BringHomeTheCup!

Where do you get 850k from? I am pretty sure the NHL rookie max is more like 450K. But that argument still doesn't stand up. Take a look at M.A. Fleury's contract. All the bonuses included, the kids first season he earned a few million. So the earning potential is there. And I have read that Russia does tax it's atheltes something like 10-15%. I'll buy the family part, as most european players seem to not only have more pride in playing for thier countries, but also more respect for their familes than most NorthAmerican players do.

It doesn't seem to me like there would be a whole lot of intrest in Theodore. And as for how much he would get paid, I still think more than a cool million is a stretch without most of it being bonus and such. That is in part why I think he should get some consideration to be the next UFA goaltender signed by the Wings. He should be cheap enough, and as you stated, he does have potential.

so why wouldn't the wings want to make a pitch at him?

My favorite is the Pens announcer from last year. He still does the radio feed, I forget his name, but he was great.

My personal fav he doesn't use much anymore. Does anyone esle remember Mic describing a goal that was a great play by saying "Then Bingo-Bango-Bingo, it's in the net!" Gotta love Mic, I just wish he'd do more games and Murph would do less.

If I am correct, the Lightning are already tied to what's his face from the Blue Jackets for a few years at too much. The Blues have good 'ol Manny, who did surprise me this year. Do you really think Theodore would even draw that much attention? And at a 2-3mil tag? I can't see anyone offering him that much.

The skater that drives me nuts is Scheinder. He has such an incredible shot, yet he can't see to hit the net with any sort of regularity. Take a page from the Cap', it doesn't always matter how hard the shot is, but it ALWAYS matters where the shot is placed. And in net I am going with Hasek. He needs to stay in net. Hell I think my 4 year old niece could give him a good run in skating ability!! And please stop trying to draw penalities, and just play the game. That being said, I don't think the Wings are where they are this year without either of those two. BTW I think the common misconception with Lang is that he is lazy. Does he always go 100% no. But the problem is he makes a lot of what he does look easy. I have been lucky enough to attend 15-20 games this year, and moreso than anyone else, even Dats, he impresses me with his calmness, ability, and puck control in traffic. Yes, Dats is more flashy, and can finish much better, but Bobby is something special with the puck. Don't forget, much like Fedorov, he shines in the playoffs.

I have heard this argument before, but I don't understand it. Would he be subject to the standard rookie contract as another other NHL rookie would be?

Who in their right mind would vote for anyone else? Nick does it all, while making it look effortless. He has to win it.

Wow, H-O-S-T-I-L-E!!!! I am almost afraid to speak my mind!! Here goes. I am sort of on the fence here. I am not a big Hasek fan, but I am not sure bringing in anyone is the answer. Afterall, looking at things realisticly, we can't afford J.S. Giguere as he will get around $6 million, that is if we want to retain Dats. I shutter at the idea of Hasek in net next season. Theodore is an intersting option. I am not sure if I would be willing to give him anything more than the league minimum, and even at that it's a risk. There is talk that Minnesota is going to buy out Fernandez in favor of Backstrom, if that happens, Fernandez would be a nice upgrade in goal. IMO Belfour would be a solid upgrade over Hasek, if for no other reason, he can actually skate lol. But seriously, I agree his stats are quite similiar to Hasek's, with Belfour playing on a horrible team in the Panthers. Joseph is also a great goaltender, but the knock on him is he can't win for a team that doesn't need a goalie to stand on his head to win games. The bottom line is Hasek is not an elite goaltender anymore, and in all honesty isn't much better than Osgood. Yeah, Howard and Liv aren't proven at the NHL level, but they haven't had a chance. They need to be a backup for a year or so before they can really step in and play. I don't think Hasek will get the job done this year, and I hope he doesn't return next season.