Wing Across The Pond

A few people seem to think that splitting up Dats and Z will be a good idea, but dont forget their amazing points totals last year came with each other. They're perfect together, dont take an idiot to notice that they have far superior points totals to Homer. They need to be together. I'm torn though whether to put Hossa with them. As for 12th spot, I think keep Helm in GR, it will make him hungry to get back, I mean first year really challanging in NHL and he wins the Stanley Cup. Now he's put back in GR, he's gonna want it. Kopecky wont be available for the beginning of the season so I recon its Downey's spot, DMac may have to settle for a non-playing spot with the view to come in with injuries. I think it will be good for DMac also, he's been through a lot and may not be able to deal with a full season. Just a few thoughts.

As for the first point i agree, he probably is the best screening goaltenders than anyone else, but probably not enough to guarentee jersey retirement or even HOF. As for the second point... just sounds like guy love!!! which i know we all feel from time to time

I've been in France for a few weeks but as far as I know we still dont have an assistant coach. Would it be worth trying to do something with this an Cheli. I'm not saying give him the assistants job, but maybe shift some people around.

That's true actually because I don't even count basketball as much of a sport (although I enjoy playing it, but that's just the point.... I CAN PLAY IT!) it's a game for anyone and the scoring is just silly... "OOO what was the score in the game last night?"..... "100-something to 120-something..... I forget". So the fact LA has basketball is a bit of a flop.

Plus I think to be a great player you have to be MORE than talented... I mean like Crosby now Gretzky was a f***ing whiner and I think that takes away from their amazing talents, I mean come on they consistently whine in games and in press conferences and Vinnie Lecavalier opened a children's hospital... I think things like that give players a boost even though they may not have as much technical ability. But again with Stevie and Nik they're both great captains and stand-out guys so again I'm torn.

Just imagine if their careers were the other way around.... if Lids was around the time Yzerman was and Yzerman was around now. I think the history gets in the way a bit and you need to consider that.... but I'm a fence sitter and I say I love them both regardless of who is 'better'. I'm just glad they are both Wings.

Too true, here in London (UK) kids can't stop killing each other.... seriously. This year alone I think 20+ kids have already been killed by knives or guns. As an 18-year-old it sucks so much that I'm sometimes afraid to be out, but luckily I don't live in the worst parts (bare in mind the figures of 20+ since 1st Jan 08 is compared to 23 for the entire year last year... which is still 23 too many)..... ....this really is Water Cooler talk isn't it.

I have to say that is better than anything ESPN could write! Seriously well done... sheer passion and love for your city and sports (I say your as I'm from UK but still a MASSIVE Wings fan, can't wait to get out there one day soon!)

hehehe true... with this is mind it should be about 1 number every decade or so.... maybe even longer because you can't retire too many numbers! but Lids yes, Ozzie... baring in mind my previous comments, he'd get pushed aside for Lids to be retired.

just seems to me that Chelli is one of those players who doesn't think life would be the same if he stops playing... a kinda "jeez I would be bored of golf and teleshopping every day." Seems to me like he loves hockey (obviously) and that he wants to keep in the game. However I say to have best of both worlds, give him a management position to free up a D position for one of the younger players, but still keep Chelli in a capacity to help out.

have to switch those two around... i think helm will be awesome next year, as he was in the SCF. most of his face off wins came against Sid the baby which i know Kopecky wouldnt be able to do so i think he stays in

I dont particularly like Sean Avery and I didnt know Raf was a mean type.... but he absolutely takes him out after he hits Brodeur. Enjoy

his injury is similar to a footballer (soccer player) in africa few years ago, and a coach here in England (who is only 32 mind you)... the coach was diagnosed early and was fine but unfortunately the african player died whilst playing in an african competition for his nation. It was actually really shocking and what made it worse was that doctors said there was absolutely no reason why he died, his heart just stopped.

Just wondering who everyones unsung hero was of this season? By that I mean the player who didn't really have the story following him, or may not have been the best player, but still did all he could and helped the wings to the cup? I have to say mine this year has been Rafalski. He came in to replace Schnieder (who I didn't really like anyway) but was a vet none-the-less and had performed relatively well for the Wings during his time. He never really received the spotlight from many fans or the media despite being an amazing player. And he had to put up with being on a line with Lids most of the season - THIS IS NOT KNOCKING LIDS IN ANY WAY - it's just that pretty much every time they got the puck into the opposition zone the pass was always fed to Rafalski who would feed it to Lids. He knows Lids is the more accomplished player and he played to that. I was so happy for him when he scored in the final two games of SCF series because it was as if all of his hard work throughout the season was being rewarded with some personal glory. Thats just my view and feel free to criticise... I've only been in hockey for about 3 years so I'm still a little naive about it all. But also... Post your unsung player of the year!!

I don't want him but it'll be interesting to see if there a fight over brooks orpik (who calls their son brooks by the way) as he's a UFA this year. Had a good series against us and I'm sure he'll have a lot of interest. Just a random thought as I would say he's a good defence-man, lets sign him, but honestly I don't think we need to change anything on D - it's solid but even if we let players go we still have real talented kids to bring in so no change on D, keep what we've got. Just wingers really, our centres are fine. Helm will be a great player (may even be up a line next year as I think he deserves to and could manage it) and is amazing on the face-off, as is Drapes. Give Flip time and he'll come through and Dats/Z whoever starts centre on that line will kill. Just wingers in my book. Not even a goaltender change as we have Howard who has at least some NHL experience already. Things looking up in my books. GO WINGS!

I have to say.... I constantly (and still do) thought Chelli was a real shade of his former self and shouldnt really feature in first 6 dmen duties..... however with that said, he didnt say anything about not playing.... on interview in channel 5 here in UK he pretty much said he was happy not to play because the wings were winning. Hats off to you Mr Chelios and apologies from me.

They had a really great interview with him here in UK during the practice skate a couple of days ago... and I know UK doesnt have a huge hockey following but he was a real stand up guy.... took the time to talk to a pretty much nobody in the world of hockey coverage and gave a great interview. He told of how proud he was of this team and (unfortunately) how he's been off the skates for two years and doubts he can even remember how to use them. Great guy!!!

does he not realise that Cheli is actually a lot SLOWER now then he used to be?? WOOWWW!!! If thats what happens taking performance enhancers then I want what he's on!!!! IDIOT thats all I can say..... I mean when he was being regaled these stories of drug use did he also hear the story of how Cheli, throughout his career, kept his conditioning by putting his exercise bike into his sauna and going cycling every week?? NO??? ahh must be drugs then! Once again..... IDIOT!

hehe yeah!!!! skates over to him.... hands him the cup.... thinks to himself...... "NAHHHHH"..... takes the cup back......... skates past whole Pens bench and all..... hands it to Drake

two words..... BEARD ENVY - "You silly man, with your... errmmm.... beard and your.... ermmm....hockey and and and..... ermmm....... AHHHHH IM GOING HOME!" On UK broadcast they had the beard competition last night and someone said... "What about Crosby's beard" and the presenter (a Pens fan mind you) literally said nothing, stared for a few seconds before saying "No...." and carrying on. PRICELESS (plus I think Homer or Mule won Detroit's beard contest).

a guy on tv here in UK made a good point about it though, ozzie in Conn Smythe bound... but the thing is its got a hell of a lot to do with the 5 men in front of him, I mean not a lot of shots get at him. Still think he should probably win it but more recenlty Z has been creeping into contention for me.... especially after his 5-on-3 play last night.

i'd love it if he did something crazy like skated around the rink and then ran into the dressing room with it... or lifted it over the glass to give it to the fans..... but if not then Drake. I didnt really think he was that great during the season but he's become one of my favourite players and this will probably be his last chance to raise it. Plus just an added thought... here in UK when some teams win a cup for a real hard working team performance.... obviously it goes to the captain, but a lot of the time each player tries to put a hand on it when its lifted to show its for all of them.... but i see how that could be problematic with 20-odd guys trying to touch a trophy whilst someones trying to lift it.

True.... i thought they played a better defensive game late in third when they were pressing... and all because Babs switched the defensive lineups.... hes a guy who knows what hes doing.

Just to set the record straight I'm not saying do this NOW..... but would you ever think of putting a Forward like Dats or Z on D to help maximise scoring.... i mean if hes the best defensive forward in the NHL (my opinion anyway) then surely he's better playing their than Sammy.... I mean I know Sammy has a good shot from distance but he's not exactly the best man to have if there's a breakaway. Surely someone with speed and defensive ability could do the job.... and then you'd have 4 attacking players whilst not compromising much D. just a thought i had but please.... do discuss.

HAHAHAHA.... SPANK!!