titanium2

Wow... Self-righteous.

So now that Hossa finally committed long term to a team anyone think he'll finally get that cup?

Go to the Pens forum.

Other teams probably knew Hossa wasn't going to take a "50% pay cut"

Oh right. I forgot to address this "toughness" part of your Hudler speech in the other forum. No I don't have a preference for UFC men in skates. I'm more of a fan of the pacifists like Lidstrom and Zetterberg who just try to tie up a guy until he calms down. No agitating. No nothing. Just keep them at bay until the next faceoff. Kind of like when a little kid is running at you in anger and you just place your hand on his head while he flails about missing every swing. The only thing I liked about Colton Orr is that night he went after Crosby constantly. It was hilarious. He baited him and whiny face fell for it again and again.

Ooohh boy. Guess I pushed a button. The hockey part: If we're going to talk about game, it is just my preference or opinion that Hudler is fairly replaceable because of his skating ability, which is moreso evident during the playoffs. It was nice that he was able to take advantage of his time on the PP but when the finals turned into a 5-on-5 series, Huds became less and less noticeable. If you can't skate well enough to get in position to get the puck back or make a play, then that skill set becomes less effective rather quickly. The more philosophical/psychological part: Let's be fair here. If you really just liked Hudler's game by itself, then your username would be DatsyukFanatic. Datsyuk is the one with mastery over that style on the Wings. But obviously you're a HudsFanatic. Why? Why Huds instead of Datsyuk? What's different about Huds' game? Not much, really, except his skating ability and lesser aptitude for the defensive end. But wait a minute those last two traits aren't all that appealing. And a hockey fan isn't a fan of the Wings without an appreciation for two-way play. So why pick Huds? If you focused solely on style of play you would gravitate to Datsyuk and you wouldn't even notice Hudler. So what makes you notice Hudler? What makes Huds stand out? The difference is his image. The little 5'8 guy with all the heart scoring those goals and celebrating and smiling or crying none of us ever know which one it is. I acknowledge that you love Huds' game, but face it, you love his image too, as do many on this board. As a Hudler fanatic, any time he celebrates a goal and flashes that smile I'm sure you fall in love with it every time. All that "get knocked the F out, come back and score goals at his size" stuff is all a part of his image. It allows him stand out. It allows for us as fans to perceive him as unique. And this may come as no surprise to you... There's nothing wrong with that. Besides, you can't idolize someone without having a distinct image in your head of what separates them from the others. Otherwise, how would you select a player to call your favorite? As far as the Wings go, Huds has that pop-type of image going for him. If Huds was just another 5-11, 190 pound player with the same points who was stoic every time he scored a goal, you wouldn't notice him as much as you do now. In the end I never said that you or anyone else on here only loved Hudler for his image. All I said was that was a part of what made him stand out, what made so lovable and that if he were to leave, it would be harder for some to let him go because of the supreme image he built in our perceptions as fans. There have been many that have donned a Wings jersey with a similar skill set, but few are willing to drunkenly chant "Let's go Red Vings!" with a half empty bud light in his back pocket. It's okay if people want to like the Jonas Brothers.

I'm rather indifferent to Hudler coming back. If he's here, cool, hope his cap hit is fair, if not, they've got players who can fill his role. I watch all the Hudler love around here and I feel like a Dad watching his daughters enjoy a Jonas Brothers concert or something. It just has a poppy sensation kind of feel for me. It's a nice story: A guy of that size scoring all those goals during the regular season and flashing that ridiculous smile. But when it comes right down to it, he's fairly replaceable. If he somehow bolts then it's going to be hard for some people on here to let go of him because of that "smallest guy" image they've admired for the past couple of years.

The back end is pretty easy to figure out. Up front however is a little tricky. This is all I'm set on for now: Pav-Z-? Mule-Fil-? ?-Helm-? ?-Drapes-Malts Babs has to spread out the weak skaters a little. Two strong skaters with one not so strong. Pav-Z-Homer Mule-Fil-Leino Huds-Helm-Cleary ?-Drapes-Malts Leino on the second line is a shock to some, but not to me. It seems as if Babs likes him more than Huds, perhaps because he's a little bigger and he works better down low on the cycle. I don't want to put Cleary on the third line. But again, two strong skaters with one not so strong.

I'd share your moxie if those damn Olympics weren't next year.

First Anaheim. Now Calgary. You know, I could see Calgary as the new Anaheim to the Wings with their Dmen group. Very, very annoying.

We all could be posting 10 pages of emotion for nothing. The sportsnet report could only be based on the fact that Hossa is likely to test free agency.

What if the Wings had to rely more on their defense to win games in the regular season instead of their high powered offense? Their seed might not have been as high, but maybe they'd have been more prepared for the playoffs.

In the ten playoffs he's participated in he's had 2 maybe 3 good individual performances. Therefore, a majority of the time, he's not reliable during the playoffs, which is THE most important time for the Red Wings.

Alright we need to have a poll and settle this once and for all. Who's sad that Hossa left versus who is indifferent, maybe a little happy that he left.

Leino is a tad bit soft imo. He has a pretty good nose for the net. It's just that he dives just as much as any diver. I don't know if I'd call Playoffs Filppula soft though.

I don't know about grinders or finesse players or what titles have you but it would be great if they can get some 3rd/4th line versions of Zetterberg, guys who do the dirty work to win the battles for the puck without hesitation.

I disagree. It's more of a "meh, okay, let's move on" day for the Wings. They didn't need him.

No. Get a new username.

Have fun never winning a cup! Just like someone earlier said, out with the bad juju, in with the cups.

What was the deal with the Sens locker room a couple years ago? Apparently it was like Real World: NHL and Heatley was one of the more memorable characters.

I guess no news is still good news for those who want #81 to stay.

Ehhh.... You really believe that?

The thing I love the most about the Joe is that there really is no such thing as a bad seat. The Palace... not so much. I love the Pistons and all but I have to be a lot more careful when buying tickets.

Well he got drafted by the Kitchener Rangers, the team where Kindl played before coming to the A. I'm not sure if that means he'll make the trip next year. He's got one year left on his contract in the Slovak league according to RWC and it's unclear as to whether a buyout or whatever will allow him to make the trip. Apparently the SM-liiga is the closest league to NHL style though according to Filppula. I'm not sure how he figures that though. Either way I've jumped on the bandwagon. Tatar Tots is officially the pick I'm most excited about. Finally a guy with brains, skill and most importantly to me, Skating Ability!!! Sorry Hudler, Leino and Pare, but every team loves the guys who can play in all situations and not just the PP.