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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.

Is Nicklas Lindstrom at the show?

Well, blame Lidstrom for retiring for some of the delay. All of the template graphics were done -- with him in color -- then he went up and retired on me and I had to fade him out. The nerve of that guy, I swear! Thanks for the comments, everyone. There'll be some adjustments that will continue to occur on the forums over the next few days to help ease the transition a bit.

whoa. okay, gonna have to play around. Looks nice though! ....I see I'll have to fix my avatar.

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

Looks amazing Matt, appreciate all the hard work

I agree 100%, people are done with guys that make millions. Owners and players cancelling games/season over a few extra bucks, I mean it's all about coin right? Like someone else said, the ratings are as good as they'll ever get with Gary (dickweed) Bettman as commissioner, and having a tv contract with NBCsports instead of ESPN. I love the NHL and Wings more than I can put in words, but another lockout and I may have to walk away. The NHL seems to be the only sports that thinks they can keep having lockouts and fans will always stick around.

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?

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.

Things you know you will always get with Darren Helm: 1) Speed. 2) He will outwork anyone on the ice for either team. 3) He will kill penalties. 4) He will score the occasional goal. Yes, 4 years for 2 million is a no-brainer for me. Helm has made himself untouchable on this team.

To the similar cap hit post: I'm pretty sure campbells contract has something to do with Florida reaching the cap floor.

In Franzen's most productive season he averaged 18:06 in ice time and scored 59 pts. In Zach Parise's most productive season he averaged 18:46 and scored 94 pts. Surely you're not suggesting that Franzen would have scored 35 more points that season if he'd had 40 more seconds of ice time per game.

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'.