titanium2

I've already said this, but I'll say it again, I'm calling out for Pavel Datsyuk. He is way better than the 2 points that he has. Hopefully it's just a slow start offensively, but I'm calling for his line to dominate both ends of the ice.

It would be really awesome. Unfortunately Ericsson doesn't seem to lay people out all that much but I'm actually glad of that because I'd rather have his big body in good defensive position. But who knows, maybe Pronger will try to pounce on a loose puck in front of Ozzie and then Big E will freight train him.

At this point, both teams know each other very well. It won't be so much about strategy but rather who wants it the most?

Yes, now he's a wannabe NHL GM as Kevin Lowe put it, probably because he's not a former player. But yes he used to be a lawyer. I look forward to a day in which we can actually hunt them and he's near the top of the checklist.

...What?!!! Well this certainly came out of nowhere. Wow... That really sucks. Even though I think it's cheap, I kind of hope this is just a mind game the Wings are playing. That this is just something they're hoping might throw ANA off their game. I mean, is Rafi really that injured? It's the playoffs, everybody's playing injured.

Thing is, a cap hit under 6 million isn't that out of reach, imo. It's not just about what a player would receive in the open market-It's also about how worthy is a player to the Red Wings organization. In fact, negotiations may be moreso about the latter than the former. After Lidstrom retires, Datsyuk sets the new cap ceiling. Zetterberg took a cap hit of 6.08. He plays center and wing and one of more prominent players on the Red Wings in terms of individuals who set the example of determination and work ethic. He is also the one who is most likely to wear the C after Nick. Considering that, is Hossa worth more to the organization than Z? Probably not. I think a clever idea would be to have Hossa take the average cap hit of Pav, Z and Mule. 6.7 + 6.08 + 3.955 / 3 = 5.578

Hmm... If they're going to use multiple lines on Getzlaf, then it might be a good idea to go back to the lines that were successful defensively during the early winter: Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom Cleary-Zetterberg-Hossa Cleary, Zetterberg and Franzen are guys who I'd love to see against Getzlaf and so I wonder if all of them on one line might not be the best approach if that big line for ANA is going to play 26 minutes. I admit - Zetterberg and Hossa had some pretty average chemistry on the offensive end during the regular season, but for some reason it worked out well defensively.

I think Getzlaf will get the Crosby treatment. Just make sure he doesn't have the puck for too long to make plays.

In my dreams I imagine the Red Wings brass saying, "Screw this salary cap, we're going to do what we want!" and then I wake up and remember that as long as a team is over the cap they forfeit every game. Stupid people and their rules.

For a second there I thought he was signing that woman's breasts.

Does everyone here know that Chris Pronger leads the league in playoff +/-? The Wings have to do something about that.

It's ok. Now you can get some rest for tomorrow's 500 post thread.

Canucks were almost as stupid as this guy:

Looks like that free Arby's $5 dinner is on hold. Maybe Hossa will finally net a hattrick tomorrow.

Ken and Mickey mentioned that during a game against the Ducks. More specifically, they said he's "losing his voice in the locker room" or something to that effect. With the way coaching has gone in sports, no wonder Babs' contract is only for another few years, but I hope that doesn't happen to him.

I remember Burke trying to defend him. It was among some of the worst bunch of bulls*** and pure devil's advocating that I've ever heard. "Well, sir, Chris Pronger is 6 foot 6 checking guys that are on average 6 foot even, so it's only natural that his elbows come into contact with their frontal lobes..." ...Right, so basically if someone is 6 foot 6 then they should'nt have to be responsible for their size when it gets out of control?

You guessed it. Randy Carlyle is actually Don Cherry. Pretty soon you'll hear him say, "Fetisov should be suspended 30 games for that goaltender interference!!!" "...But Fetisov doesn't play anymore, Don." "Oh whatever his name is, they're all the same..."

Babcock is lazy and he sucks. Trade him for a hot dog and a bag of pucks. His intense competitive streak stems from simple male overcompensation for a small penis. Oh, wait, officials don't care about any of that do they?

Question How does having the last line change at home allow a team to dictate matchups?

...No, but you can say certain things to get your team fired up, even if they are "lies." In fact, it's kind of his job as assistant captain.

Yeah, like Pav's scoring, Kronwall is overdue for a highlight reel hit. But whatever, as long as they win.

Meh. I don't want to get too ahead of myself. In saying that, I don't care who they play, I just want another cup.

I don't know about "in a just universe he'd get it." Don't they like to view the award as in "if this player was injured the rest of the way, how would the team do?" Because in that case, if you take away Pavel from the Wings, it's more likely that someone steps up and provides a stopgap for Pav's contributions. But if WAS didn't have Ovie or if PIT didn't have Geno then who would step up on their teams?

The Wings have another category of jerseys that they just don't put into circulation for whatever reason. Vladdy #16 and Larry Aurie #6 (which is another discussion in itself). I think Ozzie's #30 and Drapes' #33 will also be pulled from circulation and I think that's what the Red Wings have done with #91. For all intents and purposes, those numbers are retired. No banner or ceremony, but they do get a face plaque somewhere in the Joe if that's any consolation. The Red Wings organization does not retire jerseys so liberally. It's easier to get into the hockey hall of fame than to get your jersey retired as a Red Wing.