lets go pavel

Conklin's been in the West most of his career ...

Lilja is a bottom-pairing defenseman. Sure it would be great of he played like Lids or Raffy or Kronner or Stuart night in and night out, but if he did he would be playing for a different team making a lot more money, and we'd have someone else playing D who we'd probably ***** about because he plays like a bottom pairing defenseman. He has a role and he does it just fine (and for f^%ing out loud, his role is not and never has been as an enforcer, regardless of his size, so let's quit bitching that he doesn't drop the gloves). We are lucky that we have 4 defenseman with top-pairing abilities, let's not hold that against the bottom two ...

Look, I liked Quincey in the playoffs a couple years ago too. I'm sorry he didn't make it. But Quincey had every opportunity to make this team ... he didn't go into training camp as the one we were looking to move, he came out of training camp as the guy on the outside looking in. I think it's safe to say that Holland and Babcock feel pretty certain that he isn't going to find a home in Detroit, especially with so many other D-men waiting in GR. Wish him well and off he goes ...

It's a bummer, but wasn't he out of options? If so, I'm not really surprised, everyone knew we were trying to move him and if we couldn't he'd go on waivers. He's just not a good enough prospect that someone would give up a pick to get first crack at him, I think other teams were probably content to wait and see if they could get him on waivers, and if someone else got him first, so be it. Of course that's assuming anyone picks him up at all ...

not a problem ...

Well, if noone claims him on waivers maybe the Blackhawks can sell his contract to the government as part of the bailout ... I think it would qualify as subprime.

It's training camp, the guy is fighting for a spot, and let's face it, he's not going to make the team with fancy stickhandling and wicked wristers. He's all hustle, sometimes accidents happen.

Did you see the hit?

Could it be that nobody will read an article about the Blackhawks and Coyotes unless they disguise it in red and white and slap a picture of Lidstrom on the front?

Yes, and if it were broken or Downey had bitten it off we'd have good cause to be concerned ... it's jammed. That's it. One step above a hangnail. No worries.

Conklin. What would be the point of having the potential future goaltender of the franchise sitting on the bench in Detroit most nights, not playing and not improving, while a guy we specifically got to be the backup and who we know isn't going to be the future goalie of the franchise plays every game in GR?

I'm not sure I would lump Jesus in with those other guys ... technically he didn't unretire, he was resurrected!

My second is probably Calgary, I really like watching Kipper and Iginla ... don't get to see them much though since they usually play so late. My goal for the year is to try to take more of an interest in the Caps since they're right up the road ... hopefully they'll grow on me.

Good signing! He's a guy who knows his job and does it with energy ... glad to have him back!

Actually because it's average PK time per game those stats are perfectly valid, you just have to check the sample size. Quincey only played 6 games last year, so while his average was high he clearly wasn't a significant PK contributor over the course of the season. Maltby played 61 games, so his 2:06 of average PK time is a pretty accurate depiction of his contributions to the PK over the season.

Nope, noone had said that yet ... and probably with good reason.

Perhaps he wants to get a head start on some sucker punches ... our guys really won't see it coming at the beginning of August!

Agreed, Captain Finger has a nice ring to it ... now if only they can get the blue-and-whites in spandex ...

Why are we all assuming that Hank and Pavel are going to be split up? Clearly they are dynamite together, I don't think we're playing Flip 3 mil per to play on the 3rd line, and Hossa gives us just the weapon to enable us to keep Hank and Pavs together ... for the top 2 lines I predict: Homer - Z - Dats Franzen - Flip - Hossa

Where is this idea coming from that anyone who makes the occasional questionable play or cheap shot is automatically not a leader? There are different kinds of leaders ... some seem to be quieter and calmer and let their play do the talking, like Lidstrom. Others lead with more visible passion, are more vocal, and yes, occasionally cross the line. Iginla is an empassioned hockey player and occasionally his emotions may get the better of him, but quite frankly it suits that team very well. The year they went to the finals they weren't the best team in the west, but they were the scrappiest, hardest working team and they weren't afraid to get their hands a little dirty. A lot of that was Iginla's leadership - he sets the tone for that team that it will do whatever it takes to win. He's not out there gooning it up every shift like a Tootoo, but he won't shy away from a fight or questionable play either if he thinks it will benefit the team. I have no problem with that.

Back on topic, both Iginla and Z are great players, the kind you build a team around. We have Z, and I would never trade him for Iginla ... if it were the reverse and we had Iginla, I would never trade him for Hank.

I think you should get a Penguins Hossa jersey, just to rub it in ... I'm guessing they're pretty cheap on eBay right now!

Clearly this guy just cares about the money and isn't interested in winning ... it's sad really.