stillwater

Do you have any specifics on either player's injury? You seem to be suggesting that Datsyuk is saving himself for playing for Russia rather than the team he's paid to play for ... well, because he's the captain ... even though Zetterberg is also an Olympic Captain. Is Steven Stamkos doing the same? On Yzerman's team?

The fact that Johnny Hansen can't find a spot on the roster is also a shame.

There's the reasonable thinking that Zetterberg is capable of playing through the type of injury he has, but Datsyuk's injury for whatever reason doesn't allow him to play.

I voted no, the simple reason being, although I've enjoyed watching the kids play and understand there's more on the way ... I'm not convinced that the group is capable of winning Stanley Cups, and frankly, that's the goal. I'd like to see them unload some of the younger guys in the organization for proven producers or guys that are on the cusp of that. It's a dream, I know ... but some of these teams that are headed nowhere have some decent players who may be better off with a change of scenery. I won't list the players I'd target here, that would only stand to hijack the thread.

Mark Fraser will quickly and quietly disappear back to what he is ... a non-factor player in the NHL.

Seconded.

I've read the five pages of the thread to find that playing in the Sochi Olympics is pretty much the same as working night shift in a convenience store. If you play in Sochi you have to drive the car, fly in the airplane and stay in Russia for an extended period, so that's like a triple-threat. I mean, you've seen those nasty multiple car pileups on the Interstate and you know not everyone can fly Qantas. Airplanes are also typically ripe for picking up flu's like the H1N1, which in some instances can be fatal. Also, don't forget that in Russia if a chicken crows at you three times before noon, the death of a close family member can be expected within a fortnight, a woman with empty water buckets coming towards you is considered a bad omen ... and they love Herring, mayo and pickle sandwiches. Go at your own risk NHL players, but you'll likely end up dead before you arrive.

So Wade Redden made too much money? Honestly, I don't get it. Tim Thomas can make $3.75 Million. Without checking, I'm going to guess that that's probably close to, or is, the highest amount of money a 39-year old free-agent goalie has ever signed for. What did he mismanage? Obviously his image, right?

The thread title is misleading. No way Babcock gets fired this season.

No matter the team, or the sport ... it's usually not much fun watching your favorite team lose. Fighting won't change that.

We didn't. I thought it might be good to link the entire article rather that cherry-pick post it like you did. The thread title suggests he's a "dope". In the opening post, you call him "delusional" ... both are merely your opinions and certainly open for civil debate. He's still in the NHL, still getting paid millions of dollars to make a living ... and his garbage team has beaten the Wings 3 times at last count. Steve Yzerman must have "mismanaged" his career at the end of it to make such "little" money, right. Is he a "dope" simply because he makes less than he used to? History is full of these situations.

http://espn.go.com/boston/nhl/story/_/id/10361301/tim-thomas-set-face-bruins-boston "At that time I really wasn't thinking about money," he said. "I was doing what I thought was the best thing for my family and for myself, and ultimately it was. Not only did the year off give me a renewed life for hockey, just being at home and being a parent to my kids and developing a relationship with my children is much greater and stronger now than it was before that year off. "I mean, I had a good relationship, don't get me wrong. I was a dad, but when you're constantly on the road and so focused, I hadn't developed [that relationship] yet and they were at critical ages. My son was just turning 7 and my daughter was 8 and those are critical ages, I think, to really develop a relationship with your kids before they get too old. That ended up happening over the year off, so that was one of the great benefits."

Just a reality check for those in love with the idea of Vanek. Soon, he'll be 5 years removed from his last 40 goal season. He's a 30-year old looking to be paid for the past, not what his future production will likely be. He'll be looking for a big pay day. He's not a power forward and not good defensively. When Dickie says that Jurco may be the better player soon, he's not far off.

Hudler would only be one more thing to complain about. Don't miss him at all. The Flames can have him. It must be pathetic to be a Flames fan, when Hudler is one of the things you puff your chest out about.

Most people wish they could 'mismanage' their career's to the tune of $20 million plus. Perhaps he's playing hockey because he wants to, not because he's contractually obliged to. Just for fun ... it's possible. He shouldn't need money. He won the Conn Smythe at 37. Honestly, what else is left to play for? The team he's currently playing for isn't even the worst team in the NHL this season, let alone the 'last ten or fifteen years'.

No, in 1970 there were no concussions, or sports hernia's, the only thing to worry about was a hangover. In reality there is very, very little to compare between the two teams. The game has changed completely, I mean other than the goal to put the puck in the opposing net.

The article above is from November.

... ended up in jail. Sheahan is in the NHL.

I'm going to guess that if he wasn't 100% healthy, and/or there was any chance of a recurrence of the previous injury, he wouldn't be suiting up.

... and, another lines thread begins. Thanks for the Franzen update.

Seriously? No reason to consider salary implications ... or the other teams for that matter.

I'm going to guess that you didn't actually watch the game last night. Monster fought the puck all night ... it was like he couldn't even see it and had no idea where it was virtually all game long.

When you bring logic into things, it kind of screws up the discussion. Good job!

In the opening post, you were very much blaming "Z". What's changed you line of thinking? The rest of it, I don't comprehend.

The fact that Zetterberg didn't score 5 goals and singlehandedly beat the Blues is reason enough to package him with Jimmy Howard in exchange for a top-4 defenseman and a tough guy who hasn't been born yet.