Jamaica Jon

Finally! Some sanity in this thread! The series is 2-2 people! We've lost 2 road games that we could've won just as easily... it's not the end of the world. Totally agree. And I don't see how people can blame Holland for not making the moves to get Federov, Hossa, or Prospal. The teams wanted too much. We've been consistently good for a reason, because we limit trades like these. You people are kidding yourselves if you think any of the success we've had since had since the lockout (albeit, most of it has been regular season, but last year playoffs went well) has NOTHING to do with Holland... Oh, wow! What insight by Trotz! Good thing EVERY OTHER TEAM doesn't attempt to do the same thing...

I guess Babcock is a Preds fan in disguise...

Yeah definitely. I forgot about that. D-Z-H on PP#1 for SURE.

I think Babs will split up Zetterberg and Datsyuk since we're on the road and don't get last change. I don't think this is a bad idea. I would be fine either split up or not. Personally I would like to see the following, but I doubt it will happen: Filppula - Datsyuk - Holmstrom Franzen - Zetterberg - Samuelsson Cleary - Draper - McCarty (loved Malts-Drapes-Cleary last year!! great chemistry and energy & having Sammy here wouldn't work) Drake - Hartigan/Abdelkater/Helm/Any Griffin really - Downey scratch Hudler, hasn't been worth much lately imo... doesn't belong on line 1 or 2, and doesn't fit on 3 or 4. EDIT: Obviously Sammy is not our 6th best forward. I was going more for putting the best complete lines together. I considered chemistry over most other factors. I also tried to balance out the power. I don't think throwing the best 6 forwards onto lines 1 and 2 is necessarily the best way to go.

Sorry to be picky... but is the backwards Winged Wheel on Z's chest bugging anyone else? (mirroring ftl) Very cool though!

My guess would be those are last years playoff stats.

Of the many April Fool's jokes on the web yesterday, that's the ONE that actually got me. I read it at like 2 AM yesterday morning before I had gone to sleep... so it still FELT like March 31st. I realized it later in the day though. The Ducks concept for sure. Their current jersey is TERRIBLE. Some of the Sabres concepts are really cool too.

Jimmy Howard's goalie mask is currently up for vote in the preliminary round of the Tournament of Goalie Masks. It was formerly the Tournament of NHL Logos, they recently voted on the WORST logo ever... and now are apparently moving on to more unique things. Let's get Jimbo's mask to #1. I really like his mask, it's certainly the best on the Wings currently... not too much competition... Vote here: http://nhllogos.blogspot.com/2008/03/poll-...rd-vs-rask.html How do you guys like his mask? Who has/had the best mask in Wings recent history? EDIT - Geez, he's losing pretty badly. Let's put him over the top!

It's Ozzie's turn on ToGM! He's currently losing by 120+ votes to TURCO! Come on, let's get him over the top!! http://nhllogos.blogspot.com/2008/04/poll-...-vs-osgood.html In all honesty, I really hope he doesn't win. I've always hated his mask. (I did vote for him though.)

I don't have an opinion on Sergei leaving. Honestly I really don't recall for sure why he left. But I did look up that deal he signed with Anaheim and it was $40M for 5 years. Which turns out to be $8M/year on average. Our offer of $32M for 4 years is also $8M/year on average. Obviously that extra year is important to an aging player, and there are other contract factors involved... but considering the similar annual salaries, I really don't think he was "lowballed"... And also, if he was so angry about being "lowballed", then why did he sign for a similar average annual salary? Here's the link: http://espn.go.com/nhl/news/2003/0719/1582918.html

I think that's what he meant. Non-Colts-Drafted FAs*

Absolutely correct. As much as everyone hates Holland... he knows what he is doing. People said he wouldn't amount to s*** with a Salary Cap, but he is definitely one of, if not THE most Cap-savvy GM in hockey. As long as we have Holland, Nill, and eventually guys like Yzerman and other Holland/Nill protégé then I think we'll be fine. Obviously it would be silly to expect the dominance to continue forever, but with our management we have a good chance to at least be competitive for a verrrry long time. No cellar dwelling. Illitch and Babcock are great too.

MY thoughts exactly.

I totally agree. But for whatever reason, they wanted to use action shots...

At least once a week, my Dad suggests moving Lebda to forward like it is already a done deal. I tell him each time that the Wings aren't going to do that. But hey? If Meech can do it, why not? Lebda has yet to impress me defensively this year, while Meech has... Could we consider moving Lebda to forward instead? I remember him playing a game at forward last year.

Well that SUCKS! Thanks for the info though.

Anyone know what channel this is for Basic Analog Cable? During the Broadcast the other night they only listed the digital channel... does this mean Analog cable subscribers won't get the game?

I really dislike these Gatorade commercials for one reason... In a similar commercial, they show Derek Jeter hitting a walk-off home run against Todd Jones of the Detroit Tigers. Which would be fine, except for the fact that Todd Jones has never given up a walk-off home run to Derek Jeter. Carlos Guillen is also clearly seen in the background. (Which brings up another question: did these players agree to this?) Manufacturing moments? Come on now...

I think we really need to have 3 lines that can put up some points if we really want to advance. Having a FULL shut down line AND an agitation/fighter line like many are suggesting just doesn't sit well with me... One of the two needs the ability to put up some timely points. I would like to see: Filppula - Datsyuk - Holmstrom Samuelsson - Zetterberg - Franzen Malty - Draper - Cleary (while not a production line per say, they were HUUUUGE last postseason) Drake - Kopecky - McCarty/Downey * Hudler in for Sammy if need be * Swapping Cleary and Franzen could also work Defense is like most people have been posting, although I'd really like to see Meech 7th over Lebda.

Actually, the blogger/guy-running-the-tourney is requesting action shots, or rather, pictures of the masks being worn by the goalies. Why? I don't know, but that is what he wants. So, while that is a great photo... I don't think it's what he wants.

Maybe they didn't enjoy his acting in Star Wars: Episode 2? Anyone? (I've always thought they looked similar)

Oh, I totally agree. I was assuming Crosby was over 200 lbs. (in fact he is listed at 200 lbs, so technically not UNDER 200) Looking back, at the comments, they do say: Atleast they acknowledged it. And I don't think we're totally unjustified in getting mad that the Wings are not listed. Sure we are homers in MANY aspects, but this team rarely gets respect from any of the supposed hockey "know-hows" (especially at ESPN), and in a category where 2 of our guys absolutely SHOULD be listed and aren't... it is a bit irritating. If they "meant" for it to be a list of small guys that's fine, but they shouldn't call it a list of best under 6' 200 lbs and not actually include the best (like many here have mentioned).

This is just ridiculous. It would be one thing to accidentally leave off 2 middle/end-of-the-list players, but Datsyuk and Zetterberg would arguably be 1-2 on that list... edit - Although, I do have my doubts they are both actually the height/weight listed (especially Z). Maybe ESPN thought the same?

I love the "Red Wings beat Predators 4-3, odds of making the playoffs up 0.0% to 100%". Makes me laugh.