BringHomeTheCup!

He is talking about the third jersey. You know, the actual black jersey that the hawks wore? Before you call someone out like that, make sure you know what you are talking about.

I think it would be a stretch to say that Williams was a legit second line scoring threat. He is a solid skater with good speed, and decent hands. He just doesn't have the ability to score consistently at the NHL level. He ate up too much cap space and didn't give enough return. Moving Williams, IMO, was a necessity for the Wings to re-sign Dats and Z.

It's hard not to when you make such ridiculous statements like "If the technology is there to make the pads smaller, why aren't they allowed? The NHL doesn't, therefore it must not be there. Becuase if it was the NHL would've already jumped on it."

The jersey's do repel water, in fact like I stated, the biggest complaint is that other pieces of equipment are getting too wet because the jersey isn't absorbing that moisture. Regardless, my point is that just because it isn't perfect, doesn't mean it isn't better, or as good. What are you talking about with the pads?! You are nuts my friend. Just take a trip down to your local ice rink early one Saturday morning. You will see miniature goalie pads. And no, it isn't some high class, cutting edge NHL testing group. It's called minnie mite hockey. You are an oddball. Clearly the 'technology' is there to make pads smaller, but the NHL has determined that the size of goaltenders pads are limited enough. Again with the skates. The NHL isn't endorsing them, promoting them, ect. A select few NHLers will test them out to see how they like them. That's all. GET OVER IT!!!

Just because the new jerseys aren't being accepted very well, doesn't mean they aren't improved. Remember, it is a DRASTIC change. Anytime there is a change this big, it's bound to be met with large amounts out animosity. Keep in mind the largest number of complaints aren't that the jerseys are bad, it's the effects of what the jerseys working perfectly are creating. That is, more moisture in gloves, and skates. I think that a lot of the "it's too tight" complaints can be attributed to the jerseys simply being a lot tighter than the old ones. If you take a trip in the way back machine to the mid 80's, the jerseys don't really look too much tighter. As for the pads, don't be ridiculous. What kind of technology do you need to make the pads smaller? It's just a matter of actually manufacturing them smaller. I see minnie mites wearing goaltending gear everyday. It's a question of what does the NHL want to do. BTW, the pads being bigger doesn't translate into a goalie being better. There needs to be a balance of size and skill. Yes Giggy uses larger leg pads than Marty. However, both use equipment that is approved by the NHL. Why do you even mention heated skate blades? Do you really think the NHL has a R&D department? The company Thermablades, designed these. The NHL has nothing to do with funding any of the research. Just like composite sticks, they will be tested by a few guys who like to keep on top of the new stuff. Things will progress from there. I seriously don't understand how people like you can get in the position of hating technology. Composite sticks are a big complaint. But let me ask this, if they were so horrible, then why do so many NHL players use them? It isn't because it's the hip thing to do. It is because they actually do make you a better player. The sticks give players that extra edge. Ask anyone who has used one for any length of time, and they will tell you they enhance their game. If nothing else, they are much lighter than any other stick, thus giving the player more energy late in games. EDIT:BTW, Like I said, this years jerseys have done pretty much what they were designed to. That doesn't necessarily make them better. My point in the previous post was that technology has made jerseys better. Take a jersey from the early 40's, and put it beside a modern jersey. Tell me the newer jersey isn't better. You are like so many old people I deal with every single day at work. You don't like change, except the change that happened when you were young. You are afraid of any new change, because it must be bad.

It HAS made the jerseys better. Maybe not the latest version, but are you trying to say the jerseys worn last year are better than actual sweaters worn in the early days of the NHL? Pads are that size because IT IS ALLOWED!!! It has nothing to do with technology. Technology has allowed goalies to wear pads that don't weigh 25 pounds by the end of a game. And in the case of the safety nets, what the hell is your gripe? They are there for a reason. Do you want the players to not shoot the puck? Seriously, could there be a standpoint that is any more ridiculous that yours on this?

Seriously?! 13 points in 99 games after getting bought out, none of which came in his final year, and it was a bad move?! Wasn't he scheduled to make about $2 per when the Wings bought him out? Not buying him out would have been a bad move.

The only stipulations on salaries are the minimum and maximum. Beyond that, no one has any say in what a player can sign for. Take a look at what Mario did way back when. He took HUGE discounts to stay a Pen. That isn't to say the NHLPA wouldn't place a lot of pressure on Lidstrom to take what he is "worth". The NHL approves trades to make sure they meet all guidelines. It has nothing to do with how fair a trade may be. If the Wings wanted to trade Dats and Z to San Jose for J.R. there is nothing the NHL could do to stop them. EDIT: Also, the Wings cap would fluctuate depending on who they have called up, but not nearly the $2mil that has been suggested. Remember though, any potential UFA the Wings were to acquire this season can still walk at seasons end. Or Kenny could simply not offer a contract. By no means does an acquisition require Kenny to re-sign said player.

Good: Since when has Sammy ever been an important piece of any teams puzzle?! Bad: Isn't Liv still Wings property? On the Wings official website he is listed as a prospect. However, so is Greg Johnson.... My view on Lang is this, and if you look back at his success, I think you'll see why. Lang is an incredible talent, he is great with the puck. But he needs to be motivated. Here in Detroit, he wasn't first, second, or even third fiddle. He was burried on the second line, an afterthought almost. He needs to be depended on, and a first line guy to succeed.

We could argue the Fedorov thing all day, but IMO, the let him walk. However, on Hasek, your logic is severly flawed. How can you, in one sentence say re-signing for the third time is one of the best moves, yet in another sentence say that I can't say it's one of the worst moves because it hasn't had tiem to play out yet? I'm getting a headache trying to think about that one. Seriously, I hate Dom, I think he is an average 'tender on a good night, and a good 'tender on his best night. The Wings won't win the Cup with him in net and the team as is in front of him. Some serious moves need to be made. Nope, I was referring to the current stint.

I fail to see what's so bad about those moves. Knuble is nothing with out Gagne, Forsberg, ect... and Avery in the Matty deal? What is the big deal with losing him? He is a problematic player who has had what, one good year? Best moves: Letting Manny walk Not re-signing Shanny Not trading for Luongo (would have taken Dats or Z) Drafting Z and Dats this list could go on... Worst moves: Giving Manny the starting job Re-signing Dom this past offseason Signing Uwe and Hatcher Letting Sergei go (I know his production has gone down, but at the time, he was one of the best in the game, and you could argue that if he were still here, playing with Dats and or Z, he'd still be up there, plus I love him)

He plays in Russia, which doesn't currently have a transfer agreement with the NHL. So while he did sign a deal with the Wings, and technically was contractually obligated to come over, he didn't have to. He came over to play in the NHL.

So what you are saying is the NHL should require all players to used the same equipment that was used back in the 40's? Seriously man, how has technology not helped the game? Any technology that doesn't is quickly cast aside. Anyone else remember those "LockJaw" blades from TPS? As for the Olympic size rink, I for one would love to see that. It would create a much more free flowing game, it's nearly impossible to play the trap on that surface. There is just too much area to cover.

What's to stop Chelios from playing every position, every game, for the entire game?

I miss Dave....

If you remember, Heatley was charged with first-degree vehicular homicide, the ONLY reason it wasn't pursued was because the Snyder family wished it so. Had the Snyders not been some unbelievably forgiving, Heatley is behind bars right now. It's really not so different. Regarding Boulerice, his career is likely over. He was lucky to make the Flyers, and I don't think any team would really be interested in a guy who might me able to help them in 25 games.

Here is what blows about Dish Network. VS is only available on the highest package, which for most people (at least those I've talked to) have no real need for the other crap that comes with the "upgrade" in the package. So, unless you have the highest package, you can't view any games carried on VS, even with Center Ice. I don't understand why that matters. I mean, we pay for Center Ice, we should get every freaking game. It really burns my coals to know there is a game on VS, that I could be watching, but it isn't available to me. especially when there are four or five Center Ice channels free. Dish Network!!

Where did I get that? Several sources, such as TSN, have said that Forsberg would command upwards or $5.5. If you don't think there is a team out there that would be willing to pay that, you are just silly. Take Detroit for instance, they have about $3 in cap space. They could throw a $12 deal at him (with prorated salary, about a quarter of the season left at the trading deadline, which would be about Forsbergs deadline to play.) and still be under the cap. Don't rule out a darkhorse team like Pittsburgh who has a ton of cap space. If they get things turned around, they could be big players in the Forsberg sweepstakes. Markov, on the other hand, is having a hard time finding a take for his $3.5 request. Every second he sits out, he is losing money. I am worried about both d and forwards, however, I think it's more crucial that the Wings get help on d. It has nothing to do with Ralfie not playing his best, or Lidstrom having difficulties getting used to Ralfie. It is the other four guys that worry me. Beyond the top pairing of Lidstrom, and Ralfalski, the Wings don't have a bonafide top four d man. No Kronwall isn't. I don't care how much potential any of the kids have, none of them are there yet. Yes, it does take game time experience to get to that level, but bottom line is they are at that level yet, and have a ways to go to get there. Even if Kronwall was there, that still leaves a gaping hole in the second pair. I think with the right partner, Kronwall could do well in that slot, but there isn't much available, yet.

I completely disagree. I think the lack of d is a bigger issue than the lack of offensive depth. To say that the Wings have a wealth of talent waiting on to get a chance on d is true. However, if there is so much talent, why is a mediocre, at best, d man in Lilja on the roster? BTW, how do you justify having Lilja on the second d pairing in the first example, but not on the roster in the second? Not having a solid second unit d pair is much more of a problem than the second line up front. The biggest flaw I see with you roster example is Forsberg will cost double what Markov will cost. I'd much rather take Markov, and maybe someone like Selanne, than just Forsberg.

The same reason the NFL suspended Mike Vick. Behavior detrimental to the league.

Obviously the death. All I'm saying is, to be fair, Heatley wasn't guilty of anything other than being a irresponsible young kid driving a fast car, too fast. It's tough to compare the two, it's like asking you if launching a nuclear bomb, or shooting a gun is worse. It's the bomb, of course. But since the bomb lands in the ocean, harming no one, and the bullet kills a man, somehow the bomb isn't so wrong now. I think it's wrong to place more judgment on the outcome, than the act itself. I think we can all agree that Bell's offense had much more potential to have devastating results, than that of Heatley. On a sidenote, my buddy has a hard-on for Heatley, I always give him s***, and remind him that Heatley is a murderer. Saturday before last, on HNIC, Grapes said something to the effect of "Heatley can kill you from anywhere..." I couldn't stop laughing. Don was right on, and didn't even know it. Anyhow, I'm off to bed, it's already going to be a long day at work tomorrow, well, later on today anyhow.

That's a stretch. The Ducks, even without Neids, have a better d corp. LA isn't too shabby either. Lidstrom is great, Ralfie is good, beyond that, the Wings have nothing special. The d corp is in need of an upgrade just as much as the second line.