these businesses closed for nearly a year, my conscience didn’t want to hurt anyone and the slightest chance of hurting any business didn’t sit well with me,” Onesti said.

The other factor in their decision to cancel this year’s festival was rising COVID-19 case numbers and the emergence of the Delta variant.

“Sure, Lollapalooza is going on right now but I don’t have control over Lollapalooza,” Onesti said. “For me it was much more of a personal reason regarding the health safety of our guests.”

Onesti said he can’t predict what the pandemic has planned for Chicago over the next year, but for now, he plans to bring the festival back in 2022.

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Taylor Street Little Italy festival canceled again; organizer vows to return in 2022Manny Ramoson August 1, 2021 at 2:00 pm Read More »