VM1138

There's hope for a third picture of Hossa crying slumped along the boards yet!

What the hell did Leino eat for breakfast the past 6 months?

That would win them brownie points with me. Man, how hard is it to win a final at home? It's so...lackluster to win in someone else's building. EDIT: I just realized something. The big "drought ending" Cup wins came in 97 and tonight. Both historic wins were against Philadelphia. Poor Flyers...

Yeah, it's a really scuzzy final all around. This year has really thrown the whole "defense wins championships" mantra out the window.

I know. We'll have to resort to beating them over the head with division championships and sheer number of Cup wins instead...haha. Seriously, I wish they wouldn't win. But it is cool that it's been some 40 years. Not since the Wings won in 97 has a win been so huge.

Of all the stories I expected to break this off-season, "Lebda holding up contract negotiations for more money" was not one of them. Poor Lebda. Does he know he's a joke?

He'll sign for that deal. He doesn't care about the money.

Well, so far we haven't had a sure-fire hit like Tatar probably will be. Everyone needed to be given those extra years just to be sure of what we had. Tatar, unlike them, is on the fast track. He'll be here full time season after next, I bet, if he has a good year and gets called up a few times. A lot of important contracts end next season and Datsyuk and Zetterberg will be another year older. The need for a player like Tatar will be greater than the need for a Kronwall or a Hudler was in their time.

What is the point of a mock draft?

I agree. I don't know if it'll be three players but I see at least two players being added at some point. And, per usual, they will be under the radar and will probably have great seasons for the Wings. We're lucky like that. I think Bert will be re-signed, and as much as I like him and value what he brings, he's the biggest question mark.

I've really become skeptical about prospects over the past few years. They have so many issues, are so unpredictable, and people usually vastly overrate them. Tatar, I have a feeling, isn't going to be one of those. I genuinely think he's on a fast, fast track and has the potential to be Datsyuk or Zetterberg's replacement. I bet if we see him on the ice this season as a callup he'll be a regular for the 2011-12 season. He just seems to be too good to be allowed to "fully mature" in the normal Red Wings way.

When he left I didn't blame him, but then finding out that we basically could've afforded him made me mad. The guy is a mercenary. If he loses this year we may have to put someone on suicide watch.

For the first time in years Cleary will be starting the season 100% healthy and in perfect shape. He said he's stepping up his training and he's going to be a tank come October. I know he has been disappointing point wise, but he's still the hardest worker on the team and with a good knee and determination he can prove his worth.

I want Bertuzzi back for between 1-1.5 million. The guy has just built a fantastic attitude over the past year or so, it seems like he's a guy you'd want on a team now, which I don't think most people would say about him years ago. Even though he's inconsistent, he brings a lot to the table for 1-1.5 million. Considering how weak the current crop of free agents is, it's a smart move to sign him for cheap (for less than his current salary in a perfect world, just to free up cap space, even if he doesn't deserve a decrease in pay).

It's really not. I really have no doubt that if the Wings were in the finals Lidstrom would be playing just as well (at least) as Pronger is now. Players always look better by comparison when they go farther in the playoffs.

"Their shoes are on little swords." "Want to watch the Hawks?" "Man, I'm not from Atlanta."

Tanguay is a joke. I can't believe hockey fans actually want him on this team. I like Bertuzzi, but like many of you if we can find a player that will have more impact for between 2-3 mil, it's a move that has to be made. Tanguay is not that move.

What a story, Dom never ceases to amaze and impress. Most entertaining goalie to watch in the entire history of hockey. I hope he goes can somehow set a record winning championships in multiple leagues and tournaments.

We knew it would happen. Just imagine who he's going to go after once he can actually start negotiating for players instead of just support staff. On that note, I had no idea Pat Verbeek was a pro scout for the Wings, I have a vivid memory of him laying out some guy twice his size at the faceoff circle back in '00 or '01. Good times.

I don't understand...how can a team draw when they're playing away? If you're looking at just how many fans buy tickets to games you play on the road, there are so many other factors that could attribute for that and should be a terrible stat to look at.

Game 2 wasn't even on in Indy, didn't they show a banquet instead of the first two hours of the game? How did it pull 5th highest?

I know. I can't root for anyone. Hossa and Kane plus Chicago on the one vs the worst fans in the world, Pronger and Leino. Is there no justice?

Holmstrom cannot play on a line other than the 1st. It's been this way for years it won't change now. Everyone conveniently forgets this when creating their lineups. You're looking at something closer to: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Hudler-Flip-Franzen Armstrong-Helm-Bertuzzi Abdelkader-Draper-Cleary That's without Eaves, Miller, Maltby or Ritola. Where does Burish fit? Or if you get Burish where does Armstrong fit? EDIT: I think I misinterpreted your post. You're factoring in trades and not re-signing some players, right?

I can't believe this Leino turaround. That just sums up the luck the Wings have had this year. It figures that the one time they DON'T give a player 4 years to prove himself is the one time the player ends up doing well.

Interesting spin. I was just told a story by my future mother-in-law. For the record, no one involved in this story is a hockey fan so they have no interest in fabricating a story. Turns out, a friend of hers was on a flight returning from Florida and she sat next to Kris Draper. A few rows back was Osgood. My first thought was: Wow, that's a coincidence considering Yzerman's recent appointment. So, with what little information I have given you: Coincidence? Maybe returning from a vacation? Why weren't their families present then? Just going to help Yzerman get settled in? Paying an "official" visit? It seems strange considering that Osgood would likely want another starting job for a team needing a goalie to work for an old friend. Draper we all expected to stay, but with the new Tampa operation and Detroit not really needing him, perhaps Holland is agreeing to part with Draper to give Yzerman some veteran talent in exchange for a role player or draft pick? Or is it all nothing? Weird coincidence at the very least.