u/Istobri

Hi all,

As free agency season has started, I wanted to get a handle on what the rules are for UFAs and RFAs, which is something I've never really paid attention to (maybe the minutiae bored me or something lol). Anyway, here's how I understand it:

- An unrestricted free agent (UFA) is a player whose contract with an NHL team has expired and they are eligible to sign a contract with any other team in the league, or even with a team in another league (e.g., one of the European leagues). In general, to be a UFA, a player has to be either 27 years old or have 7 years of active service in the NHL under their belt (whichever comes first) when the contract with their team expires.

- A restricted free agent (RFA) is a player whose contract with an NHL team has expired, but they are not yet 27 years old, nor do they yet have 7 years of active service in the NHL, so they cannot be a UFA. They can sign a contract with another team, but the process is a bit different:

1. When an RFA’s contract with an NHL team expires, that team has a certain amount of time to give the player a qualifying offer. This is a one-year contract that meets minimum NHL salary guidelines according to the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The player can either accept the qualifying offer (in which case it becomes their contract for the following season), or reject it and keep negotiating, not only with the team with whom their contract just expired, but also with other teams.

The qualifying offer's importance is not so much the years and dollar amount, but it's a legal mechanism by which the club says "we retain this player's rights". If they do not extend a qualifying offer to the RFA within the specified timeline, the player becomes a UFA, regardless of their age or years of service in the NHL.

2. If another NHL team is interested in the player's services, they can give the player an offer sheet - a document which lays out what they are willing to offer should the player sign with them. The RFA can sign the offer sheet presented by this other team, but the team that has the player's rights (i.e., the team with whom their contract has just expired, provided they first extended the player a qualifying offer) has the opportunity to match the offer sheet's terms.

If they choose to match, the player remains with the club that has their rights, under the terms of the other club's offer sheet. The other team gets nothing. If, on the other hand, they choose NOT to match, the player is free to sign a contract with the other team. However, that other team must compensate the team having the player's rights by surrendering several draft picks. The more expensive the contract, the higher the value of the draft picks the other team must surrender.

3. If the RFA and the team having his rights cannot agree to contract terms, they can both proceed to salary arbitration. This is a hearing before an arbitrator, where the player's agent argues that the player should receive a certain amount, while the team presents its argument for the amount it believes the player should receive, and the arbitrator looks at the evidence (the player's statistics, comparable contracts, etc.) and rules either in favour of the player or the team. The player is then obligated to accept that amount, or the team is obligated to pay that amount to the player, depending on what happens.

Do I have this right? Is there any nuance or anything I'm missing? Please let me know if my understanding of the process is correct.

Thanks!

Hi all,

This was blatantly stolen from a very recent post on r/askanamerican. Credit for the idea goes to the poster there.

What the title says. I want to hear stories about whether or not the local people gave you special treatment or went above and beyond for you in some way when you were travelling abroad, once they found out you were Canadian. Where did you go, what happened, etc.

I basically want to know if the reputation of our country influenced the local people’s treatment of you when you went abroad.

Thanks!

Hi all,

I'm going to Paris in August and I have the Paris Museum Pass. I noticed the "Tours de Notre Dame de Paris" is on the website where you book slots to visit.

My questions are as follows:

1. Do I need to book a slot to visit Notre Dame (on the PMP website or anywhere else)?

2. Am I correct in understanding that the PMP is only for the tour of the bell towers at Notre Dame, and you DO need to reserve a slot for that tour, but not to just go to Notre Dame itself?

Please clear up my confusion.

Thanks!

Hey all,

So on this lazy Saturday afternoon, I decided to chart the AL batting champions by team since 1901 (the year the AL declared itself a major league).

Here's the final rundown of how many different players have won a batting title for a particular team. Teams that had a previous incarnation that produced a batting champ have that previous incarnation listed in square brackets...

Red Sox (13)

Tigers/Yankees (10)

Twins [Senators] (7)

Cleveland (6)

A's (4)

Mariners/Orioles [Browns]/Rangers/Royals/White Sox (3)

Astros (2)

Angels/Blue Jays/Rays (1)

---

Observations:

1. Every team in the AL has produced at least one batting champion.
2. The Yankees are a team known more for power hitting, but several of their sluggers have also won batting titles (Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Mattingly, Judge). No Yankee has won more than two batting titles (DiMaggio won back-to-back titles in 1939 and 1940).
3. Several teams have gone a LONG time (at least 55 years) since producing a batting champion. The A's haven't had a batting champ since Ferris Fain in 1952, when they were in their last years in Philly. Cleveland hasn't had one since Bobby Avila in 1954. The O's haven't produced one since Frank Robinson in 1966 (as part of his Triple Crown win). The Angels' last batting champion was Alex Johnson in 1970.
4. In the 21 seasons (inclusive) from 1907 to 1927, a Tigers player won the batting title 16 times. Know what's even more incredible? Only three players won those 16 batting titles (Ty Cobb, Harry Heilmann, Heinie Manush).
5. George Brett has won a batting title in three different decades (1970s, 1980s, and 1990s).
6. Two players were traded in the middle of a season in which they ended up winning the batting championship: Nap Lajoie in 1902 (traded from Philadelphia to Cleveland) and Dale Alexander in 1932 (traded from Detroit to Boston).
7. The Red Sox have three players who've won at least three batting titles (Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, Wade Boggs). So do the Twins (Tony Oliva, Rod Carew, Joe Mauer).

---

Anywho, just some interesting historical factoids on this Saturday afternoon in late June.

Thanks!

EDIT: clarified that the list is about how many different players have won a batting title for a team.

Hi all,

I wanted to shed some light on a past team that wasn't a dynasty, but instead was one of the most consistent teams in baseball history that a lot of people don't seem to talk about: the "Go-Go" Chicago White Sox of the 1950s and 1960s.

The South Siders of this era based their success on pitching, defense, and speed. They had standout players like Hall of Famers Minnie Minoso, Nellie Fox (the 1959 AL MVP), Luis Aparicio (the 1956 AL Rookie of the Year), and Early Wynn. A White Sox player led the AL in stolen bases every year from 1951 to 1962 except for 1954, with Minoso leading the league each year from 1951-1953 and Aparicio each year from 1956-1962 (Jim Rivera, another player for the Pale Hose, was the league's leading base thief in 1955).

The White Sox also had consistently good pitching staffs. While the 1950s had Wynn (a 300-game winner), Virgil Trucks, and Billy Pierce on the mound for Chicago, the 1960s saw Gary Peters (the 1963 AL Rookie of the Year), Joe Horlen, and Juan Pizarro toe the rubber for the team. Peters led the AL in ERA twice (2.33 in 1963 and 1.98 in 1966), while Horlen paced the league in ERA in 1967 (2.06).

From 1951 to 1967, the White Sox had a winning record every year. After finishing fourth in 1951, they didn't drop below third place until 1961, when they finished fourth two years in a row. They then rebounded to finish second from 1963-1965 before dropping to fourth again in 1966 and 1967. They won 90 games in 1954-1955, 1957, 1959, and 1963-1965. That's a run of excellence any team could be proud of.

So what was the problem? There was a certain team wearing pinstripes in the country's largest city that these White Sox just couldn't get by. In the nine years from 1957-1965, they finished second five times (1957, 1958, 1963, 1964, and 1965), and four of those times, the team that finished ahead of them was the Yankees. They finally slayed the New York bogeyman and claimed the pennant with 94 wins in 1959 - the mayor of Chicago, Richard J. Daley, ordered the city's air raid sirens to be sounded to celebrate, only to strike terror into the city's people at the height of the Cold War - but their offense died during the World Series and they lost to the Dodgers in six games.

In 1964, the White Sox won 98 games, including their last nine in a row, but the Yankees countered with an 11-game winning streak of their own to hold off the Sox by a game. In 1967, the last year of their great run, they were involved in one of the most intense and famed pennant races ever with the Twins, Tigers, and Red Sox, and they actually led for a chunk of September. However, they faltered during the last week, dropping games to the lowly Washington Senators, and wound up fourth at 89-73.

I can't imagine how perpetually frustrated these teams were. You play your tail off year after year for seventeen seasons, only for the juggernaut in the Bronx to consistently block your path to glory at a time where only the pennant winner went to the World Series.

Anyway, I just thought I'd highlight a team that might've been lost to the mists of time. It's a happy coincidence that this year's White Sox seem to be doing well thus far, too.

Happy Saturday!

Edit: added that Peters was ROY in 1963

Hey all,

I need to find several parts for a Frigidaire 18 cu. ft. top freezer refrigerator. Do you have any recommendations for places where I could get second-hand parts for this fridge in Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge? They have to be good quality, and at a reasonable price.

If you don't have any suggestions for places where I could get second-hand parts, do you have any suggestions for places where I could get OEM parts at a cheaper price? I called Electrolux for the parts and the prices they quoted made my hair stand on end.

I do have the model number and serial number for the fridge if it would help.

Any and all suggestions welcome.

Thanks!

Hi all,

I have a glass shower door in my basement apartment which has shattered. It needs to be replaced. Problem is, the shower door was installed over 12 years ago (because I've been renting for 12 years) and I don't know if those kinds of doors are available (it's a Mirolin brand shower door, which are available at Home Depot, but I don't know if they have them in my size, and I'm lousy at measuring).

As a result, I'm considering going to a glass shop and having them measure and cut the shower door.

Do you have any recommendations for a reputable glass shop in Brampton with good reviews and fair prices that would make a glass shower door for me?

Thanks!

Hi all,

I’ve been renting a basement apartment in Brampton since September 2014. That’s 12 years. With a recent email from my landlady, I’m seriously considering terminating my lease and moving out. FYI, my fixed term lease expires at the end of August, and the rental agreement says I have to give at least two months notice before the end of the term if I’m moving out.

Here’s the email:

Dear Istobri,

I hope you are doing well.
As discussed last year 2025 summer and last week, I am planning renovations to the basement in order to meet the requirements of the City of Brampton. The renovation plans have been submitted, and I am currently awaiting approval from the city.

At this time, I would like to advise you that if the renovation is approved and proceeds as planned, there may be periods during which the basement unit cannot be occupied while required work and inspections are being completed. Should this become necessary, I will provide any notices required under Ontario law and keep you informed as soon as additional information becomes available.

Effective September 1, 2026, the monthly charges will be as follows:
• Rent: $1,200 per month
• Utilities and internet: $75 per month

All payments will continue to be due on the first day of each month. You can leave payment in the mail box.

I would also like to address several concerns that have arisen during the tenancy so that we can maintain a safe and respectful living environment for everyone at the property.

•       Last year, I arranged and paid for repairs to the shower faucet on two separate occasions.
•       I observed that the smoke detector was removed while cooking. This is a serious safety concern. Smoke detectors must remain installed and operational at all times.
•       I noticed that your sister regularly stayed at the property on weekends and used the laundry and kitchen facilities. There were also occasions when laundry was being done late at night, which was captured on the security cameras. Going forward, extended stays and use of shared facilities by non-tenants will not be permitted without prior approval.
•       I received complaints regarding laundry being left in the washing machine and the lint filter not being cleaned after use. On several occasions, I had to clean the area myself. Please ensure the laundry area is left clean after each use.
•       There was an incident where oil was spilled outside the entrance and was not cleaned properly, creating a slipping hazard. Please ensure that any spills are cleaned promptly to maintain a safe environment.
•       Documents and personal belongings belonging to your sister are currently being stored at the property. The rental unit is intended for the tenant's personal use and is not to be used as a storage area for belongings of non-residents.
• The following items have been damaged and require repair or replacement:
·       Refrigerator door handle
·       Refrigerator glass shelf/tray
·       Glass shower door
In addition, periodic inspections of the unit may be conducted for maintenance, repair, or renovation planning purposes. Proper notice will be provided in accordance with Ontario law before entry.

Immediate Actions Required:
Please complete the following within the specified timelines:
•       Replace the refrigerator door handle within 30 days.
•       Replace the refrigerator glass shelf/tray within 30 days.
•       Replace the damaged glass shower door within 60 days.
•       Remove any personal belongings or documents belonging to your sister from the property within 30 days.

Please send photographs showing completion of each repair. I may also arrange an inspection, with proper notice, to verify that the repairs have been completed satisfactorily.

If the repairs are not completed within the specified timelines, I reserve the right to arrange the repairs and seek reimbursement for the costs associated with damages caused during the tenancy, in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and applicable legal processes.

As soon as I receive further information from the City regarding the renovation approval and timeline, I will inform you promptly.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Sincerely,
Landlady

—

I have a few problems with this. First of all, let me say that with everything that broke, it was accidental. I have NEVER, in 12 years of tenancy, intentionally caused damage in my apartment. I’m also away from my apartment for two months out of the year in the summer, plus three other weeks in the year.

1. She says she paid for repairs to the shower faucet on two separate occasions. Isn’t this part of her job as a landlady? Here’s what happened to the faucet: I was turning the knob and it broke. I didn’t use excessive force or anything.

2. Regarding my sister’s stays, she only came over on certain weekends of the year. She never used the laundry facilities and we used the kitchen together when we cooked together. The rental agreement says “overnight stay guests not allowed”, but aren’t overnight guests allowed under the RTA? Also, my mom and sister regularly came over and stayed overnight for years before this, and she even invited my mom and sister into her house one time while they were leaving my place. Why is she making such a stink about it now, after 12 years of silence?

3. Regarding the oil spill, a bottle of olive oil broke outside the side entrance this past winter. It was a winter day and so snow was on the ground. I cleaned up the glass pieces as much as I could, and even texted her to let her know what happened. She said to sprinkle flour on the spill, so that’s what I did. I followed her instructions. Why is she making note of it now?

4. Regarding the documents and belongings of my sister, she has her own place. It’s just that she didn’t have room for this stuff. It’s not written in my rental agreement that I can’t store my sister’s stuff in my apartment. What’s up with this?

5. Regarding the breakages, here’s what happened. With the freezer door handle, I tried to open it and the handle simply snapped from the bottom. No excessive force or anything. Regarding the glass shelf in the fridge: I took it out to wash it. It slipped out of my soapy hands and shattered on the floor. No intent to break it whatsoever. With regard to the glass shower door, it came off its hinges and I tried to put it back on. The shower door shattered while it was in my hands. Again, totally accidental and no intent. Plus, both of the glass breakages happened YEARS ago. The shower door broke maybe a year or two into my tenancy, and the glass fridge shelf probably happened before COVID too. Why is she bringing it all up now and asking me to fix it?

Given all this, I’m seriously thinking about leaving. I’d like to leave at the end of June. If I give my notice now, could I do this? Or if not the end of June, could I move out at the end of July?

Also, should I have to pay for all these repairs, and will there be legal ramifications if I don’t?

Finally, is this worth calling the City of Brampton or the LTB about? Will I get a response?

Thanks for your help!

Hi all,

I'm Canadian, but I understand that our Jays have many fans in other countries. I'm particularly interested in UK-based Jays fans and how they came to love our team.

So, if you're from the UK and a Jays fan, I have a few questions for you.

1. Where in the UK are you from?

2. How did you become a Jays fan?

3. Why did you choose the Jays over other MLB teams?

I guess curiosity got the better of me today and I wanted to hear the stories of Jays fans from across the pond.

Thank you kindly!

Hi everyone,

Canadian here. Are there are a lot of places (localities, even streets and buildings) in the UK that are named after Canada?

I know that One Canada Square is a notable London landmark and one of the tallest buildings in the country, and it is named after Canada (obviously).

Are there other places or things in the UK that are named after my home and native land?

I'd love to hear examples.

Thanks!

Hello everyone,

Canadian here. I'm wondering how popular the TV programme Air Crash Investigation is in Australia. It's a Canadian-made show, and I believe it's shown in many countries, including Australia.

In Oz, I think it airs on either National Geographic Channel or Discovery Channel, but I'm not sure.

In any event, just wanted to ask if this programme is popular in your country.

Thank you!

Hello everyone,

Canadian here. The programme Mayday (also known as Air Crash Investigation and Air Disasters) happens to be Canadian, and I'm wondering how popular it is in the UK. I think several people over at r/aircrashinvestigation seem to be from the UK and fans of the series, but I'd like to get your opinions on the matter.

Is it a popular programme in the UK, or have most people not heard of it?

Thank you!