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As you've undoubtedly noticed, things look a bit different around here! The LGW Forums have underwent the biggest upgrade since 2010 and there are a lot of significant changes -- far more than I think I could meaningfully gather into this post. Many you'll notice as you continue to surf the forums as many of the enhancements are functional. Bullets: There are currently two "main" template skins, labeled "White" (the default one) and "Red" You're free to switch among them as you see fit by clicking on the "Change Theme" link at the bottom of the page. Removal of profile pictures IP.Board opted to merge the two into one avatar, and as of the last update I believe that remote-linking of images for avatars is no longer permitted (security risk). Speed The forums should show some significant speed improvements. Some of this is due to inline updating: Posts can be added to threads seamlessly. I'll continue to try to make as many speed improvements to the forums as I can. More integration with social media You'll see the ability to add topics to your Facebook/Twitter accounts. Rep System replaced with "Like" button No more +/- functionality as it has been replaced with a "Like this Post" button. Topic Preview When viewing the forum index (like 'General Discussion' here), you can mouseover a topic and see a dark gray down arrow icon appear to the right -- click it to expand the topic to view the first few posts before going to the topic page itself. TapaTalk functionality is BACK Some members have been clamoring for it to return as a mobile viewing option, so here it is. TapaTalk is now compatible with the forum (in addition to the standard Mobile theme that's also available if you're still looking for an easy mobile browsing solution.) Custom Topic Tags Options vary by forums and by member group, but there are now customized topic tags (or 'badges'). In the past it was limited to "PINNED" and "POLL", but I've expanded that to include "GDT" (for Game Day Threads), "SIGNED" for *official* signings, and "TRADE" for topics discussing an official trade. (Do not abuse this ability! It's a great visual aid for visitors of the forums and those that abuse it will be promptly suspended/banned.) Better Spam Protection All new registrations are IP checked against a known spam list remotely hosted and updated. This should help eliminate a large number of spammers that manually attempt to register and stops them before even seeing the registration form. New Profile "Statistics" Tab Just what it says: No see just how addicted you are to LGW by looking at your recorded posting habits by time of day and by forum activity. Gallery Link added to Profile A new "Gallery" tab has been added to your User Profile, for quick access to see what user's have uploaded and shared with the community. Topic "Tags" These replace the the topic subtitle (the smaller, gray text that was present on the last version). You can enter up to 10 per topic, separated by commas. Use vital keywords describing the topic, like a player name, team, etc., and it'll help catalog forum topics more efficiently to help search engine spiders and the search feature here work more efficiently. There are plenty more, and I'll add to this thread as I can -- right now I'll be tending to little bug fixes here and there that tend to pop up following a major upgrade like this. (Also, if any members see something I didn't mention, please feel free to add it here!)

I'm going to miss people nagging about their posts getting negged.

Don't forget to donate you freeloaders! esteef

Here is a decent offer for Hudler. Dear Jiri. Thank you for being a Red Wing for such a annoyingly long time. We have decided to move forward and our offer is this. Get the f*** out !

Anyone watching? It's been about the most boring and awkward show I've seen.

It's finally up! That one's for all the Wings fans who don't have access to FSN Detroit to see such special features. This first aired around the 2006-2007 season I believe.

Mobile version looking good too. Nice work Matt! esteef

You yourself just said you need that balance. I can't think of many players in the league in similar roles as Helm who can keep up with him. It's not just his speed, he's run entire plays by himself. In pressure situation he almost always makes the right play, and he has been known to draw three players to him and still keep possession down behind the opponent's goal. You can't easily replace that. He's not just a checker. He's a premiere checker in my book. Untouchable.

Looks great! Thank you for all the time and hard work that you put towards this forum.

Had Datsyuk not been nominated for something, I would have never even turned it on. Boring!

Holy Crap! The forums are updated! Watch out punks, I have a warning point! esteef

Looks amazing Matt, appreciate all the hard work

I don't like teams tanking to get high picks. The Caps did it to get Ovechkin and the Pens tanked to get Malkin and Crosby. What if the NHL changed it so the 1st overall team in the standings got the 1st overall pick? It would make the regular season more interesting, that's for sure. I believe teams, like the Wings, should be rewarded for being successful not punished. Eliminate the tanking and reward winning. Just an idea. I know it will never happen.

Renaud Lavoie via twitter: Sources in New York are saying that it appears P.A. Parenteau is headed to free agency. Possible huds replacement? Don't know too much about him other than season stats from the past couple years are pretty decent lookin.. Thoughts?

I still don't understand why a team desperately in need of goal scorers would let Hudler walk for any other reason than salary. Obviously there's a limit to what he should make, but all of you eager to just dump him no matter what are missing the big picture. Whether he's small or not, he scores goals. You want a guy like that on your third or second lines. If we can keep him AND sign all the players we NEED, then it's a no brainer. But that doesn't mean we should get in a bidding war on the open market for him. I wonder if some of you are the same people calling for Semin to come here. The reality is, if you can afford it, Hudler's 25 goals are 25 goals, regardless of his style of play. Our trouble is that we were relying on Franzen and Hudler too much. If they can be put in a secondary goal scoring capacity with the signing of a bona-fide goal scorer we'd have some of the best offense in the league.

If Holmstrom isn't resigned the difference in average age between the Wild and the Wings is less than half a year. Wild 27,2 Wings 27.6 Also in Hockey's Future's rankings of prospects the Wings are rated #15, the Wild #17. Anything else you want to make up to support your argument?

If Flip has another season like last year, he's going to get $5m. Honestly all you people moaning about too much money for this and that contract - heads up guys, its not 2005 anymore! The going rate for players has gone up!! Great signing for Helm, guy busts his ass for us every night.

There were many reasons people thought you were nuts...saying Helm was going to cost 2 million a year was far from one of them.

God, please do not offer Hudler a contract....PLEASE!

Ya, its a good deal that he will definitely out perform, I was just hoping for a bit more modest raise, OR sign the big names first, then hand out the bonuses... I am all for having Helm here for the next 4 years...I, on the other hand, am not all for paying Val $5M+ when he is due up next year...and that is what this signing is going to directly lead to. Especially if Hudler gets $5M...and if Holland gives it to Hudler then I will have a fit... What kids? Just Helm, Abby is still unsigned and I hope Quincey isn't...ever.

I'm more of a traditional wings with bones fan myself, love love love the blazin sauce too. So spicy. Stuff will go straight to your noggan though. Makes my eyes water and I can't think straight...One time I had 20 wings with blazin sauce and I almost traded Fil for Vanek.....Then I had some celery and ranch. *Whew* close one.

I've been away and the first thing I asked myself was when the Griffins fired Fraser. Not at all upset to see Fraser leave. I've felt for a couple of years now that the team has had the talent level - especially last year - to compete but they simply did not. Hopefully this will be a positive change.

From the concept of developing a player, he was average as well. I really can't say he was that good or that bad. All I can say is that the Griffins as a whole have been below average. I would like to see the Griffins field a playoff team for a change. They have the expertise and players to make it happen.

Semin isn't known for his work ethics. He's known to take weeks off. That won't fly well with Babcock. I don't think Semin and Babcock would get along too well... especially if Semin becomes a disgruntled locker room cancer.

There is a lot of fear on this board that Holland will do little to nothing on the 1st, on the second he will say to Khan or St James 'I explored the options, there was nothing to my liking/too expensive, I will wait until later in the month to sign bargain bin players'. This will be followed by signing a couple meh players, and Holland saying 'I think this team is competitive and I like our odds, and I have cap space to use at the deadline to fix any holes'. The final act of this play would be 'well I explored all the options and the NHL is just so competitive that all the players I wanted were too expensive' and quickly followed by 'When X player gets off the DL that will be our deadline'.