RedFX

Well, true. I mean everyone questioned if the 2001-2002 team was going to work. Same about Hossa for that matter. In the cap era though, I just don't think we have either the money or the desire to take him. We already have a few guys who can put up 30-40 goals a year, EXCLUDING Hossa. Defensively, Heatley is a step down from Dats, Z, or Hoss.

First off, calm the f*** down Snazzy. Second: Yes, injuries aren't the main reason we lost this series. Defensive lapses at inopportune times, getting beat to the loose pucks, etc. are all key factors that led to our downfall. For that we have no one to blame but ourselves. However, you would be naive to think injuries didn't play at least a small role. Besides the obvious reasons such as having Datsyuk out, injuries can hinder a player just enough to give the other team a half-step. If Rafalski was 100%, he may have got to a loose puck a split second earlier, winning the battle and clearing the puck; instead, a Pitt player has a slight step on him, he wins the puck, and sets up the game-winning goal. If Lidstrom was 100%, he may have gotten to that last rebound a moment sooner, and fired it past Fleury, tying the game. Hockey is a game decided by inches, and trust me, injuries may be that deciding inch.

Didn't Ilitch buy a bunch of land over on Cass a few years back?

Honestly, it would be the stupidest move Holland has ever made, which is exactly why it won't happen. Financially wise, Holland can land Hossa long-term with about a 4 million cap-hit. With Heatley, you'd take on about a 7.5 million cap-hit (which would put the Wings over the cap btw). On the ice, Hossa has better defensive skills, and his offensive skills are basically equal to Heatley's. Hossa became accepted and embraced by his teammates and the city and bought into the team system and philosophy. There have been questions of character issues with Heatley, and alot of GMs and players OPENLY said they lost respect for him when he made his trade demands public. Also for the record. Anyone who thinks Ottawa would ship Heatley for the RIGHTS to Hossa is sadly, sadly, SADLY mistaken. Ottawa isn't going to ship out their best player to get "first dibs" on a free agent when there's no guarantee he'll stay. If Heatley goes, Ottawa will want Detroit's big guns (Franzen, Datysuk, Zetterberg, etc) and probably one of the best prospects (Larsson, McCollum, Kindl, Smith).

Why has Hossa become a scapegoat all of a sudden?

Is Doug Gilmour not available?

You're starting to sound like my fiance right now

Girls have cooties.

Free-Candy: Are there any updates on what's going on in Pitt free-agency wise? Has there been any negotionations with guys like Scuderi, Guerin, or Fedotenko?

Hossa could leave, every Wing could restructure their contract, the NHL could get rid of the salary cap, and I STILL wouldn't want Dany Heatley on my time.

To me, it still doesn't seem like Babs and Kenny are sold on Howard, which is a major concern for me. Last year would have been the perfect situation to bring up a young goalie and let him develop as a backup. The fact that Kenny brought in Conklin instead, combined with the fact that he's considering bringing him back this year tells me that they aren't satisfied with Howard's development. I think training camp may be Howard's last shot with the Wings. If he doesn't show improvement, it may be time to trade Howard and commit to Larsson or McCollum

Up until those two stupid Game 7 plays, I thought Stuart played really well in these playoffs. He threw his body around, had good positioning, and made some strong plays in the defensive zone. Rafalski is what he is, an offensive-minded, puck-moving d-man. He's never been known for his defensive presence, but none the less he's been a big asset to the team. To be honest, I really would not be torn over losing any of our UFA's (including Hossa). We can stay competitive either way

Why? It's traits like that which makes players like Zetterberg and Datsyuk so valuable. Not only are they are threat to light the light every shift, but they also stop the other team's top players from finding the net. It's very rare that you find a gem like that in today's NHL, much less two on the same team.

You're comparing apples to oranges here. Two completely different styles of play in those two players. Ovechkin is the speedy, hardnosed finisher while Datsyuk is the guy who creates/sets up plays. As far as the knock about not having a cup: He's been in the league for 4 years now. He's on a team that is still building and is still looking for an identity. If Washington puts a solid supporting cast around him, they become an instant contender

On the interstate this morning, I let a guy merge in front of me. I never got a thank-you wave.......******* classless

A couple more names out there. Word is that Nashville could be letting go of either Joel Ward or Vern Fiddler. Neither are threatening scorers, but both are high-energy, grinding players that would add some physical presence to the Wings. Both could go for cheap.

Neil is the only maybe on that list. Everyone else is a definite no

That's a stretch

It was the third and fourth line guys like Kennedy, Talbot, Staal, and Cooke that came through in the clutch and gave the Pens the cup. Beyond Washington's top line and D-pair, name a guy that's consistently stepped up and provided an extra boost of energy to the team.

Okay...Seriously Guys, For everyone bitching about the Pens fans on our board, please stop. The OP asked a fair and decent question. He wasn't trolling, he wasn't trying to stir the pot with outrageous posts, all he did was ask for opinions and try to start a discussion. Let's not chase people out of town just because they're on a different team. If it was a troll, yes. But I've seen people attack some Pens fans just because they have an opposing view points. As long as they want to have a serious, fair discussion about hockey, what's wrong with that?

Yeah me too. Probably would have made more sense if I quoted his post instead

Washington with that cap room....and Ovechkin already locked up....they could get scary this offseason.

Malkin? Is that you?

This group hasn't been around long enough to tell. This was really the team's breakout season (with the new core), they demolished the 8th seed like they were supposed to and came out of a 3-1 hole before losing in overtime of Game 7. Unlike San Jose, the main pieces of the team (guys like Savard, Ryder, Kessel, Lucic) proved they can step up their level of play in the postseason. I still think they're a piece or two away from toppling Pittsburgh tho.