55fan

Everyone on LGW will run out of + and - ability for the day long before noon.

That's how I picked this username. I was defending Kronwall. It's a good thing we didn't have the +/- system at the time. I'd have never recovered. He was brittle, made of glass, cursed, whatever. He would never make it in the NHL. He had no skill and he was too small. $3m/year was terrible. I can only imagine that if the cap keeps going up, and Kronner and Stuie sign larger contracts in the future, that this will look good. Of course, Ericsson will have to live up to the contract, as Kronwall has. But hey, people wanted to get rid of Datsyuk and he turned out ok, didn't he?

Why not bring his mom into it? Wouldn't it effect your game? These are things that are all factors. He has the basics. We've seen him do well. He needs to get it all together. Something like having your mom sick and maybe dying can mess with your head. If things are better for her (and I hope so, because she's a human being, not because I want her son to play better) then I don't think it's unwise to give him another go. Overpaid? Yeah, in comparison to the rest of the team, but you pay against what is available in that year. Raffy was a steal at 6 mil. He had been offered 8, but turned it down to play in Detroit. Compared to Nik and Stu, he was overpaid. Lids has been a huge bargain compared to what he could make elsewhere for years. I think that's why he has the contract he has. It's not what we have; it's what we have yet to get that determines the price. Would we want Lilja for that contract? Salei? Jovo? They're all listed at even or below him on most UFA lists I've seen this year. It's been an odd year with little talent available going into Free Agent Day. Everyone will overpay this year, not just Holland.

Fear not, for I too am out of + and - ability, and we would have just canceled each other out. So all is well on that front. (My apologies to Barrie- you have had several posts today that I would have given a + if I had more to give.) Back to topic: Given the small number of free agent defensemen out there this year (Jovo, Salei, and Lilja were in the top 20 on a list I read), and given the prices that are demanded by other players and that will be demanded when the Noon Whistle blows today, I don't think that giving Ericsson a contract that is, yes, overblown for any other year is an indication that Holland is not a good GM. It just means that he's taking a known quantity over an unknown or rejected quantity and guaranteeing that it will come at a price that will not be as over-the-top as what others might demand. On Ericsson's behalf, he would have seen higher on the open market. I do think that the fact that it took this long to negotiate would indicate that E was pushing for higher, which would be logical based on the poor class of UFA's this year. Supply and demand are responsible for E's outrageous contract, not a mis-step on the part of Holland.

Sorry, gang, but when I joined here people were lambasting Kronner at $3m/year. I don't think that by the end of this we'll be sorry. Does anyone know if E's mom is ok now? I had heard she was fighting cancer last year. Worrying about a loved one can have a bad effect on your concentration. Maybe this is why he is getting another chance to prove himself.

Bim Jeeeeeeeem! (That brought back memories!) Ah, my wild and mis-spent youth... The Parthenon or the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

Not really, unless I know what's in them. The person below me has eaten something alive.

12 teams have been in contact? I can see why he's taking his time. If I had put out applications to 3 companies and 9 others expressed an interest in me, I'd be at least looking into what they had to say. I also understand why he would consider going back to Russia. Think of it from a Detroit point of view- if you were from Detroit, and you had taken jobs in Oslo, Rome, Lisbon, and Timbuktu, and then you got an offer in Toronto, wouldn't you take it? You'd be closer to home, the culture would be more familiar, and you'd be able to read half of what was on the cereal boxes. I don't see why people nag the Europeans/Russians for going back to their hemisphere.

It will be hung from the rafters with a bungy cord. Jersey goes up. Jersey changes its mind. Jersey comes down... Just think... if he hadn't given Igor that extra shove, and if Igor had not objected...

Not any more than any other. I work my same schedule. The person below me is looking forward to Canada Day (aka Free Agent Day).

I don't know Black Manta, so I'll go with aquaman. Dude rode sea-horses as I recall. 37 or mustard seeds?

Well, that's one woman we know Hudler's not banging right now.

Never had a touch screen phone, so keyboard. Nessie or Sasquatch? Who is more likely real?

Nope. Still in the dark. The person below me believes that a Red Wing is lurking on this forum.

Jagr has decided. He will have the chicken cordon bleu and a salad with raspberry vinaigrette. Hold the turtles. Details at 11.

Keating. Definately Keating.

Whoa, there. Not so fast. Trevor is hot for a young guy. Plus he actually played hockey. Maybe the chick can get her own show about something that would interest you. Then we'd both be happy. Pierre should just be the host of the Sidney Crosby channel and do that as a full time job.

Mr Jagr has decided... ...that he will decide tomorrow. That Philly mis-lead was epic, though. I feel sorry for the kids that log on later today and have no idea how much fun we all had with it.

My sister is distraught. Despite his playing for teams I hate and all that, I liked the guy. Best wishes for his future.

Ketsup. I detest mustard with every fibre of my being. Rather attend: Training camp or Toast of Hockeytown?

Oh, I've had surgery. Not as bad as a lot of people I know, so I'm glad for that. The person below me likes bologna on white bread, now and then.

I'd say in 5...4...3...2...

If a European player goes off to their own hemisphere to be closer to home, I don't hold it against him. If the money's better, I don't hold that against him either. Guys like Miller and Raffy have been really happy to come home to Michigan to play for the Wings. Even if it's just the same continent, it still has to be sort of a homecoming for the guys that have been playing over here and go back. I'm not going to tell people where to live. I've moved around way too much in life for that, and if someone offered me more money, I'd sure think about moving again.

I would love to, but it will come down to finances. The person below me has all of their original body parts.