VM1138

Well, to be honest, he said the same thign right before landing Hossa.

Yeah, I don't see why anyone would want "out" of Detroit. He knows he wouldn't be a star on another team, unless he's sick of being the scapegoat among the fans, haha.

Yeah, it's hard to sift through the hype. Even on our own team, with Helm. He certainly LOOKS like he has potential to be a first or second liner, but there are so many intangibles it's probably more likely he remains a solid grinder, which would disappoint a lot of people. I'm glad I'm not a scout, I'd never make up my mind.

So apparently, judging from this thread, the consensus is that the Wings shuold just draft someone. It seems everyone has mentioned a different player. Drafts are always nauseating to me. Everyone tries to pick who will be the next Great One and they're almost always wrong. Someone made a joke earlier about the top 10 usually being crappy players, and there's truth to that. I'd argue mots of the NHL's true talent has come later in the draft.

To me, them most logical choice would be Dandenault. His talent isn't gone yet and he's still got a fire. Neil, he'd be a nice touch, but unlikely. Bouwmeester and Beachemin won't happen. Our defense is fine and we have no use for another big defensive name. It would just demote Kronwall or Stuart who would then be making too much money for 3rd stringers. Madden doesn't seem to be much better than a Draper from what they say on that website, past his prime apparently. Lappy, according to Colorado fans, has fallen off the map and really isn't good for anything except a few fights here and there. We already have a useless hockey player who can fight (Downey). No goalies, so Legace is out, and we really won't run a second risk with an injury prone, aging player who will make up too much cap space (Bertuzzi) and who doesn't have speed. I'm not even sure if he's gritty anymore. My vote goes for Fedorov (haha, someone had to say it, but it would be neat if it was pulled off) or Dandenault for re-runs. But as far as new people, I don't see anyone out there I really want, so I trust in Kenny. Oh, forgot Pahlsson. Would be a nice touch but it's so unlikely it's not even worth thinking about.

I agree with his points, but I'm curious as to what they have to do with Union-related issues? His points are basically what we've been saying, it's watering down the event and causing broadcasting issues.

I wonder why the top guys don't do signings? Are they just afraid of autograph sellers or something?

Kopecky is useless. We'd be better off playing with one less player. Don't talk about his "value" because he has none. EDIT: Eva, I can't recall anyone wanting to get rid of Quincey. As far as 99% of us were concerned, either Lebda, Lilja, or Meech had to leave. We all wanted Quincey to stay. So it's not the same situation. Kopecky provides nothing and is absolutely invisible on the ice.

Why not? He's still capable of playing. He's certainly a good third pairing on a team lackign in defensive depth, and he's cheap and provides veteran leadership. He's been nothing but solid for us when we called him up and would be an asset to any team in need of settling down their defense. Someoen would sign him.

Sweet God yes, but I have a feeling if we don't resign him Chicago will.

I'd go with Belfour over Bure. But both were amazing.

Here's to a fourth straight Western Finals appearance and a third straight Stanley Cup finals appearance!

Exactly. It's not a "Classic" when it becomes old hat. But they're going to try and give every team one, which is a huge, major mistake. It's like they want the equivalent of a Superbowl (for hockey) event, but will eventually hand it to really uninteresting teams, which will make the whole concept fail. If they wanted to get some Canadian teams in on the action, they should've had something like Montreal vs. Boston or Toronto vs. New York.

Chelios has been fine for us, overall. Especially considering his age. I think there are better options at this point than having him play a full season and playoff run, though. If he doesn't rotate in then it's a sign we've run out of defensive depth, I think. He's still the greatest American defenseman ever, but we should be able to find an acceptable replacement. Also, Lebda showed improvement, but we knwo he's not going to develop anymore. It'd be best to find someone more reliable and trade.

And let the decline begin.

I'm hoping to move to DC within the next 5 years once I finish up my Masters and I hear that the Caps are a very fan-friendly organization. Since I'm too far to go to expensive Wings games regularly, I'm hoping that once I'm in DC I can catch a lot of NHL hockey games. Wings will always be my absolute favorite and I will never favor another team over them.

Amazing play, etched in my memory forever. The funny thing is, Nick had to have been confident to make that play. There's a 90% chance that puck goes in anyway but Nick somehow got his stick at exactly the right level and kept his arm stiff. Amazing.

Once the Cup finals are over, I remember how I actually like most of the hockey players. We get so caught up hating the teams or players we face in the playoffs, it can be easy to forget that there are really great players out there. I even like Malkin a bit. Sure, he loses his cool too much, but he never whines and he always gives 200%, unlike his captain.

I like the Stars, but I think only so long as Modano is on the team. I also have a soft spot for the Caps, the Rags and the Sabres.

Well said. I feel bad for the people who have become Wings fans since the Colorado days. No words or articles or books and even videos truly do the rivalry justice. You had to be there. Colorado has been forever stained. It doesn't matter that there's virtually no one left from the rivalry. I hate Anaheim more right now, but I will never bring myself to say I like Colorado. And as for 2002 WCF vs. 2009 Anaheim series, I loved the Anaheim series but as someone mentioned, 2002 was memorable. I'll always remember this Anaheim series as a grind and a nailbiter. Great hockey all around. But I don't have any moments (except for maybe Cleary's final goal) etched in my mind. However, 2002 is ripe with iconic images (Roy's statue of liberty comes to mind immediately, the Game 6 and Game 7 raping of the Avs, etc.) This year will go down as a classic in my book, but 2002 was the epitome of greatness.

Howe may mean it, but he's Mr. Hockey, folks. I don't think he's going to trash talk the face of the NHL when Howe himself is the legend of the NHL.

I think you're being sarcastic, because the whole idea behind celebrating with th eCup is to do the most outrageous thing you can get away with. It's not disrespect. You earned the damn thing and you can only have it for what, a few days? Better make it memorable. Swimming with it, eating out of it, it's better than just staring at it in your living room. I refuse to criticize what the champions do with their trophy, because as we should all remember, Lebda nearly destroyed the thing last year.

The only changes that will be made will be if we keep Hossa, and then we'll just be letting a few people go and bringing in low level players. The Wings are already have the best talent in the world, what we need is some grittier, energy producing 4th or 3rd liners. And even that we don't NEED, our players are great and have few weaknesses. But you HAVE to have new blood each year or your team will stagnate. Go for a PKer, that's all we'll see I think.

The fact that no Pen touched the octopus, and then considering every other team we've played the last two years has touched it has be absolutely, beyond a doubt convinced that the octopus has magical powers. It should seriously be a strategy to egg an opposing player into touching it every year.

Yeah, if we pick up anyone it's someone who'll block shots or kill penalties. That was our achilles heel, and with Lilja expected to remain out we really need to beef up in that department.