VM1138

The Ericsson news is great news, even if you like the guy. We have problems defensively, but we also have a backlog there. Lidstrom stays, Rafalski can't be moved (and should stay anyway), Kronwall and Stuart are too good to part with, Ericsson, Salei, and Kindl. Kindl deserves a shot, Salei will probably be gone, but maybe not as he's a stable 6th defenseman. We couldn't really add anyone of value without losing one of our top four. With Ericsson gone Holland can pursue an extra defenseman, preferably a guy who is underpaid and performs in the playoffs. And Ericsson can go chase his "big contract" all next season. Win-win, right?

I can't believe so many want Leino back. The guy is not a hard worker, has trouble focusing, and pretty much hates (or at least really dislikes) Detroit. Recipe for disaster.

I guess I never realized Bertuzzi had one, or had forgotten about it. Either way, I don't see a reason to trade any of them so I think we're okay.

Thornton did play well....for a grinder. Not a superstar. The Sharks will need to shake up the Heatley-Thornton-Marleau failure if they want to win the Cup ever. I've never seen such high profile guys disappear so consistently when it matters. Point or not, that monkey is still on Marleau's back. The guy has NEVER performed in the playoffs, what makes people think he'll start now?

That "deal" with the NHL has been denied repeatedly by NHL officials, including Gary Bettman. But as I'm sitting here thinking about the argument that the Wings sell tickets in failing western markets, couldn't the Wings just help save the Eastern teams the same way? I imagine playing the Wings a lot will help Tampa, Florida, and Atlanta sell a lot more tickets, and those are more high profile cities than, say, Phoenix.

So...he's only useful when playing with the best player in the world? I'm not going to say Flip sucks, because he doesn't, but he doesn't bring enough to the table to justify NOT being traded for a defenseman or a winger.

The thing I don't understand is if this is all about ratings, why don't they just pit the #1 and #2 teams in market share against each other each and every year?

I honestly don't think it has anything to do with the teams as a whole. San Jose dominated often (like they usually do) because of their size and reach of their cycling game. But they weren't deeper, our stars are better than their stars. Let's look back at the series, shall we? Game 1: Decided entirely by refs. Probably should have gone to Detroit. Game 2: San Jose outplayed Detroit, deserved to win. Series tied 1-1. Game 3: Very even game, Detroit could easily have won, but of course it needed the storybook ending of the team being dominated scoring an easy overtime goal. Series could be 2-1 either way at this point, but let's cede this to the Wings without the underdog reffing in the final minutes. Game 4: Detroit eked out a win. Detroit up 3-1. Game 5: Four and five were very evenly played, so we'll say the Sharks win this one. The Wings got pretty lucky, so 3-2 Wings at this point. Game 6: The Wings dominate, close out the series. Wings win 4-2. So no, I wouldn't say San Jose was obviously a better team in any way. Our powerplay sucked and the team got off to a bad start.

I don't know about Vancouver. There's something about San Jose this year, they've shaken off some of their demons (as have Vancouver) and are hungry. I feel bad for Boston or Tampa, they will get steamrolled by the West. But yeah, I'll be rooting for Tampa, but wouldn't be heartbroken to see another Original 6 team in the Finals, either. But how can I not root for the Yzerbolts?

I work retail so I like the late games as well. But I guess there's always DVR, at least until playoffs come around (I like to watch those live). Honestly, as much as I enjoy the mini-rivalries with Chicago, San Jose, Anaheim, etc., how cool would it be to actually play one of those teams in a series that MATTERS? (The Finals). How many times do we find ourselves saying in the second or third round "This is the real SCF?" It would be cool for that to finally be the case. Plus, I'm sure Toronto, Montreal, Pittsburgh and Washington would oblige us in the rivalry department after a season or two. Honestly, I'd rather have a non-conference setup for the playoffs. I hate that Western teams can never compete for the Cup in the Finals and so on.

Being in the East might kill their killer instinct. Battling year in and out with teams like Anaheim, San Jose, etc. makes them sharper for the playoffs. Playing the scrubs in the East will just lead to easy President's Trophies and shell-shock come Stanley Cup finals. But we've heard this rumor for years, and the NHL always denies it emphatically. They don't want Detroit in the East because that would be a serious blow to the Western Conference.

I think you're too hard on Osgood. The guy can still play, he didn't even really get a chance this season. But if we extra money it wouldn't hurt to pick up an extra backup and ask either Ozzie or the other backup to sign a 2-way deal. I'm actually surprised, I like the way you broke down the "line-type players" as it matches up my impressions as well. I do think Helm will eventually be a second liner for a few seasons, though. But your line-listing really shows where the holes are that need to be fixed. We have a glut of 3rd and 4th liners, which is good, but our top two lines really need a more consistent presence than rotating Cleary and Bertuzzi. Flip and Hudler combined would free up room for Mursak, and a power forward winger who scores consistently on the second line. On defense, it'd be nice to add someone like Weber but it won't happen. EDIT: And I think you're too hard on Franzen. The guy had a bad year but pretty much every player does. He'll get it together. His history is too impressive to count him out.

Exactly. This is why picking up a power forward and a #3 or 4 defenseman will go a long way. The Wings really improved depth this season, but frequent injuries to key players makes it look like we'll need some additional Top 6 depth and not bottom 6 like we had this year.

I'm the same way. I'd say that 2007 and 2011 were the years I wasn't crushed at losing. They played hard but couldn't get it done. 4-3 is a better way to go out than 4-0 I suppose. This team has the mental capability to win it all, but they just need an extra push through free agency or trading. Good showing or not, you can't stand pat after three consecutive (well, two really) early playoff exits.

Better options than going back to an already used team: Boston-Montreal. Rangers-Toronto. Heck, let's drawn a western team in: Colorado-Dallas, both of which have pretty large TV audiences, I believe.

Hey, it could be worse...it could've been the historic Red Wings who made the Sharks shed their choker label. Oh, wait...

It depends. It's likely Holland will want to give him an extra season to see what he has in him, but he may also realize the only chips we have to grab an impact winger is to package both together to clear space. It's a move he really should make, but I fear the Wings comeback might make him complacent and forget about all the obvious troubles the team had this year due to roster and defensive coach. Erskine was a popular choice around here a while ago, wasn't he? I don't recall seeing him play outside of video games, though. Honestly, as long as the 5th or 6th d-man can block shots I don't care, I'm more interested in pulling in a big name to replace Lidstrom, or if he doesn't retire, paying for a solid 3rd or 4th d-man to play under Stuart and Kronwall for insane depth.

How was the Detroit-Chicago one less entertaining than one and four? I barely remember this year.

1.) Draper has heart, is fast and wins faceoffs. Again, Modano had serious doubts about his fire to play. Also, he was invisible in the last game. 2) The PP was terrible and has struggled all series long, this is what cost the team more than anything. 3) That's pretty predictable. The whole series had that vibe of not turning out the way it should have according to stats. 4) Datsyuk and Zetterberg were out there up until 28 seconds left in the game after a grueling shift. Without Cleary and Bertuzzi, who else could Babcock put out there? Despite the heart this team showed, the team IS lacking something and so Holland can't stand pat again. We need a big name defenseman who can actually score on a powerplay, preferably a big body who can skate should we ever face the Sharks again. And we are in desperate need of a second-line impact scorer. As good as the forwards are, we need a reliable scorer considering Franzen, Datsyuk and Zetterberg will all be injured for lengthy periods of time next season. Consider it insurance.

Ericsson made one really awesome defensive play that prevented the Sharks from getting an up-close-and-personal shot on Howard, so I won't rag on him this game, but I wouldn't mind seeing him traded or at least the team acknowledging he won't be more than 5th or 6th defenseman. He did start stepping up his physical game and that could be an asset. As good as I feel about the team effort, it doesn't erase the doubts we've had over the season. Flip had a great game but is still better as trade bait for an impact player. Howard is fantastic but we still need a backup. Hudler hustled but just doesn't have the killer instinct. I'd still trade Flip and Hudler for a reliable impact 2nd liner. Kronwall had a fantastic season and especially the playoffs. He's another guy who steps it up in the playoffs and when it counts. Which makes choosing between him and Stuart all the more difficult. I guess keep both and go all out for an excellent 2nd or 3rd defenseman with the extra cash. And hope Lidstrom resigns.

Hudler looked terrified every time he touched the puck. I understand that he has the skill and so had to be out there, but it seemed like a waste to be feeding him the puck or having him carry it in. He blew several great chances to pass to a Sharks player. But then again, that was the story of this series, every pass being intercepted, and a force field around the open net while Niemi was way out of position.

I hope both teams realize diving doesn't count as goals. All I know is that the Nucks better watch out. Marleau won't be there all season, but if it goes to a game 7 that's when he'll decide to show up.

If I could say one thing to the Wings, it would be: don't let it get to you if the Sharks score first or bring the pressure. Keep grinding and pepper Niemi and GET THOSE REBOUNDS! Go Wings!

Now that there are multiple Vancouver threads, I'm really feeling like these are bad ju-ju for tonight. After the highest euphoria usually comes a really hard fall, so I'm getting nervous about how positive people are feeling. I know it's weird, but I almost feel like everyone counting San Jose out, considering how tight this series has been and how they've been able to dominate entire games, might be angering the hockey gods.

Still a little nervous that the Wings got lucky with two straight 3 goal 3rd periods. Really, the Sharks got lucky last game with their one goal, but luck is probably going to be a big factor in tonight's game. Just please no embarrassment! The Sharks hold pretty much all the cards except momentum, so I know deep down that this will probably go to them, but I still trust the Wings to play their hearts out.