T.Low

Now all thats left is for Chicago to sign Chelios.

You may be on to something (as oppossed to on something? ). In my limited observation of Patty Kane, he seems to be a bit goofy "a la" Danny Heatly. Would you say that could be an accurate assesment or not necessarily? Are you thinking Hossa is here to replace Kane for the future?

"It was just a growing instinct," he said via phone from his summer home in Massachusetts. "As great as the future is in Detroit, I think I belonged a little more to its great past." I agree with him 100% and thought it pretty wise of him to see that while in the midst of it. And as implied before by many on LGW, we all knew Marian Hossa was only able to "just pass on thru". Like dog sitting for your buddie's dog, you love how he interacts with your other dogs, and you become attatched to him, even though you know he can't stay.

Thats the way I've always seen it. he's not an energy/checker/grinder thats needed on the 4rth line. he's a finesse, playmaker with some upside finish to him. While nobody is going to step in and score Hossa's 40 goals this coming season, his minutes will get divided up and goals will come from there. Maybe not as many, maybe so, we shall see. I hope its mandatory that Datsyuk spend time each week teaching Helm how to finish, just as drake taught Dats how to hit. (Kenny points to Helm and says to Pavel, "Pay it forward")

You mean the Little Cheeky Bastard. How 'bout an ex Wing that has gone on to enjoy great success. Feder...no... Schnei...no... Bertu...no... Sha...no... uhh...anybody? (...crickets...) Seriously, though, anybody?

Yeah, thats kinda weird. You kinda get the feeling that Hossa's girlfriend said something like "You get me a modeling contract in Chicago and you can play with that Kopesky boy all you want!".

I'm just saying...you guys know how crazy the playoffs get. Anaheim might not even make the playoffs, San Jose gets knocked out first again, Detroit s***s the bed in round one after two exhausting long years of SCF's, Chicago blasts St Louis, Vancouver, and Calgary, and voila. Stranger things have happend (like Calgary and Edmonton making it recently). Chicago is now as capable as anyone to win the Cup.

If you were offered $40 and $62 for nearly the same thing, you'd take the $40 and leave the other $22 on the table? Or look at it this way; is it $12million better to play in Detroit instead of Chicago? Is it worth $12million out of your pocket to stay in Detroit and know that you are being vastly undervalued by your employers situation? Where is the integrity in turning down that sum of money? With the benefit of hindsight being 20/20, he should have taken Pittsburgh's offer last year. Oh well, I have my own future to to tend to; can't worry too much about Hossa or Detroit.

Its about the $, and the terms, and the team's direction, and the city, and Scotty Bowman, all of the above. Lets face it, Chicago is a kick ass place to live. They too are original six and they are heading in the right direction (just ask Roberto Luongo). If Detroit, God forbid, gets knocked out in the first round next year (hey, its happenned before) then who the hell is left to stop Chicago? So why not go to Chicago if Detroit has no room for you?

I hear ya, brother.

Yeah, its painful for us Detroit fans, but why do you say he's a ******? What do you expect him to do? He's looking for work at his pay level. Do you expect him to say "No thanks, that would not be nice to Detroit".

Why is it so hard for people to see this. Why do people think that what they want to happen should always be what actually does happen? Give Kenny Holland the benefit of the doubt. He's the ******* GM of one of the most successful sports franchises in the history of the universe. He knows what the f*** he's doing, and you do not know whats going on. Its that simple. And I guess I'm glad that Chicago will only kick our ass in "meaningless" regular season games now.

It won't be useless. It will be even more cool than it is now. Like my #7 Chelios Blackhawks jersey. It probably peaked in value during the Detroit.Chicago series. It would have been worth even more if he was actually playing in the series. BTW, Winters says "so much for my kids renovations to their rooms"? You f***in slap some new paint on the walls and maybe get some new carpeting for a kids room and thats about it. You don't "renovate" a kids room. Talk about lifestyles of the rich and famous, holy cow.

Uhh, how 'bout THE REST OF HIS FRIKIN LIFE COULD VERY WELL DEPEND ON THIS VERY DECISION! Holland knows that. Leaving 2 to 4 million dollars on the table a year for possibly 10 years is always a big decision no matter who you are or how wealthy you are. Thats quite a sacrifice. There are a lot of heavy things to consider here. And now he knows all too well that other teams are very capable of winning the Stanley Cup, not just Detroit. And let me tell you, Vancouver is a very cool place to live. Its probably my favorite city in all of North America. Montreal would be a riot to live in for a few years, as would be many cities. Hell, Pittsburgh is a cool place to live. I don't know why you guys can't grasp the magnitude of the decision Marian Hossa is faced with. Holland knows that, and he is playing it just right. Its up to Hossa and you can't blame him for considering all options. If he were drafted by the Detroit Red Wings, things would be very different. But he wasn't. He can never be a life long Red Wing. There will never be quite that bond. Lidstrom, Datsyuk, and Zberg are the Lifers with the A tier contracts. A perfect storm opportunity openned up for Rafalski with Schnieds and his contract leaving. Hossa is an outsider late to the table, and therefore there is only money left over for a B tier contract, even though he is an A tier player. Can you blame him for not wanting to be that far down the buffet line getting a smaller plate of food when he can go somewhere else and get the big piece of chicken? No.

I agree. I think they'll bring some much needed energy, enthusiasm, and all 'round general havoc. No more sleeping thru the first 2 and a half periods.

Dumb and Dumber. Serious questions; Does Calgary have an up and coming goalie in their system that will be ready in a year or two, or ready now to split time with Ozzie? It doesn't look like they need to clear cap space to obtain Meester Boumeester. Do they have raises they need to attend to next year? I could see them wanting Holmer, actually, though. And loosing Lids soon and no real plan for a goalie in the near future. Holmer is replaceable. Maybe not a totally illigitimate rumour. Personal views aside, without Hossa, could Detroit pull it off?

Impressive resume. Is it true Raffy was undrafted?

I hear ya brother. Two years ago I was making just over the six figure mark and was selling so much for my comapny that i got to pick out my own F-150 crew cab company car. This year I'm on track to make $36k. Thats a 70% pay cut. Last time I went to a Mariner's baseball game all I could think about was that all these foriegn guys coming up to the plate were all millionaires. The money I struggle to save and budget, and try to plan for my kids future and my retirement, they field a few balls, make a couple throws, an rbi here and there, and they amass that kind of money in week. Whats Abdelkader making, $850,000 or something? Holy frikin cow.

Actually, Rich Winters and Ken Holland have had a lot of dialogue over the years in regards to trying to land Marian Hossa on the Red Wings. Its seems to be a case of when the Wings have room, Hossa is not availbale. Then when Hossa is available, the Wings do not have room. The deal last year was done with eyes wide open, both parties knowing the limiting realities of the following year. Now, Hossa has a window of whats fair for him (understandly so) and Holland has a window of what he can afford. Its as simple as that. Hossa's sqaure peg of a salary demand (his value) needs to be able to somehow fit into Hollands round hole of a budget. They knew it would be unlikely, but wanted to get Hossa's foot in the door and give it a go for one year and then see what happens. Stranger things have worked out. You can't blame either side.

The article stated they have over $10m in cap room. Where is the need to move Phanuef? That could be quite a formidable defense.

Wow. Very nice. Great article by Ray. Kids got a pedigree alright. And no one has even mentioned his step mom. http://prettytough.com/wp-content/uploads/...anato-cammi.jpg http://www.afterellen.com/blog/stuntdouble...hl-hall-of-fame

I agree. I would hope he is met with rousing applause each return visit to The Joe. Good riddons?

Why do the Rangers get a compensatory pick from the death of Chernopov (Sp?)? Anyone know the actual reasoning behind it? Does Vancouver get one for Luc B? If no, whats the difference? Please educate me on this.

Thanks for the link. I am now educated in compensatory draft picks.