Datsyerberger

I think that he'll make a push for a decent acquisition (perhaps a blue liner?) this year, while Lidstrom is still around, but I don't think he'll break the bank for it. It'll be like the case of Stuart, where if someone good is available for a decent price he'll jump on it.

Joking or not, this is a frequent mistake people make about TB because it's in the south and they make an assumption. The problem with that assumption is that the part of Florida TB is in is occupied by Michiganders, Northeastern folk, Snowbirds, and their families. Here's some fun attendance numbers: 00-01 25th in league (this was before they were ever a good team) 01-02 20th in league (ahead of a canadian team and 2 o6 teams) 02-03 16th in league 03-04 12th in league (ahead of 3 canadian teams? blasphemy!) 04-05 DNP 05-06 2nd in league (this was the first season after their cup, but also with a year gap because of the lockout) 06-07 3rd in league 07-08 8th in league (their play/team had already been declining after the lockout) 08-09 21st in league (at this point, they're in the dumps, but still near even with the Oilers) 09-10 21st in league 10-11 19th in league (and so begins the recovery) And so there are some interesting numbers. At their best, they're capable of supporting sustained revenue and attendance that's at or near the top of the league. At their worst, they're ahead of both expansion and earlier (and occasionally, even some Canadian) teams that are in similar or better shape. For comparison, the Ducks were never better than 15th in attendance, even after a cup, and even the highly successful Avalanche were doing no better than 8th to 10th in the early 2000s. Tampa Bay was a brilliant locational choice for an expansion team, due in large part due to the makeup of the population (as well as that of the Sarasota/Bradenton area and most the rest of the gulf coast of the peninsula). I'd really like to see what happens if Stevie can give them some sustained success. They have the market potential to be a financial and marketing powerhouse.

I'm not as harsh on this as some others are (some of the guardians are really lame in design, but I think a few of them are kinda cool). However, I think the Red Wing is totally ruined by the fact that his undercarriage looks like a busted segway.

Dammit, why don't we get to play the Devils when they can't tell their ass from their elbow? Oh well, go Wings.

Honestly, I don't really give a crap about this kinda stuff in a personal sense. I'm rather anti-PC. I'm also rather anti-litigious. That said, given that this is a workplace environment, it's over the line. It doesn't really foster a professional environment. While I wouldn't necessarily back a lawsuit, I can definitely see where he's coming from. I wouldn't support such behavior from employees of my own business. Swear at a guy all you want, but watch the derogatory stuff--you may just very well be insulting one of my other employees.

Oh, don't be immature. ...It's just maple syrup to put on all the waffles.

Once you've got a bad one, they always get harder to shake. ******* Cooke.

I always thought the sound of "Jaromir Jagr" fit his size/play rather well. Just sounds lethal.

Remind me again why Detroit needs to burn assets to get a second line center when they already have one, plus two possible first line/1A/1B centers?

Herp derp I lost sight of the puck because it went in the goal, better not overrule my intent to blow because I lose sight, herp derp.

Redirections really not going our way tonight..

Of all the flukey goals..

But can't you see how terrible we're doing with Flip as our 2nd line centers? Those 4 GWGs? Terrible.

Strangely enough, though he's taken few shots relative to his TOI, his shooting % is almost 15%, which is well above the league average for 2nd line+ forwards. I suspect that his shot is actually fairly decent, which comes from watching him play as well... but $#@% he needs to shoot more sometimes. Especially given his usual linemates (Bert, Franzen, Cleary)... dammit, man, just put the puck on the net and let the big guys go collect some garbage.

Remind me why the Sharks want to trade Pavelski.

In other words, there's no reason to move Flip?

ffffuuu--- Couldn't they do this a day or two earlier?

Except in the year in which we won, they were played mostly together save in the series against the team with a pair of offensively superior centers that needed to be shut down.

Who's an offensive winger (preferably a 1st/2nd line tweener) that you think we could trade Flip for?

I counted only one of the eurotwins as a center, as together only 1 of them plays as a center. NHL additionally lists him as a LW for this year. However, that's a complete dodge to answering my questions... and I'm not sure we can trade for Zetterberg anyhow. He's pretty valuable to his team.

Okay, so, here's the list of people ahead of him on playoff teams (top 8 win % per conference) in points and goals: Actually, just to add, here's those centers on playoff teams presently better than him in points and goals: Points: Crosby Stamkos H. Sedin B. Richards Kopitar Duchene E. Staal M. Richards Backstrom Stastny Thornton Kesler Carter Dubinsky Malkin Plekanec Ribeiro Couture Pavelski Steen Krejci Laich Stepan Stoll Bergeron Boyle Little Goals: Crosby Stamkos Kesler Couture B. Richards Carter Dubinsky Kopitar Duchene Stastny Boyle M. Richards Malkin Datsyuk Steen Backstorm Plekanec Stepan Thornton Little (looks like I miscounted slightly on goals, my mistake) So, who on those lists do we trade for, how do we afford them, and why does the other team (a playoff team) give them up? And how does said player improve on Flip, taking into account offense + defense?

I started to use takeaways in defensive benchmarks, but started getting bored with counting out teams. Offensively, it seems he's improved his goalscoring this year. Works for me. If he's clearly among 2nd line centers for points, in regards to playoff teams (which includes groups of centers such as Crosby/Malkin, Richards/Carter, Sedin/Kesler, etc), and at the top end of 2nd line centers for goalscoring, then yea.. I'm not really sure where the merit to your argument is.

Hey, okay, let's see Flip's status among players whose teams are top 16 in win % (or rather, top 8 from each conf): Points: 28th Goals: t16th Takeaways: 15th Eh, I could keep going with stats, but this is sort of tedious. Basic idea: your argument is horrendously flawed. Funny, though.

That is one of the most embarrassing arguments I have seen. But no, you're right, Spezza, Roy, and Getzlaf are all terrible centers because their teams blow.

He's an RFA... the Rangers will lock him up for sure. No way Holland goes chasing Sather's RFAs.