BringHomeTheCup!

Personally, while Ozzie is having a good season, he doesn't crack the top three goalies out of the WC that I'd like to see play in the all star game. 1. Louongo 2. Turco 3. Bryzgalov 4. Khabibulin 5. Kipper 6. Leclaire 7. Ozzie I don't care about how seasons are going. We all know that the all star game is nothing more than a sideshow weekend. Here's why I'd like to see each of these guys... 1. Luongo - he is one of the top 3 goalies in the NHL today, and is great to watch. 2. Turco - he can be great, he is streaky, but he is a riot when he is mic'd up. 3. Bryz - just to showcase what the Ducks gave up, and show the world just how good he is 4. Khabibulin - he is just fun to watch 5. Kipper - great goaltender 6. Leclaire - it'd be great to get some exposure for this young kid. One last thing, I think no playing in the all star game would be a nice break for all our guys. But we all know Hank, Pav, and Nick will be there. That's enough Wings.

Where I think you go wrong in this argument is saying that Roy's career is a result of longevity, while the other guys only played a short career, so their stats are more valuable. The longevity of Roy's career undoubtedly padded his stats, but what's to say that if any of those guys played longer that they could have held up those same standards? One thing that jumps out at me is over the course of his Roy missed the playoffs only one season, that's 18 out of 19 tries. Don't tell me he never carried a team. That stat alone provides you with enough proof that he did just that.

What do you mean play a similar role as Drake? Throughout his career Recchi has been a goal scorer. Drake has nerver surpassed the 20 goal mark. Recchi has more goals (510) than Drake has points (472). Recchi is nearly a point per game player over the course of his career. Drake has never, even for a season, been a point per game player. Drake has over twice the amount of fights Recchi has. Recchi does have more career PIM's, but if you look at the season both Drake and Recchi have been in the NHL (since '92-'93), Drake has 131 more PIM's than Recchi. Lastly, Drake enjoys a .90 PIM per game average for his career, while Recchi has a .70 PIM per game average. These guys play two totally different styles. The only real similarities are they are old, and no one else really wanted/wants them. The Wings should, and will pass on Recchi. He wouldn't fit into the Wings system, he isn't the answer to the second line scoring problems. As someone else mentioned, if he can't put the puck in the net with Crosby dishing it to him, something is wrong. There is something to be said about chemistry, something Recchi and Crosby clearly didn't have. I think Recchi has a lot to give still, he just needs to find the right fit. I wouldn't be surprised to see him end up in Carolina on re-entry waivers.

Everyone always says reducing the size of the goaltenders pads will increase scoring. I think that is an easy copout answer. Today's game is a defense first game. If you reduce the size of the pads, not only do I think it wouldn't increase scoring much if at all, I also think it would create a more defensive system. Here's why. 1. The size of a goaltenders pads isn't the 'problem'. The comparison the original poster made with the picture is laughable. If you are going to use that as any sort of basis for comparison, you must also look at the players equipment. Remember, back then there were no curved sticks, skates were merely sneakers with blades, and shots rarely were lifted. 2. Goaltenders are no longer the guys who can't play a skaters position. Goaltenders are now some of the best athletes. Years ago, the goalie was the guy who couldn't skate. In today's game you have guys like Marty who are incredible athletes. 3. In regards to the more defensive game by reducing pads. There is no doubt that some goaltenders would truely suffer from smaller pads (although I believe this number is very low). However, I think this would give coaches an excuse to play a more defensive system. You would see more blocked shots than ever. I don't think there are any quick fixes to increase scoring, short of those that would harm the integrity of the game. One thing that I think would help the flow of the game is increasing the ice surface to international playing surface size. During the Olympics you see a much more open flowing game than in the NHL. For the most part, the players are the same, it's just the systems that are different. If you have ever played on an international sized ice surface, you know how much more ice there is to use. Guys like Lecavalier, Datsyuk, and Crosby would have more ice to make plays with. Guys like Gaborik, Ovechkin, and Kovalchuk could use their speed to get into better position. If nothing else, it would be something worth trying.

Do you mean points?

I was at the game last night, Kopy's goal looked impossible from where he shot it. Not only was the angle just sick, but Denis was way out of the net, which made it more difficult. Just a beauty.

So tell me this, what is it about Homer on that line that is so great? What does he bring to the table? It isn't his defensive prowess. It isn't a wicked wrister. It isn't pin point accurate passing. Oh, that's right. He parks out in front of the net, and screens the goalie. Again, I'm not saying that Homer is great at what he does. Just saying that you but another big body on that line, who can stand in front of the net, and the results will look quite similar. I could see your side of the argument if Homer was always setting up Z and D, but he doesn't. He gets set up, there is no denying that. ZDH was together regularly from sometime around December until the end of the year. Bert was used sparingly on that line, but he wasn't in game shape. Bert was also used a bit on that line in playoffs to shake things up, but no one was scoring for the Wings, and he was injured. What's your point?

Let me rephrase. 1. How was the cap determined for the Canadian teams before the Canadian dollar was equal to or as is now, worth more than the USD? I am 99% sure that Canadian teams were allowed to spend the Canadian equilevant. When I said the league compensated the Canadian teams, that is what I meant. I didn't mean the league actually gave the Canadian teams money. 2. If this 'compensation' method is correct, how is it handled now that the CD is worth more than the USD? Again, it doesn't really make sense to allow the Canadian teams to actually be spending less than the American teams, so a midseason cap adjustment to the Canadian teams cap seems like the right move. However, penalizing the Canadian teams for something beyond their control doesn't seem right. Especially if it were to put a team over the cap. Example. For the sake of this example the NHL cap will be $10 and the exchange rate will start out 10% in favor of the USD. All US teams can spend $10. Canadian teams also spend $10 USD, but in Canadian that translates to $11. Mid season the dollar is at par. This would put the Canadian teams over the cap of $10. A month later, the USD drops, and the CD is now worth 10% more than the USD. All Canadian teams are now 20% over the cap, while US teams would not be affected. Now I am assuming there is something I am missing. The NHL has to have some sort of rules set in place to allow for this adjustment. What I want to know is what are those rules

Leave it to ESPN to get a name wrong. I am assuming they didn't mean Bryzgalov, and meant Kovalchuk. But if they did mean Byyzgalov, how is he even in contention for the Hart at this point?

Here are a few questions I have been thinking about... With the Canadian dollar officially worth more than the US dollar, how does this effect the cap? I know that since the cap is set to the USD, in the past Canadian teams were allowed to spend up to the equivellant in Canadian. But since it has changed mid-season, how does this effect the current cap situation? Does the NHL use the exchange rate that was current at the begining of the season? And if this trend continues, what happens if the adjusted amount puts a Canadian team over the cap? It doesn't seem fair to the American teams to continue to allow the use of an old exchange rate when the American dollar is now weaker. On the flip side, it doesn't seem fair to the Canadian teams that have cap room to see that cap room shrink or even disappear due to no actions of their own. Does the NHL stop compensating the Canadian teams, and start compensating American teams for the weaker dollar? Just some food for thought.

A buddy and I always goof around with a puck before games. Picking it up off the ice with both forehand and backhand sides of the stick, throwing it up and catching it, tossing it to each other. But we always have skates on.

It may sound odd, but enough guys are doing it to make the NHL say something about it. I knew AO and Crosby did it. But the NHL saying something about it makes me wonder who else does it. I could see Kovalchuk, and Heatly doing it.

I never said Homer isn't good at what he does. In fact, I believe I said he plays his role very well. But you are wrong to think that another player can't do the same job. I realize there is more to it than just standing there, but that isn't the debate. It's whether or not Homer is crucial to the success of ZDH. He is not. Plug in Franzen or any other big guy who can camp out front and you will see extremely similar results.

From Bob McKenzie's Blog on TSN.... "On the mega-suspensions of 20 and 25 games to Steve Downie and Jesse Boulerice, respectively: Burke had questioned whether the GMs ever signed off on or were advised of a dramatic change in standards for supplementary discipline, but was told each discipline situation is handled on a case by case basis and that the two big suspensions are not necessarily indicative of a sweeping across the board change to the approach on supplementary discipline." Is anyone really surprised? FULL ARTICLE

When a player demand a contract you trade him? I'm not sure what you mean by that, I'm assuming you meant that when a player demands to be traded, you trade him? Just because AO might demand a trade (I still have a hard time seeing him do that anytime soon, he loves DC), things can be worked out. Making the player stay isn't always bad for the organization. No doubt it isn't the best case scenario, but again, things can be worked out. I don't doubt that the Caps would get offers from other teams. However, you are forgetting a few things. First and foremost, the salary cap. AO is going to get top dollar. With the Lightning already pushed against the cap, trading St. Louis and Boyle wouldn't actually do much in the way of clearing Cap space, and filling holes that the Lightning have. Not to mention the Lightning don't have much in the way of 'high level prospects'. I'm not saying that they couldn't fit AO under the cap in that deal, but they couldn't fit a quality starting goaltender (their biggest hole) and AO under the cap. As far as Chicago is concerned, there is no way they trade Towes, Kane, Seabrook, and more for AO. Not gunna happen. That sounds like something JFJ would try to pull off in Toronto. It does make sense it every respect except the salary cap. The Ducks wouldn't have enough room to re-sign AO. Not to mention the are going to retire #8 next season....

I just saw the clip, while Hartnell obviously could have let up, the hit wasn't all that bad. That being said, it was still a shot to the head. This is what supposedly got Downie his HUGE suspension. I think Hartnell should get at least 10 games. He won't. But if the NHL really is trying to crack down on hits to the head, this is a great opportunity to send a message to the rest of the league. I also believe at some point the Flyers as an organization need to be punished. Fine the coach, the GM the owner. I don't care. But when these incidents keep happening, it becomes something more than coincidence. I'm not saying that there is some conspiracy, or the Flyers are telling guys to play like this, but they obviously aren't getting the point across that playing like this isn't acceptable.

My point exactly. Homer isn't creating more opportunities for Z and D any more so than Franzen could in the same role.

So far all of the big trade talk is missing something, espically the suggested deal involving the Ducks. You are all forgetting AO's potential salary. No question he could ask for and easily get league max. However, minimally he gets $8 per. The Ducks wouldn't be able to fit him in under the cap unless they sent a big contract back to Washington, ala Prongger, Bert, or Scotty. I don't think there is any senario that AO gets traded. Even if AO demanded to be traded, I just can't see the Caps dealing him. Outside of Crosby, there isn't a player in the NHL that I would trade him for. On the flip side, I don't see too many GM's that would be in the position (cap-wise) to acquire AO who would have the pieces to make the deal work.

It's pretty close to $5.5, but even if Dom reached all his bonuses, the Wings wouldn't take that hit to the cap until next season. This is what I'd do. Find a #1 goaltender. Sorry, but Dom, nor Ozzie will bring home silver this year with this squad. I'm not entirely sure who I'd try to get, however. I'd like to acquire someone who would be here for a few years, not just a short term fix. No matter what everyone thinks Howard isn't going to just jump in and be a great NHL starter. I'd like to see him learn the ropes as a backup. While I love Ozzie, I just don't think there is much room for him if the Wings really are planning on bringing up Howard anytime soon. My goalie: Huet. Who/what I'd trade: Osgood, Sammy, and a 2nd round. With Price and Halak coming up fast, and Huet being an UFA this offseason, he may be expendable. I'd try to fill the second line scoring slack. This is a bit tougher, there are a lot of sexy names out there. Rolston is one I hear a lot. I'd rather see someone who'd fit into the Wings style a little better, preferably a Euro. My guy: Miro Satan. Who/what I'd trade: Meech, Pain Train, and a 3rd round. He isn't the biggest name out there, so I don't think he would attract much attention. Again, he is an UFA next season. Few guys in the NHL have his combination of speed, and raw offensive skill. By acquiring Satan, a winger, the Wings could break up ZDH, and now have 2 lines who can score. I'd like to sure up the blue line. As much as everyone here seems to think it's the Wings biggest asset, I think it's one of the biggest holes. My guy: Dan Markov. Who/what I'd trade: Obviously nothing, but I'd give him $4 per if he'd take it. He would provide the much needed top 4 dman. My guy: Boumeester. Who/what I'd trade: Kronwall, and Quincey I don't like Kronwall or Quincey. There have been a lot of talks that Boumeester isn't happy in FLA. LINES Homer/Hank/Cleary Satan/Pav/Franzen Malts/Drapes/Rex Drake/Kopy/Downey Lidstrom/Markov Ralfy/Boumeester Lebda/Chelios Huet Howard

Z and D don't benefit from having (specifically) Homer on their line. Let me explain that statement. Homer provides a body in front of the net, that does help out Z and D. But what you don't see is Homer setting these guys up. It's the other way around. Homer gets setup. That's just the nature of his game. It isn't Homer that is making an impact on that line as much as it is how he plays the game. Something that Franzen could do just as well even strength. There is no denying that there is chemistry on that line, but I don't think it has much of anything to do with Homer. As I said before he isn't setting up plays, or really even making plays. He parks in front of the net, screens the goalie, and digs in the corners. Those are all things that Franzen could do just as well. I think it's an easy out to say none of them are better separately as they are apart. But what happens when only one of them is taken away? When it's Z and D together, things still happen almost every shift. However, when you take away Z or D, the opportunities just don't seem to flow, and the chemistry is gone.

My ratings.... Wings: 5 of 5 NYR: 4 of 5 Hawks, Habs: 3 of 5 Bruins, Leafs: 1 of 5

Or, could it convince Kenny to deal more often? Based on how things like this have went down in the past (Jagr to NYR deal) and how it happens in other sports (the A-Rod to NYY deal) the NHL most likely would require whatever portion of a players salary that wasn't traded to count against that teams cap. Example: Wings trade Kronwall with half of his salary to the Pens for Whitney. The Wings would still be responsible for 50% of Kronwall's salary for whatever length of time the teams agreed to, while also being responsible for Whitney's entire salary.

"Well, if you want to define players' nationality by the country they were born in, then there are NO Russians...." Your exact words. You contradict yourself. So which is it? Are there no Russians, or is every player in the NHL born in the USSR a Russian? If the latter is the case, I'd be willing to bet that there is more than 30 NHLers who would be Russian. Have you actually seen these passports you speak of? Didn't think so. The territory these guys were born in has never been Russia. Why is that so difficult for you to swallow? Since when does language one speak determines nationality? What then is Lidstrom? He speaks both Swedish and English? Hell, maybe you can help me. I speak German, broken Spanish, English, and a bit of pig Latin, what nationality am I? It is you sir who is making erroneous claims that don't hold water.

What I mean is simply that none of those guys are Russian by heritage. They were born Soviets, and the territory they were born in has never been Russia. At any rate, I'm tired of debating this. I guess I'll just agree to disagree with you guys.

It depends on what type of player you put with them. If you put Sammy out there with them, then no. He shoots to much. But if you put say Franzen out there, I think there is going to be very similar numbers.