Z and D for the C

If he beats Howard then he's better than Howard then we have a better goalie situationt han without him. I think I'd take him over Howard.

Save lilja, when was the last time someone missed a game after getting in a fight?

Good for him.

LOL @ "stuff in stupid font"

Because Hudler would play on the first line on any other team.

Trade him. He has no spot on this team.

Well technically players aren't paid for the playoffs. But jokes aside, though he definitely didn't help much in the finals, he definitely didn't lose the cup for us.

I hope that's a joke.

All of Cleary, Samulesson and Filppula had 40 points last year, Filppula with the least PP time (by far), none had shoot out goals. What are you talking about? Get a clue. Is Filppula being #4 in ES scoring on the wings last year a coincidence? Is Filppula being ranked #34 among centers (OMG almost top 30!!!!) in even strength scoring last year a coincidence? And since I know everything is thinking it, he was ranked #35 in even strength TOI among centers.

Can you at least admit you see the logic in my prediction? I'm not saying Filppula is going to score 70 points next season or even 60. But being that Filppula scored 40 points playing on the third line with next to no PP time, it's really pretty freaking illogical to say that he is going to score the same amount with a scoring line role and dramatically increased PP time. And I'm sure that that fact that he was right behind Zetterberg and Franzen in playoff scoring means nothing at all?

2nd PP center to no regular PP time and scoring line center to checking line center is a drastic reduction. Fabian Brunnström had a hattrick in his first game. That projects to 165 goals over 55 games. He got 17. Believe it or not, not everything in hockey is a linear relationship.

I don't think Filppula will be the next Datsyuk. I'll be just as surprised as you if he ever gets anywhere near 80 points. But I do think you underestimate him and that he will put up at least one 67-70 point season (maybe not consistently though) at some point in his career. And gcom's prediction of another 40 points season is even more ridiculous.

Filppula's role on the team was drastically reduced with the addition of Hossa. The 12 goals this season is the fluke, not the 19 two seasons ago. Oh, really? How many more points did Leino have over Filppula in the playoffs?

Filppula had 19 goals in 07-08 to Sammy's 11. Cleary had a whopping ONE MORE GOAL that season. The last time Cleary scored a shootout goal was 06-07 when he scored 2. Lets put Filppula in the AHL and see how he does. Case in point, who gives a f*** about the AHL.

LOL Cleary. You are so delusional. Me and others may be overrating him, but that doesn't mean you're not underrating him. Filppula has better "hands" (better everything) than Cleary and Samuelsson, and it could be a toss up between him and Leino.

I don't think Babs would have Flip and Helm alone on the same PK line. I think it's possible that it's those four, but maybe Flip/Z and Dats/Helm instead. Wouldn't be surprised to see Z/Pav and Flip/Franzen or Flip/Drapes.

Haven't you read gcom's posts? You're mistaken.

Why bring logic and fact into this? Flip has s***ty hands, deal with it.

gcom doesn't like Filppula, just ignore him.

Agree.

If he was a top 6 player he would be in the top 6. He has the hands, but not the size (or anything else). /discussion

"Err"

This. That is what I mean when I say Bert > Hudler. When has Hudler ever been impressive in the playoffs. If I didn't know better I wouldn't even be sure he played in the second half of the playoffs last year.

If Hudler is so talented, why has he played with less minutes and inferior linemates? How long have we heard this and why is he the only one in the NHL who plays with inferior linemates and less minutes than those who he is equal to in skill? Do you think there is a chance there might be a reason for this? Or are the peple on LGW the only ones smart enough to realize that if Hudler played on the first line that he'd win the Hart? Believe it or not, THERE IS A REASON HUDLER PLAYS ON THE THIRD LINE! And while the higher pay has a large part to do with why he defected, there are other factors (call Ripley).

I think those are going to be the lines at the start of the season. Except maybe flip Homer and Cleary. Whereever cleary goes is going to be better for that line. (ie the first line will be better with cleary over Homer, and same for the third line) And I guess the other 53 years while he was off winning 4 stanley cups.