crotty99

The only thing that could make this story better, is if the reason for their lack of lebda funds is due to the $30 million contract they are going to offer j-will.

In a cap free dream land, you wouldn't take pronger if he were available?

Pronger for sure. Looks alright...

Out of interest, has any team ever traded away the #1 overall pick? If so, who did they miss out on?

Agreed. Great deal! Especially if he puts up similar numbers to this year.

I'm thrilled we have got him back for at least one more year. I'm torn on the cap hit. On one hand I know his skill set is worth the money, but on the other hand he is now 40 years old that does bring a certain amount of risk, even at 1 year. I would have loved to have more capspace. 5m would have been perfect. Overall though, I'm just glad hes coming back!

Would have been nice to have last year.

I Got to skate with Z,Datsyuk and Lidstrom once. Was going really well, I was having such a great time. Then Jason Williams stepped on to the ice and I woke up in a terrible sweat. Nightmare still haunts me.

CHI/PHI: 4-2

This isn't too surprising, these two teams are an obvious choice for the NHL when it comes to marketing, no matter how we may feel. If its anything like recent Pens and Caps match ups then this could be an exciting game. I'm looking forward to it. ...having said that, I wouldn't object to something like a Wings and Leafs WC.

Thought this was interesting: Aren't these sort of deals usually front loaded? I guess it's because Backstrom is still so young.

Great post. I agree with pretty much all of it. Especially the video reviews for any questionable goal. People argue this will slow the game, but I think it's worth it to ensure the right call is made. I'm sure buffalo would agree. Another rule I want to see cleared up is the kicking rule. Either allow goals to be kicked in ( I don't see how this is a problem) OR remove any goals which go off a skate. As it stands now, there is waaay to much of a grey area and it's infuriating.

That's true, he is still very young so it's far less risky than some of the others that are out there. I still am uncertain though, who knows what the cap state will be in 5 or 10 years. Not so much a comment on this deal but rather the general trend of long term contracts. But I guess that's a topic for another thread...

What do you guys think about all these long term deals being handed out? (if is indeed 7-10 years) I understand the benefits to reducing the cap hit, but it seams like a dangerous move. I'm hoping the wings don't take too many deals like the ones we have for Mule and Z. I really like Backstrom. Would be good to see him playing on a team with a proper system though haha. Regardless, Ovy and Backstrom are going to be a dangerous partnership for a very long time.

Wow, Datsyuk made all of that look ridiculously easy. Even more so than usual. Thanks for the vid.

I get to sleep in for once! ..not that I'm happy about it. I play alot of NHL10 to get over withdrawal symptoms. My Wings Dynasty will never lose!

SJS/CHI: 4-1 PHI/MTL: 4-3

Jason Williams: Award for excellence in invisibility.

I guess, for now, we shall agree to disagree

Isn't that the same thing? I dunno I just prefer to think star players get calls because they work hard to be in a position where calls are drawn. In the case of a player like Crosby, every penalty he has ever drawn is immediately labeled as "star treatment". This is because everyone has subscribed to that way of thinking and not because it is actually true. Draper has has drawn soft calls, zetterberg has drawn softs calls, everyone has drawn soft calls! But if Crosby gets a soft call everyone calls "star treatment". (I'm not singling you out, just people in gerneral) I don't think the wings get favourable treatment either, I was just making the point that non wings fans think we certainly do. No wings fan will think that though. Go read lets go pens and you will find they too are critical of officiating. Remember the 07/08 finals and all the complaints about the wings getting away with obstruction? Pens fans dont think their team gets star treatment, wings fans don't think their fans get star treatment, yet both fans accuse each other of getting star treatment. The officiating is extremely inconsistent and at times incompetent. However, I think that is due to the ridiculous nature of the rules in the new NHL. Most penalties called in any game are going to be soft and unnecessary. Every team has been on the recieving end of these calls, I dont think any one team is given star treatment. Just my opionion.

Yes, and my point is that the penalties I mentioned were both momentum sapping penalties when they were called. In fact Montreal had 2 consecutive power plays to start the game. If they were truly favouring the pens then they were doing a horrible job at it. As for the NBA thing, I don't watch it so I can't say. I just refuse to believe the refs are told to favour certain teams. Perhaps you could make a case for one particular ref being corrupt or something like that, but there is no way the entire league brass has sat down and said they want X team to get favourable treatment. Do you think Detroit gets favourable treatment? I can guarantee opposition fans think we do (We don't obviously). It's just the way it is.

That is actually pretty awesome...albeit a little scary Most people I know have never even heard of the redwings..imagine that! I once had someone point out my wings jersey and say "oh cool, I like scrubs too!" ...close enough! Haha

was just going to post this: Just can't help themselves can they..

What about the too many men call against the Pens that killed all their comeback momentum? Or the boarding call on Crosby in the first minute of the game. If there really were a conspiracy then surely they wouldn't call these, especially the too many men one. The Pens had control of the play 5 on 5 for a stretch that earnt them those penalties. I guess you could make a case for refs calling penalties to the losing team, but I don't think its logical to make a case for refs calling penalties in favour of a specific team.

That sounds like something I'd like to see. Have you seen the new one about Don Cherry? It's called Keep Your Head Up Kid. I really enjoyed that.