GMRwings1983

Well, apparently Babcock doesn't agree with you. Also, I didn't say that Hudler hasn't earned a place on the roster, I just don't think that 2nd line duty is that place. As for Osgood, I don't think he should start when Hasek comes back, but that's for another thread.

If Hudler had trouble scoring on the 2nd line, I can't see how he's going to score on the 4th line playing with Drake, Kopecky, or Downey. Well, maybe we'll at least see the physical side of Hudler if he's playing with Downey.

Who's he going to fight? The whole league has been ducking him after he destroyed Moen and Sharp last year.

Obviously, having a lot of money to spend on great players was a good beginning for greatness year after year. Since the lockout, we've maintained success because we've been able to keep our puck possession style and find guys that fit that role and mesh well together as a team. Also, like any great NHL team, we've had a great defense for a while, and have Lidstrom back there running the show game after game. Holland has his faults, but he's found a diamond in the ruff with Pavel and Hank, who will carry this team for the next several years. I just hope that the emphasis this organization places on winning doesn't go away for a long time.

We look great right now, but even though this is a cliche, the playoffs to me will decide what this team is made of. We've had the best record in the league, or been tied for the best record the last 3 seasons, and didn't even make the finals. I still want to see a top 6 forward, and a little more size at either forward or defense.

Does anyone remember what the name was of the goalie that wore that Leopard mask back in the old days? That was probably the best mask I've ever seen in the NHL.

Last year he was the best player in the league before his injury, and now he's picked it up again. I would have never guessed that he'd be leading the league in scoring after 1 month.

He lacks any "team toughness"

I'd have to agree. King's best punches came before Boogaard even dropped the gloves. Boogaard clearly dominated the 2nd half of the fight. I was surprised that King didn't get the instigator, though.

What are you thinking? You want us to give our enforcer away for Crosby and Ovechkin? We already have skilled players on this team.

Since everyone else is doing it, I'll also chime in. Here's my team. Lemieux - Gretzky - Howe Hull - Messier - Richard Esposito - Dionne -Lafleur Sakic - Yzerman -Bossy Harvey - Orr Lidstrom - Bourque Robinson - Potvin Roy Sawchuk

Marcel Pronovost should also be on that list. How about Pavel or Hank? They're both superstars, and have been here for a number of years. I'd put both of them over Gallant, Ogrodnick, or Larionov. Larionov was a great player, but he was always past his prime in Detroit, where Pavel and Hank are both in their primes right now. I'm too lazy right now to critique your NHL list, but it looks good on its face.

Foote? I just got done posting on another thread how much I hate Forsberg, so let's not even go there with Foote. What is this some divealanche reunion going on in hockeytown? Besides, we already have several defensive defensemen, and Foote's health has been shaky in recent memory.

Agreed. I blame the management for not going after a top 6 forward this offseason, and instead putting Hudler in that spot, when he's clearly out of his league. I don't know about Hossa, though, because the price might be too high.

There's no way we can keep Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Lidstrom, and then add another star like Hossa. It doesn't happen that way anymore since the lockout. One of those above 3 would have to take a huge paycut of some kind.

The '97 team had a better mixture of physicality than the '02 team did, as someone already pointed out. Also, Yzerman, Fedorov, Larionov, and Shanahan were better players in '97, especially Stevie before the injuries kicked in. Likewise, the top 4 defensemen were better in '97 than in '02. The biggest advantage for the '02 team is that Hasek is better than Vernon, and his playoff numbers were better than Vernon's.

Is that how guys are judged? Based on whether they're a detriment or not? I look at what he has contributed so far that should warrant Ellis and Downey to be scratched for him? They're playing a lot harder than he is. He doesn't skate well, he can't use his size, and he's not a very skilled player. If he starts doing something, I'll be the first to say I was wrong about him, but until then, he's staying in my doghouse.

Would you rather see Kopecky playing at center? He couldn't center a line with Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull as the 2 wings.

You're definitely taking his health for granted. When has he ever proven that he can be healthy? To me, his health problems seem like a pretty good reason for why not to want him. The guy's made of glass. Unless he's willing to take some huge paycut, I wouldn't want the Wings to gamble on him.

As I've said before, I don't want her playing for our team.

How? There's only a few players in the league each year that hit 50. They'd have to score 50 goals for 18 straight seasons to hit 900.

I doubt it. Wayne isn't that stupid, because he knows how great he was and how untouchable his records are. He just chooses not to brag about it.

I agree, Belak has been too timid ever since Orr broke his nose. He can still throw with anybody, but his fights are usually boring nowadays.

I'm not saying that Lang wasn't lazy, because he was, but as far as Hudler is concerned, he played better with Lang because they had some kind of chemistry on and off the ice. But you can use this as a compliment to Lang if you choose to.

If Ottawa doesn't retire Alfredsson's number, then they'll never retire anybody's number. He is the history of that franchise. Also, Linden was never great enough to have his number retired.