VM1138

I wouldn't take Jokinen over Franzen. Franzen is the hottest up and comer. He's show consistency, returning to stride after each injury after his initial one. If he keeps this up next year, he's instantly, overnight, one of the best forwards in the league, putting up top numbers. I'd bank on that IF more than the potential of another star at this point.

Oh, so in future Penguins Finals all their BS power plays will have the additional beneift of being right next to the enemy net? We should be taking away the advantages of a power play, not adding to them.

They are only tapping into it because we're successful at it. Get your own country to mine damnit! People are so dumb. Instead of taking what the Wings do (looking in surprising areas) and being successful in their own right, they CARBON COPY everything, down to the country.

Amen. Crosby has a LOT of growing up to do. By the end of his career he could be as amazing as people say he is now, but he's still a very immature hockey player.

That's about right...though I'm still not sold on Crosby. The top four is extremely close. Maybe I'd put Datsyuk ahead of Z, but it's a moot point. I'd drop Malkin. I used to think he was amazing, but you've got to be ac omplete player. Apparently he can only be good when his feelings aren't hurt.

It's because those moves are simple, but they can only be done in a vacuum. It's much harder to do something like that while paying attention to everything else going on in the rink, moving quickly, having to make a split second decision on a goalie. Zetterberg may be MVP, but Datsyuk's is coming, too someday.

No, it's the real cup. The HHOF has the replica in the offseason. The real Cup is presented to the team and is the one sent around with the team members. So yes, they destroyed the real Cup. This is why I love that trophy.

The Jackets are getting better. They've got a bright future and I don't think we've ever been able to say that. They do need to make some moves though, which will include overpaying for some players, but with the right moves they could be improving slightly this upcoming season. No playoff run, though, but they should be well positioned for the year after.

I think they pick a defenseman first, because they will need some talent in a few years once Meech and all them get more established. We are a defense-first team. Then I see them grabbing some diamonds in the rough in the lower rounds.

Wow, has it ever been messed up that bad before? I've never heard of it falling apart. Way to go guys!

I'm tired of stupid GMs overpaying players.

What's the point in changing it? I don't see any benefits either way, just a randomization of numbers.

I think the BJs (My God what an awful Acronym for a team) are only going to get better this off-season. Not by a lot, but they were much better than usual this year. I think they've gone into real rebuilding mode now, instead of merely sucking every year and calling it rebuilding. Still won't make playoffs though.

My, how things have changed. (In regards to that old thread about Naslund vs. Datsyuk). I know Naslund was good, but I never considered him THE best winger in the league. He never carried that terrifying "OMG He's going to score!" every time he touched the puck like so many others do. And that Datsyuk move was sick. I can't believe we have him AND Zetterberg.

Sydor sucks. Keep him far away.

Me, neither. Poor writing.

Whenever they become eligible, that class will be all Red Wings. Seriously, Oates, Damphousse, they were all great players, but you can't dismiss Dino, the Professor, and Housley.

I actualy like the idea. I'm not sure how good Brooks Orpik is, really, I haven't seen enough of him to play...but he sure seems to have a lot of buzz around him, and if he has room to grow, it'd be great to put him here. Only if Stuart leaves, that is.

I didn't realize just how bad the Islanders offense was this year....I can't believe a guy like Guerin didn't rack up more points.

Exactly. It'd be great, but I don't see him coming here until way down the line.

This is a little ridiculous. Anaheim and Detroit have great defensemen to sign. Pittsburgh is obviously weak on defense, and their offense is about to fall apart. Anyone in their shoes would try to salvage what little they have going for them (offense) and then improve the defense once they stabilize up front. It's not like there's a whole lot of defensive options out there. Aside from Rafalski, Zubov, Nieds and Lidstrom, there's really no one in the league even close. Maybe someday Phaneuf will get there, but not yet. EDIT: Woops, forget King Asshat, Pronger. I begrudgingly admit he's good.

I thought Igor was becoming a politician back in the USSR---oops, I mean Russia?

I think he was a healthy scratch, if my memory doesn't fail me.

Without Chelios, I really worry about our future D. They need to be able to learn from Chelios and Lidstrom. Rafalski is good and all, but I've never heard anyone talk about learning from him. Our veteran-to-young-kid ratio has worked for us.

Howard is unproven, and goalie's are 50/50 anyways. I'm kind of nervous about our goaltending situation. Everything I've read about Howard indicates he's no longer considered the second coming of Roy and more like....a rookie Osgood.