FirstSamuel1745

Hey guys - saw this over on www.hockeywriters.com, and I thought it appropriate for this forum. The author, who follows the Blue Jackets, took a statistical look at the correlation between hits (what we call "grit" around here), and wins. Here's the link: http://thehockeywriters.com/hit-or-myth-busting-your-way-to-success-in-the-nhl-or-not/ To put it bluntly, it seems that while some teams do manage to hit a lot and win a lot, most teams that are highly gritty have a greater chance of being in the lower end of the league. There are exceptions of course. I thought this would make some good food for thought. Happy Reading!

This one's easy. One pace for 55 fewer goals this year, combined with a slightly more porous defense, and a hospital ward full of injuries. Hard to blame anyone for this, though you might wish the healthy players showed a bit more heart.

Z and D may be past their primes, but if you build a team of guys in their prime, then you'd have no "experience." Hard to find a pair of teammates in the league I'd rather have with their talent and experience.

This may have already been said, but those Anaheim-style numbers are driving me nuts.

More skilled than he's usually given credit for. A very solid signing. Nicely done!

And lets not forget that the Rangers made the playoffs. That's the important thing.

Kings had room for a large contract after their pursuit of Hossa, so the money isn't an issue. Furthermore, they dealt from a position of strength for an area of weakness. Smyth is a great character guy for a team that needs some veteran leadership and a few goals. Hard to dislike this move.

For real?

Is it possible to boo Hossa for the logo on the front of his sweater rather than the name on the back? This means, of course, that my disdain for Hossa is no more or less than my disdain for Toews, Kane, etc. But it is disdain nonetheless. There is a fine line, you know, between some good-natured booing, and the nasty, boorish booing we hear in some places. I'm merely suggesting the former.

Did someone seriously say "Bertuzzi?"

The way the Cup will be won next year is not by making a huge splash like last year with Hossa, but with the small, "no one cares" signings of a Samuelsson or a Cleary. Holland generally works his magic on the back end of the market. Be patient folks.

This is strange. On the one hand, I knew that Hossa was only here for a year, and there was a good chance he would leave at the end of the year. But on the other hand, I really felt like he would stay. To make matters worse, he goes to a huge rival. I know in my head that he was leaving, but in my heart I feel used, dumped, and now have to watch him go out with my best friend. Odd feelings.

This is strange. On the one hand, I knew that Hossa was only here for a year, and there was a good chance he would leave at the end of the year. But on the other hand, I really felt like he would stay. To make matters worse, he goes to a huge rival. I know in my head that he was leaving, but in my heart I feel used, dumped, and now have to watch him go out with my best friend. Odd feelings.

Don't tear down the Joe until I see a game there! Guess I better get on the ball.

I think the LeBron and Crosby incidents are two separate deals. Crosby was celebrating, and as much as I hate myself for it, I at least understand what he was going through. LeBron pouted like a spoiled kid because he lost. I think LeBron's incident showed his character, while Crosby's did not.

Gotta be the Caps. I live in MD, and most of my hockey games come via DC. For those who say they can't imagine rooting for another team, I'd guess that most of them live in Michigan. When you live close to a team, and the majority of your live games are in that team's building, its hard to root for another team. Living in MD, I'm a diehard Orioles fan, and couldn't imagine rooting for another team. But since the only hockey I get to see live is in DC, its hard not to root for them from time to time (aside from '98). So I guess its an out-of-town phenomenon.

I have to agree. My worst nightmare is that we get into a situation like Tampa Bay, who had three studs signed for long term deals and had no flexibility to get anything done. It crippled the franchise. And remember, there aren't going to be many Osgood-type goaltenders - undervalued and underpriced. Eventually the Wings are going to have to pay for some goaltending, like it or not. While I wish Hossa could stay, I don't want to see all our money tied up in his contract, which is sure to be large. We'll see though - In Kenny We Trust.

I didn't get to see most of the game, but I did follow the score on my phone. And when it hit 2-0, I knew that the Wings were playing one of those games where they just don't seem to be in sync. And when I got home, it was exactly as I feared - a team that had almost no urgency. So I've known it for awhile, but that horn (and the sight of Crosby with the Cup) makes it pretty tough.

I wouldn't even say the Ducks either. The Hawks rivalry is the one on the horizon, and the heat will come more from Chicago fans than Detroit fans.

Nah, not at all. I wouldn't really care that its the Penguins other than the fact that I go to school with a whole busload of them. Pens aren't even a small rival.

Don't forget Conklin.

I didn't see the whole game; but the third period just looked like one of those games. The Wings just have a way of going into a shell. 12 minutes left, and there's little hop, little urgency, little attack. It just never felt right. I don't know how they got to this point; maybe they did run out of gas. But Game 5 was how the Wings could play. Games 6 and 7 were how they often lose. What a shame, because this is a great team.

Hey, hey Hockeytown!!!!!!

Doing my part. LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!!!!

LET'S GO RED WINGS!!! (clap clap clap clap clap)