GMRwings1983

Datsyuk is already the best all around player. Crosby is the best player. Guy scores a point per game easily, even after being away from the game for a long time. And I can't believe some fools on this board actually think this doesn't hurt the league. They televise countless Pens games and talk about Crosby all the time. Whether you like that or not, it's a fact. When he's not playing, it makes the league look worse.

What I want to know is why Ericsson and Conklin have a day off?

Nice going Kenny. Should have gotten both Filatov and Semin, and have Hudler center them on a line.

I would wear a Bure jersey, or a Gretzky jersey or a Domi jersey. Basically, former enforcers or NHL greats. I couldn't see myself wearing any current player's stuff.

This is bad for the NHL. He's their best player, whether you like it or not. That wouldn't be good for any sport, especially a sport that refuses to market other stars, besides Ovechkin.

Pretty sad isn't it? As if so many players perenially get injured in the ASG. How are our superstars any more precious than other teams, who routinely send their best players if they're healthy? I agree the game has many flaws, but it's still special to these players and to the fans who want to see the event or attend it.

I'll say. He's dating tennis hottie Maria Kirilenko.

Lidstrom is an ambassador for the game, as well as its greatest captain and best player of the generation. He needs to be there if he's healthy.

Why is he better off not playing? It would be a special thing for him and for the Wings to have him in the ASG. He's not the only goalie in the league who plays a lot that would potentially play in the ASG. Let him play. It'll be fun. It's a chance to be in the same building as the best players in the league. Also, there's plenty of players who'll never get that chance and would give anything to play in the ASG. Can't take that for granted.

Well, at least this thread has some debate now. See how easy that was.

Price doesn't have a Nicklas Lidstrom on his team. Their team defense isn't close to ours for that matter. Besides, even though Detroit is Hockeytown, there's nothing like the pressure of being a goalie in Montreal. No player in the league has the scrutiny and criticism that Price faces game to game. Yet he's handled it well. That's why the only successful goalies in Montreal over the decades all happened to be Hall of Famers. The other guys they've started just couldn't handle the pressure. In Montreal you're either a Hall of Fame goalie, or you're a bust. Not saying Price is a Hall of Famer yet, but he's certainly not a bust like the others they've had. Howard has been terrific this year, but you guys are selling Carey Price short.

I'm not happy. Should have won 7-0. Howard is no Carey Price indeed.

Are you competing with Crymson for who can be a better troll? My concerns are long term playoff ones, not some regular season crap games here and there. We blew out plenty of teams last year too. We've also been blown out this year in some games. It's an 82 game season.

Wow! I was going to hold off watching this game until it's about halfway through. Same thing last game. I think I'll make it a pattern now.

Thread should be changed to "2011 playoffs"

You can say that again.

You could say the league caught up to us since 2002 as well. It took us six years to win another Cup. Although, I'm worried about the outlook of this team in five years. I look into the future, and see a blank in all areas except maybe goaltender with Howard.

Giving up easy entry into the zone and they are perenially the worst team in hockey at blocking shots. Not a good combination.

So I heard we're doing pretty good tonight.

This is a tough one. People say Iginla is too old, but presumably he'd stick around Detroit for a few years if we traded for him. However, Selanne is bound to retire after this season or the next. We can't ship a guy like Filppula or one of our prospects for a guy who won't even be here next year. I believe in doing anything to win another Cup, but this may be stretching it.

Is there anyone in your hometown who fits this definition?

That means they're mediocre. Will beats skill. We've seen it before with playoff losses to s***ty teams.

Reminds me of the 2009 Finals.

I agree. Holland is such a genius.

I hope he gets bitten by werewolves with STD's.