vangvace

Slight discussion diversion but last night's game was the first for me in three years and a fine welcome back to the states. (ok say I moved back from Europe in July but close enough). Great game and it is nice having fast enough internet again for something more than a box score!

St Louis' teams play within a walk of each other. Scotttrade being the furthest of the three away.

So the other four Capital skaters cannot clear the zone, get back into position (to the point of colliding with each other), and stop the three Rags putting on a clinic... but it is Ovenchin's fault? Got it.

You mean when they both have been battling one injury or another during the playoffs? Though... That one shift difference could mean the difference between winning the cup and being the also ran.

Both is the key! Nomadic teams to keep the league fresh I say.

I like that version of logo and numbers for the Wings.

That combined with the small shift if free agency's start date smacks of common sense. I'm not sure if I like it.

I would agree that owner/union relations went futher south after the 1992 strike. However I would say that owners did not repect the players during the Eagleson era. The cattle comment would be pretty close to home really during that timeframe. The 1992 strike though was... ill timed. Owners had enjoyed a seat of control and power within their kingdom. To be embarrassed like that would have not sit well with the likes of Jacobs, Wirtz, and co. I wouldn't say Bettman or Fehr are the cause of this lockout lasting so long, just the face.

You could argue that the hatred that the NHLPA and NHL haves for one another goes back to Ted Linsay and Co. organizing a union.

To me, negations should have began last summer (2011) so there is plenty of time to discuss issues without threats of lockout, strike, or most of the shenanigens both sides have done. Has the league released their financials this go-a-round? I am of the belief that the NHL plays a bigger shell game with it's revenue than other leagues. I could see something along the lines of the Wings making crap profit, but Olympia Entertainment having a record year as an example.

Stars come and go but imo fans come to see known teams with a little bit of history and a winning record. Talk about rebelling right there. My the Rangers continue to fail to win it all as they find ways to reload till the explode.

An indication of signing mojo for the Wings? Here is to hoping so.

Kenny Holland: "Only need our UFAs signed." would seal Lidstrom's retirement and a megacontract for Hudler imo.

Stuart is showing his age. Flip I hope is injured and I think Kronwall may be suffering from a coaching rut. Neither. I didn't think Howard would make it to be a starter for the Wings, but I would take him over those two. It'll be in the ESPN Top 10 failures of the week on Friday too. The regular season record set will keep the front office and Babcock in place.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/laf/2960326885.html I'll just leave this here.

%&^$($(& I knew I should have bought the tickets to today's game.

Realistically, I believe that if Detroit were to have a 30+ point fighter on the roster there would be pitchforks and torches to get him to stop fighting and live up to their "true" potential.

Figures, just after I move back overseas.

Divisional playoffs are not new to the NHL. Matter of fact, I think that is why the Blues hates us so much to this day. Have a team knock you out three years in a row and watch the sparks fly. I'm not a fan of racking 1-16 only because it makes divisions pointless and take some of the passion out of the game. What is the point of playing Chicago 3-6 times during the season if you have a booger-flinging shot of seeing them in the playoffs? Avs died 5 or 6 years ago. Sharks and Ducks are more of a playoff thing imo. Second round at that. Let the teams build the rivalries and the fans ride that train all the way to the blood soaked locker room. I think that is because the semifinals aren't decided yet.

58 games for the home and home against every team in the league. The remain 24 are additional in-division games... which seems a little excessive to me. I like the proposed playoff format because it is what makes teams hate each other if they are knocking each other out of the first round. Also, the league has done this in the past already when it was on the upswing. With this just in talk right now I don't see it happening for the 2012-2013 season.

Wait... when did Columbus and Nashville get a team?

I have trouble believing that referees in the top 6 sports in the country can miss so many calls and still be the best of the best. That said, I also don't stress over it.

Less cute passes in their own zone for starters.

They fell with their gloves off.