VM1138

So much for figuring out how to beat Chicago. Now they'll really know all our secrets.

The NHL as a whole has good numbers, but most of Bettman's ideas crash and burn. Not to mention that individually, there are many, many teams that are suffering and bringing down the game that never should have been introduced to the league (i.e. Florida).

Almost all of thsoe teams are well known and have rabid fanbases. That's kind of weird...

Sundin isn't going to a contender anyway, he waited too long and wants too much from the team that signs him.

Some players didn't like Babcock, yes. But Babcock is a good coach, so you put up with it. Therrien is worthless. Worthless + Disliked= Bad Move.

There were times during the regular season where I wondered if he would be useful, but now I see he was merely storing it all up for the playoffs, when he transformed into this unstoppable beast. I wasn't aware enough of hockey during his first stint with the Wings, but I'm glad I got to see him play for the winged wheel.

Are you kidding? During the Finals EVERY SINGLE PLAY it seemed like Crosby was skating over to a ref, or had this dumbfounded look of disbelief on his face, even if nothing happened, positive or negative. The guy does too much, without realizing the usefulness of various leadership styles.

At one point they did put Gatorade in the Cup, didn't they?

Or maybe they were right, since Crosby is still a terrible leader. Maybe people just see leadership in Toews where there is none (and was none) in Crosby?

I'm not going to justify all their millions, but I would like to point out that it's a little more than a game. Unlike the rest of us, their job isn't 9-5. They have to play a game virtually every other night all over the country. They're away from home about half the year, constant travel away from families, having to go out and do promotional things, go to practices every day, plus all the NHLPA meetings and what not (if you're active in them). Really, their job takes up their entire lives, 7 days a week. Not saying they deserve ALL that money but I can definitely see why they get paid a lot.

The Sedin twins are overrated, and can't carry that club, but what is the point of getting a superstar without any skilled players at all to complement him? Sure, Sedin twins for Kovalchuk would be a steal....but then there would be no good players left on Vancouver except for Luongo. It'd be a lateral move, even if Kovalchuk is better than the Sedins combined.

Datsyuk will finish in the Top 10. Zetterberg might be. But I doubt Hossa with second line minutes will be in the top 10.

I live in Michigan and no place near me is carrying it. They've all already taken down their championship displays. Look like it'll have to be an online order.

You're forgetting. Burke loves to copy the Wings. My God, half their roster the past two years has been former Wings. And now he's trying to copy our style of "bring in the washed up veteran for his comeback", only, that doesn't work when your team is merely a bunch of goons.

Now Bettman is involved? This is way too scripted, if you ask me. Retarded. That's the only word that can describe Bettman's leadership.

EDIT: What the hell? Wrong thread...

They got about 20 points over the regular season games played, so I'd say yeah, they have a good shot each at breaking the 1 ppg mark.

Even people in Michigan don't want to live in Detroit, so it's an accurate statement.

Well, hasn't the amount of trades in the NHL skyrocketed? Isn't an average stay for a player only like a year or two now. They have the opportunity to build more friendships with players. Severe punishments for players who break the rules too much also deter player rivalries. So we just need to relish our mini-rivalries with Anaheim and Colorado.

Yes, we need him. Maintain the veteran balance.

I live a few hours away, but it'd be awesome and would be a good opportunity to visit Chicago. I've never been there. I'd make the trip, though it'd be weird to be so far away when viewing a hockey game. I'm used to the great seats at the Joe.

Saying you're the best of the East is sort of like saying you're the smartest dumb kid around.

We phase players in and out. This reduces the risk factor in getting too old or too young. Our average age won't be changing all that much, so what is there to ***** about? Teams that entrust their team to youth always fall flat on their faces the first few years. Just let Kenny maintain the balance and we'll be fine.

If they offered 20 million for Sundin they'll offer 4 million for Filpulla. But Flip won't take it.

I don't know about Naslund, but they got Kalinin too, and I do know that Kalinin won the Norris for me in NHL 08.