Brian Dumoulin was a Second Round Pick by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2008, but the product of Boston College never played for the organization as he was traded to Pittsburgh three years later while playing for the Eagles.

The American Defenseman made his first appearance for Pittsburgh in the 2013/14 campaign, playing a handful of Games that year and the next before finding a permanent place on the finding a permanent place on the Pittsburgh blueline.  The traditional Defenseman helped the Pens win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, with the finesse-based player netting two 20-plus point years and a fifth-place finish in Plus/Minus (+31) in 2018/19.

Dumoulin ha his best offensive year in 2022/23 with 25 Points, which was also his last year in Western PA, as he signed with the Seattle Kraken in the offseason.  He had 139 Points over 546 Games as a Penguin.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at Thanksgiving, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will be doing updates every Monday. (note, with it being Christmas on Monday, and no games scheduled, we waited a day!)

Here is the fourth current top ten in Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. 66 Cup Points:  32 Games, 20 G, 24 A, 44 P, +6, 5.5 PS. (#1 Last Week)

The Boston Bruins (like last year) have been the best team early in the season, and it is David Pastrnak who has led their offensive threat.  He is the league-leader in Shots (163), is fourth in Goals (20), fifth in Points (44), and is Boston’s leading scorer, and is in the top ten in most essential offensive categories.  Could he win his first Hart?

2. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning.  61 Cup Points, 34 Games, 23 G, 34 A, 57 P, +2, 6.5 PS.  (#2 Last Week)

Kucherov is in his tenth season in Tampa, and is putting forth a season that could gain him another Hart or Art Ross.  He is leading the NHL in Points (57) and is second in Assists (34) and third in Goals (23).  It is a minor surprise that he is not first in Cup Points, but he is getting close.

3.  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, 46 Cup Points:  27 Games, 23 G, 12 A, 35 P, +4, 4.5 PS. ($7 Last Week)

The American sniper is back as the league’s top sniper the leadership in Goals (28) and Even-Strength Goals (20).  If he holds that, Matthews will win his third Rocket Richard Trophy.

4. Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators, 53 Cup Points:  34 Games, 16 G, 22 A, 38 P, +4, 4.3 PS (#5 Last Week)

Forsberg is off to the best start of his career and should make his second All-Star Game, though other than Even Strength Goals (6^th with 14) and Game-Winning Goals (4^th with 4), he is not in the top ten in any major offensive category. 

5. Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators.  52 Cup Points:  27 Games, 15-12-0 Record, .909 Save Percentage, 2.82 GAA, 4.5 GPS. (#3 Last Week)

Saros is a shock to be the highest ranked Goalie and to be in the top five in general.  How he got here is by being a workhorse.  Saros is leading the NHL in Saves (708), is second in Minutes (1,510), and is fourth in Wins (15) and Goalie Point Shares (5.0).  Saros’ rank means that it is the Predators that are the first squad with two ranked players.

6 (TIE).  Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche, 50 Cup Points:  34 Games, 17 G, 25 A, 42 P, +7, 4.6 PS. (#7 Last Week)

Rantanen, he currently tenth in both Goals (17) and Points (42), and is second in Game-Winning Goals (5).

6 (TIE). Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils, 50 Cup Points:  27 Games, 14 G, 25 A, 39 P, -4, 4.2 PS.  (#6 Last Week)

Hughes is currently fifth in Points per Game (1.54) and is on pace for a third straight All-Star selection.

8. Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks, 48 Cup Points:  35 Games, 10 G, 34 A, 44 P, +28, 7.3 PS.  (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)

The Hughes family have two representatives in the top ten (reminds of us last year when the Tkachuks once did the same), and this particular brother is the lone Defenseman ranked in the top ten) and he should be.  He is leading the NHL in Point Shares (7.3), Defensive Point Shares (3.3), and Plus/Minus (+28), and astoundingly is sixth in Offensive Point Shares (4.0).

9. Thatcher Demko, Vancouver Canucks.  47 Cup Points:  25 Games, 17-7-1 Record, .917 Save Percentage, 2.46 GAA, 5.4 GPS. (#6 Last Week)

Demko, who was an All-Star last year, is the current league-leader in Wins (17), Goalie Point Shares (5.3), Shutouts (3) and is eighth in GAA (2.46) and ninth in Save Percentage (.917).

10. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche.  46 Cup Points, 34 Games, 18 G, 36 A, 54 P, +10, 6.0 PS. (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)

MacKinnon is in the top ten where he belongs and is currently the NHL leader in Assists (36) and is second in Points (54).  The Avs superstar is also eighth in Goals (18), and second in the Even Strength category (15).

Florida’s Sam Reinhart, New York’s Artemi Panarin and Vancouver’s J.T. Miller fell out of the top ten.

Our next update will be next Monday.

In the bustling world of online gambling, slot games have carved out a significant niche. While visuals play a crucial role in attracting players, it's the sound design that truly enhances the gaming experience, often determining the game's success. The sound design in online slot games not only contributes to the thematic allure but also impacts player psychology and behavior, and here’s how.

Creating Immersive Experiences Through Sound

The primary function of sound in slot games is to create an immersive experience. Sound effects play a pivotal role in signaling game events. Wins are usually accompanied by distinctive, uplifting sounds, creating a sense of achievement and excitement. Unique tunes can also be added to Canada Gambling online to make their use more pleasant to the player.

The sounds of coins clinking or triumphant music can trigger a dopamine release, encouraging players to continue playing. Conversely, subtle sounds or even silence can indicate losses, persuading the player to try again without causing discouragement.

Each game comes with its unique theme, be it adventure, fantasy, or classic casino vibes, and the sound design is tailored to complement these themes. For example, a game based on Ancient Egypt might incorporate sounds of sandstorms or mystical music, instantly transporting players to a different time and place. This thematic consistency helps in maintaining the player's interest and engagement.

Psychology and Behavior Influence

The psychology behind sound design is quite fascinating. Studies have shown that certain sound patterns can influence player behavior. For instance, fast-paced, upbeat music can lead to quicker betting decisions, while more relaxed sounds might encourage longer play sessions. Audio can also be used to create a sense of urgency during time-limited offers or bonus rounds, nudging players to make quicker decisions.

Moreover, audio design in slot games is not just about music or effects; it also includes the ambient sounds of a virtual casino. The chatter of other players, the noises of other slot machines in the background, and even the soft hum of a busy casino floor can greatly enhance the realism of the online experience, making it more engaging for players who enjoy the feel of a real casino.

However, it all must be carefully balanced. Overpowering or repetitive sounds can lead to sensory overload, causing discomfort or even driving players away. Game designers must ensure that the soundtrack is pleasant, enhancing the experience without dominating it.

In conclusion, sound design in online slot games is a critical component that goes beyond mere auditory aesthetics. It plays a significant role in creating an immersive experience, influencing player psychology, and even impacting the overall success of the game. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovative and engaging soundscapes in the world of online slots, further enhancing the player experience.

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team.  That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity.  As such, we are very happy to present our post 2022/23 revision of our top 50 Philadelphia Flyers.

As for all of our top 50 players in hockey we look at the following:

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the National Hockey League.

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.

Last year, Philadelphia again failed to make the changes and there was only one elevation.  This resulted in two new entrants, and other minor fluctuation on the top 50.

As always, we present our top five, which saw no changes:

1. Bobby Clarke

2. Bernie Parent

3. Bill Barber

4. Eric Lindros

5. Mark Howe

You can find the entire list here.

The only change was Center, Travis Konecny, who rose to #38 from #50.

We welcome your input and comments and as always, we thank you for your support.