As you may have noticed, I discontinued the daily picks article a few weeks ago.  I stopped writing it for a multiple amount of reasons.  It just wasn't fun.  I would write the post each day, and only a handful of people would read it.  More importantly, it wasn't something I wanted to write for the most part.  I could care less about college basketball.  I am a casual NBA fan, focusing mainly on the top players, but no where near my interest in other sports.  So basically, with the exception of hockey, I was picking games that I had little to no interestin.

I have decided to do something different from here on out.  Since my articles on the NHL and fantasy baseball are posted in other areas of the site, I figure this can be a place where I can write about other topics, and inject my personal opinion, rather than an analyst point of view.  The article will be called "The Grab Bag" and it will be just that.  A few top sports stories, a few rants, what to watch for each night, free picks, YouTube links, and funny/interesting links from around the web.  I can't promise this will happen every day, although it will feel more like my blog, so I will be more inclined to make frequent posts.   With that being said, let's get to some of the topics today.

Brett Favre Retires

The biggest story by far today is that Brett Favre announced his retirement.  Minutes after seeing the story this morning I turned on ESPN and ESPN 2 to find non-stop Favre coverage.  I realize this is a big story, and needs to be treated as such, but am I the only one who doesn't think Favre is gone for good?  He said he's done for now, and he said it's not because the team didn't get Randy Moss.  I don't believe either.

A few days ago Favre was lobbying for the Packers to get Moss.  Right after Moss signs with the Patriots, Favre announces he is retiring.  If he is not retiring because of Moss, then why is the timing so convienent, and why was he on board with improving the 2008 Packers a few days ago?  Personally I feel this decision was made based on emotion, and I don't think Favre is done for good.  This Packers team is a team that can compete.  Their defense is young and extremely talented.  Their offense is great at every position when you add Favre to the mix.  I'm not counting out Aaron Rogers as a good quarterback, but I am saying that I don't think Aaron Rogers is as good of a quarterback as Favre.

Sidney Crosby, Peter Forsberg Return

Sidney Crosby makes his return for the Penguins tonight, going up against the same team that the Pens played when Crosby went down with the injury.  The Penguins lost recently acquired Marian Hossa to injury, so the return of Crosby will help tonight.  I am looking forward to seeing Crosby, Malkin, and Hossa all in action for the Penguins.  As for tonight, Crosby increases the chances for the Penguins, but I'm not sold on goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.  Ty Conklin has struggled recently, but since mid-December Conklin has been one of the best goalies in the league.  I like the Penguins chances better with Conklin in net.

Peter Forsberg will make his season debut with the Avalanche tonight, which should be interesting.  Forsberg has only participated in one practice with Colorado.  I'm not sure how much playing time he will receive, or how up to speed he will actually be.

NHL Picks Tonight

NY Islanders +200 - The Islanders have won 3 of 4 games against the Rangers this season, and I like their chances tonight.  Rick DiPietro is putting up solid numbers in AccuScore simulations, while Mike Comrie is providing the Islanders with some offense.

Los Angeles +132 -  The Kings are the worst team in the NHL, but the Blues aren't much better.  The Kings have shown solid play over the last month, pulling a few upsets thanks to solid play from Anze Kopitar.  AccuScore shows the Kings with side value, and has good numbers on the season between these teams to support that pick.

YouTube Links

Jimmy Kimmel and Ben Afflek - If you're like me, then you either work early, or have a wife who works early, making it impossible to watch late night shows.  This video is a response to an earlier video to Jimmy Kimmel from his girlfriend Sarah Silverman.  Both are hilarious.

Malkin nails Ovechkin - As a Penguins fan, I can say that I love this video.  Alexander Ovechkin goes charging in to hit Evgeni Malkin, Malkin dodges Ovechkin, then sends him flying.

Frank Caliendo as John Madden -  Only fitting with the retirement of Brett Favre being announced today.

I'm always in the mood for Nintendo Wii accidents:

Accident 1
Accident 2
Accident 3
Accident 4

Check back tomorrow for more updates!