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Morning Skate: It’s the NHL offseason so we ranked the Marvel movies
Because superheroes are sports.
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Lace ‘em up. Time for the Morning Skate.
This is technically a NHL newsletter, so I feel obligated to check some boxes before we veer way off course here.
*ahem*
hockeyhockeyhockeyNHLBettmanCrosbyMcDavidOlympicsfreeagencyhotsportsopinions
Great. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s rank the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies.
- Iron Man - The O.G., as the Kids™ say. And still excellent. A springboard in so many ways: a taut, compelling introduction to an origin story few were familiar with; a tone-setter for the next 22 movies; it rejuvenated Downey Jr.‘s career with a perfect casting. Still the gold standard of what a Marvel film could be.
- Avengers - I’ve seen it maybe four times and I still don’t know how director Joss Whedon pulled it off.
- Spider-Man Homecoming - RECENCY BIAS.
- Guardians of the Galaxy - I’m not as high on this as most people are/were, but it ranks up here because of how well they sold that part of the universe. No easy feat.
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier - “I’m with you until the end of the line” is the new “I would have followed you, my brother ... my king.“
- Captain America: Civil War - Do I really need to explain why this film is great? Also, I think the villain is one of my favorites.
- Captain America - I’m a sucker for historical dramas anyway.
- Doctor Strange - Can’t explain why I like it so much. OK, I can: Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton.
- Ant-Man - It still has Edgar Wright’s fingerprints all over it long after he left the project.
- Iron-Man 3 - Mandarin aside, I’m always down for a “Hero gets knocked off his pedestal, must redeem himself” story.
- Thor: The Dark World - Look. I don’t want to see a Norse demigod hanging out in New Mexico. I want to see him fighting space elves led by Doctor Who. This is that movie.
- Thor: This is not that film.
- Iron Man 2: Liked it when I first saw it. Does not hold up upon repeat viewings.
- Avengers: Age of Ultron: Can’t even remember what happened in this movie.
I haven’t seen Guardians 2 or The Incredible Hulk. Before you threaten to unsubscribe, please remember that these rankings are final and not subject to debate.
RUSSIAN EXODUS AND OLYMPIC CONSEQUENCES
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
We knew the NHL’s decision to skip the 2018 Olympics would have ramifications. Ilya Kovalchuk’s decision to stay in the KHL is just one of many starting arise.
WHY NHLers DON’T GET PAID LIKE NBAers
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
James Harden is making $38 million per year.
Connor McDavid will soon make a NHL-record $12.5 million per year.
Both are superstars. So ... what’s the deal?
DUCHENE DRAMA: IT DRAGS ON, DREARILY
Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
At one point, eight teams were reportedly “in” on the Avalanche center. We tried to figure out who’s left, and whether the Avalanche have ruined this whole process.
AROUND THE NETWORK WE GO
Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
- And the Penguins replaced him with a future Hall of Famer.
- Jack Eichel contract talks are progressing.
- Adam Henrique is surplus to requirements in New Jersey.
- The kids better be all right in D.C.
- It kind of feels like the Kings hired an offensive coordinator. Is that now a thing?
- is sports luck
- Here’s five Flames who need to improve this season.
- Deryk Engelland will have just as much impact off the ice as he does on it for the Knights.
- San Jose would be wise to watch the Tomas Tatar situation in Detroit.
- St. Louis had a quiet free agency, and that’s not a bad thing.
- The Wild were not quiet, and they didn’t get better.
- How close is the third overall pick to making the NHL?
- Did ... did Philly’s AHL coach kind of call out Ron Hextall?
- Question that implies controversy where there is none?
- Our Rangers blog thinks the team’s latest hire reeks of cronyism.
- Cody Ceci must reward Ottawa for their faith.
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