Frozen-Man

I know some don't like it but I think the NHL knows it has to become much more national if it wants to be able to compete with football, baseball, and basketball. I have signed Yzerman, Fedorov, and Zetterberg jerseys as well as a game used Datsyuk stick hanging in my law office and clients are always amazed that someone would have those things in an office in New Mexico and ask how in the world did I get interested in the sport. If the NHL wants to expand its brand it has to do it nationwide.

I may have been reading it wrong but I didn't take that article as saying Mrazek is #2 out of the seven goalies listed just that he is one of the seven best goalies available in the expansion draft.

I keep looking to get tickets for the outdoor game, I can't wait for that.

It does however negate your suggestion that they should be the ones benched.

I don't disagree with what you are saying about Howard being a "huge reason why this team has made the playoffs" but conversely with his play after the all star break he is also a huge part of the reason why this team almost missed the playoffs and it seems that goalies more than most players are hot or cold and Howie has been pretty cold for quite a while. edit: grammar

Ansar Khan ‏@AnsarKhanMLive 11m11 minutes ago Babcock said he hasn't decided if Datsyuk and Zetterberg will be split. Could depend on whether Abdelkader is available, he said.

Chris Johnston @reporterchris $40 .25M over seven years from #caps for Matt Niskanen, to be precise.

I think most of that misses the original point, Alife WANTED to come here, Dekeyser WANTED to come here, and Weiss chose to come here. They were all highly sought after and all chose to come here, whether they worked out or not is irrelevant to countering the statement that UFA's don't want to go to the Wings. Some do and some don't and on a guy like Dekyser it isn't really fair to say he was a hometown move and so discount him but not discount all the other FA's choices that involve family, friends, location, climate, etc. None of that is to say that I disagree with your final statement that the Wings are a tougher sell than they were 5 years ago, I agree they definitely are, but that is different that than the original assertion that UFA's don't want to go to Detroit anymore.

I think he can be counted on in limited minutes but when it really matters (i.e. end of games) and could really help the development of guys like Ouellet.

I think $4M is a little high for Hemsky either way but I mostly agree with you, which is why I was saying earlier, as much as I like Nill, what he needs to do in Dallas is vastly different and easier than what Holland needs to do in Detroit.

I agree, LGW would be in melt down mode for $4M for Hemsky for the next 3 years.

Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC Hemsky is 3 yrs, $4M AAV in DAL

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie Ryan Miller's deal with VAN is three years with an AAV of $6M .

I agree he has declined a fair bit but I still think he would be good for the team.