stevkrause

You need to go back and re-read my posts... or we're having a language disconnect here... You're obviously missing my point...

everyone in the blueadams line combos game.... DRINK! :chug: :beerbuddy: :chug: :beerbuddy: :chug: :chug: :beerbuddy:

the whole "fail" context is pathetic... and people who use it as well... you can correct someone without sounding like a ******. I thought Nashville was EST, my mistake, they are Central... I stand corrected.

You're kidding me right?!?! This is the FIRST Olympics that has been played on an NHL sized rink ever... I wasn't suggesting they change anything, just the opposite actually - keep NHL rinks NHL sized and force International sized rinks for the Olympics... I think it's a joke that they allowed them to use NHL sized rinks for these games and it should almost carry an asterisk next to the Gold because of it...

I disagree with a lot of those saying the NHL should increase and don't want that to ever happen, but for the Olympics, world championships, etc... I think they should be forced to use the larger rink It's partially because it's something that you only see so often that makes it so cool... I miss the different ice for the olympics...

yes, they are, so is Nashville...

wow... I don't even know how to reply to this, as there's no inflection to text on an internet forum... so to infer that I'm a dick just from that... I was more pointing out that I thought there were better options than what Ecklund was suggesting than anything... but your mind is already made up about me I guess... back to my system, it's more just the general idea I was backing, not necessarily the EXACT teams in each EXACT conference, just a jumping off point... I'm sure teams could be shifted to accommodate better, but I think it should be broken up to try to make travel as equal as possible between all teams in the NHL and put 3 of the original 6 in each conference - that was my main point...

I think my idea was WAY better and more feasible: http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=45813 note half way through the thread after other posters collaborated - I think this was the best scenario: lets just go back to Campbell and Wales (but make it more like an AL/NL in MLB) too... with a throwback to the legends - EVERYONE TRAVELS!!! WALES CONFERENCE Adams Division Vancouver, Buffalo, San Jose, Toronto, NYI Patrick Division Atlanta, NYR, Philadelphia, Anaheim, Tampa Bay Morenz Division New Jersey, Dallas, Calgary, Washington, Boston CAMPBELL CONFERENCE Scmidt Division Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Columbus, Colorado, Florida Norris Division Detroit, Los Angeles, Montreal, Nashville, Edmonton Smyth Division Chicago, Minnesota, St. Louis, Phoenix, Carolina 5 games against division - 20 3 games against rest of conference - 30 2 games (home and away) against other conf - 30 Grand total of 80 Same playoff structure

I think you're dead on with all your points. :beerbuddy: The systems from youth on up in the elite level countries are just LEAPS and bounds above these others and the talent gap really shows as a result of development... With that that said, some countries (Switzerland, Denmark, Norway) are starting to develop their programs better and within the next 10-20 years, could start to put a dent in some of that gap, but that is where it needs to start - at the youth level and realistically, you are at least one full generation away from really developing a system as a result. In reply to your other point, the NHL would be downright stupid to remove itself from the Olympics, this showcases your stars on a national level and helps grow an interest in the sport world wide, it also allows the players a chance to represent their country and I'm sure the NHLPA would fight that as well - the last thing the NHL needs to do right now is drive another wedge between the NHL and NHLPA... there are a litany of reasons why it would be detrimental for the NHL to pull out of the Olympics, but I don't feel like writing a novel...

I'm pretty sure the OP meant in the future, as these countries continue to develop their programs, not 2010 - if you have nothing of substance to contribute to a thread, stay out of it... Read the forum guidelines again...

yep - regulated by the IIHF: Match penalty or major plus game misconduct

no god.

Swiss team looks pretty organized...

I was absolutely sold on Fil-Dats-Bert when Babs played them together about 2 weeks ago for about a game and a half and they pretty much got all of our points over that span... they compliment each other very well and I really think they should be back together... those top 2 lines would provide a TON of offense too...

Take one for the team Kirk! Red Wings - Maltby to the IR + Activate Lilja - trade/waive Lebda + Re-call May Franzen-Zetterberg-Holmstrom Filppula-Datsyuk-Bertuzzi Miller-Williams-Cleary Draper-Helm-Eaves May Lidstrom-Rafalski Kronwall-Stuart Lilja-Ericsson Meech = PLAYOFF BOUND.

It did make quite a difference when Fleury left the net and scored those goals as a forward... wait... :blink:

Agreed, I don't see why they can't both stay in Detroit, as they both have that trait and seem to work very well together on an executive level... I just wonder if at some point Holland might take a huge payday and go to a team like Montreal or something and hand the team over to Yzerman... I'd be beyond blown away if Yzerman took a job anywhere else and it'd be like a punch in the gut if he did... Either way - I hope they both stay and don't think it's completely out of the realm of possibility, just scares me to think about losing either...

I don't understand the continued hate on Lils... Lilja is one of the most consistent defensive defensemen on this team when healthy, Ericsson is still growing and WILL get better and I've watched enough of Tollefsen to know I'd rather have him on the ice than Lebda (hell I'd rather have a bear on skates on D than Lebda at this point)

I'm so torn at times, because I think Yzerman has all the tools to be an amazing GM in the NHL, but I also don't want to lose Holland, as he is a pure genius - eventually I imagine one of them will move on, but I hope I'm wrong and they both stay with the Wings, maybe becoming co-GM's at some point - very unlikely, but a guy can hope...

I loved the Tollefsen trade... at least he skates hard every shift... I just hope he re-signs in the offseason and is willing to play in GR as long as given a chance to win a spot out of camp... I think he's just been a victim of bad systems (Columbus, then Phi - both pretty poor at developing defensmen)

Tatar just looks so strong on the puck and seems to have great vision from the couple streams I've watched thus far... very encouraging and exciting...

pure enforcers are useless in today's game... side note: Probert was a LOT more than just a goon... pretty much averaged 30-40 pts a season for the better part of his career... They don't have to be able to light the world afire, but they should at least be serviceable hockey players when on the ice... May is a different story, he was an actual hockey player who could keep guys honest - THESE guys I love and belong on the team... pure goons however, are a waste of a roster spot....

Well, I still think we can get at least a conditional pick out of him, hell Jody freaking Shelly got a 6th round/5th round pick in return... but all and all, I agree 100%, I can think of at least 4 guys in GR(Kindl, Janik, Pyett, Kolosov, etc....) that I would rather see brought up and at LEAST get their feet wet, then ever see Lebda in a Wings sweater again... if it came down to it though, I would rather him be waived for nothing if we couldn't even get a 6th rounder in return... whatever it takes to get him off this team...

Even if Maltby goes on IR - I still want to see Lebda moved... I'd rather us bring up Janik in an emergency basis and role with 7 D using Meech as the 7th and possibly even as a swingman for forward if needed, then bring May back up or go out and get another forward... I cringe every time I see 22 on the ice...