BringHomeTheCup!

What should it matter if there was any malice involved or not? If the NHL is really trying to crack down on head shots, Jones should have gotten more than 2 games. It's a joke, and a disgrace. It's things like this that make the NHL the laughing stock of the four major North American sports.

I'm not quite sold on that. I believe scoring chances tell a different story, a more true story as to how the game was. For instance, if the Wings are playing the Ducks, and outshoot them 50-10, that sounds like the Wings dominated the play. But if the Ducks actually had 10 shots that hit the post, and a few breakaways to give them say 20 scoring chances to the Wings 5, that tells me that the Ducks were more in the game than the shot total says. Shot totals are very deceiving. No doubt when the shot difference is as drastic as the Wings have put up thus far this season, it does count for something. However, when the Wings outshoot the opponent 40-15, but scoring chances are even, it means the game was up for grabs. Look at it like this. Take a high powered offensive team like the 83' Oilers, put them against the '95 Devils, who is gunna get more shots on goal? But does that mean the Oilers would win? As we all know, that '96 Devils team was pretty good.

I might be alone on this, but just hear me out. Could it be that Dats is being told to shoot more from the coaching staff, so he is doing just that, shooting more. So instead of making that extra deke to get into even better shooting position, he is taking a wrist shot from 30-40 feet out. Not only does this result in a lower percentage shot, a lesser scoring chance, but also would take away from his highlight reel goals. I have noticed that he is shooting more on his break away opportunities, but maybe that's because he now has some more confidence in his shot. And no, it has nothing to do with the stick. I bought the "O" stick, and my stick handeling abilities have increased.

Why would that be bad on the league? I think you have to take those into account. They sent the bar with the Downie suspension, maintained it with Boulerice, and the fact that Jones is the third Flyer involved in a play like this takes any chance of coincidence. 2 games is a joke. Jones deserves at least 10. This is weak.

While I agree with the assessment of the team thus far, I will have to say this. I think it has a lot more to do with the group of new, tough guys than just one. Downey has added a bit of an edge, but he hasn't played much, so to give his sole credit is really reaching for it, at best. Watch Kopecky, Drake, and Ellis as well. All four guys bring some legit toughness that the Wings have lacked since Dmac was sent packing. It's nice to see that the Wings can bite back.

Regardless if it was an accident, or intentional, Jones has a few thing working against him: 1. Downie 2. Boulerice 3. Jones also plays for the Flyers 4. NHL supposed 'crackdown' this year It was a hit to the head. If the NHL is really going to be tough on hits to the head, Jones will be suspended.

No, they aren't a the same thing. Minimally Lemieux was guilty of boarding. Even if Drapers face isn't broken on the play, 12 out of 10 times a penalty is called. Regardless, unless you are slashing someone to hurt them, it is more often then not, a harmless act. The difference in what Iginla did in the playoffs vs what Lemieux did? Worst case scenario Matty has a bruise the next day vs exactly what happened to Draper. Players know exactly what they are doing, especially at the NHL level. From the beer leagues to the NHL, it's no different, if a guy wants to hurt you he will do it.

I don't think the question here is whether or not the hit was dirty, but rather what is the NHL going to do about it. I wouldn't be surprised to see some action taken against the Flyers organization.

I have to agree with everything you said there. Anyone who has played hockey at any level that is remotely competitive knows that when things aren't going your way you get frustrated. One that happens, one of two things happen. You either just get upset, or you let your emotions get the best of you. A simple slash, hook, ect. is no big deal. But what happened to Draper is something that is unacceptable.

It's called preventive maintenance. Babs understands that in the playoffs you need more than one line to win games. Until the Wings acquire a legit second line scoring threat, they are a one line team. Do the other 3 lines contribute? Sure, but you can't count on guys like Draper, Flip, Rex, and Sammy to come through for you on a regular basis. The Wings are one sniper away from being a really scary team. It's not to say that they aren't a good team, that they can't win games, or that the guys outside of ZDH can't score. But seriously, looking at the Wings lineup, even when everyone is healthy, no one jumps out at you other than ZDH and says "yeah, he can hurt you on any given night." All you see are a bunch of guys who, on a good night, might be able to do some damage.

The NHL and Russia have no transfer agreement. Any player under a NHL contract can leave his team and sign with a RSL team, or visa-versa.

A ridiculous comparison to Lidstrom? I remember hearing that tossed around when Kronwall came up....

I'd like to hear what the conversation was between the coaches that started all of that.

It would be an insult to Lidstrom if Kenny asked him to take a pay cut. He is the biggest piece to the puzzle here in Detroit. Taking any discount would be anything from status quo to less than $10 per. No way Lidstrom signs for less than current salary. Remeber, before the lockout, he was making $10.5 per.

Really? Because he didn't just bold face the blackhawks portion of the post, he bold faced the "black blackhawks jersey". Nice try Sparky. I've got my fair share of Wings jerseys. As much as I love the Wings, I'm a bigger hockey fan, and I don't mind rocking a jersey I think is sweet. I've got quite a few in my collection. Don't be shy about picking out jersey's you like, even if they don't have a winged wheel on the front. Support hockey, show your love for the sport. Check out ebay and find your favorite players junior or Euro jersey. Make wearing a jersey a statement.

He could ask for up to 20% of the cap. That is a little over $10 per right now. Seriously though, $4 per? Are you nuts?! That'd be the steal of the century!! No way Lids signs for under $6.

I think the flaw in your example is that the difference might not just be money. When you get to the point where at either job (in this case NHL vs REL) you can bring home similar income, then the quality of working conditions, and other such things come in play. Don't forget the NHL is the bst hockey league in the world. My point? It isn't always about the money. Sometimes it's about the competition you are facing. We all know that the AHL isn't the REL, but with the AHL come the potential to reach the NHL. I think we will see what kind of heart Grigs has. But I just don't think he can cut it. I just wish the Wings would cut ties with this kid. I am so tired of hearing about him. At this point, he is no better than Maltby.,

And doesn't he have a no movement clause?

Read the post....first year WITHOUT Mario And in 90-91 Gretz put up 41 and 122 for 163, I overlooked that one. Overall I get what you are saying. But I was being more specific about the guys who were mentioned in the posters list.

Forsberg isn't asking for a 3 year deal. He won't get a 3 year deal. He has said many times before, if he signs somewhere, it will be for 1 year, and he would reevaluate things at teh end of the season. 1 year contracts are what he is interested in.

To be specific Staal, Vinny, and Iggy were 50 goal scores not picked to get 100 points. If you look at the history with these guys, you will see this: Staal has never finished a season (professionally) with more goals than assists. He typically gets 10-20 less goals than assists. So if he gets 50 goals, he should get 60-70 assists. Vinny has finished with more goals than assists once in his professional career. A fair estimate for Vinny would be something pretty close to a half and half spread. If he gets 50 goals, 55-60 assists should come along with it. Also keep in mind that Vinny plays about 20 minutes a game. Thats HUGE for a forward. Iggy, as I said before, I don't think will hit either 50 goals nor 100 points. He hit 50 goals once, and that was on a much more offensively talented Calgary team. Alfie is now the 3rd guy, behind Heatly and Spezza. He had a good year that first season with Heatly and Spezza, but those two cleary carry that line. I'm not saying Alfie isn't good, he is no slouch. However, that 103 point campaign was a fluke. He is a solid 80 point guy. Jagr did hit 100 points without netting 50 goals, but it was the first year without Mario, and it hasn't happened since Gretzky had 164 point without getting 50 goals? Check your stats my friend. In 80-81 was that 164 point season, 55 goals, 109 assists. To be fair, he did get over 100 points and didn't net 50 goals 5 times. But we are talking about Gretzky here, the GREATEST playmaker of all time. Kopitar is good, but not that good. Frolov and Cammalleri will get to 100 points before Kopitar.

If you notice, I didn't argue all every player who was on one list should be on the other. Just that the guys who I thought should be on one or the other. I was being sarcastic about the Staal brothers, guess I should have laid that on a little more thick. I'll bunch the last three together. Using your measuring stick of current PPG, Vinny should get 109. But I beg to ask, who cares about PPG average right now?! I hate when people say that. "Well John, after 3 games, Johnson has 6 home runs, at that pace he will hit 324 this year!" No one stays hot all year long. I'm not saying it isn't possible, just not likely. And Jagr getting 50/50? I think it will happen. Once the right chemistry is found with his new ceterman, things should take off.

So let me get this straight, Staal, Vinny, and Iggy get 50 goals, but not 100 points? Spezza, Alfie, Dats, Kopitar, Briere, and Jags don't hit 50 goals, but 100 points? I don't think any two Staal brothers combine for 50 goals this season. Even if Eric somehow does that, he doesn't get 50 helpers? He has never, in his professional career, had more goals than assists. Vinny, well, how does he not get 100 points this year? Iggy is a stretch for 50 goal, I think 100 points is also quite a leap for him. I just can't see Spezza netting more than 30-35 goals, so he'd have to get 65-70 assists. Even with Heatly and Alfie on his line, that's tough. He had a career year in assists last season with 53. Pav, I see in the same boat as Spezza. Although, I see Pav netting 25-30, which would leave 70-75 helpers. I just can't see that happening. Kopitar, seriously? L.A. doesn't have the offensive weapons to help Kopitar get 100 points. I'd say 80 points would be a terrific season for this kid. Briere, he couldn't hit 100 with the lineup Buffalo had. The Flyers are nowhere near as threatening offensively as Buffalo was last season. 80 points would be respectable for him. Jagr, well, I think he can hit 50 goals and 100 points easily this year. Finally, I don't see Z hitting 100 points either. He has is good for missing about 10-15 games with various injuries. I think that is what will hold him from reaching 100.

Clearly...