trying to get by with Antoine Vermette and Martin Hanzal in their big-minute centre roles, taking the risk on Ribiero is both a reflection of a better fiscal atmosphere after their latest deal with Glendale City Council and of the Coyotes' willingness to take a chance on an older player because it's been so difficult for them to find a playmaking centre that can also anchor their power play.

Washington could miss Ribeiro's power play production, but they have a viable second line without him. Provided Brooks Laich is healthy, he could fit between Troy Brouwer and Martin Erat and that unit could provide adequate secondary scoring.

Ultimately, it's not ideal for the Coyotes, but they weren't in an ideal position. They had a need, paid handsomely to address it,Tags

In the wake of the downfall of the Berlin Wall, the breakup of the Soviet Union, and the emergence of capitalism in China, I was asked to teach the comparative-economic-systems class at Auburn University for the summer term in 1989. My only exposure to the topic had been as an undergraduate student, where my teacher was a Cold War–era professor who concentrated almost exclusively on the Soviet Union. His implicit message was to fear the Soviet Union, which would soon come to smother the American dream.

My assignment came at the last minute, so there would be no reviewing of textbooks and preparations of lectures in advance. I spent the summer term preparing lectures on the fly and staying one chapter ahead of the students. Also, I had to