VM1138

Wow, this is a great example of the entitlement society. Because he tried he should be guaranteed a spot. Wow.

I hate getting excited about prospects because they usually don't pan out. But this draft seems to be a deceptively strong draft class for the Wings. These guys could very well be the core that the team will need as Zetterberg and Datsyuk go into decline. And McKenzie thinks Pulkkinen could score 50 goals? It's harder to not get excited with these kids. I hope they pan out and don't end up bolting for Europe like so many do.

On paper the Hawks will still be good. But they're not great. They'll struggle. They have a good core, but honestly, players like Hossa just didn't deliver like they should have. Chicago had a relatively easy walk to the Finals this year. Let's not forget they're banking on Niemi, who in all liklihood is a one-hit wonder like 90% of the other goalies in the league who make a run at the finals.

Well, one less guy for the LGW crowd to dream about. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=533258

Well, a team like Anaheim (just as an example) could make an offer we couldn't match. But Helm, having a brain, probably wouldn't want to leave for an extra mil to play on a team that's going nowhere (about 70% of the league). I don't think we have to be worried.

Lilja really had a good season this year. He seems to have gotten over the brain-lapses in his play. He'll be a really solid shot blocking defenseman for a struggling team, or a good 6th on a good team.

Well, I like this attitude: "I am okay with spending time in the AHL." But 16 points in 62 games in a Euro league? That's gotta translate to what, 3 points in 82 games in the NHL? Probably will never leave Grand Rapids but it doesn't hurt to give him a tryout.

The Wings are really sitting pretty now. It opens up a lot of possibilities. Even if Holland doesn't make any real moves this summer, it leaves a lot of flex room for a blockbuster pickup at the trade deadline.

We need all the scoring we can get. This was made obvious last year. Bertuzzi, even with the raise, is a steal compared to comparable players in the league. Now, consider he's had a confidence-building, healthy year where he made a positive impact on a team, in an environment that welcomed him and a fanbase that overall has accepted him. I think all that adds to the potential to have another good year next year as he gets more comfortable in his role and in the city and with the fans. Not to mention he'll have a lot better talent to work with.

There a lot of little details I'd like added to NHL 11. NHL 10 was great, but a few tweaks are needed I think. First, I'd like for it to be possible to change the amount of games played in the season during GM and Be a Pro mode. I hate simming games but it's just impossible to play even the majority of games in a 25 or 30 year dynasty, whichever it is (haven't finished mine yet). I'd also like to remove the restrictions on the goalies so that they can fight, be provoked, etc. The gameplay is really fine, but these and a few other bonuses would be great. Oh, and the draft, make it relevant! I get tired of having half my team have the same last name after a 15 seasons. And have some better draft notes that a generic letter grade. You can basically draft anyone without even thinking about it and be fine.

Agreed. Maltby's time is over, but if it's a 2 way deal he gets to stay with the organization, the organization gets to stay loyal to a warrior for the franchise, and we can still use him if need be, which is unlikely. All hinging, of course, on whether Maltby is willing to play in the AHL, which I'm not sure he is. I'm sure he appreciates the effort Holland is making, but he must see the writing on the wall. And he DOES have hockey left in him at the NHL level...but he can't crack the Wings lineup anymore. But on a team like Edmonton or the Islanders, no problem. If he wants to stay in the NHL he'll probably reject the Wings offer, which also works out for everyone.

I would take virtually anyone over McCrimmon. But Chelios would make an excellent defensive coach and I'm absolutely in favor of him becoming an assistant. But considering his personality, I don't know if he'd chafe at not being the head coach.

If I were Holland, I'd re-sign the RFAs and wait. The team, when it was healthy, was decent. With the addition of Hudler we'll be better. And "decent" is good enough for the first half of the season. We know something will go wrong by the trade deadline, and that extra space will really help find the piece that will put the team over the edge. We know there really aren't any "missing puzzle pieces" in this off-season, so it's best just to wait and trade or sign someone at the trade deadline then not be able to.

Does he have a history of headhunting? I don't know too much about him, honestly. If this is a one-time thing I don't see the big deal, especially years later.

I fail to see the significance of this if it happened. It's virtually a guarantee he would've been out with an injury for the playoffs anyway.

I wonder if Toews realizes what a ******-bag Kane is?

I think people are overestimating the fire sale. They need to get rid of a few players, but very few crucial players. Most of them could be replaced with some cheap role players. Remember, they copied the Wings style of play and won. Now they will copy the Wings pattern of signing cheap has-beens to rejuvinate their career. Hawks will be 2nd in the division next season, 4th in the conference. Wings 1st, of course.

He only had to wait for all the good, dangerous teams to get eliminated by other teams and then face crappy teams the rest of the way.

Yeah, the whole bus thing really convinced me he is white trash. The guy is a tool and I can't believe he scored the OT game winning goal for the Stanley Cup. The tool is now in the history books. With any luck he'll be like most of the other prima donnas. He'll have a couple good seasons and then fade away.

The guy had one point in 16 games in the AHL. Something tells me the Wings won't miss him.

If I'm the Leafs I wouldn't be going back to the '90s for inspiration...

Okay, it's official. I will be okay if Philly wins the Cup. If they force a Game 7 and then win said Game 7, watching Chicago blow leads and choke to piss away their one shot at a Cup in 40 some years would overcome any hatred I have of Pronger and the ******-ettes.

I can't believe Kopecky is playing on a line with Hossa and Sharp.

Exactly. Don't blame Holland. We all wanted him gone. For whatever reason he didn't make an effort here. He was more concerned with finding a girlfriend than playing hockey, and he was absolutely terrible. Weak on the puck, no nose for the net, lazy, bad attitude. I just wish we could've gotten more for him. EDIT: Niemi save of the game?

Leino has got to be one of the cheapest MVP's in history, haha. I don't know if I should not like him for not working his ass off here and the Wings ended up getting screwed by it, or be glad he finally found his team.